The Brief Case, Episode 81

On the latest edition of The Brief Case podcast, Trail Blazers beat reporter/insider Casey Holdahl discusses...

• Portland's loss to the Heat on Tuesday to finish off a winless month of February

• Staying motivated during a nine-game losing streak

• Deandre Ayton suffering a right hand sprain and the status of Portland's injured players

• Portland's offernsive, defensive and net ratings with a month and a half to go

• The Trail Blazers failing to cover in seven-straight games and the increasingly unlikely prospect of hitting the over on their season win projection

And the show wraps up with an interview with Trail Blazers guard/forward Dalano Banton regarding his first few weeks in Portland, the difference between playing for his former team and his current team, whether a "perfect situation" exists, how he would describe his style of play, growing up in Toronto, the state of basketball in Canada when he was growing up compared to where it's at today, his journey from Rexdale to New England to Western Kentucky to Nebraska and what his hopes are for himself and the Blazers in the last month and a half of the season.

Transcript

Unknown Speaker  0:00  
You know, it's part of the NBA, but definitely tough, you know, people going out in and out, you know, to line up and things like that, especially with the young team that we have. We do everything that we can get, you know, a

Speaker 1  0:16  
lot of people go and stuff but I mean, it's, it's a part of it. We got to stay together. I think we got a good group of guys good mentalities. And I think you got to shift your focus, I gotta be progression to get better. I think everybody has to have that on their mindset, rather than it's not always going to come out and wins. But as long as we get better every game. I think that's what worked for us. Hey, Rip City. This is Matisse live,

