Blazer's Edge on Yang Hanson's performance: Frequently open but not passed to, recommended to practice hook shots 500 times daily.

On October 15th Beijing time, in the NBA preseason, the Trail Blazers fell 111-118 to the Warriors. Yang Hanson logged 20 minutes, making 4 of 11 shots, including 1 of 4 from beyond the arc, and finished with 9 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block, along with 4 fouls and 1 turnover. After the game, Blazer's Edge reviewed the main players' performances as follows—

Yang Hanson: Consistently eager to find opportunities to shine, even though teammates often failed to exploit his height advantage and he was frequently left open without receiving passes. He remained active in setting screens, boxing out for rebounds, and contributing on defense. His most critical area for improvement is the hook shot—if he practices 500 hook shots daily, refining his footwork and building confidence, he will become a formidable threat in the post, whether passing or scoring easily over smaller defenders. It is unclear if the team plans to focus on this skill, but it certainly deserves priority in training.

Donovan Clingan: His rebounding and defensive rotations appear effortless—so natural that he can be easy to overlook. However, a closer look reveals that this 2.18-meter center not only grabs many rebounds but also deters opponents driving to the basket in the paint. He is destined to be a key asset in the team's interior defense.

Shedon Sharpe: Once again demonstrated his scoring ability on three levels, especially excelling at the stop-and-pop jumper near the free-throw line after driving—this move is highly threatening: defenders guard him tightly to prevent penetration, but Sharpe can stop suddenly when they retreat, creating open shot opportunities. If this skill remains consistent during the regular season, he will be a vital scoring option. Additionally, his drives remain sharp, and his improved outside shooting prevents defenders from giving him space like last season, further opening lanes for penetration. The only drawback is his three-point shooting; tonight he made 1 of 5 attempts, finishing with 18 points.

Jerami Grant: Maintains a keen sense for steals and a quick first step, but his jumping ability for finishing is noticeably lacking—like a beautifully restored vintage car without the matching engine power. Perhaps he is still in "preseason form," but his current play is not fully convincing.

Deni Avdija: Delivered an all-around performance, though his defense might not have been at peak level. He had several impressive one-on-one defensive moments, such as forcing Stephen Curry to miss a three-pointer in the second quarter. Offensively, unless driving aggressively to the rim, his movement resembles "a star aspiring to be the team's top scorer" rather than the "versatile, inspiring all-around player" from last season. For the Trail Blazers to succeed this season, they must rely on a fully engaged Avdija, whose role is irreplaceable.

Sidy Cissoko: Showed outstanding defense in the second quarter—actively cutting passing lanes and holding his own in perimeter one-on-one defense. For someone who previously was more about "fitting into the team" than "standing out," this performance is highly meaningful.

Caleb Love: Took shots decisively and frequently in this game, showing no hesitation. In 21 minutes, he shot 6 of 16. This mixed performance at least shows he is willing to take on offensive responsibility and inject energy into the team.