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5 Takeaways from the Portland Trail Blazers’ first preseason game

By Doug Patrick

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 13: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers comes out before the preseason game against the Maccabi Haifa on October 13, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 13: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers comes out before the preseason game against the Maccabi Haifa on October 13, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 13: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers comes out before the preseason game against the Maccabi Haifa on October 13, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 13: Jake Layman #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers comes out before the preseason game against the Maccabi Haifa on October 13, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Portland Trail Blazers first preseason game is in the books. And although it ended in defeat, there’s still plenty to suss out from their debut.

The Portland Trail Blazers were dealt a loss by the Toronto Raptors, 104-122. After a promising first quarter which saw plenty of ball-movement and high-quality shot making from Portland’s stars, the offense grew stagnant while Toronto’s Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Lowry found their chemistry.

But there’s no reason to hang our heads, it was only preseason. So, rather than dwell on the result, let’s dive into five takeaways from the Blazers first performance of 2018-19.

  1. There was great ball-movement, especially in the first quarter

Both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum played all of the first quarter, and Head Coach Terry Stotts looked to emphasize ball movement with the two lineups that saw the floor with his stars.

The team moved well around the floor, and the ball hardly stuck to any one player’s hands for much time. There were several actions which saw screens set on both sides of the floor and clever cuts to get players open near the basket.

As this first preseason game drew closer and closer, Stotts spoke regularly about wanting to increase the team’s ball movement this season. Last year, the Blazers ranked last in assists, and improving these numbers will be a focal point of this campaign.

This game’s first period showed a lot of promise in that area. The Blazers notched nine assists on their 11 field goals.

Portland ended the game with 25 assists on their 37 made field goals. Clearly, this new team will be looking to set each other up more than before.

2. Evan Turner is the backup point guard

Stotts spoke at Media Day about using McCollum less as a backup point guard, and it would appear that this role now belongs to Evan Turner.

Turner checked into the game midway through the first quarter to play alongside Lillard, McCollum, Zach Collins, and Meyers Leonard. Even with Rip City’s elite backcourt still on the floor, Turner brought the ball up the floor every time and initiated the offense.

This seems like a good look for the team. While it wasn’t always perfect, placing Turner as a facilitator around four three-point shooters looks like the right move. The offense continued to move around him, and the ball continued zipping around a well-spaced floor.

With this lineup, Turner only looked for his shot once. He got a mismatch with Kyle Lowry in the post, but missed the turnaround jumper. Though he couldn’t capitalize on this opportunity, using his shot-creating in only advantageous situations while maximizing his ability to facilitate should ultimately help the team.