Any "surgery", even being minor, will sideline you for at least 2-3 weeks. This doesn't look good for OKC.
I've seen you say this before and say that it is because Lee can't defend anyone. You know that he doesn't play, right. The starting 4 is Draymond, who is probably the frontrunner for DPOY. Alongside him is Bogut, who is in the top 3 among rim protectors, as measured by FG% allowed within 3 ft of the rim. LMA is good, but why do you think he is so unguardable? And even if he can't be stopped, does it matter? I'd think that for the Blazers to win the series, they need huge performances from Batum and Lillard. In most the Blazers games I've seen, LMA will get his 25 but I rarely see him just take over a game.
I looked this up just to make sure I wasn't missing a bunch of games were he carried the scoring load for the team, at a quick glance, it looks like he has scored 30 or more 9 times and the blazers are 3-6 in those games. Again, does it matter if he gets some huge point total? Seems like the Warriors plan should be to let Portland force the ball to him and focus on stopping Lillard. Losing Wes realy hurt, I thought he could be the game changer becuase then Steph would really have to step up on the deefensive end. Now, Lillard will have Thompson, Igoudala, and Livingston on him and Curry can relax a bit.
Fair enough. I'm sure stats aren't telling the whole story but it looks like.he had 2 really incredible games. It also looks like he hasn't done that at all this year. Is that really the reason why gs doesn't have a chance? Not trying to take anything away from lma, he's really, really good. I just don't think he's that type of player. His value comes from his consistency, not because he is someone I'd consider unstoppable.
You don't watch much. Aldridge dominated you guys fall of last season in GS. Mo Williams and Wes Mattheed got ejected so Aldridge took over and dominated. Did you watch Aldridge play in playoffs last year? 46/18 in Houston in Game 1. 43/9 in Houston in Game 2. I never mentioned Lee. I don't care about Lee. Green can't guard Aldridge in a playoff series. Either can Bogut. Blazers in 5 if they play each other. You'll see. If you get out of the first round, that is.
Never said GS doesn't have a chance, but excluding LMA as a major factor for success is equally ridiculous. Keep in mind that GS still has a lot to prove. They are a jump shooting team. And yes, a very damn good one. But when their jumpers aren't falling, they absolutely struggle. Portland is mainly a jump shooting team, but our difference maker is Aldridge. When our shots aren't falling, Aldridge can post up and score on anyone that tries to single coverage on him. And if they double, then we get wide open shots. Portland has won many games when shots weren't falling. I looked up GS and saw no game where they shot in the low 40's and still won the game. If you have, then please enlighten me. GS is probably the most efficient scoring team and could destroy anyone they face. Their defense is stellar too. The only concern is when refs allow more contact and the game becomes trench warfare. Will GS be able to overcome without a legit low post scorer? I haven't seen it so far.
I was at that game. He played well, but I'd say the difference was that Wes was 8 for 9 with 23 points and Lillard ended with 20 after not scoring for much of the first half. Lma shot 7 of 21. I can't make an excuse for the loss, they choked, but I left thinking wtf, Wes didn't miss! And afflalo is no Wes.
The FG% didn't tell the entire story. Before the ejections, Aldridge was like 1-12. Then after the ejection, Aldridge went beast mode and got to the line like 7 times and completely dominated you guys in the low post. And the game earlier this season was a win by us. We were jobbed by the refs 3 times on that last play. They didn't call a time out when Batum asked for it, then they fouled Wes, then they failed to give us the ball when it was clearly off of livingston's foot. And guess what? Dame had a shitty game, Wes was average and Batum sucked. Guess who was dominating your PFs and Center? Let me give you a hint. 10/20, 26 points, 13 rebounds. He held your PF you praise to 2/7 and 5 rebounds.
Maybe GS won't be able to win if they can't hit their shots, if it continues for the series I'd say they are done. But I take some comfort in the fact that that their d is toward the tip of the league. I think they can squeak out a win if they need to but yeah, as curry goes, they go. And I know you never said they had no shot. I initially replied to kingspeed.
My dream scenario would be a WCF match up with GS. It would be epic! I think both teams match up very well. I would still consider GS the favorites, but it could go either way. GS is a damn good team. Probably the best this season. And they may be like Dallas was when they won it all and never stop the hot perimeter shooting. There are no guarantees in that regard, but history usually proves that players lose their jump shot in the post season. We will see!
Exactly, before the ejections, he was 1 for 12 (didn't look it up, taking your numbers) and after green got ejected he went off, against lee.
cheers! If they meet in the playoffs I'll be at one of the games up there, there is some good golf in oregon. I'll buy you a drink at the game.
GS does have a chance, so does Portland. But with all due respect, Green is listed at 6"7... He may be in the running for DPoY but really.. he's undersized... To ask him to solo coverage a 6"11 PF for 4 straight games at least is a little silly. What goes unnoticed in the playoff series last year is that Lillard lit up Houston as well. In game 1&2 they had their defense keyed in to stop the 3 ball and layups. Letting Aldridge go 1 on 1.. Not only did Aldridge light them up.. But Lillard dropped 31 in game one on 9-19 shooting with 9 rebounds and 5 assists. In game two he nearly got a triple double. Wasn't the best shooting night for him, but he did other things. This is also when Bev was considered "The Lillard Stopper". Lillard finished the series shooting 48% from 3, and 46% from the field.. With two less FTA than Aldridge. Aldridge had a huge series, but with the defense keyed on a playoff rookie Lillard in game 1 and 2.. He more than showed up. He's better this year too.. Especially defensively.
I would love to take you up on that offer, but I actually live close to Loss Angeloss. I would most likely have to meet you in Oakland and buy you one. That is, you give me front row seats so I can razz your players in front of their home town!
I'd like to add a little bit to the bolded part. With the acquisition of Afflalo, we can actually post up two guys, one on each block. That makes it even more dangerous.
By the way, props to WarriorFan for having intelligent conversation and dialogue about this. That makes this fun!
It's still tender in my nether regions thinking about that, mags. But, yeah, damn. Having AAA come off the bench and provide post up play.... God I hope he comes back next year.
