The Portland Path Blazers have been dangerous in some ways final yr, as they’ve been of their three seasons below head coach Chauncey Billups. The membership was constructed to lose by common supervisor Joe Cronin heading into final yr, loaded with a couple of overpriced veterans and a boatload of very uncooked younger gamers.
Protection has typically been cited as a serious problem for Portland. Solely two gamers within the Blazers’ rotation final yr (technically) have been plus defenders, energy ahead Jerami Grant and backup middle Robert Williams III. Williams solely performed in six video games, sadly for the workforce’s frontcourt.
However protection was solely a part of the issue.
Portland additionally had issues on the opposite finish of the courtroom. In an period of tempo and area, with fast-break assaults and high-volume three-pointers, the Path Blazers have been woefully restricted from deep.
In 2023-24, the Path Blazers made 11.5 three-pointers on 32.1 makes an attempt per recreation (35.8%). Solely the league’s worst groups final yr, the Detroit Pistons and the defense-first Orlando Magic, made fewer three-pointers, at 11.0 per recreation. The defending champion Boston Celtics led the league with 16.5 three-pointers made on 42.5 makes an attempt per recreation.
There’s no less than some optimism that the workforce’s 2024-25 technology, whereas doubtless nonetheless destined for the 2025 NBA Draft lottery, will no less than be more adept at changing their long-range tries. Dan Titus of Yahoo Sports activities issues that can permit the membership to show issues round this yr.
“Portland is the twenty eighth most three-pointers per recreation in 2023-24,” Titus wrote. “That is stunning, contemplating the workforce has 3-point specialists like Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant, however the remainder of the roster has didn’t constantly convert from past the arc. Scoot Henderson clearly has room to enhance in his effectivity throughout the board, and Shaedon Sharpe also needs to see some optimistic regression in that space. New signing Deni Avdija had a career-best shot [37.6 percent] from downtown final season, so Portland’s three-point taking pictures ought to improve through the 2024-25 marketing campaign.”
Final yr, Simons alone tried 8.8 three-pointers, hitting 38.5 p.c of these makes an attempt. Grant tried 5.1 three-pointers, hitting 40.2 p.c of them, in his 54 wholesome video games throughout Portland’s usually hapless 2023-24 season.
Henderson, a rookie final yr, made simply 32.5 p.c of his 4.3 three-point makes an attempt, two numbers that could possibly be improved in his sophomore season. Sharpe made a below-average 33.3 p.c of his three-point makes an attempt final yr on 5.6 makes an attempt, however has made a stable 36 p.c of his 3.5 makes an attempt as a rookie in 2022-23.
Extra Path Blazers: Portland will now not be the one skilled basketball workforce in Portland