Speaker 2  0:41  
and it's time to open the briefcase to Casey Holdahl. predispose your fans. Welcome to the briefcase, Episode 81 of the briefcase. I'm your host, Casey Holdahl. And that was Jeremy Grant discussing the trailblazers injuries and staying motivated as losses pile up for this team. As we get into the last two months of the season. Obviously, as we talked about a lot this year, this season really more about development than wins and losses for the trailblazers that when you lose nine straight. When you have so many players who have injuries. It's difficult to feel like you're making progress or you're getting better things. So I feel like Jeremy's comments, they're a good indication that there are still things that team is working on. There are still goals that they have. It's just you have to do those more internally when you're losing as many games to Blazers have recently for them went winless in the month of February and have lost nine straight seven of those at the motor center. And the Blazers. Now head out for three games back to back in Memphis followed by their second game of the season in Minneapolis versus the Timberwolves before returning home to play Sixth Street will recap Tuesday's loss to the heat discussed yet another injury checking on how the travelers have fared versus the spread lately. Andrew for one of the newest Trailblazers Delano Benton on this edition of the briefcase. Blazers wrapped up one of the longest homestand of the season with a 106 96 loss of Miami Heat Tuesday night at motor center. Leisure scored the first eight points and led by as many as 15 points in the first quarter and 10 in the intermission which gave one indication the budget had a pretty good chance of getting the only one in the month of February in their last try. But unfortunately, DeAndre Aiden sprained his right hand late in the first half of Tuesday's game after collision with Kevin Love, he would not return to the game after posting a double double in the first half was going to be outscored by 20 in the second half to come away with a 10 point loss. Much of that probably due to the fact that you Andre wasn't able to come back and play. He was doing a great job against BAM autobio definitely winning that matchup of Senators DeAndre Aiden was quite a bit more size and Pam autobio. And it showed if you under eight and had been able to play in the second half, I think Blazers ended up winning that game. But that obviously wasn't the case. X rays came back negative. So that's good news. I believe he did have more imaging on that wrist. According to Sean Hyken. More imaging was done and gender Aiden is now listed as day to day not sure entirely what his status is going to be going forward for that three game road trip. But if I had to guess I'd say He probably misses at least one of those games. Perhaps even more than that. We'll have to wait and see when they released the injury report on Thursday afternoon. I don't believe the team is going to practice on Thursday. I believe they're leaving early for Memphis. So we won't know what his status or the status of anyone else on the team is for this upcoming road trip until Thursday afternoon, even though they were able to get a win for us the heat a fairly good performance for the trailblazers in that one, particularly in terms of some individual performances 26 points four assists for Anthony assignments after a dreadful shooting night versus the Hornets one night before Jeremy Grant 24 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in 40 minutes as well. Phenomenal game for Jeremy Grant their 20 Kamara having one of his better games of his rookie season 17 points on 50% shooting from the field and two of two shooting from three to go with 10 rebounds three assists in 32 minutes. And as I mentioned johndrow Eight and only playing 18 Minutes did not play in the second half 12 points 10 rebounds two assists and two steals a very nice net for DeAndre would have been a great night for DeAndre, if he's able to play in that second half. Hopefully the injury is nothing too awful serious. It did keep them out of the second half of that game. So that is some cause for concern. But as I mentioned, X rays came back negative I believe he had more imaging probably an MRI on that hand team is that saying that it's a sprain as of right now. So again, pretty good news. The fact of the Blazers are basically playing for development right now would lead me to believe they're probably not going to rush anyone back, let alone a guy like DeAndre Aten, who's already missed some time this season. And it's probably been Portland's best player since the calendar turned over to 2024. So they're going to be very careful with that injury, whatever the severity of it is, hopefully he's able to get back out there soon. But again, I think at this point in time, particularly where this Blazers are at in this point in the season, with so many players out as well. I wouldn't be surprised if perhaps they're going to play that very safe with the Andre as I assume they're playing it very safe with both Malcolm Brogdon and Scott Henderson as well. And since we're on the topic, and since it's defined very much Portland season this year, let's go ahead and talk about injuries here. Malcolm Brogdon in the team did give an update of sorts a few days ago. Tim says he was reevaluated for his elbow tendinitis and is making good progress in his recovery. Brogden will continue to ramp up with an anticipated return to action anticipated return to action would lead me to believe that he is going to play again, at some point in time this season. There's still a month and a half in the season to go. Hopefully that tendinitis is not too awful bad. But once again, Malcolm Brogdon veteran player, a guy who I know they're going to be very careful with the opposite don't want Malcolm to get injured either for himself, or for the trailblazers, it would be bad for everybody involved, particularly when you're in a season right now, where wins and losses again, don't really matter a whole lot for this team. So I imagine they're going to play that really slow with Malcolm Brogdon and be a bit surprised to be played on this upcoming three game road trip. Perhaps when the team comes back for this extended homestand we'll have to wait and see on that one kind of same idea with Scott Henderson. He's missed the last three games due to a left adductor strain. There's been no official update, though Chauncey Billups didn't know that Scott isn't doing much of anything on the court. As of right now. I believe he did have an MRI, MRI came back clean. So that's good news there. But particularly with all of those core muscle injuries that team has had as of late, I'm sure they're going to play that very careful. If for no other reason to then obviously scooter is a rookie, and they're very much invested in his future. So they don't want to do anything that's going to result in him making that injury any worse and having to undergo surgery like so many other players on this team have had to undergo up to an including shade and sharp just a few weeks ago. Once again, we won't know school official status for Friday's game, the first of two games versus the Grizzlies though prior to Tuesday's game Chauncey Billups said the scoop really wasn't doing much on the court, which would lead me to believe that it's probably fairly unlikely that he plays in Friday's game versus the Grizzlies and Memphis, which also obviously puts Saturday's game in Memphis in jeopardy. So I would guess maybe best case scenario, we see Scott Henderson and this just a pure guess, on my part, and the third game of that road trip versus the Timberwolves, but even then, I wouldn't be so certain about that, I guess what I'm saying is, I'd be a bit surprised to be played in either the two games in Memphis, maybe he plays in the game in Minnesota. But I also wouldn't be surprised didn't play in any of those games. I just think it's probably fairly unlikely at this point, if he hasn't been doing much on the court as of late, that he is going to go out there and play in two games back to back games versus the Grizzlies, I would actually just guarantee that he's not going to play in back to back games. That seems very unlikely to me at this point, they're going to go very slow that injury, they're going to make sure he is completely squared away before they put him back out there. And I imagine that's probably going to take a