What makes no sense to me is that the template is pretty clear, shown by Golden State and OKC. right before our eyes in our arena.
You work to get open 3-point shots, or go to the hoop, and play tenacious, hounding defense.
Grant and Simons should be set up all game for such shots, and if they aren't making them, they should be replaced.
Camara, Rupert and Banton seem to be much improved from the 3-point line, and Ayton and Clingan don't look so bad there either.
This is what Billups goal on offense seems to be to me:
Get Simons some shots, get Grant some shots, get Ayton some shots. What kind of shot doesn't matter.
Get Simons and Grant a lot of playing time, no matter the quality/effect of their efforts.
Seemingly, the Blazers can't win with without Grant and Simons. (Even though Grant only scored 8 points on 3-14 shooting against the Clippers. Grant is indispensable.
Grant could not be replaced by Murray in the Clipper game. Murray shot 2-4 and had 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals in 19 minutes. Grant played 34 minutes and had 3 rebounds.)
Everyone else, like Murray, gets the leftovers.