Portland Trail Blazers: 3 goals for Al-Farouq Aminu in 2018-19

2. Make at least 47 percent of his 2-pointers

Al-Farouq Aminu has really taken to his stretch power forward role since head coach Terry Stotts moved him into that position ahead of the 2016-17 season. He struggled to score in his first year there, going 39.3 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from 3-point range. His 3-point shot improved in 2018, as he went 36.9 percent from distance.

However, his scoring inside the arc still leaves a lot to be desired. Aminu made just 43.2 percent of his 2-pointers in 2017-18. That’s his worst mark since 2011-12, and a far cry from his career-high 49.6 percent from 2 in 2013-14.

While he shot a below-average 59.7 percent at the rim, he was most brutal in the mid-range. Aminu shot 21.2 percent on all 2-pointers outside of the restricted area, the worst mark among all Blazers rotation players and second-worst on the team.

A more consistent mid-range pull-up jumper could go a long way towards diversifying his offensive game. It’s great that his 3-point shot is improving, but there will be moments when defenses will chase him off the line when he gets the ball.

In those instances, he needs a solid pull-up jumper that can burn those opponents that think they have him figured out. Even getting that mid-range percentage into the 30s may be enough to give defenders pause on most nights. By extension, that will help to improve his 2-point percentage.