Super early returns on Damian Lillard and 10 offseason additions
Damian Lillard has helped the Bucks to a 5-2 start (2nd in East).
New faces, new places … new beginnings?
All of the above applies when players change teams in the offseason. It’s a fresh start, perhaps career-changing or altering. The move could affect the team as well. Or not.
While waiting on the returns from James Harden with the Clippers and Bradley Beal with the Suns, here’s a very, very early look at 10 players (listed randomly) who switched uniforms:
1. Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
The biggest offseason addition, at least in name, has been pretty much as expected. Lillard is giving the Bucks a supernova scorer, and his “Dame Time” quality has traveled with him.
He’s also giving up buckets at the other end. If you’re into defensive ratings and such, Lillard is living up, or rather down, to the reputation he had in Portland. And it’s enhanced because the Bucks surrendered Jrue Holiday.
The pick-and-roll relationship with Giannis Antetokounmpo remains a work in progress. Yet, Lillard is clearly Milwaukee’s most reliable outside shooter, right from a smashing opening night.
2. Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics
He’s healthy. He hasn’t missed a game with an injury. Therefore, the biggest fear has been negated (at least for now).
As for performance? Solid. He’s fitting right in with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and making the Celtics look like a strong favorite. Porzingis is averaging 20.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game and supplying rim protection (1.6 blocks per game).
In perhaps an early playoff preview against the Sixers, no one on the Celtics played better than Porzingis. He missed a potential game-tying shot in the loss, but it’s clear coach Joe Mazulla has faith in the Celtics’ new addition.
3. Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
He’s averaging his fewest points and assists per game since his rookie season. And none of that matters. Holiday is in a different role, with multiple scorers and playmakers, and therefore handles the ball less.
Boston wanted him for defense, and he’s doing that. The Celtics rank No. 3 defensively and Holiday once again is getting the tough assignments.
Anyway, how he’s performing now is moot. He was an acquisition for the postseason. November has nothing on May and June basketball.
4. Jordan Poole, Washington Wizards
Oh, look — Poole is putting up decent offensive numbers. But then again, he’s doing it on a losing team, where somebody has to score.
Therefore, Poole’s production is minimized. Besides, he’s been streaky for the Wizards, leading them in turnovers and, unofficially, head-scratching decisions and plays. Getting shots is making him happy. It’s not doing wonders for the Wizards.
5. Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies
He was placed in a situation where he couldn’t win — keeping the seat warm for Ja Morant. Smart is hardly the main reason the Grizzlies have started so horribly — injuries haven’t helped, and other players haven’t raised their games.
Smart’s real value will come when Morant returns next month. How he adjusts to that, and playing next to a ball-dominant guard, will determine his fit in Memphis. To date, Smart has been turnover-prone, so surrendering the ball will smoothen his adjustment.
6. Dennis Schroder, Toronto Raptors
Tossed adrift by the Lakers, Schroder is enjoying a second life in Toronto. Suddenly, the offseason loss of Fred VanVleet in free agency doesn’t seem so painful for the Raptors. Schroder didn’t cost as much, and the returns are equal.
He’s one of Toronto’s top scorers (17 ppg), averaging 8.4 apg and keeps the mistakes to a minimum. He has stabilized the Raptors, and speaking of that … this is his fourth team in four years. Maybe he finally found a stable home.
7. Chris Paul, Golden State Warriors
So far, so fruitful for Paul and the Warriors, who have embraced each other rather quickly. His assists-to-turnover ratio is insanely positive — he’s had one turnover in his last 127 minutes. He deserves respect for being a still-productive player here in his twilight.
With the second unit, Paul is elevating the play of Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, athletic players who offer a tempo change from the starters. And he’s on the floor late in tight games with the regulars. Two roles, one purpose — to fit in.
8. Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets
As the league’s lightning rod, Brooks is shooting 53.8% from deep, quite the contrast from last spring in the playoffs with Memphis. He’s supplying defense that’s typical for him and has helped the Rockets win four straight.
Brooks is still poking bears — Stephen Curry took delight in roasting him recently, but he held his own against LeBron James on Wednesday. Fittingly, the Rockets’ team color is red, as in bull’s eye when it comes to Brooks. He embraces the role of villain, which works for him — and by extension, the Rockets so far.
9. Deandre Ayton, Portland Trail Blazers
He still isn’t living up to the Draft position as a former No. 1 overall pick, or the self-given nickname (Dominayton). And maybe he never will.
He does have a new lease on basketball life, even if inconsistency followed him from Phoenix to Portland. Ayton isn’t getting many touches on a team trying to groom Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. Let’s see if that bothers him, as it did in Phoenix.
Rebounding remains a plus, though. He grabbed 23 in a game against Toronto and is yanking roughly 13 per night.
10. Bruce Brown, Indiana Pacers
His debut was a smash — 24 points in 27 minutes in the opener. Since then, Brown has settled into a rotational role with the surging Pacers, much like he had in Denver.
A good veteran in the locker room, a solid influence on young backup Aaron Nesmith and an energetic presence on defense, Brown is exactly what the Pacers wanted so far. The big question won’t be answered in November — does he help Indiana escape the East cellar and return to the playoffs?
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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