Grading Every Portland Trail Blazers Player Heading into 2015 NBA All-Star Break
The All-Star break is finally here, and while the festivities are a big part, it's also a time to reflect on the first half of the season. The Portland Trail Blazers have matched their record from this time last season, tied for No. 3 in the West at 36-17.
LaMarcus Aldridge and (eventually) Damian Lillard have both been named All-Star representatives for Portland, while the rest of the roster has struggled through injury or poor play at different stages. The team has been able to keep it all together though, as evidenced by its stellar play on both ends.
We'll take a look at each of the Blazers' top 10 players to this point, plus there's a slide dedicated to the final five men on the roster. In addition, each will receive a grade to assess their performance and what must be improved on going forward into the playoffs.
Each player will be graded on how well they've played in their respective role, as opposed to a grade of their overall performance thus far.
Let's get that red marker out.
All statistics courtesy of ESPN.com, unless otherwise noted.
The 'Stay-Ready' Guys
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Right off the bounce, we'll review the "stay-ready" pieces of the Blazers' puzzle. The following players don't receive regular minutes or have a cemented role despite being effective in spurts, though not consistently enough to move up in the rotation.
Dorell Wright, F
2014-15 Stats: 4.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, 42.1 percent three-point shooting
The veteran swingman has averaged just 11.5 minutes, compared to 14.5 last season. Wright was big in the clutch during games against the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs this season, but hasn't played well enough in the rotation. He has a tendency to pick up his dribble instead of shooting or passing, slowing the pace in offensive sets.
Wright had a strong stretch in January, putting up 5.3 points with 1.2 threes per game on 46.9 percent shooting from that area. He was confident in his ability, and needs to simply focus on that down the stretch run. The 6'9" forward can be a big part of his team if he can get that hammered down.
Grade: B
Thomas Robinson, PF
2014-15 Stats: 3.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 51.6 percent shooting
Robinson, like Wright, has been both solid and dismal at different stages of the season. His rebound rate (the percent of rebounds a player grabs, per ESPN.com) is tied for No. 25 in the NBA, putting him ahead of the Chicago Bulls' Joakim Noah and the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love.
Simultaneously, Robinson often loses the ball to rank No. 2 in the league in turnover ratio, per ESPN.com, trailing just Kendrick Perkins of the Oklahoma City Thunder (which isn't great company, as the center is often criticized for his poor decision making). In addition, Robinson has shot just 31 percent on jumpers, per NBA.com.
The big man, affectionately nicknamed "Truck" by his teammates, merely has to concentrate on pulling down boards and making smart decisions with the basketball going forward.
Grade: B
Allen Crabbe, SG/SF
2014-15 Stats: 3.1 points, 1.2 rebounds, 38.6 percent three-point shooting
Crabbe saw 6.7 minutes in 15 games last season, but has more than doubled that this year by averaging 13.0 minutes over 36 contests (with seven starts). He was an early answer to the absence of Nicolas Batum in the rotation, but has seen a lesser role as each month passes:
| Month | Minutes |
| November | 17.0 |
| December | 14.7 |
| January | 8.2 |
| February | 3.7 |
Crabbe has been a reliable three-point shooter and wing defender, but offers little else in the rotation. There's nothing wrong with that though, only that he seemingly plays an identical role to that of Wright.
But Portland is all about shooters, and Crabbe fits the bill in that department. It's unlikely head coach Terry Stotts shakes up the rotation and puts the guard in more at this stage of the season, so all Crabbe can do is stay ready (wink) and keep at his craft over the next few months.
Grade: B-
Will Barton, SG
2014-15 Stats: 3.0 points, 38.0 percent shooting, 22.2 percent three-point shooting
In his third professional season, Barton has yet to fully develop a facet of his game. His numbers are seemingly identical year to year, without a clear-cut speciality in terms of shooting, handling or defending.
He has the skills to be a better player, but hasn't yet taken steps on the court to prove it. Barton's flashiness and energy would be his best qualities as a player, getting the crowd into the game. But the young guard needs to do more to help Portland coming off the bench.
