Portland Trail Blazers’ interim head coach Tiago Splitter is navigating a challenging season, with a current record of 9-16. Initially not expecting to take on the head coaching role, Splitter has found a way to get the best out of his roster, featuring three players scoring more than 19 points per game: Deni Avdija (25.4 PPG), Shaedon Sharpe (21.1 PPG), and Jerami Grant (19.3 PPG).
However, despite their scoring prowess, the efficiency of the trio has raised concerns. Avdija leads the group with a shooting percentage of 0.55, while Sharpe falls below 0.50. Acknowledging the need for improvement, Splitter emphasized the importance of aggression in their gameplay.
“These players have talent; we want them to be more aggressive,” Splitter explained. “It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about making the right plays and decisions during the game.” He highlighted that shot selection plays a critical role in their performance.
“In some cases, taking 30 shots might be acceptable if they are quality attempts,” he said. “Conversely, if you only make four shots and they are all poor choices, that reflects poorly on the game strategy. It’s essential to be discerning when evaluating shot totals.”
The Blazers suffered a setback in their recent game, losing 143-120 to the New Orleans Pelicans. A significant factor in this defeat was their heavy reliance on three-point shooting, where they converted just 14 of 48 attempts from deep. While Sharpe found success, making four out of six three-point attempts, both Avdija and Grant struggled, combining for only two successful shots out of twelve attempts.
Missing key big men Donovan Clingan, Yang Hansen, and Robert Williams III further complicated the matchup for the Blazers against a team with a poor defensive record. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how Splitter’s guidance influences the development of his three leading scorers as they look to adapt and enhance their offensive strategy. Emphasizing aggression and careful shot selection could be pivotal in reviving the Blazers’ hopes this season.