I apologize in advance the length of this post but I think the Blazers deserve this. I know a lot of people are frustrated right now, I am too. But there really is a bigger picture here. I know people have pointed these things out but when you put them all together the bigger picture really makes sense. 1. We have basically zero WFC experience. Just like we had to go through getting swept in the first round to learn the right way to win I think we have to learn the right way to play at THIS level too. Every team does. The Warriors have a ton of experience, with or without Durant. 2. Not only what he contributes but the way Nurk allows us to play is huge. This team would have been deadly with him. 3. Dame could play smarter but hurt is hurt. It impacted his game no matter how small and against the Warriors you can not have any weaknesses. 4. I think even without Nurk this team's playoff success was great but losing at this level also shows that it's time to make a move at the 3 spot. I would love Aminu or Harkless off the bench but we can't rely on them at this level when teams play Dame the way they do. Yeah Butler would be great but I don't even think it has to be that drastic. Someone that can dribble, be used in the fast break and consistently hit 3s. 5. We need the coaching style or personnel to avoid these offense dry spells. The NBA is a game of runs but we cant allow runs that drastically alter the game. 6. We do need to run more as a team and get more easy buckets. I don't think some pieces like Aminu allow us to do that. Also Terry needs to demand it more. Needs to be part of the offense. Dame needs to recognize that too and I trust he will continue to grow like he has every season. Blowing the leads we did is heartbreaking but it's not all on one piece or person. We simply need to learn, adjust (make a few changes) and grow. I have zero doubts that a healthy and adjusted team can be right back here next year ready to take the next step. I'm pissed but I won't let it ruin the bigger picture here. #RipCity and Go Blazers! Thank you for the joy, happiness and excitement you brought us this year.
Definitely, Nurk is a huge piece were missing, though they're missing both DMC and KD. Blazers might not have experience in the WCF, but they should be experienced at playing the Warriors since getting wrecked by them has become almost annual though hey the Pelicans gave them a year off last year. I'm not sure how I feel about Dame's injury, if he's out there then he can play. That's how I felt about PG13 and WB in the 1st round too and both of them are reportedly having surgeries this offseason. I hate the timing of this coming out, it definitely feels like a, PR move, but you're right if he's hurt it does "explain" his poor play. The issue is he's got somewhat of a history of not being stellar in the playoffs. I think the big picture for me is their Forwards are not good enough at enough things. Stotts has been good at making adjustments between games in this post-season, but his in-game adjustments have not been very good. Mentally GS seems to own real estate in the Blazers head.
When the Warriors have the all star Draymond Green they are arguably the best in the NBA, They struggled at times during the season because Green gained extra weight and sucked for the most part during the season and early post season. Unfortunately he found his game against us and we haven't had an answer. If they had sucky Green we would likely be up 2 to 1, but it is what it is. A team like Golden State is a tough match up for anyone and the best opportunity to knock them off is in the early rounds as once they got to the WCF they put the pedal down and showed why they have won the championship 3 out of 4 years. We are a top 4 team this year and that's pretty special to me.
I mean it was a good year. I'm not sure there a top 4 team, but there one of the last 4 standing so that's all that matters. Though getting swept when LAC and Houston took 2 from them doesn't look great... Fun ride for sure.
He has been their key and engine for sure. The new trend in the game is get someone big and athletic to push the ball up the court and create.
Great post. Id like to just add a bit more to the playoff portion. Not only are we rookies at this level, but this year we expended massive amounts of energy to get here. Denver was as brutla a series as you will ever see in the NBA. I know that they are still winded and playing on fumes.
We are not playing the same team that Houston and Clippers faced as I watched pretty much all the playoff games to date and this is the best GS has looked all season. It's as if they are on a mission and been there before, lol.
I also don't think they like the narrative that Barkley spread around that we could take them. I think they had us pegged as a personal vendetta if we met up. I think they are bringing their "A" game, not only because they know and have learned how and when to step it up(now), but also because they don't want Portland to be seen as a rival or a threat or anything.
every time we've met them in the playoffs the last few years they've basically wrecked the Blazers it's had some close games here or there but they always seem to win, I think we've won, one game against them.
The Warriors are a championship caliber team and have been for years. Which means they literally know when to and have the ability to flip the switch. But this is another lesson for the Blazers, championship caliber teams know when to turn it on. Typically these teams end quarters well to set them up. Especially with the Warriors who have the firepower to erase a double digit lead in 2 minutes or less. You also have to know how hold off a team and that goes back to not have 5 minute scoring droughts.
Yep, and I think they made it a clear point to keep it that way after Barkley came out for us. I also think they think thyey cna just turn it on in the second half because they have our number. Leads don't matter for us. They truly believe when they want, they just clamp down and can take the game from us at any time. We are being owned, no doubt about it. Man, I hope that team breaks up this summer. Durant and Thompson go elsewhere. Fuck them!
Yeah I read where Green said his head wasn't right till his girlfriend and mom got to him about his crying about calls all the time. He said he came into this series better mentally and it shows.
except for the Warriors team during the season and early playoffs wasn't playing as together as they are now and Green has been the x factor for them. Not sure if they really missed a beat by losing Durant as it seemed to have motivated them as well.
They are not better without KD. They are different and obviously still really good, but the Clippers and Houston saw a more talented GS team then the Blazers are seeing.
Also Zach Collins grew up a lot these playoffs but still has a lot to go. But he showed how good his defense precise had been on the defensive side of the ball. It also show that Harkless and Aminu just not working any more. More Aminu then Harkless. I would love see Stotts come out with starting lineup with Dame CJ Leonard Harkless Zach this next game. It also show me that Leonard really busted his ass when he is out there and really good game last for him. It also show me where we are weak at with the way we play and personal that just don't fit. But that on olshey in the off season and also on Stotts to come with better plan on offensive and Defensive. But overall I am proud of this team and they proof a lot people wrong.
Your right but I also felt they really didn't take the Clippers seriously and Clippers won the warriors didn't play like this against us. The reason they had little trouble with Houston got a lot scorers so they couldn't just double like they do us.
They tried but Harden played better than our scorers have. I think you’re right they played lazier against The Clippers, but still how sad is it that the Clippers have more playoff wins again them this year then the Blazers in 3 playoff series’.
I disagree. They play like the pre-Durant Warriors when he’s out - guard-oriented, lots of off ball movement and Green quarterbacking both the O and D. In their past 30 games in which Curry plays and Durant doesn’t, the Warriors are 29-1. We likely lose either way but I think we had a better chance with Durant in the lineup because that means the ball is not in Green’s hands. Green has been a one man wrecking crew in this series.
Not sure if Aminu is fasting as well, but this series he has looked lethargic and very little energy at times. Typically Aminu has been a better playoff player than regular season.I'm not convinced he was in good health for whatever reason. In order to beat a team like the Warriors it takes the team firing on all cylinders and for some to step up their game and that just hasn't happened enough. It has been a fun season and hope they can still make a little noise.
