Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)
But what is Damian Lillard playing? The All-Star point guard, whose rumors of his possible departure urges stirred the summer, reiterated his loyalty to Portland before the start of the season. However, for the moment, he plays as if he no longer wants to be there. As if his head was already elsewhere, and go find out where.
He had not already shone in his first two outings: 8 out of 24 to open the new exercise then 6 out of 11 in 24 minutes during the Suns blowout. But Lillard was really out on the streets Monday night. Only 12 points on the clock for a masterful rout of the Blazers, severely beaten twice in three matches this season.
Lillard watered in the void. Literally. 3 disgusting airballs and a nasty 4 out of 15 on shots. Including 0 out of 8 behind the arch. Little energy – other than when he tried to posterize Isaiah Hartenstein dirtily – slack and maybe not even really wanting. Very sad all that.
Luke Kennard (Los Angeles Clippers)
Maybe it’s just Luke Kennard who stole Damian Lillard’s trust and superpowers. Used sparingly by Tyronn Lue for his first season with the Clippers, the sniper finally seems to have made his way in Los Angeles. This time, his coach really calls on him and it helps him to free himself.
Kennard went into autopilot mode, not hesitating to draw in first intention after four seconds of possession. Even in counterattack. The best part is that it fits. Especially last night. His hot shots hurt the Blazers a lot, caught in the throat at each passage from the back on the field.
Luke Kennard is locked in ????
The 4-point play gives him 17 PTS on 6-7 shooting in the 1st half on @NBATV! pic.twitter.com/diOLLGS7Ea
– NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2021
23 points for him. The Clippers’ leading scorer against the Blazers. With 8 out of 10 on shots and 6 out of 7 on three-pointers. But also 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block. Very clean. It is a real added value for the bench of Californians and we will finally begin to understand why it was worth it to spin him 64 million over four years.
Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat)
If the Heat has a very good team capable of hampering many teams in the East, it is first of all because Miami can count on the presence of one of the fifteen best players in the world in its ranks. Jimmy Butler. And the All-Star back recalled Monday night by martyring the Magic on both sides of the floor for a fairly clear victory in the Florida derby (107-90).
Jimmy “Buckets” lived up to his reputation and his nickname by converting 15 of his 21 attempts to finish with 36 points. ” Elite scorer, elite playmaker and elite defender », summed up simply Erik Spoelstra to describe his player franchise. Indeed, Butler also added 5 interceptions to his line of statistics already provided.
???? @JimmyButler‘s 2-way impact lifts the @MiamiHEAT!
36 points
15-21 shooting
5 steals pic.twitter.com/HZgMz1oIQ1– NBA (@NBA) October 26, 2021
It is exactly this type of performance that he will have to reproduce as often as possible for the Heat to go really far. Because, yes, Miami relies primarily on its collective and its defense. But that, in the NBA, that is not enough to win titles. It’s a huge bonus. But this is not the basis. The base is a great player who raises his own. Like Jimmy Butler on Monday night.
Cameron Reddish (Atlanta Hawks)
After an irregular start in the NBA, Cameron Reddish may have found his role and his place at the Hawks. He shines as the sixth man in Atlanta. With another peak at over 15 units yesterday. 17, more precisely, in the victory against the Pistons (122-104). The young back was slightly less successful compared to his first two outings but he still showed aggression.
He might not be happy coming off the bench, but not all up-and-coming Hawks can play in the five. We must distribute the cards. The advantage is that his coach gives him carte blanche when he comes home. He took the opportunity to attack the circle and cause faults while watering from a distance. 17 points therefore, 5 out of 12 on shots and 3 out of 7 in three-pointers. With 3 bonus interceptions. A performance in line with the 20 and 19 points scored during the first two meetings. A potential X factor for a great Atlanta team.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (New Orleans Pelicans)
He was not the main asset of the Pelicans’ first victory last night. Brandon Ingram led New Orleans against Minnesota (107-98) with his 27 points. But Nickeil Alexander-Walker deserved a spotlight. The young Canadian still lacks success but he is gaining momentum for his third season in the league.
NAW averages 17 points and 8 rebounds after three games, even if his percentages do not inspire confidence (38 and 33%). But precisely, he will end up correcting the situation while probably maintaining averages in this order of magnitude – or a little less when Zion Williamson returns.
But what is all the more interesting is also the defensive contribution of the guy. Already 7 interceptions and 3 blocks. Its size and long arms particularly hamper opposing attackers. The Pelicans have a potential two way player that should help them get back into the middle of the table at one point or another.