Grade: D+
Victor Claver, F
2014-15 Stats: 2.4 points, 2.0 rebounds, 45.0 percent shooting
Claver has participated in just 10 games this season, averaging a career-low 7.6 minutes. In fact, it took until Dec. 22 for him to make his debut. The 6'9" forward doesn't truly fit at either forward position, possessing an improved shooting touch but not having the physical qualities to keep up defensively.
Like Barton, Claver doesn't excel in any one area to be relied on for a specific need. His three-point shooting is absolutely developed, having made 6-of-11 shots in 10 games, compared to 3-of-18 in 21 games last season. But still, he's a bit of an odd man out in Portland.
Grade: D
C.J. McCollum, SG
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2014-15 Stats: 5.0 points, 1.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 39.8 percent shooting, 41.3 percent three-point shooting
C.J. McCollum has been solid all season, but has begun to exhibit his ability as a scorer through February. His 9.2 points on 45.7 percent from the field and 42.1 percent from three-point range is his career-best output for a month through his two NBA campaigns, which is terrific news for the Blazers going forward.
The young guard broke his foot during 2013-14, followed by an index finger this season, but looks to be shaping into a reliable sixth man for this team. He can play away from the ball or with it in his hands, with the latter part being particularly important.
Portland needs an additional scorer who is aggressive outside of Aldridge, Lillard and Wesley Matthews. Batum’s shot hasn’t been there this season due to an injured wrist, so it’s crucial McCollum is able to keep up this level of play into the postseason.
Per an interview with David MacKay of Fansided, he’s fully aware:
"I think I’m kind of settling into a role and getting used to the NBA game. I’m a guy who can catch and shoot, obviously at a high level. I haven’t proved myself in the NBA by any means yet, but consistently throughout my college career I was a really good shooter, and I think that’s the one thing that translates in the NBA game right away is shooting. At the same time, I’ve just got to keep working and keep putting myself in position to have success on the court. I definitely can have an impact. I’ve got to continue to work hard and continue to take care of my body and getting my reps in so that my game continues to translate.
"
That’s already begun for McCollum, and at full health it can only get better going forward.
Grade: B+
Meyers Leonard, C
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2014-15 Stats: 6.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 54.6 percent shooting, 45.0 percent three-point shooting, 90.5 percent free-throw shooting
If there ever was a Most Improved Player award for each team, Meyers Leonard would be the far-and-away winner for the Blazers.
The 7’1” center has completely transformed his game and is averaging career-best numbers in every major category. He’s moved away from a bruising low-post game to one more focused on stretching the defense. Leonard is still crashing the glass and being physical in the paint, but has become a specialist shooting the ball.
Per Sean Meagher of The Oregonian, "The 11th pick in the 2012 draft has played in 18 straight games—his longest stretch in two seasons—and is averaging 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds, while shooting 59 percent from the floor and 44 percent from three-point range in 19 minutes."
The losses of Robin Lopez, Joel Freeland and Chris Kaman at different points of the season have been blessings in disguise for Portland, as it’s given Leonard the chance to showcase his talents. It’s a bit unorthodox for someone his size, but it works very effectively, courtesy of his ability to set strong screens. He’s then able to shuffle behind the arc as the defense forgets about him, knocking down 1.2 threes per game in February.
It’s terrific to see Leonard exhibiting such confidence, as he looked timid and unsure during his first two NBA seasons. Much like with McCollum, the Blazers have a young talent to rely on coming off the bench, which isn’t something many could have predicted at the beginning of the season.
All Leonard has to do going forward is stay within himself and keep doing what he’s been doing.
Grade: A-
Joel Freeland, C
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2014-15 Stats: 3.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 47.4 percent shooting, 84.0 percent free-throw shooting
Joel Freeland filled in well for the injured Lopez, closing out the calendar year with strong rebounding and defense, averaging 5.0 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks as a starter.
He had three straight games of double-digit rebounds, including a season-high 17 boards against the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 26. He also played a pivotal role down the stretch against the Toronto Raptors a few nights later, swatting away two game-tying attempts by Kyle Lowry to keep Portland in front.
Freeland remains sidelined with an injured shoulder, but should be a huge addition upon his return. He plays similarly to Lopez, cutting to the rim and setting screens on offense while playing smart defense and snatching rebounds. Both also possess a nifty mid-range jumper as well.
