Tag: Shaedon Sharpe

The Blazers might be good again, and nobody saw it coming

Portland is 4-0, and it all starts with Damian Lillard.

Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon.

What’s good y’all. It’s Prince here with another Layup Lines, and I want to talk about the Portland Trail Blazers for a minute, because did anyone see them being the best team in the NBA through the first week of the season?

I certainly did not, and I was as optimistic about them as anyone this season. Though I picked them to finish under their preseason win total of 39.5, I thought they’d push for the play-in tournament.

But after a 4-0 start to the season, including wins over the Suns, Nuggets and Lakers, Portland’s over is starting to feel like a lock and the playoffs don’t seem so farfetched either. Sure, it’s still early, and this could all go downhill in a hurry, but there are reasons to believe they can keep it up…

…we maybe should have even seen it coming.

It all starts with Damian Lillard, who was deservedly named to the NBA 75 list last year even though his inclusion was endlessly debated. Too much was made about his lack of championships and not enough about how he took a usually flawed Blazers team to the playoffs in eight straight years, including an unlikely conference finals appearance in 2019.

Doing more with less isn’t new territory for him, and Portland quietly re-tooled over their last couple years of decline. The rise of 2018 first-rounder Anfernee Simons made C.J. McCollum expendable. McCollum landed the team a key starter in Josh Hart, and trading him while Lillard was out made them just bad enough to draft Shaedon Sharpe, who’s coming along nicely.

Add in the continued development of 2019 first-rounder Nassir Little, a healthy Jusuf Nurkic and Portland’s one big offseason pickup, Jerami Grant, and you got the makings of squad Lillard can work with. He’s averaging 33 points right now. They also picked up Gary Payton II, who hasn’t even played a game yet.

The Blazers are fun. They rank top 10 in both offensive and defensive rating — seventh in net rating. They aren’t winning a title by any means, but this is a team people should start paying attention to.

The Tip-Off

Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

The Blazers aren’t the only surprise team to get off to a blazing hot start. The Jazz and Spurs are right behind them in the standings at 3-1 entering Wednesday night, and what?!

What exactly is happening here?

Well, those situations may be a little more fluke than the one in Portland. Our guy Sykes wrote about 6 way-too-early trends you should and shouldn’t buy this season, and let’s just say he’s not a believer.

“The Jazz have wins over the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Pelicans — three legitimate playoff teams. The Spurs have beaten the 76ers, Pacers and Wolves, which isn’t too bad either.

But, still, we shouldn’t believe in these teams. At all. Of course, they’re rosters of NBA players. And anytime you step on the court you can get a win. But the Spurs are 3-1 with a -0.9 net rating right now, which isn’t believable at all. On the flip side, the Jazz have Kelly Olynyk and Jarred Vanderbilt who are shooting 61% from the floor and looking like All-Stars.

None of that will last. These two will eventually fall into place at the bottom of the standings. They’re just catching some teams by surprise right now. It happens.”

I would have to agree. I’m not even sure these teams want to be winning right now.

One to Watch

(All odds via Tipico.)

AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer

Miami Heat (-150) at Portland Trail Blazers (+3.5, +120), O/U 219.5, 10 PM ET

After all the nice things I said about Portland, I feel like I’m setting myself up by picking them to cover against the Heat here. But I’m going to do it anyway. Miami has been the opposite of Portland, a team with high expectations that has come out the gates flat to start the year 1-3. If the Blazers’ hot shooting continues in this one, they’ll not only cover 3.5 points, but they’ll stay undefeated.

Shootaround

— Best bets for Wednesday’s double-header on ESPN.

— Why did Ivica Zubac launch this full-court shot? And almost make it.

— Jordan Clarkson is BALLING. Here’s what it means for his trade value.

— Klay Thompson and Devin Booker got into it, prompting this 4-finger response.

