Community Picks: New Orleans 0% vs Portland 0%

The Toronto Raptors have been pushing Kawhi Leonard for the All-Star Game since 2018. The angle the team has decided to take is with Leonard being a “man of action” as opposed to a man of words. The Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum did the Vote for Pedro dance from “Napoleon Dynamite” to ask people to vote for buddy Damian Lillard. Continue to Article

January 17, 2019 11:43:pm EST

Haberstroh: The Portland Trail Blazers are getting close to Big 3 territory originally appeared on nbcsportsnorthwest.com Has Jusuf Nurkic surpassed CJ McCollum as the second best player on the Blazers? Should Nurkic be in the All-Star conversation? How has Bosnian Beast developed into a multi-dimensional center? Continue to Article

January 17, 2019 7:19:pm EST

Kings vs. Hornets watch guide: Lineups, injury report, player usage originally appeared on nbcsportsbayarea.com After sweeping their three-game home stand, the Sacramento Kings hit the road for a season-long six game trip beginning Thursday in Charlotte. It's the second time in six days the Kings and Hornets matchup, with Sacramento coming away with a 104-97 victory Saturday at Golden 1 Center. The Kings are coming off a solid win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. Continue to Article

January 17, 2019 4:35:pm EST

Two summers ago, Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic prepared for his first season as a full-time starter by shedding some 35 pounds from his 7-foot frame, thanks to boxing, cardio, and—perhaps most importantly—learning to ignore his sweet tooth a little more often. It paid off in the form of a breakout 2017-18 campaign in which he averaged career highs in points and rebounds per game, helping lead the Blazers to an unexpected three-seed in the always tough Western Conference. In July, Nurkic was rewarded for his hard work with a four-year extension, and says he's now in the best shape he's ever been. Continue to Article

January 17, 2019 8:00:am EST

Trail Blazers Courtside: Damian Lillard keeps defenders guessing originally appeared on nbcsportsnorthwest.com This week on Trail Blazers Courtside, Jonathan Yim, video coordinator and Blazers player development coach, joined hosts Jordan Kent and Michael Holton ahead of Portland's matchup with Cleveland. Yim says he continues to be impressed by the play of Damian Lillard and his value on timing in the pick and roll. Watch the full video to see what Yim had to say about what to expect from Lillard and Co. ahead of Wednesday's game. Continue to Article

January 16, 2019 2:24:pm EST