2 Studs and 2 Duds from Trail Blazers' nail-biting loss to the Pelicans

Stud No. 2: Scoot Henderson

This is more like the Scoot we know and love! He could have been more efficient in the Blazers' first game and gave fans reason for concern regarding whether or not he improved on critical areas of his game in the offseason. But this game seemed like a new and improved version of Scoot. He finished with 15 points, six assists, three steals, and three turnovers on 7-9 shooting.

One knock on Scoot in his first game (and rookie season) was that he was "all gas, no brakes," meaning he couldn't change speeds and adjust to the pace of play required in certain situations to be effective. Henderson seemed much more adaptable in this matchup, letting the game come to him.

Billups even put Scoot in at the end-of-game lineup instead of Avdija because he was playing so well. But it was apparent in that stretch that Scoot thrives with the ball in his hands, not as the off-ball guard on offense, especially since he isn't a reliable three-point shooter at this point in his career.

There were a few plays Henderson made that can be chalked up to growing pains. But he showed a lot more flashes of All-Star level upside and reasons why the Blazers selected him No. 3 overall in the first place.

Part of Scoot's promising game can be attributed to the fact that the Pelicans don't have a rim protector, which played to his strengths as a guard who likes to attack the paint. But the good news is that the Blazers play the Pelicans at home again on Sunday.