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Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey among 14 rookies to sign with Nike

Holmgren and Ivey were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with the Swoosh.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey on Friday were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with Nike, the apparel company announced.

Holmgren and Ivey, as top-five picks, were viewed as top targets for apparel companies as each player projects to have a bright future in the NBA. They both have worn Nike shoes in the past and will continue to do so after opting to sign with the Swoosh.

Related: No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero reacts to signing with Jordan Brand

Nike had a busy signing period with the incoming rookie class after coming to terms with 12 other first-year players. They signed 12 first-round picks and two second-round picks for the 2022-23 season after a relatively quiet class over the past few years because of the pandemic.

Here are the 14 rookies that signed with Nike this season.

Damian Lillard praises Shaedon Sharpe: ‘The talent is off the charts’

Shaedon Sharpe has impressed his teammates in open workouts over the summer, including Damian Lillard.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe basically hasn’t played basketball in a competitive setting in nearly a year, but the seventh pick is impressing those around him in the NBA.

Sharpe was the top high school recruit in 2022 before reclassifying to enroll at Kentucky early. He ultimately never suited up for the Wildcats but was still viewed as a lottery pick given his potential and overall skill set.

The 19-year-old appeared in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Trail Blazers, logging just five minutes before suffering a shoulder injury. He was eventually shut down, which further added to the intrigue and mystery of his game.

He last played in high school in 2021.

Despite a lack of recent tape, Sharpe still possesses immense potential that forced the Trail Blazers to take him high in the draft. He has since impressed his teammates in open workouts over the summer, including six-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard.

I think the talent is off the charts. When I watch him work out, everything is just easy for him. … But I really like his disposition. He is always calm. When I watch him, I always think, ‘What if I was 18 or 19 years old and I had to just jump onto an NBA team?’ I don’t know what that would look like.

I’d probably be out there looking crazy but he fits in and he is just trying to find his way. I think the types of questions he asks. He listens, he shows up every day. I think when you take the talent and how he is as a person, when it connects, I think he could make a huge difference for our team.

Lillard previously praised the potential of Sharpe in July and, like a lot of fans and onlookers, was curious to see how he’d perform in Las Vegas. Through the ups and downs, though, Lillard has given Sharpe plenty of tips and advice since joining the team.

Sharpe called Lillard a great mentor.

He has taught me a lot, just my pace with the game, how to get my teammates involved and how to score. But it is crazy, though. When you’re playing with him, he is teaching you why you’re playing (3-on-3) or (5-on-5). He is a great mentor to have and a great player and person.

It is unclear how much Sharpe will play to start the season. He will likely need time to get adjusted to the system and new teammates, but he will have the opportunity to get acclimated in training camp ahead of the preseason opener on Monday.

The wait is nearly over to watch Sharpe in a competitive setting. The collective basketball community has been eager to see him take the court, and it should be worth watching after the recent comments by Lillard.

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NBA Rookie of the Year: The updated odds after the Chet Holmgren injury

The NBA Rookie of the Year odds saw a drastic change on Thursday following the injury news to Chet Holmgren.

Teams in the NBA will not begin training camp for the 2022-23 season for another month, but the Rookie of the Year odds underwent a drastic change after a key injury.

Of course, the Oklahoma City Thunder announced on Thursday that Chet Holmgren will miss the season after suffering a Lisfranc injury in his right foot. The setback will require surgery, but he is expected to make a full recovery.

As the second pick, Holmgren was the subject of enormous expectations this season. He was viewed as a key addition to the Thunder and was a Rookie of the Year candidate. In fact, Holmgren had the third-best odds (plus-400) of winning the award prior to summer league.

With Holmgren out for the season, Tipico Sportsbook released an updated set of odds for the rookie class. There were several changes to the odds, not only accounting for the injury to Holmgren but also for how each player performed in summer league and other factors.

Here are the updated odds for the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year race.