little bit more time than we're going to have on this road trip. And well, it sounds like the Andre and the Blazers avoided the worst with that right hand injury, if I had to guess I'd say probably misses at least one game on this trip, which would be a shame for a host of reasons. First and foremost, as I mentioned, he's been Portland's best player in 2024. After a slow start to his career in Portland, or at least it's an uneven start because of injuries. I've really liked what we've seen of DeAndre, as of late, he's been dialed in a double double machine, a guy who's doing it very efficiently, would love to see him be able to get back out there sometime soon. Not sure if we're going to see that just yet. Again, I'm sure they're going to take all the time that they feel like they need and probably even a little then some until January gets back out there. The fact that the X ray and the MRI seemingly came back clean. I'm assuming the MRI got done by the way too. I haven't actually heard anything official about that. But it does stand to reason they had more imaging Chauncey Billups did mention there would be more imaging done on that wrist as well. And then every time there's any more imaging other than an x ray can usually assume that that means that MRI, we'll have to wait and see on that. But again, I'd be a little surprised if the Andre played in the first game versus the Grizzlies. Maybe he gets back out there for the second game. If not, perhaps he plays first, the Timberwolves and then if not, not one, obviously, we're looking at that homestand maybe they give him a little more time at that point, just to get that hand right before they put him back out there. We'll have to wait and see on that one. But once again, another injury that I imagine is going to take another starter out of the lineup for the trailblazers at least for some period of time. And finally circling back to Shane sharp still a month away at absolute best after undergoing that lower abdominal surgery just prior to all star break. They've already talked a lot about how Shane wants to get back out there. I know the team wants to get Shane back out there. Obviously, getting a chance to see Shaden develop this year was going to be one of the biggest and most important things in Portland this season, really haven't gotten a chance to see that because of injuries. He had a pretty good start to the season, then he started to have some injuries with that adductor that core muscle injury slowed him down a bit. And another lineup ended up having to undergo surgery so he's able to come back. Be nice to see him back out there. I think the team has also realized too, that after having a number of players with that injury, they probably learned a few things about how that rehabilitation goes and maybe what the best practices are for that rehabilitation. So at this point, I imagined that they would like to see Shane get back out there before the end of the season. Whether or not that happens yet to be determined. But we do know that that probably won't happen if it's going to happen. At least for another month or so. Moving on with about a month and a half to go in the 2023 24 season, the pleasure of sitting 29th and offensive rating at 108.1 Point scored for 100 possessions. The only team that is worse is a Memphis Grizzlies, who as I mentioned, Blazers will face and back to back games on Friday and Saturday in Memphis. So the 30th offense versus the 29th offense Friday and Saturday in Memphis. Go ahead and get those tickets now, though two teams that really do scrap and fight hard. So I imagine that's going to be a good interesting series. Both of those teams to have been heard I'm getting wins this year. So I imagine both would be very motivated in both of those games, even if it might be a little more been from an offensive perspective. And then on the other side of the ball the Blazers are 22nd in defensive rating at 117.1 points allowed per 100 possessions, which is basically unchanged from the last time we checked in last week. The Blazers are behind the mavericks and 21st and head of the raptors and 23rd when it comes to defensive rating. And finally, the difference between Portland's offensive rating and their defensive rating is their net rating. And at minus nine, the pleasure center 28th out of only the wizards and Hornets net rating the season and just for posterity since we're at the end of the month. The Blazers are 27th and offensive rating 25th and defensive rating and 30th a net rating in the month of February a month that's all the players go oh and nine though the wizards ended up going on 11 and February. I'm not sure if they have another game in February if they're going to squeeze one in on a leap day. But if not, the NBA will have two teams that went winless in the month of February. I also believe that that's maybe the first time the Blazers have ever gone winless in a full month. I believe I might have heard that somewhere. Those are the kind of stat milestones that you definitely don't want to surpass. So I'm not going to look too much into that but I believe that might have been the first time the Blazers did not log when in the full month of the season obviously you know you got short months October April and you could also claim to the February is also a short month because of the all star break but long story short no one's in February would it be nice to get a couple would have nice to get one does wasn't the case. And as disappointing as it is to lose nitrates the Blazers have it's almost worse that they've also failed to cover in seven consecutive contests. Since the all star break the bleachers or eight point underdogs to the nuggets and lost by 15 Three and a half point favorites to the Hornets and lost by 13 which by the way the Blazers are now one and five and games this season which is the favorite. So Las Vegas, please, I'm begging you. Don't make the Blazers favorites anymore this season. When you look at the rest of their schedule, they probably won't be anyways but I'm just gonna go ahead and put in my ask nonetheless. And there were seven point dogs to the heat and lost by 10 Tuesday night. Portland hasn't covered since they were 15 Point underdogs to the nuggets on February 4 In a game that ended up losing by nine in Denver. It's not only the Blazers go oh nine in February, they went to in seven versus the spread in February as well. Good teams when great teams cover. Fortunately, the trailblazers aren't doing either right now. And as for their season projection, the players at this point need to go 14 And nine in order to hit the over on the 28.5 Win projection, the Las Vegas set for the team this season. And at this point, especially with the number of injuries that are currently dealing with, it seems incredibly unlikely that the players are going to hit that over of 29 wins. Obviously anything could happen. They could go on run, they could catch fire, but they really haven't done that this season. And at this point with as many players as they have out, and at some point time assuming that they're really going to lean into development. Going 14 and nine are getting 14 more wins when they only have 15 wins on the season just does not seem very likely. It's not impossible, but it's whatever around before impossible is. Well before we wrap up this edition of the briefcase. Let's go ahead and hear from Delano Benton six 820 and four pound guard forward out of Nebraska who the Blazers acquired at the trade deadline from the Boston Celtics in six games with the trailblazers Delano Benton is averaging 8.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 17.0 minutes per game Banton still trying to find his place in the league after playing 64 games his rookie season with the Raptors 31 games his sophomore season, but then appearing in just 24 games in his third season, his first out of Toronto with the Boston Celtics, now in Portland have an opportunity to show what he can do Blazers quite thin on players at this point. So I imagine a lot of Ben is going to play quite a few minutes as we enter the last month and half of the season. So during the course of the interview got a chance to talk to Delano about his time in Portland. The differences between playing for the Boston Celtics and the Portland Trailblazers considering the different places that both those teams are at in terms of their competitiveness, if a perfect situation exists for him how he would describe his own game

