It was a wake-up call for the Portland Trail Blazers after they suffered an embarrassing loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game ended right before halftime when the Blazers trailed by 36 points. Well, the embarrassment did not stop there as they went on to lose by a huge 62-point margin, which was the talk of the NBA yesterday. Several NBA veterans have raised questions, but most importantly, 47-year-old head coach Chauncey Billups was the one to be put on the hot seat by all. Ex-Phoenix Suns star Eddie Johnson was one of them, who has given Billups a warning now.
Johnson shared, “You lose by 60. Like in an NBA game you’re down 60…Something’s wrong…I understand De’Andre Ayton is not there, but you still got [Anfernee] Simmons, you still got [Jerami] Grant. You still got some guys that can score the ball.” The 1989 Sixth Man of the Year added, “We’ve seen historically, when teams lose like that and get blown out, people start looking at the coach. And I think Chauncey Billups has done the job, but he has to be careful. You can’t be getting beat like this…That’s embarrassing right there.”
“In an NBA game you’re down 60 [points], something’s wrong”.@JumpShot8 talks with @TermineRadio about Portland’s 139-77 loss to Oklahoma City. pic.twitter.com/cq0C7EFbML
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) January 13, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
The Blazers are currently 10-27 in the Western Conference. Playoffs is indeed a long shot now and considering the injuries, a rebuild is the only solution.
The Trail Blazers take another disappointing loss
The team faced the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight and the results were more or less the same. Well, it’s only fair because OKC and Wolves are at the top of the table and thus the similar treatment. Although it was not a 60 point difference today, the Blazers lost by 23 points and the maximum deficit was 33 points.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Ayton has missed his 10th straight game and his absence was felt inside the paint. Months ago, Robert Williams who was traded from the Boston Celtics had a season ending injury. Injuries are concerning, but so is the team’s performance.
Scoot Henderson as the second pick has not lived up to his expectations so far. He finished the game with just 8 points and Blazers fans are ready for another season of disappointment. Amid all this, many are concerned about Billups as well. It’s safe to say, if this losing trend continues, there might be a change in the coaching staff.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch this story: “Newark local Austin Reaves gets brutally honest about Los Angeles lifestyle”
Many coaches in the NBA have their jobs on the line at the moment. Do you think Billups is also one of them?