Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
In honor of the Blazers having the holiday off, here’s a Thanksgiving-themed article to keep you busy before the feast. Enjoy!
Damian Lillard: Turkey
Turkey is the staple of Thanksgiving. The holiday represents giving thanks, but is primarily associated with a big family feast. And what’s at the center of that feast? Turkey.
Damian Lillard is much the same. Ever since being drafted in 2012, he’s become the face of the Blazer franchise. Lillard is the first player associated with the team and rightfully so. He was the only starter to return from the 2015 roster flip and has led Portland in scoring since then.
CJ McCollum: Gravy
Gravy moistens dry turkey and adds flavor to mashed potatoes. In a rather bland Thanksgiving dinner palette, gravy takes the meal up a level. For most people, turkey needs a light gravy-drizzle.
CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard are one of the best backcourts in the league. Their teamwork resembles turkey and gravy – Dame generally gets the most attention, but CJ relieves pressure from his counterpart so both can score easier.
As for the mashed potatoes, you’ll have to keep reading to see who it is. Let’s just say CJ and the mashed potatoes work well on the pick-and-roll.
Al-Farouq Aminu: Stuffing
Stuffing is the combination of several types of food bits. Al-Farouq Aminu is arguably Portland’s best two-way player. His defense this season is one reason why the Blazers tout a top five defense in the league.
However, not everyone likes stuffing and replace it with other dishes. When Aminu was first signed by Portland in 2015, fans did not appreciate his contract. Looking back now with the new collective-bargaining agreement in place, the deal certainly wasn’t Portland’s worst.
Maurice Harkless: Bread Rolls
Bread rolls are just there. They don’t add any flavor and dry your mouth without butter.
Maurice Harkless experiences the same up-and-downs. He plays the occasional good game, but contributes in ways not recorded by the stat sheet (doesn’t add flavor). On some nights, he fails to score on very few shot attempts (no butter). Overall, he is needed to round out the team, just like bread rolls do the meal.
Jusuf Nurkic: Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes on their own are delicious. With the right level of creaminess, they can surpass the turkey and gravy as best Thanksgiving food. In well-executed meals, all three work together to satisfy hungry Thanksgiving diners.
Several times last year, Jusuf Nurkic stole the spotlight from Lillard and McCollum by exploding for a massive double-double. When coupled with the two guards on pick-and-rolls, the tandem becomes very difficult to defend.
Noah Vonleh: Green Beans
Half the population loves the vegetable addition to Thanksgiving. However, the other half don’t want any veggies infecting the savory holiday meal.
Noah Vonleh is developing into a more productive player for the Blazers. Many fans dislike his inability to shoot from outside and prefer a small-ball lineup with Aminu and Harkless at the forward spots. The rest want the 22-year old to grow under Terry Stotts and benefit the team most in a couple of years.
Eating healthy can prolong your lifespan.
Ed Davis: Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is eaten after the main course is complete. Even though stomachs are filled with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing and bread, there’s always room for pie, and who doesn’t like pie?
Ed Davis relieves the starters as backup big man. He and Evan Turner are the most relied upon reserves for Portland. This offseason, Davis made known his desire to stay with the Blazers after struggling last year. This, plus his grit and hustle on the glass make Rip City love the man.
Once you’re done with a full Thanksgiving meal and dessert, you won’t want to #ShirtoffEd.
Shabazz Napier: Sparkling Cider
Sparkling cider is only enjoyed by those with mature taste buds. It’s the best way to wash down all the Thanksgiving food stuck between your teeth.
Engrossed Blazer fans will understand Shabazz Napier’s recently discovered importance to the team. Napier has never received the chance to play consistent minutes in his four-year career, but Portland is now providing him the opportunity. He’s impressed in Stotts’ new three guard set and continues the work set out by Dame and CJ.
Evan Turner: Cranberry Sauce
There’s no maybe in the cranberry debate. You’re either a yes or a no.
Next: Where the Blazers are in the West
Evan Turner’s signing surprised the entire league – a guy who can’t spread the floor for $17 million per year. The Blazers traded Allen Crabbe away to free cap space, giving control of the bench to Turner.
To this day, lots of Blazer supporters dislike ET. At the same time, others love his ball-handling ability because it allows Dame and CJ to run off screens for open shots. I’m a cranberry sauce fan, but I’m still hoping to see more from Evan Turner.