The Portland Trail Blazers are only 0-1 to start the 2024-25 season, but not all losses are the same in terms of the panic meter. After an unusual post-game correction to the final score, the Blazers lost to the Warriors 140-104.
— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) October 25, 2024
There weren't many promising takeaways from the game, as Chauncey Billups said afterward, "I didn't think one guy on our team played well."
The Blazers should finish this season with a win total close to the 21 they had last year. They didn't have a fire sale like some expected this offseason, with Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan being the only additions and Malcolm Brogdon being the only subtraction. But despite returning a similar roster, they may be even worse off this season.
One concern, evident in their blowout loss, is whether Billups' decision to play faster this season is in their best interest.
Playing faster may not be in Blazers' best interest
Why are the Blazers playing faster this season?
A major reason behind Billups' decision to play faster this season was to utilize the strength of their roster. They are the youngest team in the league and have a lot of athleticism in their rebuilding core, particularly between their backcourt duo of Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe.
But if his season opener performance against the Warriors was any indication, Scoot isn't the type of player to base your team's identity and style of play after, at least at this stage of his early career. Playing faster could benefit Sharpe, but it remains to be seen how the change will impact the high-flying guard as he recovers from his shoulder injury.
Blazers' lack of playmakers could be problematic
Portland's offense left a lot to be desired against Golden State. They often forced quick shots without running sets or making the Warriors earn their defensive stops. Additionally, they forced too many unnecessary passes, many of which were in transition. Deni Avdija had four turnovers, and Anfernee Simons had five. As a team, the Blazers only recorded 21 assists compared to their 17 turnovers—not an ideal assist-to-turnover ratio.
Having elite athletes run the floor in transition is great, but playing fast isn't very effective unless you have a team full of playmakers and quick decision-makers. Simons is a combo guard, and Scoot doesn't seem ready to take on that role yet. Playing faster is more entertaining for fans in 2024-25, but it could also hinder the Blazers' chances of winning.
Keeping games within reach by limiting possessions
With an increased pace of play comes more possessions. More possessions favor the more skilled team over a larger sample size.
For example, if someone were to play one-on-one with Simons, they would likely get destroyed no matter the target score. However, their odds of winning would increase if the game were played to ten instead of a hundred.
This season, the Blazers will rarely be the more talented team. Limiting the number of possessions would allow them to keep the game within reach and potentially pull off more upsets.