Al-Farouq Aminu is doing things in the Portland Trail Blazers' offense that he has never had the chance to do in his previous five seasons in the NBA.
His 17-point outing against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night marked his third consecutive game of scoring at least 16 points, a feat he had never previously accomplished. In fact, he had never scored 16 points in consecutive games prior to joining the Blazers.
When he learned about his career-best scoring streak to open the season, Aminu wasn't exactly shocked that he hadn't reached those numbers in prior seasons.
"I believe it," he said flatly.
In his previous stops with the Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Hornets and Dallas Mavericks, Aminu was a reserve forward relied on for defense and rebounding. On offense he would park himself on the weakside, waiting for a catch-and-shoot jumper or a chance at an offensive rebound.
"I always thought that he was a solid piece to every team that he had been on. But he never had the opportunity to be the offensive player that he is for us," Blazers point guard Damian Lillard said. "And I don't think it was ever needed from him to be what he is for us."
When Aminu signed a 4-year, $30 million contract with the Blazers in the early stages of free agency last July, Blazers coach Terry Stotts made it clear that he wanted the six-year pro to do more in Portland's offense.
"He just said 'We're going to utilize you in different ways that you haven't been in the past,'" recalled Aminu after a recent Blazers practice in Salt Lake City. "Let me push it on the break, getting me in pick and rolls. I'm normally supposed to just stand in the corner and make that open shot. His offense is a little different and it puts you in a lot of different type of scenarios."
"I wanted to give him an opportunity to see what he could do beyond just spotting up on the weakside," said Stotts.
This Blazers season is largely about developing a young roster and giving players a chance to expand their games, "empowering" them as Stotts terms it. Aminu is one of the central figures of this empowerment. Stotts likened Aminu's potential growth to the improvement of Wesley Matthews and Nicolas Batum during Stotts' first season in Portland in 2012-13.
Stotts wants to give players who have already been in the league for a few seasons more opportunity and more responsibility. Matthews and Batum grew under Stotts and he hopes to empower Aminu to have a similar trajectory.
So what does "empowerment" look like? Stotts isn't going to just roll the ball out and watch, but he wants his players to know they have some leeway to make mistakes.
"It's not hands off because you have to show that you care and that you're involved. You're not just sitting back," Stotts says. "You encourage the positive and correct the ... not so positive. I don't think you can micromanage. You have to allow guys to make mistakes and learn from them and applaud them when they do well."
Aminu's best skill remains his versatility on defense. He has aspirations of landing on the NBA's All Defense First Team and wants to say he can guard every position on the court. However he didn't always see himself as a defensive stopper; that role developed more out of necessity.
"I remember one year I had to become a rebounder. One year I had to become a defender," he said. "Just try to do something to get on the court."
In Portland, Aminu is entrenched in the starting lineup so getting on the court won't be an issue. And through four games, he's established himself as the team's third leading scorer behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Aminu is averaging 14.5 points, nearly doubling-his previous career-high of 7.3. He's also second on the team in rebounds, averaging 8.5.
"He changes the game," says Lillard. "His rebounding, his athleticism, he's knocking down jumpers. I think the confidence that he's playing with is huge for us."
Aminu is attempting more three-pointers than in any of his previous seasons. He is shooting 46.7 percent from deep and is on pace to shatter his previous career best of 31.2 percent.
He's also flashed a step back jumper and a willingness to attack the rim and push the ball in transition. If you ask Lillard and McCollum, Aminu's position as the team's third option on offense isn't likely to change.
"As long as we continue to get into the lane and try to make plays he's going to get open shots on the perimeter," McCollum said.
It's an impressive offensive start for a player known best for his defense and energy. But Aminu is cautious to say that he's arrived as a consistent scorer in the league.
"I want to prove myself that I can do it for 82 (games) so it's still a process," Aminu said.
-- Mike Richman
mrichman@oregonian.com
@mikegrich