Point guard Tim Frazier has been one of the most consistent players for the Portland Trail Blazers’ summer league team through three games.
Frazier is small in stature, but his game is big. He’s a stat-sheet stuffer who is everywhere all at once.
But the big question for Frazier is will it be good enough to make the Blazers’ regular season roster?
“I don’t even look that far ahead,” Frazier said during the team’s mini camp. “That’s one thing I know from my injury in college, you got to take it day by day. So I don’t even look that far ahead. All I know is that I have an opportunity today to go out and get better.”
He runs Portland’s offense to a T. The Summer Blazers give Frazier the ball and they let him work, calling for screens and directing traffic at every turn. He makes his teammates better with the pass and then will also sky for rebounds amongst the trees.
Frazier tore his achilles in college and paid his dues in the NBA Development League. Paying dues would be an understatement as he won both the League MVP award and Rookie of the Year.
Frazier worked hard to get where he is. And he cherishes every single day.
“Get the opportunity to play the game you love. Stepping out on the court is a blessing in itself,” Frazier said.
“I try to get better each day,” Frazier said. “Ask as many questions. Get as much as I can from the coaches.”
After being called up to the 76ers organization and starting in his first game, dishing 11 assists, he was quickly released.
Keith Bogans revealed in an interview earlier this week that the 76ers didn’t so much as give him a phone call in the two weeks he was on the team before waiving him.
The Blazers — for all they lost this past season and the hits the front office has taken — treat their players like people.
Frazier’s spot isn’t guaranteed, but he’s trying to make this chance count.
And Frazier is eager to make every day with the Blazers count.
“I was only here a short period of time until the end of the year,” Frazier said. “So I want to get more from them.”
Another person that Frazier is getting more from is Damian Lillard, who has taken the guard under his wing.
On a Sunday before mini-camp, Frazier wanted to go to the gym to work on his 3-point shot. He texted Lillard just to see what he was up to.
“He came here in 5-10 minutes,” Frazier said. The two then worked on their perimeter shots and
What does it mean for Frazier, a guy who’s bounced between the NBA and the D-League, to be mentored by Lillard?
“It’s awesome to have a mentor man,” Frazier said. “To take me under his wing and spend his time with me and show me the ropes of what it takes to be a great player in the NBA.”
