Following the Portland Trail Blazers last exhibition game against the Sacramento Kings, Head Coach Terry Stotts took the podium to answer questions from the media. One thing he spoke about was his happiness over the team’s passing.
One of the biggest blemishes of the Portland Trail Blazers season last year (besides their being swept in the first round) was the fact they ranked dead last in assists. Improving their passing will be a major point of emphasis throughout this new campaign.
Head Coach Terry Stotts took questions from the media following the Blazers 118-115 win over the Sacramento Kings. Based on his answers, Portland seems to be on the right track to bettering their assist numbers.
When asked what he liked best about this preseason, Stotts said this:
"“I think our passing’s been pretty good. We’ve had four out of the five games with 25 plus assists – 25 or more. I think our offense has a nice flow to it…I would think our offense is a positive of the preseason…”"
The Blazers ranked ninth this preseason in assists, averaging 25.4 per game. About 64.4 percent of the team’s 39.4 made field goals came off passes.
Last season, only 49.6 percent of the team’s 39.3 made field goals per game came off assists.
For reference, the best passing team in the league – the Golden State Warriors – had 68.4 percent of their 42.8 made field goals come off assists. The Blazers were clearly moving the ball around much less than the elite clubs in the league.
Both Evan Turner and Seth Curry will be major parts in increasing the Blazers’ ball movement this year as backup playmakers.
When asked how he thought Turner looked running the second-unit, Stotts said this:
"“I think more and more comfortable. You know, he’s gotten more comfortable each year. He’s taken ownership of the second group. I think he and Nik [Stauskas] and Seth have developed a good chemistry as far as moving the ball. Evan has a really good feel of what plays he wants to run when he’s running the point and gets the other guys moving around. We’ve made a conscious effort to get him more involved as a playmaker and he’s embraced that.”"
Though averaging only 3.3 assists this preseason, Turner looked confident running the backup point guard spot, even when Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum were on the floor. By having Turner do this, he will allow Dame and CJ to play more off-ball and get better shots both beyond the arc and inside on cuts.
Seth Curry has averaged 2.2 assists this preseason. He played less legitimate backup point guard than Turner. But in the team’s second game against the Phoenix Suns, he helped Jake Layman get going from the field as a facilitator in what became a huge performance for him.
Listen to the full interview here:
“Our offense this preseason is a positive. Our defense isn’t quite there yet." Coach Stotts speaks to the media after tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/IPnLFvenQM
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) October 13, 2018
If the Blazers can carry this momentum into the regular season, they would likely rank in the top ten – if not the top five – in assists. Stotts would undoubtedly be a very happy coach.