Nathan de Kretser

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

I've completed 10 hours of Spanish lessons with a certified tutor.

You can get 70% off your first lesson if you want to try it too: https://t.co/TUPVGyf5Xe via @PreplyCom

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

refuse to believe Jalen Duren is 17 years old #manchild

[NBA @NBA]

PORTLAND’S YOUNG CORE IGNITES RED-HOT RUN

Through 51 games, the Blazers (22-29) have already topped last season’s win total (21).

Portland enters Thursday’s matchup vs. Sacramento (10 ET, NBA League Pass) riding a season-best five-game win streak with a 9-1 record in its last 10.

The only blemish? A loss to the West-leading Thunder, the only team that entered the season with a younger roster (24.15 average age) than Portland (24.20).

“Obviously, we’re young,” said Blazers coach Chauncey Billups on Monday. “But I don’t allow those excuses… The longer this season goes, the more these guys become more familiar with one another."

”Our camaraderie and our chemistry is just really good. It’s really high.”

In their 9-1 stretch, seven Blazers are averaging 12+ ppg – more than any other team – and all of them except for Jerami Grant are 26 years old or younger.

In that same span, the team’s OffRtg has jumped from 27th in the NBA (108.4) to 9th (117.5).

Stars Emerging: In terms of total points, January was the highest-scoring month of both Deni Avdija’s (238) and Scoot Henderson’s (233) careers, highlighted by a season-high 39 points on Jan. 14 from Henderson – who was just named a Castrol Rising Star.

Front & Center: Meanwhile, Deandre Ayton joins Giannis as the only players to average 20+ pts and 10+ reb on 60%+ shooting over their last six games.

On the other end, another Castrol Rising Star for Portland, Toumani Camara, has begun to cement himself as one of the league’s top young defenders.

Chaos Creator: Camara leads the NBA with 21 charges drawn and paces the Blazers in steals (68).

The Energy: With a minimum of 3 games played and 20 minutes per game, Camara boasts the 2nd-best DefRtg in the NBA amid the Blazers’ 9-1 run (101.1).

The Effect: In that span, Portland’s team DefRtg has sky-rocketed from 28th to 1st (104.7).

“Our team is so together right now,” said Billups. “I’m really proud of where we’re at … these guys are playing for one another.”

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@trailblazers

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@DavidMacKayNBA We would have to give away picks for any team to take Grants contract

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

YOU SEE IT!!!!!!! #BillsMafia

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@Alex_Hoops_ Where’s the haha react Elon

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@Alex_Hoops_ He needs something to remember wasting 5m20s at the free throw line

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@Alex_Hoops_ Franchise record > 1 point

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

He strikes again

[sun @isaiahrashad]

omer yurtseven

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@DannyMarang Definitely agree about it needing a disclaimer as it’s painting him in a bad light, but I get the post as it’s also in a J.Cole song so it has its pop culture reference for social media engagement. More just shows how many casual NBA fans are out there

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@Alex_Hoops_ Gonna have to wait for Sharpe’s coming out party

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

Oh god I miss Dame

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

Look what happens when you let Josh run #BuffaloBills

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

Looking very CJ like

[Tyler Rucker @tyler_rucker]

Portland Trail Blazers Shaedon Sharpe going to continue to be an awesome young talent to watch develop.

Already have to remind yourself that he's still just 20 years old with how he carries himself on the court.

Scary offensive upside that should start to really put it all together throughout second season. 20 PTS tonight on 8/15 shooting including 7 REB & 4 AST.

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

NBA fans collective ability to single out a player every few months that they want to hate is disgusting. Let alone a 20 year old getting his first taste for pro ball….

[NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA]

Brandon Miller in his second Summer League game.

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

LFG

[SportsCenter @SportsCenter]

SCOOT HENDERSON IS JOINING DAME IN PORTLAND 🤩

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@_Junktime @NBADynastyADP I smell Cam Whitmore

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

@JanitorsTime Dame better unfortunately

[Nathan de Kretser @kreta90]

Let’s goooooo