A upset Chauncey Billups was once requested Sunday evening after the Portland Trail Blazers’ 126-94 loss at Sacramento what he idea a great preseason sport seems like.
It without a doubt wasn’t what his crew had put forth. But the opponent in red had the proper concept.
“I think a perfect preseason game is what you’ve just seen from the Kings,” Billups advised journalists on the Golden 1 Center. “They want to play faster. They want to play with ball movement. They want to pressure.”
Sacramento did all of that and extra in opposition to the Blazers (1-3), who’re 0-3 in opposition to NBA groups whilst now not taking a look specifically excellent within the procedure.
Winning preseason video games without a doubt has its deserves, however given how deep groups cross into their benches and that such video games are about fine-turning and experimenting, wins and losses will also be deceiving. After all, the Kings went 4-0 throughout last yr’s preseason and completed the common season 30-52.
However, the 4 convention finals members last season blended to move 16-3 last preseason: Golden State (5-0), Dallas (4-0), Miami (5-1) and Boston (2-2).
So, preseason luck shouldn’t be written off totally.
For the Blazers, they aren’t going to win very many video games of any sort in the event that they don’t work out methods to take what they are saying they’re engaging in at apply into video games.
“The one disappointing thing for me in this game is just, yeah, it’s preseason, but we’re working on things,” Billups stated. “I think their pressure took us out of working on what we needed to work on. So, that’s the one thing that’s disappointing for me. Yes, it’s a preseason game, but the real season is starting in 10 days. So, it is what it is. One thing I love about it is we’ll be able to sit and watch it and talk about it and be able to do it again in about a week or so.”
The Blazers open the common season Oct. 19 at Sacramento.
Billups and Damian Lillard left Seattle on Oct. 3 after dropping 102-97 to the LA Clippers feeling excellent concerning the crew’s efficiency. The Blazers didn’t shoot neatly (39.7%) however restricted the Clippers to 38.3% capturing, a excellent signal for Portland’s protection.
Sacramento Kings guard De Aaron Fox (5) is defended by way of Portland Oral Blazers (1) as he seems to be to move within the first quarter of a preseason NBA basketball sport in Sacramento, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas) APAP
The subsequent evening, Billups excused the crew’s sloppy play throughout a 118-101 loss to the rebuilding Utah Jazz at house as it was once the second one evening of a back-to-back.
Then got here Sunday. The Blazers didn’t shoot neatly (40.3%), became the ball over 21 instances, dedicated 20 fouls and allowed the Kings to run amok on offense.
Through 3 video games in opposition to NBA groups, the Blazers are capturing 41.6% from the sector and 32.3% on threes. Compare that to last season once they shot 44.2% and 34.6% whilst going 27-55.
Splitting hairs? Maybe. But the Blazers spent part of last season minus key gamers and/or enjoying for a prime draft pick out. Improvement throughout all statistical classes shouldn’t be a problem.
The Blazers have dedicated 18 turnovers in step with sport and 23.3 non-public fouls. Ugly. Last season, they ranked tied for fourth in maximum turnovers in step with sport (14.5) and 3rd in maximum fouls (21.1).
At instances, Portland seems to be woefully out of sync on offense. Players all too ceaselessly make ill-advised and sloppy passes towards gamers now not remotely open. Billups stated there may be numerous hesitation and indecisiveness on offense, as neatly, when there doesn’t want to be.
Aside from the Clippers sport, the Blazers are mechanically getting labored at the defensive finish whilst permitting open pictures. The Kings hit on 21 of 45 threes (46.7%). The Jazz made 15 of 33 (45.5%). While tanking last season, the Blazers allowed 115.1 issues in step with sport (tied for 3rd maximum). This preseason in opposition to NBA groups, they sit down at 115.3.
Of route, we’re most effective speaking about 3 video games with starters now not enjoying a complete supplement of mins and rotations being looked after out. Portland is operating Lillard again into the swing of items, and he’s enjoying with 3 new starters: Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant and Josh Hart. Hart and backup ahead Justise Winslow joined the crew last February following trades however most effective noticed the court docket for a blended 24 video games, and none with Lillard.
An adjustment length must be anticipated. Nevertheless, one day the Blazers should display development or losses that subject will happen in bunches beginning subsequent week.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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