NBA Portland Trail Blazers

2014-15 Portland Trail Blazers Midseason Grades and Analysis

Portland Trail Blazers Midseason Grades, Analysis

Portland Trail Blazers NBA
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers (33-16) and head coach Terry Stotts have enjoyed an overall successful season as we head toward the All-Star break. The team is currently in a slump, though, as they’ve lost eight out of their last 11 games. Throughout the year, many players on this roster have continued to grow, while some have been struggling with consistency.

All statistical references are according to NBA.com/stats.

11. Meyers Leonard

Meyers Leonard Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

11. Meyers Leonard

Meyers Leonard Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Leonard has been a major surprise for the Blazers this season. He’s been able to grow and see more of the court this year because of injuries suffered by Robin Lopez and Joel Freeland. His on court plus/minus number (per 36 minutes) has increased dramatically from -8.6 last season to +1.2 this year. He’s shown the ability to shoot the three this season by making long-range jumpers at a 43 percent clip.

Grade: B+

10. Joel Freeland

Joel Freeland Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

10. Joel Freeland

Joel Freeland Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The third-year big man had been playing fairly well for Portland up until he partially tore his rotator cuff on Jan. 3. He’s unfortunately expected to be out a few more weeks. Freeland has started eight games this season and rebounds the ball well for the Blazers. Defense and consistency each night will continue to be a work in progress for him when he returns.

Grade: C+

9. Allen Crabbe

Allen Crabbe Portland Trail Blazers
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

9. Allen Crabbe

Allen Crabbe Portland Trail Blazers
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Crabbe has also been thrown into the starting lineup this season a number of times due to various injuries, and hasn’t moved the needle in the right direction. It’s somewhat expected from just a second-year player, but it doesn’t appear he’ll see many minutes come playoff time. He shoots well from three (39 percent), but doesn’t do much else. He’ll need to develop another facet of his game moving forward.

Grade: C

8. Robin Lopez

Robin Lopez Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

8. Robin Lopez

Robin Lopez Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The starting center for the Blazers had started 107 consecutive games for the Blazers prior to his hand injury, which sidelined him for 23 games. He returned from injury on Feb. 3 and the team is ecstatic to have him back in the lineup. Lopez has been a good rim protector and usually defends the opposing team's best big man to take pressure off of LaMarcus Aldridge.

Grade: B

7. Chris Kaman

Chris Kaman Portland Trail Blazers
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

7. Chris Kaman

Chris Kaman Portland Trail Blazers
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

In his first season with Portland, Kaman has helped stabilize the big man rotation off the bench. He’s started 13 games this season and played in all but one. He’s averaged 9.1 PPG and 6.8 RPG, but his on court plus/minus number (per 36 minutes) has dropped each month. The long NBA season appears to be taking its toll on the 11-year veteran.

Grade: B-

6. Steve Blake

Steve Blake Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

6. Steve Blake

Steve Blake Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Blake has played in every game for the Blazers this season as the team’s third guard. He was signed in the offseason to fill the shoes of Mo Williams off the bench and has fared well. An 11-year veteran, he’s been a mentor for not only Damian Lillard, but also C.J. McCollum and Allen Crabbe. Blake’s best days are in the past, but he can still hit a big shot or two if needed.

Grade: B-

5. Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum Portland Trail Blazers
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

5. Nicolas Batum

Nicolas Batum Portland Trail Blazers
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The most disappointing player on Terry Stott’s roster has been Batum. Portland's plus/minus number (per 36 minutes) is better when he’s off the floor. He’s posted the lowest PER of his career and is only averaging 9.1 PPG, 4.6 APG and 5.3 RPG. His current field goal percentage and three-point percentage are also the lowest of his career.

Grade: D

4. LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

4. LaMarcus Aldridge

LaMarcus Aldridge Portland Trail Blazers
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Aldridge was named an All-Star for the fourth consecutive season last week and has been dominating opponents once again. He’s one of three players in the league averaging at least 20 PPG and 10 RPG. By holding off on surgery and playing through a torn ligament in his thumb, Aldridge is showing his dedication to the team and leadership. He’s in the running for MVP and should be a top 10 candidate.

Grade: A

3. Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

3. Wesley Matthews

Wesley Matthews Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

One of the best two-way guards in the league, Matthews might be the most underrated player in the NBA. He leads the league with 151 three-pointers made and shoots 40 percent from deep. His mere presence on the floor opens up space for Aldridge and Lillard to operate offensively. He’ll guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player and enjoys the challenge.

Grade: A-

2. Damian Lillard

Unbelievably, Lillard was cut from the USA team this past summer and left off this year’s All-Star team. The Oakland-born product has been on a mission this season and will continue to be. He’s averaging 21.7 PPG, 6.3 APG, 4.6 RPG and ranks fifth among point guards in PER (21.45). Lillard has proven to be one of the most clutch and electrifying players in the league.

Grade: A

1. Terry Stotts

Terry Stotts Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

1. Terry Stotts

Terry Stotts Portland Trail Blazers NBA
Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

In his third season as head coach of the Blazers, Stotts has done a remarkable job with his team. Portland’s defense in particular has vastly improved this season. Last year, the team finished with a defensive rating of 104.7 (16th in the NBA), and so far this season it boasts a defensive rating of 99.9 (tied for fourth). This team will be a handful in the playoffs for any team, and has the tools to make a deep run.

Grade: A-

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