The Portland Trail Blazers ended last season with one offensive engine in breakout all-star Deni Avdija. With the additions of Damian Lillard and Ja Morant, the Blazers go into this year with three players that can create for themselves and others at an elite level. Morant is the obvious question mark with how he will ultimately fit, and he is on a redemption mission to rediscover what once made him one of the league’s brightest stars. However, make no mistake, Morant is among the best distributors
on the planet (ranking 11th in assist avg. since coming into the NBA), and can still get to any spot he wants. Deni does it all, Dame can bend the game to his will with his clutch offense, and Ja? We’ll just have to see how he fits into this matrix.
How do you see the trio of Deni, Dame, and Ja working or not working?
Paul Navarre: Defensively, putting Dame and Ja together will be rough. The other three players will be working overtime to cover for them as we discussed yesterday. Deni is the key. His size and versatility make it possible to play all three together if Deni locks in. On the other end, I’m not worried. Scorers score, and none of the three is particularly selfish. Coach Nori might pull his hair out trying to get them to run a play, but scoring won’t be a problem no matter which combination is on the floor. It works as long as they win more shootouts than they lose.
Max Contract: In a perfect world, the three of them get into a flow of Deni or Ja getting a head of steam pushing the ball, looking to get a high percentage look at the rim with Dame trailing. If one of them scores or gets to the line, great! If they get cut off, they instantly pass out to whoever is open on the wings/corner. Then you get a Camara with an open look, or the ball swings to Dame for what should be a good look from three. I’m having hope Jay Triano develops an offense that is versatile, but the cornerstone is Ja and/or Deni putting pressure towards the rim that gives Portland several options out of those actions. Deni was 3rd in the league last season in free throw attempts. Lillard has regularly resided in the league’s Top 10, so will see how he is after the achilles injury. Morant during his peak years as 22-23 year-old, also was in the top 10. So there’s history with these three living at the line. I’m going to be cautiously optimistic that this trio takes Portland’s 21st ranked offense last season, and vaults it into the Top 7. Defensively, I just hope these three outscore what they will give up on that end.
Adrian Bernecich: Deni isn’t the issue here. It’s Dame and Ja, which will be a defensive liability no matter how you frame it. But if Ja playing off ball improves his long-range efficiency then it won’t be horrible. The best case scenario would be Ja showing improvement, lifting his trade value to a point where he can positively serve as salary ballast in a trade.
Kevin Lawler: For about 43 minutes of each game, I think that trio will work. In the closing minutes of tight games, though? That’s where I have concerns. Can Lillard and Morant hold up defensively? Is there a place for a savvy veteran like Jrue Holiday in closing lineups if those two are out there? If Lillard and Avdija are handling the ball, can Morant make enough shots to be playable late in games? I think crunch time is when the awkward fit will be most apparent.
Josh Fisher: The fit is weird and it’s not Deni Avdija, he fits with anyone. He does it all: pass, rebound, dribble, push the ball, score, get to the line, play defense, hit game-winners, whatever, plus he has size. The idea of Dame and Ja fitting together stretches my imagination.
Mesh or Mess? Give us your best take on how Portland’s high octane new trio will or won’t fit.
