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.
Does This Team Have a Plan?
Dec 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers (from left to right) Anfernee Simons (1), Shaedon Sharpe (17), Duop Reath (26), Jerami Grant (9), and Deni Avdija (8) walk back to the court after a timeout during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center. | Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Woof, what a weekend in Blazers land.
Friday night against the Utah Jazz, and it was nothing short of a disaster. The Trail Blazers lost by 42 to the Utah Jazz, owner’s of the worst record in the Western Conference and playing without their player, Lauri Markkanen.
It was a debacle from the opening tip. Deandre Ayton was benched in the second half. Chauncey Billups didn’t even muster up the anger he channeled the last time his team lost a home game by 40+ at home a couple weeks ago. This time he just sounded frustrated and dejected. Another ridiculous beat down against an even worse opponent wasn’t about rage. It was just deflating.
Portland followed that with a loss to LeBron-less Lakers on Sunday. The final margin of nine doesn’t illustrate the ease with which the scuffling Lakers dispatched the Blazers. This wasn’t a disaster on the level of Friday night. It was mostly just a normal loss in which a team isn’t competitive in the fourth quarter.
When things go south, it’s natural to look for someone or something to blame. But in this case, it’s a collective issue. From the players on the court to the coaching staff and even the front office, everyone shares responsibility.
Billups is not the right coach for this team. The roster is poorly conceived and the front office has held onto players too long and prioritized the wrong type of veterans on the roster. And the players have a tendency to jump out of the boat when the water starts to rise.
It’s a mess right now. The last time they lost by 40+ at home they followed it with their best week of the season. Until they didn’t. Maybe they’ve got another stretch like that in them.
Maybe we’ll be back here again soon. This team feels rudderless and the NBA regular season has reached the longest stretch of open ocean.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on from the bench against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the fourth period at Chase Center. | David Gonzales/David Gonzales-Imagn Images
For all its advancements, from athlete autonomy down to the way the game itself gets played, the NBA hasn’t managed to solve one of its most nagging longevity problems: that all dynasties are destined to fall apart.
Maybe it’s their inherent weight. That a handful of stars stuck together force an unstable gravity not meant to last. Maybe it’s the strain that every relationship faces — but sped up in the NBA uniquely accelerated time signature — as time goes by and people, their circumstance, change. It could be egos, or the financial practicalities of keeping an expensive roster together; it might be because of duelling timelines and the reality that no matter how good, no team at this level can put off development of future rosters forever.
Whatever it was for dynasties of the past, now dusted, it’s a combination of everything for these current Warriors.
Whether you viewed it as a culture loss or reset, Klay Thompson’s departure to the Mavericks was the first chip in this Golden State dynasty’s foundation. Certainly, Thompson’s absence meant more room for next-gen talent of Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski to flourish on the floor. It also forced a twosome in leadership between Steph Curry and Draymond Green, versus the triangular model the former Splash Brother lent, though Curry’s shouldered more of the directional responsibilities this season and the strain is beginning to show.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Replay The Portland Trail Blazers fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, despite a strong performance from Deandre Ayton. Check the final score and stats from the game. (Blazers Edge)
Analysis Anthony Davis and the Lakers outperformed the Trail Blazers even without LeBron James. Explore key takeaways from the game. (Blazers Edge)
Biz NBA Trade Deadline eligibility: These 85 players can be traded as of December 15. (ESPN)
Analysis Jonathan Kuminga makes his case with a career-best night of 33 points. (Defector)
Milestones Chris Paul surpasses Jason Kidd for 2nd in career NBA assists (NBA.com)
Ticket Booth
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Spurs @ Trail Blazers
Friday, Dec. 13 | 7:00PM | Moda Center, Portland, OR | Get Tickets
Trail Blazers @ Suns
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 6:00PM | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ | Get Tickets
Nuggets @ Trail Blazers
Thursday, Dec. 19 | 7:00PM | Moda Center, Portland, OR | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Joel Embiid Returns Sunday - All The Fantasy Basketball Impact
Dec 8, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) smiles during the second half of a basketball game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski/Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Joel Embiid’s Return and Fantasy Implications
As the NBA season unfolds, Joel Embiid’s return to the court has been a focal point for fantasy basketball enthusiasts. Embiid, despite being on a minutes restriction, delivered an impressive performance with 31 points and 12 rebounds. However, his recurring knee issues remain a concern for fantasy managers. The potential for swelling and soreness could lead to more missed games, making him a risky asset. While his numbers are undeniably strong, the uncertainty surrounding his health suggests a cautious approach for those considering him in trades or drafts.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls: Key Performances
The Philadelphia 76ers’ clash with the Chicago Bulls highlighted several noteworthy performances. Tyrese Maxey stepped up significantly, posting 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 14 assists. His ability to thrive alongside Embiid is crucial for the 76ers’ success and offers a promising outlook for fantasy managers. On the Bulls’ side, Zach LaVine’s resurgence with 30 points and six triples was a standout, especially after a dip in usage in previous games. However, Nikola Vučević's recent struggles, with only 13 points in consecutive games, raise questions about his role and effectiveness moving forward.
The game also shed light on the fluctuating roles within the Bulls’ lineup. Ayo Dosunmu, who recently had a breakout game, saw his production dip with the return of key players. This pattern of inconsistency is a reminder of the volatility in fantasy basketball, where player value can shift rapidly based on team dynamics and injuries.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Fantasy Basketball Podcast:
- Analysis of Tyrese Maxey’s performance and future potential
- Zach LaVine’s resurgence and its impact on the Bulls
- The role of Ayo Dosunmu in the Bulls’ lineup
- Injury updates and their implications for fantasy rosters
- Strategies for managing player rotations and streaming options
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.
