Inexperience, injuries and inconsistency have largely summed up the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2023-24 campaign. The trio of descriptors should be no surprise to even the most casual of watchers given the moves made by the front office throughout the offseason.
Featuring 12 players under 25 years of age, with 6 rookies and 4 sophomores, the Blazers own one of the NBA’s youngest rosters. Regardless of how good the talent might be, a 15-39 record at the All Star break feels about right given the youth and inexperience on the roster.
As far as injuries go, 15 Blazers have missed a cumulative 191 games this season, second worst to only the Memphis Grizzlies. Robert Williams III (47 games), Anfernee Simons (23) and Shaedon Sharpe (22) have missed the most.
Coach Chauncey Billups has consequently put out 28 different starting units through 54 games. This lack of continuity and consistency combined with the youth and the busy medical room would never have been a recipe for a winning season.
But there have still been good stories. Duop Reath’s arrived after years battling contract to contract in lesser leagues around the world. Anfernee Simons’ continued offensive dominance and Jerami Grant shouldering the offense when called upon have also highlighted the season. Deandre Ayton has found some of the form he displayed during the 2021 NBA Finals, Scoot Henderson has started to show promise and young guys like Kris Murray have gotten up to speed.
But if you’re asking me to pick the most pleasing aspect of the season, it has to be Jabari Walker and Toumani Camara, two second-round picks who’ve proven they belong in the NBA.
The two frontcourt players have each enjoyed time in the Blazers starting unit. Not because they are future stars, destined for All Star glory. They’re role players, incredibly self-aware considering their time in the league. They know how far their talent level will take them and have leaned on their respective strengths to contribute in real NBA minutes.
The pre-draft limelight avoided the pair like the plague, perhaps because of the schools they attended or their lack of any perceived standout skill. Walker, in particular, somehow dodged attention despite being the son of former champion Los Angeles Lakers power forward Samaki.
Despite that, the duo look set to enjoy long NBA careers, shining brighter than a lot of the guys taken before them. But what has made them shine in Portland on a team where wins are few and unknowns are plentiful?
Jabari Walker
The former Colorado forward was taken with the second last pick in 2022 with little fanfare leading into the draft. Much has been said about his impressive 2022 Summer League performance and the early glimpses of talent we saw during his rookie year.
Entering the 2023-24 season, pundits suggested Walker was due increased court time, likely serving as Jerami Grant’s primary backup at the four. The big-bodied forward had shown enough in year one and with the Blazers leaning into a re-build, there’d certainly be more opportunity. He’d also shown some affinity for playing minutes as a small-ball five, using his quick feet and bulky frame to stay in front of some of the league’s more gargantuan big men.
Unfortunately for Walker, a surprise development had postponed his opportunity. Rookie Camara had impressed through the preseason and nine games into the season had supplanted Matisse Thybulle as starting small forward.
Where previously Walker might have been second or third off the bench, he was struggling for real rotation minutes with his playing time best described as erratic through November.
But even through those inconsistent minutes, Walker’s ability to make things happen out of pure effort remained ready.
After the Blazers’ horrific seven-game road trip…
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