Mike Richman here, the host of the daily Locked On Blazers podcast, with your daily Locked On Blazers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Blazers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Shaedon Sharpe Is Set To Return To The Trail Blazers
Nov 22, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) grabs a defensive rebound during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center. |Troy Wayrynen/Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Wednesday afternoon delivered some real news coming out of a Trail Blazers injury report. Shaedon Sharpe was upgraded to “questionable” ahead of Portland’s Thursday meeting with the San Antonio Spurs.
After a labral tear in his left shoulder sidelined him since early, Sharpe is set to make his comeback. Sharpe’s injury timeline was initially set for four to six weeks back on October 5, and if he plays on Thursday, it will be on the shorter end of that spectrum. This is great news for a team that sees Sharpe as a cornerstone for the future.
Sharpe is the player with the highest ceiling on the roster. Whether he gets there is it’s own adventure but he can only fulfill his potential if he’s on the court.
While he might start off coming from the bench to ease back into the game, the goal is for him to eventually secure a starting position. The team needs him to outperform the other young wings on the roster to solidify his role as a starting shooting guard. The hope is that by December, if not much sooner, Sharpe will be a regular starter, showcasing his ability to create shots and add a jolt of athleticism on both ends of the court.
Sharpe’s return also brings about some challenges in terms of managing the roster. The Blazers have a wealth of young talent, and finding the right balance of playing time is crucial. With Sharpe back in the mix, players like Rayan Rupert and Dalano Banton might see their minutes reduced. The team is committed to playing Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and Anfernee Simons, which means tough decisions on who gets court time behind them.
The Blazers typically play a nine-man rotation, and with Sharpe’s return, this rotation will tighten. It’s a good problem to have, but it does mean that some players will have to make way for Sharpe’s integration back into the lineup. The focus will be on ensuring that Sharp gets the minutes he needs to develop and prove his worth as a top-tier player.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Shaeden Sharp’s return and its implications for the Trail Blazers, tune into the Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Blazers Podcast:
- What Sharpe’s return means for the current roster and potential lineup changes that will follow.
- A conversation with Andy Patton about college basketball prospects to watch for Trail Blazers fans.
Stay tuned for more updates and keep supporting your Portland Trail Blazers!
We’re about 10% of the way through the season, which means we’ve seen enough of the rookie class to make iron-clad judgments on them that will never change. First impression, last impression.
Kidding, of course; sample sizes are still small, and both we and the debutants themselves are learning a ton. Watching this class take their first baby-giraffe steps in the league has been a blast, so I’ve selected four rookies worth discussing.
1) Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey’s performance has been predictably up-and-down. On the one hand, he’s started to figure out how to defend without fouling. After infamously fouling out in just 15 minutes in his NBA debut, Edey hasn’t accrued more than three infractions in any of his last six games (although he did pick up three in just 15 minutes last night). Opponents are shooting just 55.6% against him at the rim, a better number than Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert, and they take fewer attempts at the rim when he’s on the court. There’s a slight deterrence factor already at play.
Edey had a game where he went 11-for-12 from the field, but most of his damage has been done on putbacks and dump-offs. He has only generated 13 points on his 21 post-up possessions, a terrible mark, and his beloved hook shot has abandoned him.
Most peculiarly, a man I predicted might lead the league in screen assists has not been nearly as impactful a screener as I expected. Part of that is the Grizzlies leaning a bit away from the pick-and-roll-centric attack they’ve heavily featured in the past, and part is on some junior-high-school-level chemistry with Ja Morant (see here, where Edey whiffs on the screen and then can’t get to the lob quick enough). That said, he’s already mastered the rolling Gortat screen, a key tool for creating space for Morant. Now, he just needs more reps.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Injury Guard Shaedon Sharpe is nearing a return (listed as questionable tonight against San Antonio), promising to boost the team’s backcourt performance and overall roster strength. (Oregon Live)
Preview Portland’s skills will be tested in their upcoming matchup against the Spurs, with key strategies under analysis. (Oregon Live)
Personnel Owen Phillips of The F5 examines whether a coach can translate their styles between different teams. For example, what trends and principles has Kenny Atkinson instilled in the Cavaliers that we first saw in his Nets tenure?
Analysis ESPN’s Kevin Pelton looks at some early trends, such as the impact Jeremy Sochan’s injury might have on Victor Wembanyama’s offense, the Thunder defense, and more.
Must Read Joseph Casciaro and Joe Wolfond of theScore have 10 observations on the young season, including a look at the Bulls’ blistering pace, KAT’s defensive issues, and much more.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Zaccharie Risacher’s Big Night Brings Fantasy Basketball Questions
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots over New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
In the world of fantasy basketball, player performances can fluctuate wildly, and Wednesday’s games were no exception. While Zach Edey had previously dazzled fans with a standout performance against the Nets, his recent outing was less than stellar. Facing tougher competition, Edey managed just eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes. This game served as a reminder that while Edey has potential, consistency is key, and fantasy managers should be cautious about overcommitting to him based on a single strong performance.
On the flip side, Zaccharie Risacher delivered a performance that turned heads and could have significant fantasy implications. Starting for the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher exploded for 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. His shooting was on point, and he contributed across multiple categories, making him a hot commodity in fantasy leagues. With De’Andre Hunter still sidelined, Risacher’s role in the starting lineup seems secure for now, and his ability to fill the stat sheet makes him a valuable asset.
Risacher’s breakout game highlights the importance of monitoring player roles and opportunities. While his previous performances were inconsistent, this game showcased his potential when given the chance. Fantasy managers should consider adding Risacher, especially if he continues to see significant minutes and usage.
As always, staying updated on player performances and team dynamics is crucial for fantasy success. Keep an eye on how these players develop in the coming games, and adjust your fantasy strategies accordingly. For more insights and analysis, be sure to follow the latest episodes of the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Blazers podcasts.
Dalano Banton’s 4th Quarter Magic Lifts Trail Blazers Over New Orleans Pelicans Dalano Banton only plays at the end of the games. But he also plays awesome at the end of games.
Nightmare 3rd Quarters Derail Trail Blazers in losses against OKC & Phoenix | Dalano Banton Though! The Trail Blazers had two brutal third quarters that derailed their losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns on Friday and Saturday. What went wrong?
Scoot Henderson Is Making Strides & 5 Others Things We’ve Learned from the Trail Blazers 1st 5 Games 5 Things we’ve learned about the Trail Blazers 5 games into the season
