Portland Trail Blazers: Player grades from 2019-20 preseason debut

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 08: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter during a preseason game at Veterans Memorial Coliseum on October 08, 2019 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 (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

In a spirited effort in their first preseason outing, the Portland Trail Blazers went down to the Denver Nuggets 105 – 94

On a special night with a 70s throwback theme to kick off the 50th anniversary season, the Portland Trail Blazers weren’t able celebrate with a win. There was still a lot to be happy about with strong play up and down the roster.

The regulars only played limited minutes leaving the role players and rookies to put forward their cases for minutes in the regular season. They kept in touch for most of the game but couldn’t pull the lead back in the second half as the Nuggets played their more experienced squad members.

This is a good chance now to focus on individual player performances. Players grades are detailed below.

. . ZACH COLLINS. B-. <a href=

C. <a href=. . . RODNEY HOOD

This was a good first outing for <a href=. . . DAMIAN LILLARD. B-

. . CJ MCCOLLUM. C+. <a href=

<a href=. . . HASSAN WHITESIDE. B

ANFERNEE SIMONS. B+. Sophomore guard <a href=. .

<a href=. . . MARIO HEZONJA. B

A-. <a href=. . . KENT BAZEMORE

F. A very quiet night for sophomore <a href=. . . GARY TRENT JR

SKAL LABISSIERE. A-. <a href=. .

. ANTHONY TOLLIVER. B. Fans will love <a href=.

B+. Rookie <a href=. . . NASSIR LITTLE

Next. Anfernee Simons is the next big thing. dark

Next up for the Blazers is a game in two days time against Maccabi Tel Aviv