Despite CJ McCollum and Jusef Nurkic sidelined with injuries, Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers remain competitive in a tough Western Conference. Additionally, the team has also been without Zach Collins and Harry Giles, spreading the Blazers' roster thin.
After a four-game losing streak, Portland got back on track after achieving a much-needed win against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday. Damian Lillard demands the ball on nearly every possession, but his teammates around him have been stepping up nicely. Even with the injuries, the Blazers are currently in sixth place with a 19-14 record.
At this point, m0st of us are familiar with Damian Lillard's abilities. He shone brightly in the NBA Bubble, and that's continued this season, as he's averaging 29.6 points, 8.1 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game. Lillard's name has been thrown into the hat for potential MVP candidates, and for good reason.
However, Lillard can't do everything himself, and luckily for him, he has some solid teammates who have taken on bigger roles due to McCollum and Nurkic missing time. Between Carmelo Anthony's scoring and Robert Covington's consistency, this squad is competing night in, and night out.
With that said, a few unsung heroes are excelling in Portland right now. This is why the Blazers have had a boost in play lately, and once McCollum and Nurkic come back, this team has the potential to finish the Western Conference as a top-three seed. Here are some of the key players who aren't receiving enough credit.
Gary Trent Jr.
This is someone who stood out in the NBA Bubble and has stayed consistent for this team ever since. He's a great scorer and fearless defender, giving Portland some clutch shooting in McCollum's absence. This year, Trent is averaging 15.5 points, 1.4 assists, and 2.1 rebounds, all career-highs.
Because he's such an efficient scorer, Trent has been able to be a solid scoring option behind Lillard, Melo, and Covington. Even when McCollum eventually comes back, Trent has earned legitimate playing time and could be a leader off the bench for this organization.
Enes Kanter
Not the best defender in the paint by any means, but Enes Kanter provides Portland with a big-bodied center they need to compete in the NBA. He's a little more old school with his style, as he mainly plays inside the key. However, Kanter is a force down low, averaging 11.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. He's a high-end backup center who thrives in this role for the Blazers. Once Nurkic comes back, Portland will have two consistent centers on the team, giving the Blazers a great advantage in the paint.
Derrick Jones Jr.
A free-agent acquisition during this last offseason, Derrick Jones Jr. has provided much-needed athleticism to the Blazers' small forward position. Jones is known as a prolific dunker and is a better defender than most people give him credit for. His athletic prowess makes it easy for Portland to score on fast-breaks, as he's capable of getting up and down the court in a hurry.
Averaging 8.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and a 50% shooting percentage, Jones is playing like the missing piece this franchise has needed for quite some time. He's capable of playing shooting guard, or small forward, and fights for rebounds as well. Jones is one of the key players keeping the Blazers competitive while McCollum and Nurkic are sidelined.
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