The Clippers punch the Portland Trail Blazers in the mouth

Isaiah Hartenstein, Cody Zeller, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah Hartenstein, Cody Zeller, Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Missing: Damian Lillard

It’s time to be a little worried about Damian Lillard’s offense. No, I don’t think this persists for the season or even for much longer, but with Norm sidelined indefinitely and Lillard’s offense awol, Portland simply does not have the offensive firepower to compete with the top-tier teams.

They couldn’t make it interesting against the Clippers after digging themselves a double-digit hole in the first-half. As suspect as their defense was at times in this blowout, their offense was even worse.

The Blazers scored 17 in the first quarter and 19 in the third. Their effort coming out of halftime was extremely lackluster and in effect, the lead ballooned to over 30 points.

Weird results in the early games of a season aren’t particularly rare or of extreme concern. Portland, however, returned to old habits on offense when faced with adversity, which is troubling.

The Blazers jacked up early threes, iso’d and played hero ball, and most possessions ended without a second pass.

In year’s past, Lillard playing hero ball was actually one of the most efficient plays in basketball. But with Dame performing in the realm of mere mortals in the early season, how will the Blazers fare?

It won’t be much longer before “it’s early in the season” and “they’re implementing a new system” are no longer valid excuses.

The Dame that Rip City knows and loves has been M.I.A. for three games now, and the Blazers need him back sooner rather than later.

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