Portland Trail Blazers: Chauncey Billups’ influence takes shape on the court
Rob Ryan
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Ball Movement
Before these last four games, the Portland Trail Blazers averaged 21.5 assists per game. Over the previous four games, that number increased to 27 assists per game. So when thinking about ball movement, look at the Greg Popovich and Steve Kerr-coached teams. The Spurs in their heyday and current Warriors get everyone on the court involved, much like those Billups-led Pistons teams did back in the day.
Getting away from the isolation-oriented offense is what I’ve thought this Portland needed to do for years. Increased ball movement has led to higher percentage shots at the rim and more open looks on the perimeter. In short, higher efficiency basketball.
The Blazers are also finally utilizing Jusuf Nurkic’s ability to pass and score in the paint, which has opened up more potential scoring opportunities. New additions Justise Winslow and Josh Hart have only added to the team’s unselfish, high-energy play.
It will be exciting to see how Damian Lillard looks when he gets back from his core muscle injury. He’s never been on such an unselfish team before, and it will only make him that much harder to defend. But, on the other hand, not needing Dame to play iso-hero ball will help to keep his energy high and not be as gassed at the end of games.
.@joshhart is here #ripcity pic.twitter.com/xbRa3UnmId
— krish (6-3) (@KrishGraphics) February 13, 2022
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