The Oregonian/OregonLive is taking a player-by-player look at the Portland Trail Blazers roster heading into the offseason following the 2020-21 season that saw them go 42-30 and finish sixth in the Western Conference.
Previous entries: Derrick Jones Jr.; Harry Giles III; CJ Elleby; Rondae Hollis-Jefferson; Keljin Blevins; T.J. Leaf.
Today: Nassir Little, 21.
Position/height: 6-5, guard/forward.
Contract status: Little, a first-round pick in 2019, will make $2.3 million next season. His contract includes a team option worth $4.2 million for 2022-23.
2020-2021 contributions: Little played in 48 games and averaged 4.6 points and 2.7 rebounds. His best month came in February when he averaged 7.6 points per game while sooting 54.5% on threes (12 of 22) and 46.7% from the field.
Strengths: Little already has an NBA body and plays with strength. He uses his size to play with physicality on defense which helps him somewhat compensate for his lack of experience. Athletically, he runs the floor well and finishes strong and fearlessly at the basket. It’s unwise for most defenders to get in his way when he is barrelling toward the basket.
Weaknesses: Little flashed a bit as a shooter but was completely unreliable in this area, which is why he never cemented himself in the starting rotation. His best shooting games came in blowout losses or victories. Little scored 30 points in a 134-106 loss at Milwaukee, 18 during a 132-100 loss at Phoenix, 14 in a 132-92 loss to Dallas and 13 during a 133-85 win over Oklahoma City. In those four games, Little shot 24 of 41 from the field (58.5%) and 12 of 22 on threes (54.5%). In his other 44 games, Little shot 27.6% on threes and 42.9% from the field.
Those numbers are closer to his rookie percentages when he shot 43% from the field and 23.7% on threes.
That all said, Little saw his offensive rating rise from 109.5 his rookie season to 116.2 last season.
2021-22 outlook: Little’s development could already be further along if not for injuries suffered as a rookie and the loss of training camp last season due to becoming infected with COVID-19. A full offseason and training camp could produce a much improved Little heading into next season. But competition for playing time will be stiff.
Derrick Jones Jr. elected to exercise his player option for next season, which wasn’t the best news for Little. However, it’s quite possible that forward Carmelo Anthony does not return. The Blazers, unless a trade is made, appear set to once again run with a three-guard lineup should they re-sign free agent Norman Powell. Clearly, a lot of moving parts exist in terms of determining what avenues could open up to provide more playing time for Little.
But most importantly, Little must continue to refine his skills to make it impossible for new coach Chauncy not to include in him the rotation regardless of the roster’s makeup.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
Subscribe to Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories
The Link LonkJuly 29, 2021 at 02:30AM
https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/07/nassir-little-showed-promise-but-little-consistency-trail-blazers-season-review-look-ahead.html
Nassir Little showed promise but little consistency: Trail Blazers season review, look ahead - OregonLive
https://news.google.com/search?q=little&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en
No comments:
Post a Comment