Also, Portland will have a deep pool of talent at the center position, as Lopez, Kaman, Freeland and Leonard can all chip in with different skill sets. Anyone can make an impact on any given night, but it’ll be particularly important during the playoffs as certain matchups can be exploited.
Having Freeland and Lopez interchange as rugged men in the middle will be hard to cope with, which makes the former's return all the more anticipated.
When that time comes, Freeland must keep aggressive on the boards and on defense.
Grade: B+
Steve Blake, PG
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2014-15 Stats: 4.5 points, 3.8 assists, 36.5 percent shooting, 2.99 assist-to-turnover ratio
Steve Blake hasn’t shot the ball particularly well this season, presently converting just 36.5 percent of his field goals and 32.9 percent of his attempts from downtown. It’s mostly due to a bad stretch of shooting through January, as the veteran guard went for 33.9 and 25.7 percent in the aforesaid areas.
Blake’s been able to boost his three-point shooting back up to a 35.7 clip in February, but his distributing has been his greatest offering to this team.
He ranks No. 3 in assist rate with a 39.3 mark, per ESPN.com, as that represents the percentage of his possessions that end in a dime. Blake also ranks No. 10 in assist-to-turnover ratio, per ESPN.com, making him one of the more efficient passers in the NBA.
Despite his age, he’s been crucial in keeping the offensive sets running when Lillard or Batum head to the bench. It’s also allowed the latter two to play as off-ball shooters in certain situations. Blake has passed to his teammates consistently, but almost to a fault, as he often creates space for open shots, only to pass them up for shooters or cutters.
He’ll be 35 year old at the end of this month, but remains a big part of this team. Whether it’s passing, defense or shooting, Blake has done a satisfactory job for Portland. The latter part of his game could improve, but he’ll remain respected by the defense regardless, which is just as important.
Grade: B+
Chris Kaman, C
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2014-15 Stats: 8.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, 48.4 percent shooting
The Trail Blazers are all about working the ball inside-out, and Chris Kaman has been a huge part of running that offense. He was a big offseason addition to this team, alongside Blake, and has played well as a reserve. He’s given Portland another scorer to set up down low or in the mid-range area, as well as an additional man on the boards who's aided the team in ranking No. 2 in rebounding.
Kaman has been heavily utilized off the bench, to the extent that his usage rate of 20.9 ranks No. 11 (tie) among centers, per ESPN.com. To put that in perspective, he uses the same amount of possessions that Al Horford of the Atlanta Hawks, Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers or Dwight Howard of the Houston Rockets would.
So, yeah, a lot.
But it’s been necessary to ensure the offense doesn’t lag, forcing the ball inside to create opportunities on the perimeter. Kaman has been a tad lax on defense at times, despite averaging 0.9 blocks a night.
And it’s on the offensive end where his true value lies. He’s currently nursing a sprained ankle, while an issue with his back saw him play less than 20 minutes in his last two games. As such, it is imperative Kaman uses the All-Star break to rest up, as he’s been fairly injury-prone throughout his career. His role off the bench will be vital in the postseason.
But to this point he’s been healthy and effective for Portland.
Grade: A-
Nicolas Batum, SF
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2014-15 Stats: 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 27.1 percent three-point shooting
Despite his poor shooting this season, Nicolas Batum remains one of the Blazers’ most integral pieces to win a championship.
A sprained knee hindered the swingman for most of the year, going back to the middle of November when it initially occurred. After that, a sprained wrist on his shooting hand made things worse. Both injuries have an impact on a shooter, altering the appropriate lift on jumpers and the release of the ball.
All things considered, it isn’t surprising to see Batum struggle the way he has. His 27.1 percent from three-point range ranks dead last among qualified players, but he’s steadily improved in that area. He shot just 22.0 percent in November, before improving to 28.1 and 30.0 percent in December and January, respectively.
A 0-of-5 night from beyond the arc against the Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 7 has limited his percentage to 23.8 for this month, but would elevate to a 31.2 clip without that game. That’s being a little subjective, but the small sample size of five games is heavily skewed by one bad night.
