Notebook: Blazers’ Mixed Bag In New York
The Portland Trail Blazers came to New York hoping to shake off some of the defensive malaise they’ve displayed this season, but splitting their two games against Brooklyn and New York, they find themselves in the same situation as before they came – one of the league’s worst defenses, and middle-of-the-road championship expectations as we approach the quarter-season mark.
“I think we are a very average team right now, and it shows in our record” said guard C.J. McCollum following the loss to the Knicks at the Garden. “We have beaten some bad teams, we have lost to some teams, and we have been blown out by some good teams.
“The talent is there, but we are not executing well.”
Portland dropped to 8-8 on the season after the loss.
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New York shows Damian Lillard love
Damian Lillard was certainly busy during his four days in New York. Last Saturday, he spent time at Brooklyn’s famed Lincoln High School speaking with the kids, and afterwards he presented the boys and girls teams with new jerseys and special edition adidas D Lillard 2s.
He also made an appearance at Foot Locker’s flagship 34th Street store that day as well. In Brooklyn, he spoke about the love he received from fans in New York, and the growth of adidas Basketball in recent years.
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Evan Turner’s shiny fur peacoat
Evan Turner left Barclays Center on Sunday night wearing a shiny fur peacoat and a huge pinkie ring.
“Look good, feel good, play good,” he said.
“You’ve got to bring it in New York. I was just in Soho yesterday, and everybody out there was fresh. I was like, ‘I’ve got to really pick my (stuff) up. That was pretty much it.'”
Feature Image credit: AP Photo/Mary Altaffer