Trail Blazers’ Dalano Banton becomes team’s ‘X factor’

The offensive jolt Dalano Banton provides to the Portland Trail Blazers is undeniable.

“It’s crazy,” guard Scoot Henderson said, shaking his head.

Over the team’s final eight games, Banton has taken his game to new levels. Publicly.

Those who saw him every day already knew Banton’s abilities.

“His energy was always there,” Henderson said. “People recognize it now. He’s always training, just getting locked in.

Banton didn’t play in two games in the first five games. In the other three, he averaged just 4.4 minutes and 1.7 points.

Over the next eight games, Banton averaged 12.1 points and 2.9 assists in 16.1 minutes while shooting 48.5% from the field and 40.9% from beyond the bow.

These shooting percentages are important. He entered the season with career percentages of 40.9% and 28.9%.

The team’s recent eight-game stretch started with Banton putting up big numbers in the fourth quarter. Since then, its role has expanded. In wins over Minnesota last Tuesday and Wednesday, Banton shot 50 percent from the field and 71.4 percent from three.

Despite Banton’s inconsistent playing time, he doesn’t view his role as unpredictable.

“When I’m put in the game, it’s to impact the game,” Banton said. “I think it’s for everyone. I’m definitely picking up the pace, playing fast, getting down.

For Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Banton has become a go-to infusion of offensive energy in a 6-foot-8 frame.

“I always thought he was a real X-factor type player,” Billups said. “You can put it in there and it will do good things for you all the time.”

Banton plays point guard, shooting guard and forward. He is disruptive on defense and can slide to the basket, shoot outside or set up his teammates.

His presence, Billups said, improves the play of those around him.

“I think a guy like Delano makes Ant’s game better, he helps Scoot, he helps Shaedon (Sharpe), he helps Jerami (Grant) because he can go get his own and break down a defense,” he said. Billups said.

Banton had to earn a roster spot during training camp. His contract was not fully guaranteed. We can now say that the Blazers (5-8) could win two fewer victories without him.

Banton plans to continue bringing his aggressive play to the field every night.

“I’m definitely very confident,” he said. “Even when I was away, I felt confident. I know the work I do every day, even when my numbers aren’t good.

–Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)