Speaker 2  13:51  
growing up in Toronto basketball in Canada now and then his journey to the NBA and what his hopes are for himself and for the team going into the last month and a half of the season. Really enjoyed talking to Llano I think gonna like it as well. Give it a listen. And here with Delano Benton Delano, thank you for taking some some time with me here. So first off, just have your first couple weeks on here in Portland with the team. So far,

Speaker 3  14:12  
so good. Everyone accepted me with open arms, definitely loving the fan base that I'm showing me a lot of love that makes up to me and you know, it's been great so far just trying to you know, figure out figure out a way to piece it together and get some wins.

Speaker 2  14:23  
So what has it been like going from Team like the Celtics to the Blazers, obviously, you know, they're kind of in a different place in where they're at competing right now. How has that been for you going from that situation to the situation?

Speaker 3  14:33  
Definitely, definitely an adjustment. Just feeling like just trying to find where you fit in. I'm definitely playing for the Celtics not cracking the rotation as much as I wanted to. Or just finding myself I'm being like a stay ready group trying to find ways to stay ready and you know, whenever my name is called Make the best of the opportunity that I get. Here. Just kind of you know, a coach Chauncey just you know, telling me Be aggressive when I do get out there. And you know, the team kind of just putting me in positions to make plays. I feel like that's definitely a big jump for me. And in my development, I'm coming from the Celtics. And I'm in that for when I did play more of like, off ball cutter crasher. And then you know, coming in here, getting the reps, getting the ball, getting to play off ball screens and stuff like that. So it's definitely been a switch. Definitely loving it so far. Just, you know, like I said, before, just trying to figure out a way to put it together for 14 minutes together, when

Speaker 2  15:19  
I know obviously, like, you're going to do whatever they ask you to do. But what do you feel like would be the ideal situation for you in the NBA like, well, what would be a perfect situation for a lot of them.

Speaker 3  15:30  
I couldn't even say my time, my time in the league, it's been, it's been like a roller coaster, it's been a lot of up and downs. One thing that I could say I've learned is just do the up and downs trying to stay like trying to stay the course stay going on one level, instead of going up following the roller coaster with your emotions and just kind of be a professional everyday. So it's hard for me to pick a perfect situation, because I don't think it'll ever ever be that. So I just got to grind towards that. And then, you know, hopefully the perfect picture comes but no phenom just loving the process, loving the grind. And, you know, I gotta stay in the moment to you know, be able to be here every day and be present in what I'm doing.

