Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe came off the bench Sunday night as coach Chauncey Billups removed him from the starting lineup due to frequent defensive lapses, writes Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian. When Billups informed Sharpe of the decision before the game, he included a clear message about the need to improve on that end of the court.
“It was a good convo,” Sharpe said. “He basically just told me what I needed to do. And today, I think I took a big step in doing what he said. So, I just got to continue to do that, and we’ll be all right.”
Sharpe responded by playing 33 minutes in a win over Chicago, slightly more than he usually sees as a starter. He scored 23 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and Billups was happy with the effort he displayed on defense.
“I was proud of him,” Billups told reporters. “I thought defensively, he was locked in. which is where he needs to be. … I think with him when he’s locked in defensively, it helps his offense. It makes him go.”
There’s more from Portland:
- Deandre Ayton, who sat out Saturday’s game with low back soreness, and Deni Avdija, who missed three games with an ankle issue, both returned to the court on Sunday night, Fentress adds in a separate story. The extra size helped the Blazers post a 50-36 advantage in rebounding, which led to 17 fast break points. “When we can get out and get our guys going and play fast and move the basketball, we’re pretty tough to play against,” Billups said.
- Scoot Henderson continued his recent stellar play with 25 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in 38 minutes. The past four games have marked one of the best career stretches for Henderson, who was selected with the third pick in the 2023 draft. “It’s starting to become so consistent with Scoot,” Billups said (Twitter link from Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report). “I thought he did a good job of picking his spots but continuing to be on attack the whole game. Because we need it. He’s at his best that way. He’s playing really well. I’m proud of Scoot.” Anfernee Simons sat out Sunday’s game with a right elbow strain, so Sharpe may remain in a bench role when he returns if Henderson keeps playing well.
- The Rockets, who won at Portland on Saturday night, could provide a good blueprint for the Blazers, Highkin states in a full story. They were recently in a similar position, but were able to make a quick turnaround due to the development of their young players and an aggressive approach to free agency. “It’s the stage Houston was in before I got there, where they were trying to figure out who is who with a stockpile of lottery picks,” coach Ime Udoka said. “They’re in that same mode right now, with some of those young guys.”
Happy for Scoot, but this team can’t even beat Portland when they’re healthy. Donovan should be fired immediately after this loss. They aren’t playing at a high level on both ends of the floor and focusing/buying in what Donovan is preaching.
Good thing Billy D has that extra year on his contract. Our FO is a joke.
Portland only {has to } do one thing the next 3 weeks
Find a sucker for Grant
Their number 1 potential victim Jeanie probably slipped away already with the DFS trade , idk if there’s another dumb enough out there.
Don’t underestimate AK’s stupidity, and, hey, maybe they can trade for Pippen Jr too and try to sell some more tickets with nostalgia…
Grant? He’s decent. Ant and DA are poison for this team. They’re so bad that no one wants to take them.
What about Grant today is decent…I’m genuinely curious, hear the sentiments quite a bit but I don’t see it
I have him as the 5th worst contract in the entire NBA
This year stats are a bad compare, he’s not being asked to contribute to winning. Maybe he’s done, but I doubt it.
Look at Immanuel Quickly’s contract. If Grant is on a contender and he gets energized, his contract will look common.
For friggin’ sake.
FIRE. BILLUPS.
Whenever an assistant coaches a game where he is absent, they win.
My ideal scenario is to secure playing time for Scoot, Shae, and Clingan while continuing to lose, then get Flagg. Adding him would make this team elite. With wings like Tou and Deni, we can’t beat OKC. That’s why I want Flagg or at least a highly promising big wing to build around.