The Portland Trail Blazers went 2-2 this week, picking up wins over the tanking Utah Jazz and Brooklyn Nets while falling short in close games against the Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers.
This part of the NBA season can lead to some gaudy numbers from unlikely names. However, it can also serve as a good measuring stick to test out new lineups or see which rotation players demand extra minutes. That led to this week’s Blazer of the Week, Scoot Henderson, being used in a different capacity
and to great effect.
Henderson averaged 17.3 points, 2.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game in 22.8 minutes per game this week through the four games. The assist numbers were much lower than his season average of 4.0 per game, but that came as a result of him playing extended minutes alongside Jrue Holiday and Deni Avdija who averaged 5.0 and 7.3 assists respectively this week.
In a role that was more off-ball, Henderson showed great improvement on his shot from deep. He made 14 of his 23 attempts from behind the arc, good for a blazing 60.9% mark. He shot 47.9% from the field overall.
With his role being changed slightly, Scoot showed a lot of talent at attacking the rim off the catch and with little windup. His explosiveness was one of his best qualities coming into the 2023 NBA Draft, and he does not seem to have lost a step after coming back from injury. He still struggles with being out of control at times, as evidenced by his low two-point percentage and averages of 3.0 turnovers and 3.3 fouls this week, but his confidence is growing every game and he has been able to string together a group of good games showcasing a newfound consistency.
This week’s honorable mention is Donovan Clingan.
Clingan posted four straight double-doubles with averages of 14.3 points and 13.0 rebounds per game while also blocking an absurd 4.0 shots per game. The center has proved time and time again this season that he is a force to be reckoned with inside the paint. His ability to serve as an efficient scorer from the dunker spot and at the end of pick-and-rolls makes the job easier for Portland’s ball handlers. He also creates extra possessions with his offensive rebounding (4.3 per game this week) helping make up for his team’s offensive struggles.
