Trail Blazers News: Key Stars Developing On-Court Chemistry In Between Injuries

Alex Kirschenbaum | Apr 10, 2024

Dec 19, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guards Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons and center Deandre Ayton. / Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers' highest-paid player, center Deandre Ayton, and their top 2023 draft selection, No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson, haven't played a ton together this season due to injury absences. But now that both are healthy, they're developed a tenuous on-court chemistry, writes Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian. They helped propel the club to recent road wins last week against some of their fellow dregs of the NBA, the Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards.

“We’ve seen glimpses of it right now,” Ayton said. “Scoot’s being extremely poised in certain situations in the game no matter the momentum and he’s just really taken over.”

“DA doesn’t get the credit for being as smart as he is on the floor,” head coach Chauncey Billups suggested in the same story. “He’s understanding the angle in which he has to set the screens for Scoot as teams try to go under him. I say it all the time with that pick-and-roll, it’s the point guard and the big guy, it’s a two-way relationship. It takes some time to get used to. You can see them starting to develop some chemistry in the coverages that teams play against us and against Scoot, which obviously is totally different than with (Simons). So, it takes some concentration to be honest with you, but I just love to see that chemistry developing between those two guys.”