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.
Are The Trail Blazers Winning Too Much?
Dec 3, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) controls the ball against Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first half at Intuit Dome. | Gary A. Vasquez/Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Portland Trail Blazers are 8-14, good enough for the seventh worst record in the league. This is not exactly an envious position for postseason hopefuls across the league. And yet there’s an ongoing debate within the fanbase about whether the Blazers are winning too many games for their own good.
The point of a basketball game is to win though, right?
As a fan, it’s thrilling to see the team compete and win, but there’s a strategic element to consider. The Blazers are in a rebuilding phase, and securing a high draft pick is likely crucial for acquiring superstar talent. Yet, winning games often means that young players like Scoot Henderson, Shaeden Sharpe, Toumani Camara, and Deni Avdija are developing well, which is a positive sign for the future.
You want the young players to play well. That is also the point of roster building, right?
The team has done an impressive job of identifying and developing role players, creating a roster filled with competent contributors. However, the absence of a true superstar remains a glaring gap. The hope is that players like Sharpe can evolve into key figures, potentially reaching the level where role players complement their star qualities.
But thus far the Blazers don’t have an obvious franchise pillar, and winning games that hurt their draft lottery odds might seem to some like steps in the wrong direction.
Let us for a moment step back. It’s friggin December. The Blazers have a very clean path to one of the five worst records in the league and they’re getting some useful developmental minutes along the way.
As the season progresses, the Blazers face the challenge of maintaining a balance between winning and developing their young talent. The front office, led by Joe Cronin, must decide when to pivot and make strategic trades (and fake injuries) to align with their long-term vision. It’s a delicate dance, but one that could define the team’s trajectory for years to come.
For now, enjoy the wins. It’s fine! As Herman Edwards once noted, you play to win the games. The losses will come naturally and eventually unnaturally when the late Winter to Spring tankathon truly commences. In the pre-Christmas portion of the NBA schedule, earning a few extra entertaining wins should be celebrated not fretted.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Portland Trail Blazers’ season, tune into today’s Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more with guest Conor Bergin of Blazer’s Edge.
Christmas lights are springing up, you can’t go anywhere without hearing Mariah Carey, and football players are making snow angels in the end zone. That means, somehow, the first quarter of the 2024-25 NBA season has come and gone. Let’s hand out some hardware!
Note: these aren’t forward-looking projections for the year-end choices. These are merit-based awards for the first 20-ish games that every team has played so far.
Eastern Conference MVP: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
There isn’t a single superstar in the game as well-rounded as Tatum. His headline ability, scoring, is understated and mathematically elegant. He’s averaging 28.4 points per game by taking advantage of the most valuable areas on the floor: he’s finishing at career-best levels (74% shooting at the rim, the same number as Giannis and a smidge above Anthony Davis), launching a monstrous 10.6 three-pointers per game, and earning the second-most free throws of his NBA life.
But all the high-wattage guys can score. It’s everything else that sets Tatum apart. He’s become an elite positional passer, as we saw in last year’s NBA Finals; he eats defensive rebounds with startling voracity; he’s a mean-as-hell pick-setter:
While star forwards around the league complain about having to guard centers, Tatum is quietly defending bigs more often than ever before (20% of the time, to be exact).
His one surface-level deficiency, offensive rebounding, has more to do with schematic choices than personal flaws.
With apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo, doing his best to bring the Bucks back to relevance, Tatum is a no-brainer choice.
Western Conference MVP: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Jokic is currently third in scoring, second in rebounding, second in assists, eighth in steals (!), and second in three-point percentage. You already know who’s on top of every advanced metric leaderboard. The Nuggets post a 129.1 offensive rating with Jokic on the floor, miles ahead of the Knicks’ league-leading 123.7; they post a 96.4 offensive rating without him, a Mariana Trench-length beneath the Wizards’ anemic 103.8.
Frankly, I’ve been writing about the NBA for a while, and despite my pharaonic vocabulary (and access to online thesauri), I’ve run out of ways to describe why and how Jokic is the MVP. When we’re talking about the league’s most videogenic player, just listing stats feels wrong, but it’s also the best way to convey his overwhelming dominance.
Not even Tatum can reach the oxygen-deprived heights that Jokic routinely (and literally!) resides in. The Nugget is the MVP of the conference and the quarter, without question.
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
Roster The Portland Trail Blazers are currently poised for a favorable position in the 2025 NBA Lottery Draft due to their challenging season. Their current roster dynamics are under close scrutiny. (Blazer’s Edge)
Stat Donovan Clingan of the Portland Trail Blazers continues to lead all NBA rookies in blocks, showcasing his defensive prowess early in the season. (Blazer’s Edge)
Must Read It was more than 1,000 days between games for Lonzo Ball. A look inside his grueling recovery and unprecedented return to the league. (ESPN)
Analysis Handing out early hardware for the 24-25 NBA season, including the rarely-seen “Unluckiest Team of the Quarter” award. (Basketball Poetry)
NBA Fantasy Basketball: Key Takeaways from Tuesday’s Games
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) falls to the ground after rolling his ankle against the San Antonio Spurs in the first half of an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas/Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Kevin Durant’s Ankle Injury: What It Means for Fantasy Managers
Kevin Durant’s recent ankle injury is a significant concern for fantasy basketball managers. Durant, who has been a cornerstone for many fantasy teams, left the game after just 16 minutes, scoring 13 points with four rebounds. This re-aggravation of a previous injury could mean time on the sidelines, impacting his availability in the coming weeks. Fantasy managers should consider potential replacements or temporary fill-ins, such as Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neal, who might see increased roles in Durant’s absence. However, neither is a must-add in standard leagues, but they could provide short-term value in deeper formats.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Charlotte Hornets: Player Performances
In the clash between the 76ers and Hornets, Paul George’s resurgence was a highlight. Despite playing 37 minutes, George’s performance—29 points, eight rebounds, and six three-pointers—showed signs of his former All-NBA self. However, with a back-to-back game on the horizon, his availability remains uncertain, making it crucial for fantasy managers to monitor his status closely.
Tyrese Maxey’s shooting struggles continued, but his ability to contribute in other areas, such as free throws and defense, keeps him relevant in fantasy lineups. Meanwhile, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered a solid outing with 14 points and four three-pointers, making him a viable short-term option.
Charlotte Hornets’ Frontcourt Dynamics
The return of Mark Williams was a notable development, albeit with limited minutes. This situation presents a sell-high opportunity for Nick Richards, who posted an impressive 22 points and 14 rebounds. While there’s a chance Richards could outperform Williams, the Hornets’ long-term plans likely favour Williams, making Richards a potential trade candidate for savvy fantasy managers.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Blazers podcasts.
Deni Avdija Is Finding His Rhythm But Trail Blazers Lose in Memphis The good news: Deni Avdija is finding his footing. The bad news: Pretty much everything else.
Anfernee Simons Delivers in the Clutch as Trail Blazers Get Bounce Back Win in Houston Anfernee Simons scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and the Trail Blazers avenged an ugly loss on Friday night with a clutch win over the same Houston Rockets on Saturday.
Can the Trail Blazers Follow The Houston Rockets Rebuild Path? | Game Preview with Locked On Rockets A crossover edition of the show with Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets, previewing the Trail Blazers two games against the Rockets on Friday and Saturday.
