Following a great series beating the Oklahoma City Thunder four games to one in the first round, there’s been a lot of noise surrounding the Blazers. Despite being the third seed in a strong West, many analysts expected another first-round exit by Portland. Dominating a star-studded Thunder team, the question has to be asked, how dangerous are the Portland Trailblazers?
The Trailblazers should be regarded as the consensus second-best team in the West. With Damian Lillard playing at an MVP level, it’s hard to argue that any team could stop this steaming hot Blazers team. Unlike last season, the Blazers are finally clicking as a team. Role players such as Maurice Harkless and Al-Farouq Aminu are finally playing into their role. Aminu and Harkless being able to hold Paul George, an All-NBA talent, to terrible shooting splits is a great sign for the Trail Blazers.
The biggest issue for Portland is their defense. For years they were a middle-of-the-pack defensive team, but, after this Thunder series, coach Terry Stots has finally found a proper scheme. Having lengthy defenders, such as Aminu and Harkless, allows the Blazers to switch on many pick-and-rolls and even occasionally run a zone-press. Outside of those two, Lillard has turned himself into one of the better defensive PGs in the entire NBA. Another note that’s important to highlight, Enes Kanter has turned himself into a competent rim protector.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Blazers are the most dangerous team in the West not named the Golden State Warriors. Outside of Damian Lillard dropping 30 points consistently, players such as C.J McCollum have stepped up tremendously. McCollum has struggled in the playoffs the last few years but has seemed to turn the corner. He shot nearly 50% from 3PT against the Thunder. Besides C.J. and Dame, role players like Enes Kanter and Rodney Hood have played to their fullest potential as well.
Following Jusuf Nurkic’s injury, the Blazers season looked to be over. Only having one quality big man besides Nurkic on the roster, their frontcourt looked terrible. However, Zack Collins has stepped up tremendously, giving the Blazers quality minutes. That’s what makes the Blazers so good, that “next man up” mentality. The depth they possess is unmatched.
So, just how dangerous are the Portland Trail Blazers? Well, they’re the second-best team in the West. They have one of the best benches in the NBA, allowing them to sub out a player that’s struggling for a player that can provide instantly. Their weaknesses from past years’ have become their strengths, turning them into one of the NBA’s best defensive teams.
Without a doubt, the Trailblazers will make the Western Conference Finals. “Can they reach the NBA Finals” is the more pressing question. The Warriors are without DeMarcus Cousins, who was a large part of their success this season. In fact, Cousins had some of his best games of the season against the Blazers this year. Now, their greatest threat to get the finals is without their greatest weapon against them.
The Portland Trail Blazers are the most dangerous team in the NBA right now. Not only will the Trailblazers defeat the Golden State Warriors, don’t be surprised if the Blazers win the NBA championship with the way they’ve been playing.
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