Speaker 2  16:04  
That's good point, too. I guess. They're in some respects. Yeah. Why concern yourself with something that you don't need to you're in the reality right now. So that probably makes more sense. Consider that, in that regard to how would you describe the the way that you play or the if you're going to describe to someone this is how tomato band plays? This is what he does? Well, what what would you say, I would

Speaker 3  16:23  
say, just having a feel for the game. Um, so whatever that is just being able to make plays, whether that's, you know, making the right read, getting in assists scoring, I'm gonna feel like just trying to be able to do the right thing on the court every time whether it's a hockey assist, or, you know, things of that regard. So I think just having a feel for the game, knowing when to cut, or like when not to cut just kind of that, I would say, I'm definitely using my versatility. So you know, using my length, using my height on defense, I rebound. Um, so I kind of just think like, he's being able to just play the game, I was saying, just kind of figure out how to know how to play things that goes along with as well. So I kind of say that, you talked

Speaker 2  16:57  
about being in the state ready group. And I know that that's kind of a thing that a lot of young guys in the NBA have to deal with, how do you go about always kind of having that edge to where like, you're always trying to be prepared for whatever situation they're going to be put into. Definitely

Speaker 3  17:11  
trusting in your work, trusting in your routine, you know, early in early early on in the league, or like young guys in the league, just that's probably the hardest thing to do is find a routine. And you know, stick to it, whether you know, it is the ups and downs or like one game you play 20 minutes, the next game you don't play. So sticking to that same routine will definitely help you get through your days. Um, I would say that definitely helps me and you know, trusting in the work that I put in, I feel like you know, everyday we work hard. And you know, we grinded our whole life for this, whether you're in the rotation or not just when you get in the game, just know that what you have done to get to this point is obviously something so just trust in the work that you put in and be confident

Speaker 2  17:44  
and know that you started putting that work in at a young age when you were growing up in in Toronto in Rexdale. What was it like as a young man in Canada playing basketball or just like what what was your upbringing, like, um,

Speaker 3  17:54  
I bring it was good. Definitely. For growing up in Mexico, just very community like thing. Everyone was just, you know, I lived in a complex housing, so all my neighbors were like family to me, I still talk to them. And everybody that I grew up with, I knew like literally, since I was very, very young. So it was definitely good, um, basketball wise, I feel like well, maybe it's different now. But when I grew up was more outside play. I never really had like me in the gym by myself. Everyone said, I got to PT I went to prep school in the States when I was like, 716 17. So there was no like, one on one training. I never had that. But like, there would always be like runs and like pickup and stuff. So like I used to go from like, pick up here to pick up here. So it kind of just like that just trying to find ways to play whenever I can.

Speaker 2  18:35  
Yeah, and that's uh, that's kind of what I'm thinking about to ask you about is that you know, the Raptors came to Toronto I believe like four or five years before you were born and so I'm curious kind of what was the state of basketball like or at least from your perspective, like where was basketball at then typically compared to where it is now where it seems like it's really starting to grow a lot in Canada

Speaker 3  18:53  
definitely felt like back then you had to you know, across the border in order to get seen definitely not like you know, a lot of talent coming out of high school guys, you know a lot more than just with social media and a lot of people are noticing more so you know, there's a lot more skilled system going over to Canada to see the kids play like even in high school and stuff like that they'll have like Division One skeleton coaches there. So you know, took a big jump from where it was like when I was there, and like there's a lot more like so when I was there was just high school basketball or like it was the first year that they were like implementing the prep scene into high school, but I left the following year to go to the state but um, yeah, so through that year, it was kind of like just I'm testing it but like again, like now it's big like, it started off with like Jamal Murray, like FileMaker and those guys I believe, they're all on one team and like, they kind of just chatted everyone. And then now like, they put it somewhere like there's like prep schools in Canada. So like all the best schools will have like a prep team throughout wherever and then so coaches will watch that a lot of coaches so I got a lot better but I felt like I had to go to the States and it was really good for me and I thought that everyone should do that. Because right when I got to the states like two days later, I got my first offer. Yeah, so it was literally like I got there. The next thing was like orientation. Then we went to the gym but the next thing was like they do pick up runs, I guess in prep schools and like during pickup all day like skills just come watch you play there and pick up. So it's like the first time they ever watch me play I got to offer and I was asked him, I don't think I should have did this. He really felt like I was doing something. For sure. Yeah, yeah,

Speaker 2  20:16  
I bet you're probably you know, away from home. Maybe the home is a very Yeah, if you're in one run, and also you're getting offers like, Hey, this is this was the right move. And I know that. I know, obviously, that's kind of what Shane did to you know, he came to the States to play as well. And I wonder, do you feel like maybe it's getting to the point Canada now where maybe some guys will start staying now and maybe doing now that it's getting built out a little bit more?

