What a difference a week makes. Last Sunday the Trail Blazers were in early season crisis management coming off a 45-point loss and the coach was questioning the players’ competitiveness and fire.
A week later? A 3-0 stretch that included back to back 30 point games from Shaedon Sharpe and reliable contributions from the Blazers bench.
On Sunday against the Hawks, Sharpe showcased his versatility and confidence, scoring 32 points, with 25 of those coming in the second half. His ability to attack the basket, hit crucial three-pointers, and dish out assists were been pivotal as he continues to show the variety of ways he can hurt opposing defenses. Sharpe’s off-ball movement and playmaking have added a new dimension to his game that weren’t often present a season ago.
Sharpe’s performance in the third quarter was particularly impressive, as he scored 13 points and handed out five assists without committing a single turnover. His ability to read the defense and make smart plays has been a game-changer for the Blazers. It’s clear that Sharpe is embracing his role as a go-to player, and his back-to-back 30-point games are a testament to his growth and potential.
The Blazers winning formula is pretty simple. Sharpe flashes his star qualities and Portland’s depth carries the rest of the load.
The Blazers’ depth has been a significant factor in their recent success. Despite a slow start against the Hawks, the bench stepped up to close the gap, with the team capitalizing on the Hawks’ turnovers. The Blazers trimmed an early double-digit deficit to a mangaeble number, and then Portland dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Hawks 38-17. When the Hawks rallied late, Sharpe scored Portland’s final 11 points to seal a clutch win.
That’s the basic formula for this group now. Get a little bit from some combination of Dalano Banton, Rob Williams, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and the rest of their intriguing role players, and have Sharpe deliver big buckets when they need it.
At some point they’ll lose again, but it’s clear they know what the good version of the Blazers looks like now. That wasn’t the case a week ago when they appeared to be a franchise without an identity slogging through a long season.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Blazers’ recent performances, tune into the Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Blazers Podcast:
- An appreciate of Shaedon Sharpe’s week
- Updates on Deandre Ayton’s health status
- A non-update update on Anfernee Simons
- Analysis of the Blazers’ bench contributions
Stay tuned for more Blazers action and analysis!
