Blazers Weekend: Was there anything good about the preseason?
The Portland Trail Blazers had a horrible preseason. They didn’t win one game. Despite such a bad showing, there might be someone(s) to feel excited about for the coming season.
Portland Trail Blazers Nation! Let’s get ready for the season! Rip City has some of the greatest fans in the NBA. But, even the most incredible fans want to root for someone. I think I found that someone from the training camp invitees for us to cheer.
How the training camp players worked out
I didn’t think Portland could use any of the four players invited to training camp, but let’s look for the prize at the bottom of the crackerjack box.
Two players for Coach Billups to consider seriously
Dennis Smith, Jr.
This was the biggest surprise for me. Dennis Smiith, Jr. has been through the wringer. First with the Dallas Mavericks, then the Knicks, who sent him to Detroit, and now, hopefully, a home with the Blazers. DSJ is looking better than I’ve seen him in a long time. He is the lone standout out of all those invited to join the Trail Blazers’ training camp.
Smith played every preseason game and averaged 11 points per game, 2.75 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. I think he should be signed. His steals and blocks alone are the type of defense needed in Portland. DSJ is hungry for a place to play, and the Blazers should give him one.
Dennis Smith Jr with 3 straight buckets!
18 PTS (7/9 FG), 7 AST in 26 MINS off the Blazers benchpic.twitter.com/lk9zZPwB2o
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) October 12, 2021
Marquese Chriss
I laughed when I saw that Marquese Chriss was joining the team in training camp. But the 6-9 forward played pretty well in the Blazers’ four games. He averaged 4.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 0.5 assists, and one block per game. Chriss is only 24 years old. Should Jusuf Nurkic get injured (again), he could be a good backup for Cody Zeller. That’s up to Coach Billups, I guess.
Sorry guys…
Patrick Patterson
Patrick Patterson is a 32-year-old power forward/center. Since he only played in two preseason games, I think the Billups already made up his mind. But, since we’re here, I might as well tell you, he scored a total of seven points and added eight rebounds. But I think the Blazers already have enough 30-year-olds.
Quinn Cook
Quinn Cook only played in one preseason game. Unfortunately, he had a lackluster showing in that game. The Blazers were trying to win at least one game, and Cook didn’t help. In his lone appearance, he scored just two points, with two rebounds and one assist.
https://youtu.be/fAzf9dxPqfg
There you have it. Let us know how you felt about the preseason in the comments below or on social media.
The regular season begins on Wednesday, October 20. Here’s to a great season! Please stay safe out there!