Speaker 3  20:37  
Oh, yeah. No guy guys have stayed on like previous kids who came up. They were like number one in the country like Elijah Fischer. I think he played high school, all throughout his high school career, and then ended up going division one after that, but they'll definitely find you like, you know, talent is talent. And I feel like the NBA, the NBA or like college does a really good job of like, picking talent and finding talent, wherever, wherever you are in the world. Like it's crazy. It's one thing I definitely realized through through my time, but um, yeah. How

Speaker 2  21:05  
would you describe kind of your basketball journey? So obviously from from Toronto to, as you mentioned, go to prep school in New England, Western Kentucky, Nebraska, drafted by the Raptors kind of how would How would you sum up that that experience for you getting to this point where you're at now in the NBA,

Speaker 3  21:21  
I will definitely say it's a crazy experience, but I wouldn't trade it for nothing, just the amount of work that it takes, the amount of hours you put into the gym, just trying to get to your goal, whether you find yourself at a rotations, you know, my first stop at Western Kentucky I you know, I didn't play that much as much as I wanted to, and then transferring having to sit out in Nebraska. So it's kind of it's up and down. But it's it when you look back at it, it's the process and Time flies, man like looking at it. I remember when I was transferring from Western Kentucky going to Nebraska. I mean, I don't know what I'm going to do for a year, like I just want to play you know, and then like now, it's like, I'm in my third year in the league. And it's time flies. So if there's one thing I realized is just kind of stay in the moment, like I was saying before, and like, obviously, you think about your future and you work hard and you grind and you know what you're grinding for, but you don't want to lose sight of what you're doing today. Like, you know, and that's one thing that I kind of do coaches and do like having mentorship to them be I kind of realize I'm just talking to older vets, just making them make me realize like, Yo, like, take taking what you have today because like, you know, two years from now you're gonna be like, Yo, like even like now it's like you I got drafted to the Raptors on I tell people that make I had a great time. You know. So it's like Time flies to kind of just try to stick with it stay in the moment and, you know, be

Speaker 2  22:29  
present. When it being an NBA player really seem like a reality for you.

Speaker 3  22:33  
It was always a dream, like a reality, I would say, probably my last year of high school. Or like, I don't know, it's it, because it's always a dream. So like, even during college, it's like, Yo, you want to go to the NBA so bad even if you have a chance. But I remember when I went to Western Kentucky, we also had Charles bassy. Who's on the Spurs now. Yeah, so all I remember before I committed like I was that was like one of my things. I'm like, I know, if I'm in a position where people could see me then I could like, you know, so I just took that advantage. And then Charles committed and then I committed after, and then I remember we had Pro Day. And there was like, every every coach every like skill, everyone was there to see Charles, I remember I had a good day. You know, I took advantage of that. So after that I remember, like two three days, three days later, like people kept hitting me up, like a bunch of people like saying, you know this, that they're talking about you like, you know, so I'm like, I didn't even I didn't we felt like I did it was because it was more so like, it was kind of like open Run thing, like where you get the offers from the gym, but it's like, you don't feel like you do because it's like pickup practice. It's like, you know, so I was like, alright, like, you know, I just got it, whatever. And then the season came, I didn't really um, I played up to the first half. I remember had a really good game against Wisconsin, but we have a senior point guard, who never played the first half of the season when I got there as a freshman. So when he came back, I went to the bench. And then he started and I didn't play after that. But I transferred after that, and then got to meet Fred Hoiberg, who's another great mentor that I that I got to meet and he definitely helped helped me get to them then know what I

Speaker 2  24:02  
have to do the game. Well, that's a that's a really good point, too, is that sometimes you know those opportunities coming in, don't expect them or like you can even like try to set things up to where you feel like you're going to accomplish something. But you really had to be ready for those stay ready moments when maybe the opportunity just presents itself a little bit.