In any case, Batum has looked more confident as the season goes on. He deserves a ton of credit for remaining confident in his shots, as such a drop-off would cause many players to become unsure of their offense.
Outside of those struggles, Batum has remained the do-it-all guy for the Blazers. His 5.5 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals are instrumental, with the Frenchman acting as the primary ball-handler and defender for this team. Some of his teammates’ success offensively can be attributed to his passing, acting as a decoy while they roam for shots.
At this point of the season, Batum ranks No. 1 in assist-to-turnover ratio among shooting guards and small forwards, per ESPN.com, making him the most efficient distributor on the wing.
The All-Star break will give Batum some time to rest up, which hopefully translates to a more accurate percentage from three. Portland desperately needs his offense over the next few months, but defenses will still be forced to close out due to his track record as a shooter.
Even as he’s battled with his shot, the small forward remains a huge part of this group.
Grade: A-
Robin Lopez, C
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2014-15 Stats: 9.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 51.7 percent shooting
The big man is back.
Lopez, who was sidelined for 23 games with a broken hand, made his return on Feb. 3 and the Blazers have gone 4-1 in that span. Portland holds a 23-7 record with him in the middle, which points to his importance on both ends.
His ability to set bruising screens and cut to the rim is hard to stop, especially when the ball-handler is a shooter like Lillard or Batum. Lopez is also a solid post-up player, excelling at hook shots in particular.
Willy Raedy of BlazersEdge.com outlined his importance on offense:
"Robin Lopez gets a lot of well deserved credit for his defensive presence and his rebounding but rarely is he considered a key piece of the Blazers' offense. That perspective understates his importance as Lopez is constantly using his big body to move people around and improve the spacing for his teammates (and I didn't even talk about his monster screens). This isn't just being active or playing physical as it requires precise movements and an uncommon understanding of the game. It may not show up in the box score, but Lopez is just as crafty as he is big.
"
His greatest addition to the Blazers is on defense though, filling up the paint to intimidate players driving down the lane or posting up. Of the 30 games he’s played, the team has kept the opposing offense under 100 points on 19 occasions.
Portland went just 13-10 without Lopez in the lineup, suffering on offense and defense. His inclusion is widely appreciated by the team and its fans, but is underrated at the same time. Some of his averages are down compared to last season, but that can placed squarely on the addition of Kaman at the center position. Lopez’s numbers are still impressive, playing just 28.2 minutes per game, which makes him more efficient in short spurts.
Going forward, there isn’t much for him to focus on other than staying healthy. Lopez does all the small things on both ends, and does them efficiently to boot.
If anything, he can keep up his work on those pesky mascots.
Grade: A
Wesley Matthews, SG
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2014-15 Stats: 16.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 3.0 three-point field goals per game, 39.9 percent three-point shooting
Hey, Wesley Matthews. Give it up.
In late December, the 2-guard told Joe Freeman of The Oregonian, “I don't see myself as a three-point shooter.” He is currently tied for No. 1 in total three-point makes with the Atlanta Hawks’ Kyle Korver and the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry, which is some convenient irony as Matthews heads into All-Star weekend against both as a participant in the three-point contest.
Mike Tokito of The Oregonian broke down his prolific ability as a shooter, prior to Portland’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers:
"In 52 games, Matthews has made 158 three-pointers on 397 attempts. That puts him on pace to destroy the franchise season records set in 2013-14 by teammate Damian Lillard.
If Matthews keeps this pace up and plays every regular-season game, as he's done in four of his five NBA seasons, Matthews will finish with 249 three-point makes on 626 attempts. Lillard set the franchise mark in both categories last season, when he was 218 of 554.
Matthews, in fact, could at his current pace finish with the sixth-highest number of three-point makes and attempts in NBA history (although Korver and Curry could factor in, too).
"
He’s been a strong complementary scorer next to Aldridge and Lillard, often playing under the radar. Matthews’ shot-making from long range is becoming common knowledge, but he remains an underrated scorer inside the arc and in the post.
He has attempted just 279 two-point attempts, compared to 404 three-point attempts, but has converted 53.4 percent of such shots, which would rank No. 2 in the league among players with at least 200 attempts, per ESPN.com.
