Fresh from their comeback win over the Los Angeles Lakers over the weekend, Damian Lillard and a masterful Anfernee Simons display helped Portland (4-0) maintain their unbeaten start to the new campaign. As for Denver, the manner of this latest defeat against a Western Conference rival reinforces the belief this term is all about patience as things settle into rhythm. Continue reading
Tag: Damian Lillard
Adjustments, maintaining belief and new additions: Lillard-Simons duo headline newlook Portland
Armed with a new starting backcourt duo, offseason trade acquisition Jerami Grant, a promising first-round draft selection in Shaedon Sharpe among others from an eventful summer, the Portland Trail Blazers will be quietly hopeful they can settle quickly and vastly improve upon a dismal 27-55 record last season – their worst finish since 2005-06. Will they?
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Masterful or misguided? Beal and Lillard’s latest contract extensions predictably raise questions
Bradley Beal became the 10th player in league history to receive a no-trade clause as part of his five-year, $251m max contract extension with the Wizards. Ten days later, another All-Star – Portland’s franchise star Damian Lillard – inked a two-year, $121m max vet deal to remain with the Trail Blazers, now under contract until the 2026-27 season. Will these decisions age well?
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Pistons open up cap space and hint at big summer, after trading Jerami Grant to Portland
It appears on the surface as though Detroit have settled with less than they could’ve got for a 28-year-old power forward who has been performing at an All-Star level these last two seasons. However, this move also frees up cap space ahead of an offseason packed with speculation insistent that upgrades are inbound: Suns’ wantaway big man Deandre Ayton among them. Continue reading
Regret or satisfied? Bradley Beal hints at re-signing with Wizards this coming offseason
Three-time All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal acknowledged, when quizzed, that he’s leaning towards re-signing with the Wizards this summer. Turning 29 in June and eligible for a five-year, $246m extension if he declines next year’s player option, will the franchise star live to regret his indecisiveness or be truly satisfied with how things have unfolded in recent seasons?
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CJ McCollum to the Pelicans: This exit from Portland felt inevitable, but also long overdue
Midway through his ninth NBA campaign, after 564 regular season games and 57 more in the playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum has been acquired as part of a seven-player trade package sending him to the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s the end of an era in Oregon for the 30-year-old, while opening up new opportunities elsewhere. But why now?
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Wizards’ Bradley Beal keeping all of his options open ahead of free agency
This coming offseason, Washington Wizards’ star shooting guard Bradley Beal is set to become an unrestricted free agent – which inevitably will see multiple franchises circling as they try convincing him to leave a market he’s remained in since he was drafted ten years ago. As far as he’s concerned, every option remains available to him as far as his next career step goes… Continue reading
New home: Lauri Markkanen joins Cleveland Cavaliers in three-team sign-and-trade
In a three-team trade that has left critics with multiple questions, the Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired Chicago’s wantaway RFA PF Lauri Markkanen. They send PF/C Larry Nance Jr to the Portland Trail Blazers, while small forward Derrick Jones Jr will depart Rip City for the Bulls, alongside two future draft picks (2022 first, 2023 second-round). Is this a good move all-round? Continue reading
Bucks 127-109 Blazers: Giannis’ 47-point effort exposes Portland’s ever-present issues
In a season where multiple players have staked their claim for Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP crown, the power forward produced a dominant showing to reinforce the notion that he’s quietly improving with less of the spotlight on Milwaukee after consecutive playoff disappointments, while the focus is centred around other contenders across both conferences.
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NBA Previews: OKC Thunder vs Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns host Trail Blazers
Read on for two NBA match previews as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (12-18) host a determined Miami Heat (13-17) side, while reigning West Player of the Week Damian Lillard looks to propel an undermanned Portland Trail Blazers (18-11) to a big road win vs. Phoenix Suns (19-10), with both vying for fourth place out West. Who will prevail? Continue reading
Trail Blazers 108-111 Chicago Bulls: White, LaVine key as visitors rally down 20 to win
The Portland Trail Blazers started hot and had a 20-point lead over the Chicago Bulls early on, but watched their lead disintegrate in an contrasting second-half display before Zach LaVine’s step-back three gave them a four-point deficit with 10.7 seconds remaining. Despite their best efforts, they failed to force the game into overtime and have fallen to 3-4 to start the season. Continue reading
NBA Playoffs Preview: LA Lakers vs Portland Trail Blazers – Can Dame Time continue?
The 2019-20 NBA playoffs continues, as the Lakers face a tricky series opponent to begin their title assault here. Frank Vogel will urge consistency from his players against a determined Portland side – who had to beat Memphis in a play-in over the weekend to book their playoff berth. Will LA send them back down to earth? Continue reading
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