Well, you can’t blame the defense. Only 4 teams have played better defense in the last 10 games.
But only 4 teams have played worst offensively..,
Blazers have lost5 in a row and 6 of the last 7 games. In those games they have shot 30.5% on three's and averaged 18 turnovers. What's crazy is that Portland's season average on three's is 37.1% (0n 33.3 attempts) and their average on turnovers is 15.8
if the Blazers would have shot their season average on three's they'd have score 5.5 more points/game. And if you say a turnover is worth a 2 point margin (based upon points/possessions), then Portland would have had close to 10 more points in differentials simply by shooting their norm on three's and taking care of the ball at their normal rate. They would have very likely won all 7 games
I'm not really sure how much of that is correctable and by how far. But it does suggest, for the most part, that the Blazers are desperate for one more EFFICIENT facilitator (like a point-guard or point-forward) and one more solid three point shooter. Which kind of looks like a trade deadline target list.
I know it probably not as simple as this but here goes: Portland's backup 'PG' in Justice Winslow. Blazers are 3-8 without Winslow. So, he could solve their turnover problem. But he sure wouldn't solve their 3 point shooting problem
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* Denver is looking pretty strong this season. A lot better than last season. It helps they have Murray back but they really struck gold by trading for KCP. he's shooting 48% on three's this year and he's a good defender. Been a real 3-&-D gem....so far; because just like Grant, he's so far above his norm in 3pt% you really have to believe he's bound to regress. But maybe not by a lot
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when I was thinking about Blazer turnovers I got to wonder how much a turnover was worth in points for opponent and last points for your team. I realized it could just be quick and dirty math using median points/possessions in the NBA. Before that I asked the question on google and got this result:
my first thought was what a miss by google. Then I thought, maybe for Blazer fans watching all of the Blazer turnovers a discussion about liver disease is right on point