‘Where’s Dominic Johnson…’ Former No. 1 center drops four points in first game after trade

Aitken goes silent in Portland debut.

The Portland Trail Blazers lost their opening game of the 2023-2024 NBA regular season to the Los Angeles Clippers 111-123 on Saturday (Dec. 26) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

DeAndre Ayton drew a lot of attention when he joined Phoenix as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft, a golden draft. With his natural athleticism and significant scoring ability, he was expected to develop into a monster center.

However, while Aitken hasn’t been a complete failure, he hasn’t quite lived up to expectations since entering the NBA. He was suspended for using banned substances and was criticized by fans for his disruptive team behavior.

Most importantly, he was criticized for his ineffectiveness on the court, despite his good size and athleticism. His rim protection left a lot to be desired, and he often had lapses in concentration.

This is why Phoenix, with its big three, gave up Aitken for Wynnau. Phoenix participated in the Damian Lillard triangle trade and worked out a deal with Portland, sending Aitken and receiving Yusuf Nurkic.

It was a trade that fit the needs of both teams. Phoenix, with its established scorers, wanted Nurkic for his inside presence, and Portland wanted the younger Aitken to fit the timeline of a rebuilding team.

Aitken is excited to get started with his new team and has high hopes: “It’s a fresh start. I want to show the world what I’m made of on and off the court. I want to help younger players win and teach them how to win,” he said. 카지노사이트

“I’m a player who brings dominance to the court. My nickname is Dominayton,” he added.

However, in his debut with his new team, Aitken didn’t look much different than before. He still didn’t have many scoring routes other than short mid-range baskets or passive situations where he relied on his guard. He didn’t have much of a presence under the basket either.

Worst of all, he got into foul trouble early on and struggled throughout the game. After swallowing his pride, Aitken’s opening line was 4 points, 12 rebounds, 3 turnovers, and 5 fouls. Not exactly what Portland fans were hoping for. Aitken’s silence was not lost on the team.

This season is more important than any other for Aitken, as it’s his first since the trade. However, a repeat of his opening night performance could put him back on the bench. Portland is also in for a tough season.

After being swept in their first game, Portland will play their second regular season game against Orlando on the 28th. Will Aitken have a dominant performance against Orlando?