The Trail Blazers’ reworked bubble roster set the stage for Gary Trent Jr. to step into the spotlight at crucial moments. While the sweet shooting guard makes headlines on offense, his defense has provided a lifeline to an often toothless defense. For his work on the wing, CBS Sports NBA contributor Colin Ward-Henninger has tagged Trent as the post-season x-factor of the Blazers.
Ward-Henninger explained that Trent’s defense combines with Portland’s lack of depth to make him a crucial part of the Blazers’ hopes against the Lakers.
They will also need Trent to show up on defense, as one of Portland’s few reliable winger, no offense to Mario Hezonja. The Blazers were atrocious in defense on the bubble, but they were much better with Trent on the field, giving up 127.4 points for every 100 possessions with him on the bench, against Trent’s 115.3 in the game.
Trent’s defensive presence was in full evidence during the Blazers’ victory over the Grizzlies on Saturday. With a post-season spot on the line, the former Duke champion logged five steals and two blocks in 35 minutes of action.
Ward-Henninger’s full breakdown of post-season x-factors at CBS Sports.
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