Hood on Blazers Sub-500 Start, ‘We’ve just got to keep grinding’

Injuries and roster turnover have placed the Trail Blazers’ title aspirations in jeopardy to start the year. Now winners of three-straight, coach Terry Stotts’ squad is finding a way to win close contests.

Earlier this week, Rodney Hood spoke with Basketball Insiders contributor Spencer Davies about his blue-collar mindset through Portland’s slow start.

“Keep playing. Keep grinding. Keep working hard. It always turns around, man,” Hood told Basketball Insiders. “The NBA season is so long. We’ve probably got 60-odd something more games. It can be turned around.

“Nobody’s made the playoffs yet. Nobody’s won an NBA Championship yet. We’re not in a spot where we want to be, but we’re not in a terrible spot. We’ve just got to keep grinding.”

Outside of the comments associated with the hard work that is required to climb back up the standings, Hood touched on his fit with the Blazers. The former Cavs forward discussed how he is adapting to his place alongside Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

“When those guys get hot, you’ve got to figure out a way to stay involved in the game — whether it’s trying to offensive rebound, the defensive end — not just get caught into watching those guys play,” Hood told Basketball Insiders. “They do a good job of just finding other people — and you’ve got to be ready to knock it down.”

Following Friday’s victory over the Bulls, Hood has recorded double-digit point totals in five straight games.

You can read Davies full post at Basketball Insiders.