8 Al-Farouq Aminu F

Aminu scored 16 points (7-13 FG, 2-4 3Pt) while adding 16 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 35 minutes during Friday's 114-96 win over the Pacers.

With C.J. McCollum back in the starting lineup, it was Aminu who stayed in the starting five while Evan Turner moved to the bench, and the 27-year-old forward responded with the kind of robust multi-category performance Blazers fans were used to seeing from Nic Batum a few years ago. Aminu's track record suggests he won't be able to maintain this level of production, but he's now pulled down double-digit boards in back-to-back games to begin the season, which could make him an early waiver-wire darling in many fantasy leagues.

Aminu tallied six points (1-4 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 4-7 FT), four rebounds, three steals and two assists across 20 minutes during Sunday's 134-106 win over the Clippers.

While Aminu has shown some promise as a rebounder and defender this preseason -- grabbing 15 boards, swiping four steals and blocking two shots across 51 total minutes -- his shot has been off. Through three games, he's shot a combined 4-for-11 from the field and 1-for-6 from beyond the arc. Aminu is likely a better real-life than fantasy player due to his defense on the wing, though it would be encouraging to see signs that he may improve over last year's averages of 8.7 points, 7.4 boards, 1.6 assists, 1.1 threes and 1.0 steals per game. That has yet to happen.

Aminu provided five points (2-2 FG, 1-1 3Pt) and eight rebounds across 17 minutes in Thursday's 106-101 preseason win over the Raptors.

Aminu drew the start at power forward Thursday after fellow veteran Ed Davis took his turn with the first unit in Tuesday's exhibition opener. Aminu provided his typically solid work on the boards during his time on the floor, reprising his role from last season when he posted the second-highest rebounding average (7.4) of his seven-year career. While he's likely to open the coming campaign on the second unit, Aminu's ability to play either forward spot and provide scoring from anywhere on the court is highly likely to afford him plenty of playing time.

Aminu will draw the start during Thursday's preseason game against the Raptors, Mike Richman of The Oregonian reports.

Ed Davis drew the start at power forward during the team's preseason opener, but it's Aminu who gets the nod Thursday. Coach Terry Stotts stated that no member of the team will play more than 24 minutes Thursday.

Aminu contributed 25 points (7-12 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, two steals, one assist and one block across 35 minutes during a 128-103 loss to the Warriors on Monday.

Aminu was just one point shy of his season high in scoring as he finished with 25 points and matched a season high with five three-pointers made. He was the only player on the team other than Damian Lillard to score more than 14 points. Aminu had an up and down season, and this performance came in a somewhat meaningless game, as the team was getting blown out for the entire game.