Skip Bayless said he was “cutting the bulls ***” over Damian Lillard’s criticism

With more national attention and more eyes on the NBA reboot, it’s not just Rip City taking notice of Trail Blazers sophomore Gary Trent Jr.

Over the span of eight matches of Portland’s seeding matches, Trent Jr. averaged 16.9 points with 51.6% field shots and a whopping 50.7% three-point shots.

The boy was lighting up the board and making sure the Blazers’ best opponents weren’t lighting them.

Whether it was Luka Doncic or James Harden, Trent Jr. had a tough job defending the superstars of the teams, but he proved he was up for the challenge.

Earlier this week, Trent Jr. joined former Trail Blazers Rasheed Wallace and Bonzi Wells on their latest podcast “Let’s Get Technical”.

Gary’s Sheed introduction said it all:

Ladies and gentlemen, tonight it is my esteemed pleasure to introduce you to my nephew. I remember this young boy when he was born. He often ran into the locker room with all the other kids and families and is now actually playing with the same team he ran in the locker room with, tearing apart. So, ladies and gentlemen, please join hands for my nephew Gary Trent Jr…. A sharpshooter, man. Thanks for joining us, nephew, I appreciate that! – Ex Trail Blazer Rasheed Wallace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nse-o_VPXE0

Trent Jr. shared what it was like as a young man playing alongside Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard.

Being able to be with him every single day, just how he behaves, how he works, you see it day after day. As you said, he’s been in tears, but he’s been in tears all year, like seeing a crazy stat, they said he’s the only player since Wilt Chamberlain to have 60 [points] three times in a season … It’s crazy. It cannot be stopped. He is locked up. We are all locked inside … He is a leader. It is the heart of the organization. It proves it every night. – Gary Trent Jr. on Damian Lillard

Trent Jr. added that the Portland defense duo’s defense, consisting of Lillard and CJ McCollum, also boosted his defensive mentality and prowess.

“Protecting him and CJ McCollum every single day for the past year and a half has made me a better defender,” explained Trent Jr.

Remember the game against Houston, Trent Jr. didn’t back down from Harden or Russell Westbrook …

Sorry Westbrook and Harden … Gray Trent Jr. doesn’t bother to protect you, he watches CJ and Dame practically every day

– Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) 5th August 2020

This season, Trent Jr. has talked at length about the admiration and respect he has for Trail Blazers veteran and future Hall of Fame Carmelo Anthony.

In the “Let’s Get Technical” podcast, the 21-year-old described the atmosphere of the team when he first heard that Melo was coming to Rip City.

“When he first came to the team, the whole team was enlightened. We were excited, like, ‘Oh Melo is coming to Portland. Is Melo coming? So when he first came here, he got to play well, got his opportunity back and just his presence alone, can you feel it, his understanding of the game … He’s here to teach, he’s here to help, and he’s playing fantastic. It helped us win games. It’s Carmelo Anthony, “said Trent Jr ..

[Listen to the Talkin’ Blazers Podcast with hosts NBA Champion Channing Frye and Emmy Award winner Dan Sheldon and special guest Kevin Love]:

And, of course, Wallace and Wells showed their love and appreciation for Gary Trent Sr. as well, sharing some memories with Trent Jr.

Wallace and Trent Sr. played together for Portland from 1996-98.

“This is my man, this is my best friend, even today.” Sheed said, while Bonzi added: “Excellent player, excellent guy, even better person”.

Wells was curious, however, how Trent Sr. could produce such a fine guard as Gary Trent Jr.

“In a way it paved the way for guys like me who made it to the mid-major, but Gary Trent Sr. was a powerful player. Where did you get this touch? “Asked Bonzi.

Gary answered this question with a smile:

“That’s the funniest thing because I tell people all the time – he was a great man, he really wasn’t doing too much on the perimeter, don’t get me wrong – he was a good player, but he’s a player The devolution was amazing … I say that he was a great man who was able to create a guard … He just shows you his understanding of the game: what you must be, what you must be, what moves you must make … All my moves come from him. ”

Shout to pop!

Trent Jr.’s moves may have come from his father, but we all know that Lillard and Melo have certainly accelerated the young man’s development process.

Check out the full Let’s Get Technical podcast featuring Gary Trent Jr. right here.