Speaker 3  24:16  
The effects of the shots are Fred Hoiberg great

Speaker 2  24:21  
last one here for Adriana, thank you so much, by the way for the time to just uh, going forward the rest of the season couple next couple months, kind of what are your hopes for the team and for yourself?

Speaker 3  24:29  
And just, you know, kind of just trying to push through a code challenge has been pushed into us, you know, just working on the things that we need to work on as a unit. You know, just things not slapping ourselves in the face. You know, it's been a tough, tough little road for us tough month, I should say tough February. So I'm just kind of knowing what we need to do and just figuring out ways to piece it together. Man. I feel like one thing I can say is like when winning I would say like winning always looks different. You know, we have a lot of talented guys on our team. So it could be da could be Jeremy it could be scoot it can be at that have their night that day. And then I would say when you're losing it, it stays consistent, like shot margins, turnovers rebounding. So kind of just trying to win the margins, definitely just figuring out ways to do that definitely with a young group too, like, just trying to figure out ways to make the game easier for ourselves. So that's definitely shot margins that, you know, free throws, attempted turnovers, transition offensive rebounds. So you know, when you break down the game like that, and you look at it from that perspective, if you lose all six important shot, you know, of the spectrum, six important margins, like there's chance of you winning goes very down. So that kind of stuff like that, just preaching that, you know, 25 point quarters, you get two of those, you know, your chances of winning like 60%, or something like that. So kind of just like the little things that like, maybe from the analytic standpoint, I would say, or like, we're just trying to find ways to win, definitely, you know, trying to, you know, Mark, make a mark with the team, you know, for this summer, and going into next season. Definitely, I love the vibe here, definitely, I could see myself being able to want to be here. And you know, everyone's here pushes you everyone wants to work, everyone's working hard. And I definitely feel like with the coaching staff, they like go above and beyond to make sure players get what they need, and have what they need. And, um, you know, they're always there to work. They're extra extra encouraging to work. And they're, they're a great group of guys to help, you know, coach and mentor young guys, I believe, too, because, you know, a lot of us are very young, aside from like, JJ was, you know, pushing a little bit of age, but, you know, I feel like, yeah, man, it's a great group of staff to help mentor the kids, the kids that are here, guys, that the guys that are here, I should say, sorry, but I'm, like, you know, talented, very talented, young group of guys who have like, you know, a bright future in the league. So I would say, yeah, man, it's gonna be good. It's gonna be fun. And I feel like just trying to come up with wins. You know, go go and the season on deposit positive knowing you know, winning helps everyone's day to day, you know, you'll feel better you walk into the gym, you'll feel better about yourself. So definitely just try and get some wins.

Speaker 2  26:59  
Really good stuff there from Delano really enjoyed talking to him a very bright young man, a guy who, you know, there's so many great players out there, that sometimes it's really just a matter about finding your place, finding the right niche on your team is yet to be seen whether or not that's going to be in Portland for Delano. But I think there's a good chance of that having a ball handler with size is something we haven't had in Portland in some time, I think maybe since Evan Turner, and then before that, probably Nicholas tomb. So to have a guy in Delano Benton at six, eight who's got great size, ability to handle the ball, not the three point shooter, you would hope he would be at that guard position, which is a hard thing to do these days in the NBA. If you're not able to hit that three point shot with some regularity. Sometimes it is hard to stay on the court. But with his size, and with his ability to get to the basket. As he learns more Portland to offense, I think you're gonna maybe see the best out of Delano Benton, I think he's got a pretty good chance of sticking with his team. Particularly, he's able to put his best foot forward in these last 20 Something games for the trailblazers in the last month and a half of the season. And that's gonna do it for this edition of the briefcase. Thanks so much for joining me as always be back later on this week with new additions. Check out the Blazers, balcony and section 113 as well go to trail blazers.com/podcast For more information on how to subscribe to the briefcase, Blazers balcony and a section 113. As I mentioned Trail Blazers hitting the road for games on Friday and Saturday versus the Grizzlies Sunday off Monday versus the Timberwolves in Minneapolis heading back home to play six straight but until then, I'm Casey Holdahl. Thank you once again for joining me on the briefcase LIKE and SUBSCRIBE wherever you get your podcasts and gold blazers.