Matthews’ defense is valued as well, as the guard plays with immense hustle, energy and competitiveness. Whether he’s diving on the floor, hustling for loose balls or in the face of his man, he’s been a staple of the Blazers’ identity on that end.
There isn’t much to call out Matthews on thus far, playing perfectly within his role on offense and defense. It’d push Portland to another level if he developed an ability to create shots, as he presently relies on offensive sets or set shots to get his scoring.
But, hey, let’s not get too picky.
Grade: A+
Damian Lillard, PG
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2014-15 Stats: 21.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 43.3 percent shooting, 33.9 percent three-point shooting
Damian Lillard looked to be having a career year early on, but has regressed a little over the past few months.
His 24.1 points on 45.4 percent shooting from the field through December was stellar, before falling off in January with 20.9 points on 37.1 percent from the field and just 28.1 percent from three-point range.
Even through five games in February, Lillard has yet to find his long-range shot and is averaging 17.2 percent shooting.
It’s hard to pinpoint his struggle, as no major injuries have been reported that would limit his scoring to this point. The most likely could be the absence of Lopez, as he creates space and opportunities for shooters in the offense. But even then, it’s been an uncharacteristic stretch of poor shooting for Lillard. His shooting is a major component of his arsenal and lifts the Blazers offensively, as evidenced by his 36.8 percent from long range in wins compared to 29.1 percent in losses.
His poor shooting seems to be limited solely from downtown, as he’s converting 50.4 percent of his attempts from inside, which ranks No. 5 in the NBA among point guards. It’s helped keep his field-goal percentage from plummeting too far at a 43.3 clip (a career best), despite his 33.9 percent from three-point range being a career-low accuracy.
The biggest takeaway is that it’s just a bad stretch though. Lillard has more than enough credentials regarding beyond-the-arc shooting, and it shouldn’t be a huge concern until it starts really impacting Portland’s success as a team.
Aside from that, the third-year guard is playing as well as he ever has. His rebounding and distributing have improved, as well as being a stronger defender with 1.5 steals per game. Leading into the postseason, Lillard can look to be a better one-on-one defender and (obviously) find his rhythm from deep.
The Blazers will need it.
Grade: A-
LaMarcus Aldridge, PF
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2014-15 Stats: 23.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 46.3 percent shooting, 42.4 percent three-point shooting
The Trail Blazers might have played poorly in January, but don’t look at LaMarcus Aldridge. Actually, the same can be said for just about any time Portland falls short.
That might sound like a stretch, but it rings true, as he’s been more impressive in losses (26.7 points on 48.1 percent shooting) than in wins (22.2 points on 45.4 percent shooting). For the season, the L-Train is putting up a career-best 23.6 points per game, barely topping last season’s mark of 23.2.
He’s also averaging a double-double with 10.3 rebounds, joining just the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis and the Sacramento Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins as the only players to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.
If that wasn’t enough, Aldridge has developed a three-point shot to make his touch from outside all the more deadly. He’s sunk 25 long-range shots thus far, which is more than all of his eight NBA seasons combined. It isn’t a huge amount compared to other shooters at the position, but it’s not exactly his primary mode of attack.
Either way, Aldridge has added it to his bag of tricks to give defenses headaches.
A torn ligament in his left hand was meant to leave the big man sidelined for months, but he instead opted to play with the injury and delay surgery until the offseason. It’s a risky venture, especially heading into the stretch run and the playoffs. Portland can’t afford to lose Aldridge for an extended period, as evidenced by his decision to return over being sidelined.
It hasn’t affected his play too much, as he’s averaged 25.2 points on 46.6 percent shooting since the injury on Jan. 19. Though he’ll appear in the All-Star Game, the upcoming break of nine days between contests for the Blazers will give him a chance to rest his thumb.
It’ll need to be stronger, but not necessarily at full strength, as the postseason looms. Portland fell off early after a strong first-round output against the Houston Rockets, but will look to go further with a more talented and cohesive team.
But that’s only possible with Aldridge at the helm. His focus going forward is to just stay healthy.
Grade: A+
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