Roy ninth in NBA in scoring, but Portland is 24th as team
TUALATIN, Ore. — While an improved defensive focus is still the Portland Trail Blazers’ primary goal right now, coach Nate McMillan acknowledged that the team’s offense also needs to step up.
The Blazers’ 94.2 points-per-game average ranks 24th out of 30 NBA teams. And while guard Brandon Roy is ninth in the league in scoring (25.4 points), forward LaMarcus Aldridge has been the only other Blazer to show any sign of consistency on the offensive end.
In addition, three of Portland’s starters — Steve Blake, Greg Oden and Martell Webster — are averaging less than double digits in scoring. And reserve forward Travis Outlaw — who is averaging 12.4 points, but has long been known as a streaky shooter — is the only other Blazer averaging more than 10 points a game.
On the surface, McMillan said Portland’s (2-3) offense is not pushing the tempo as much as it needs to, and the team is missing open shots.
More importantly, though, McMillan drew a direct connection between the Blazers’ early offensive struggles and the squad’s defensive woes.
McMillan said he is trying to get his team to change its train of thought and place an increased emphasis on defense. However, as soon as Portland starts missing open shots during games, the Blazers carry their frustration over to the defensive end.
“Most defenses are pretty good when you’re making shots,” McMillan said Thursday, following a morning workout at the team’s practice facility. “And we’ve been up and down. We’ve had a few guys knock down some shots. But as a unit, shooting well for a game, we haven’t seen that.”
While McMillan said that improved execution and playing off the openings from opposing defense are keys to igniting the Blazers’ offense, Roy and Aldridge could also use a little help.
The duo combined to score 39 points in Portland’s 97-91 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. However, 28 of their points came in the first half. And as the game unfolded, Atlanta clamped down and focused on Roy.
The Blazers’ star guard was often seen trying to fight and weave his way through traffic as he attempted to create his own shot. And he was held to 2-of-10 shooting from the field in the second half.
McMillan said that when opponents double team Roy, the ball must be immediately passed on to an open teammate. That player then has to take advantage of their opportunity.
Moreover, who takes the shot — and which players evolve into consistent alternative scoring options for the Blazers — does not matter. McMillan said that Oden, Webster, Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw are all legitimate scorers. Each must play their assigned role, focus on defense, sink baskets when they get open looks — and not worry about their touches.
“I think if we run our offense hard and execute, you can’t take away everything,” McMillan said. “It should open itself up. But when you’re out there needing a touch, and that’s what you’re thinking about, that’s when we get in trouble.”
A team not in any early-season trouble is the San Antonio Spurs, tonight’s opponent at the Rose Garden.
While Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili are still the face of San Antonio (2-2), the team added key veterans such as Antonio McDyess and Richard Jefferson during the offseason, as well as rookie DeJuan Blair.
McMillan said that McDyess and Jefferson should add energy and a new edge to a Spurs team favored by many to represent the Western Conference in the NBA Finals.
Roy added that San Antonio is a model franchise that represents everything the Blazers are working toward.
“It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take a lot of hard work,” Roy said. “This is always a great challenge for us. They’re a team that we hope to be one day.”s
