The only difference is I'd keep Dame on Moute. Let CJ play Rivers, because he knows the dude very well.
Im wondering if it makes sense to have Harkless saved for Crawford and go back to starting Vonleh or someone else
Rivers: Dame Redick: Harkless Mbah Moute: CJ Green: Aminu Jordan: Plumlee I agree using Harkless on Redick would be good, but I can also see using someone long guarding Rivers, so they can shut down the passing lanes--not that Rivers passes that much. When Redick is out, then use Harkless or Crabbe on Crawford. Give Davis plenty of minutes to eat up whoever is at the 4. I also wonder if Redick will get many minutes with his bum heel and the stars our for the count. Even if he is in, not sure how effective he can be.
The problem, as I mentioned in this thread, is they lost both their primary and secondary distributors. None of the guys mentioned is good at running an offense or creating for others. The only guy that is passable at this is Prigioni and he's almost 39 and sucks at everything else. This is a roster made for Nate McMillan - lots of ISOs and Redick standing in the corner hoisting threes. BNM
If players are in the NBA, they are NBA players. Can't overlook anyone. Clips bench has been killing us. Don't forget Philly blew us out. That said, the Blazers need to come out focused and determined, push the ball, keep up the pressure, wear them out, and take care of business.
I have zero sympathy for the Clippers. As far as I'm concerned it's karma. Plus we've had more than our share of injury bad breaks. Just last year the Blazers were cruising into contender status until Wes got hurt, Afflalo played hurt, and LaMarCooch lost his heart. We need to step on their necks and break them in four straight.
Anthony Bennett was in the NBA.... but I completely disagree that he was ever an NBA player. I believe the technical term is "bump on a log."
They have one player now that can get his own shot and that's Crawford. I wonder now also if the trap will be as effective with rivers leading it. He plays good defense but he's no Chris Paul. I see us winning this in 6, I feel like we have all the momentum, crab and aminu grabbed some confidence last night and with Blake and Paul both out, I think they play defeated.
I'm not gonna overlook them, anything is possible but we should of had that second game, we were right there up until the 4th quarter. Take Chris and Blake away, that's huge. I predict this series is over Friday and we move on
This is such a big blow to the Clippers, I just am afraid Portland is going to get nervous because they are suddenly not the underdogs. I remember when the Thunder came to town without Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka and we barely won. I've seen it happen a lot where a team comes in so beligured by injury and yet the game ends up being very close.
The reason im still confident is Damian lillard. I guarantee our young leader immediately said its not celebration time yet boys. Now is the time to work, we are going on the road and going to see a new look as far as match ups. Sure, a less skilled line up, but different. That means the game plan will likely require adjustments at half time after we see what kind of looks we are getting and what they are taking advantage of. Stotts will be tested. The game plan that won the last 2 will likely have to change. Dont get over confident, stay confident and under control, take care of fucking business.
My game plan: Dame goes for 40. CJ goes for 30. Blazers win by 20. I get drunk and celebrate. Rinse / Repeat.
I don't see why we don't keep defending them same way we have been. Harkless on the PG, Dame on SF. If we put Dame or CJ on the PG, I think they'll still do what they wanted to do with Griffin, which is set a ball screen to force a switch, and then post up Dame with a bigger player. Green is no Griffin, but he can still out muscle Dame in the post and he's a decent scorer. They might even look to do it with Jordan now, since he's about all of the star power they have left. I expect to see a lot more Redick running off of screens, and more Crawford shooting midrange jumpers, because we've been giving him those all series. I do think Crabbe especially did a great job contesting Crawford in game 4 though. Best thing is to not over-think this, and just attack the shit out of them on both ends and play as if they had all of their starters.
We have the better team by FAR. All we have to do is play full out and we'll win the next two easily.
Nah our starters have a great rhythm don't mess with that. Hendo and Crabbe are capable of defending Crawford. I'm really more worried about Green, Rivers and Aldrich than Crawford.