Trail Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe cleared from shoulder injury

Sharpe has been cleared from a left shoulder injury suffered in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe has been medically cleared from the left shoulder injury he suffered in the Las Vegas Summer League, according to Casey Holdahl of TrailBlazers.com.

Sharpe suffered the injury on July 7 just five minutes into his debut. The team eventually ruled him out of playing again after an MRI revealed that he suffered a small labral tear in his shoulder.

He did not need surgery to address it.

Sharpe was expected to be ready for the start of training camp next month and appears to be firmly on that timetable after getting cleared. He was seen putting up shots on Friday.

The Trail Blazers selected Sharpe with the seventh pick in the NBA draft. He did not play at Kentucky last season but was viewed as a lottery pick given his skills. The team views him as a key addition, and he should have the opportunity to play this season.

The injury was certainly a tough break for Sharpe. Summer league was his first opportunity to play competitive basketball in more than a year. The team played it safe with his injury, and he now looks to be fully ready for his rookie season.

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Trail Blazers’ Shaedon Sharpe expected to be ready for training camp

Sharpe logged only five minutes in the Las Vegas Summer League after suffering a left shoulder injury.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe will not require surgery for his left shoulder injury, the team announced. He is expected to be ready for the start of training camp.

Sharpe suffered the injury on July 7 just five minutes into his debut in the Las Vegas Summer League. The team eventually ruled him out of playing again after an MRI revealed that he suffered a small labral tear in his shoulder.

The Trail Blazers selected Sharpe with the seventh pick last month in the NBA draft. He did not play at Kentucky last season but was viewed as a lottery pick given his skill set. The team views him as a key addition, and he should have the opportunity to play next season.

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The injury was certainly a tough break for Sharpe as summer league was his first opportunity to play competitive basketball in over a year. He will now rehab the injury to ensure he is fully healthy and ready to go for the start of training camp in the fall.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Injuries, other factors limiting rookie class in summer league

Several rookies have shown tremendous promise in a limited sample, but others haven’t been quite as fortunate.

The incoming rookie class has shown tremendous promise in a limited sample size during the Las Vegas Summer League with several notable players turning in strong performances.

No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero was electric in his first two games before the Orlando Magic opted to shut him down for the remainder of their stint in Las Vegas, averaging 20 points, six assists and five rebounds. The team ultimately wanted to get a better look at other players on the roster and will rest him, as a result.

Just behind Banchero on the draft board, the likes of Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Keegan Murray and several others have also had strong showings during their time on the court.

Others haven’t been quite as fortunate as their peers.

At least nine first-year players have been limited or ruled out of games entirely due to injuries or other related issues. The list includes several first-rounders: Jaden Ivey (ankle), Shaedon Sharpe (shoulder), Dyson Daniels (ankle) and Jeremy Sochan (Covid-19) among others.

Some had various ailments prior to summer league, such as Walker Kessler (toe), Patrick Baldwin Jr. (ankle) and Ryan Rollins (foot) that have prevented them from playing. However, in the case of four players, their injuries occurred in Las Vegas.

Pelicans second-round pick EJ Liddell on Monday suffered a torn ACL in his right knee versus the Hawks. (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports)

Teams are handling injuries differently now than in the past.

The strategies involved oftentimes do not sit well with observers of the sport. Fans want to see their favorite players on the court but with teams investing vast resources into these players, and millions of dollars in contracts, priorities have shifted in order to be cautious.

The Magic’s decision to rest Banchero after just two games was met with scrutiny by some. However, the team, in consultation with Banchero, agreed it would be best to limit him in summer league and made the appropriate move.

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Though summer league games pale in comparison to the regular season, teams’ strategies to be cautious with their draft picks offer a glimpse into the general thinking of front offices. They want to protect players and are reacting accordingly.

