The Blazers had a very impressive start!
Nash is still mainly solid in fundamental skills, with good awareness in organizing offense, albeit not mature enough. But with Rashid Wallace as the power forward fitting him very well, and Sabonis assisting at the high post... he displayed the performance of a top-flight playmaker!
Such a playmaker is truly beneficial for the Blazers, obviously stronger now compared to the team's status under Robert Parker's leadership in November.
Del Harris made personnel adjustments upon returning from the pause; Kenny Anderson, Doug Christie, Zhang Hao, Barkley, and Jason Williams went on the court.
On the Blazers side, they also made rotations — Nash, Rashid Wallace, and Sabonis continued playing, while last season's starting shooting guard Aaron McKie replaced the shooting guard, and Stacey Augmon came in as the small forward.
