We're two games into the 2025-26 NBA season, and it's already become apparent that the Portland Trail Blazers are going to be a difficult matchup for opposing teams on a nightly basis.
The Golden State Warriors were entering the second half of a back-to-back with their previous game against the Denver Nuggets going into overtime. Portland capitalized on this opportunity, utilizing its roster strength to absolutely run Golden State out of the gym. That resulted in a 20-point blowout against one of the best teams in the stacked Western Conference, with a final score of 139-119.
The Blazers already look way more fun to watch this season, and part of that is because they finally seem to know exactly who they are as a collective unit. They're fast, physical, and defensively versatile. That established identity starts with their best player, Deni Avdija.
Deni Avdija is already emerging as the Blazers' best player
He led the Blazers in this contest with a well-rounded stat line of 26 points, six assists, and five rebounds on 11-of-18 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point land. It was an encouraging sign to see Avdija shoot so efficiently from beyond the arc, as he missed all six of his attempts in Portland's season-opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
One of several reasons why the Avdija trade was a steal for the Blazers was his improved shooting. He hovered around 30% from deep in his first three NBA seasons, but has significantly improved that to roughly 37% the past two years. If Avdija can maintain or continue to improve upon this level of shooting, he has legitimate All-Star potential -- even in the star-studded West.
This was interim head coach Tiago Splitter's first game in his new role with the Blazers following the departure of Chauncey Billups, who had been placed on immediate leave. For stretches, Splitter embraced a small ball lineup, playing the 6-foot-8 Avdija at the five. That was a perfect example of why Avdija is an ideal fit in Portland, giving them incredible roster flexibility that very few other teams in the league have.
There were several promising performances in this game, as is typically the case in a blowout win. But Avdija was at the forefront of that. He's the catalyst that makes Portland go, whether it's initiating fastbreaks and allowing them to play at a faster pace, guarding multiple positions, or imposing his will with his physical drives in the paint. He's the epitome of how Billups and now Splitter want this team to play.
Eventually, the Blazers will have to add more star power. Their ceiling isn't high enough to ever be considered a genuine contender as long as Avdija remains their best player. But for this season, it's already clear he's the guy.