Simply put, teams will continue to do what’s best for their players to maximize their long-term health and availability and that philosophy will likely continue for years to come.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Shaedon Sharpe ruled out of summer league with shoulder injury

Sharpe suffered the injury on Thursday just five minutes into the first quarter against the Pistons.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe will miss the rest of summer league after an MRI revealed he suffered a small labral tear in his left shoulder, the team announced.

He will be reevaluated in 10-14 days.

Sharpe suffered the injury on Thursday just five minutes into the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons. The team opted to hold him out for the rest of the game as a precautionary measure until further testing could be done to determine the extent of the injury.

He recorded two minutes before leaving the game.

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The Trail Blazers selected Sharpe with the seventh pick last month in the NBA draft. He did not play at Kentucky last season but was still viewed as a lottery pick given his potential and skill set. The team views him as a key addition as he should have the opportunity to play next season.

The injury news is certainly a blow to him and the team as summer league was a great chance to take the court in a competitive setting for the first time in a year. However, the team will be cautious with the injury and ensure he is 100% moving into the rest of the summer.

Portland plays next on Saturday at 10 p.m. EDT.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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Report: No. 7 pick Shaedon Sharpe to miss action at Las Vegas Summer League with a left shoulder injury

Everyone will have to wait a little longer to get the full Shaedon Sharpe experience.

Shaedon Sharpe, the No. 7 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, will be sidelined for the time being.

Sharpe left the court during the first quarter of his NBA Summer League debut with the Portland Trail Blazers after injuring his shoulder and never returned. One MRI later, the official diagnosis is a small labral tear that will be re-evaluated in 10-14 days, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.

This news is particularly noteworthy due to how long it has been since the world has seen Sharpe last play competitive basketball.

Sharpe was one of the top recruits of the 2022 high school basketball class before reclassifying and choosing to play at the University of Kentucky for the 2021-22 season. But Sharpe never suited up and opted for the NBA Draft at the season’s end.

So, while the public was ready to see what Sharpe looks like in Las Vegas, everyone will have to wait a bit longer to get the full experience.

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‘He is super gifted’: Damian Lillard offers praise for Shaedon Sharpe

Lillard has spent some time with Sharpe since the draft, and the six-time All-Star has been impressed with him so far.

Damian Lillard has spent some time with rookie Shaedon Sharpe since the Portland Trail Blazers drafted him seventh last month, and the six-time All-Star has been impressed in that small sample size.

Sharpe was the top high school recruit before reclassifying to enroll at Kentucky early. He ultimately never suited up for the Wildcats but was still viewed as a lottery pick given his potential and overall skill set, despite not playing.

Since joining the Trail Blazers, Sharpe has had the opportunity to get into the gym some with Lillard and the rest of his new teammates. Lillard, speaking in an interview with ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth on Thursday, liked what he has seen so far from Sharpe.

He has been there (in Portland) since a little bit after the draft. We played some 1s from certain spots. He jumped in and played with us. He is super talented, super gifted but you just gotta get out there and play. You gotta see it in live-action and put him in the mix.

When you’re picked that high, you gotta just have that pride about going out there and showing people why and living up to being that high of a pick. I think everybody that has been picked in that top 10, they go out there and say, ‘I’m a top-10 pick and I need to show these people.’ We’re looking forward to him coming out and showing why.

The long-awaited debut of Sharpe was cut a bit short on Thursday.

He suffered a left shoulder injury in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons and would not return after just five minutes of action. The team opted to hold him out due to precautionary reasons as it determines the next course of action with the injury.

He finished with just two points.

“I think he just hit it on the floor. I didn’t see it exactly,” Trail Blazers assistant head coach Steve Hetzel said after the game. “Walking off the court at halftime, he said he felt good, but we want to be cautious with all our players so we’re going to do our due diligence and figure it out.”

The team will certainly be cautious with Sharpe as he represents a key addition to the roster. He has impressed in a limited time with the organization and they will be hopeful the injury isn’t serious and he can return to the court soon.

Portland plays next on Saturday at 10 p.m. EDT.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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