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Full Throttle To the Postseason

By Bryant Verser

Feb 19, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hits a three point shot over Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the third quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard scored 51 points as the Blazers won 137-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 19, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hits a three point shot over Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the third quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Lillard scored 51 points as the Blazers won 137-105. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Trail Blazers: Full Speed to the Playoffs

The All-Star break is over, the trade dead line passed, and now the NBA season hits the home stretch. It’s full throttle to the postseason. The Trail Blazers currently sit in 7th place in the suddenly open western conference. Portland plays host to the 9th place Jazz on Sunday night and will undoubtedly be riding the high from their victory over the Warriors.

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If you would have asked me two months ago I would have bet against it. If you asked me seven months ago I would have laughed at you. Now making the playoffs looks like a real possibility, having won 13 of their last 16.  You can trace it all back to Jan. 10. The Trail Blazers played the Thunder, Portland was on a three game losing streak and the public perception wasn’t good. That night the legend of Damian Lillard added another chapter. With just over three minutes left in the 4th quarter and Portland trailing, Lillard exploded. He scored 17 points and sealed the victory for his club and hasn’t looked back.

The fact that the Blazers are in contention for a playoff spot is astounding in and of itself. This makes it that much more difficult to fathom the fact that Lillard was left off the Western Conference All-Star roster, but no use crying over spilled milk. In fact, if Lillard keeps up the play I don’t mind if he gets snubbed every year.

Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

There are 27 games left and as a fan I know anything can happen. What does a meeting with the Golden State Warriors or San Antonio Spurs mean for our home team?

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First off, the experience that the young players on our team would gain would be invaluable. It would also be Lillard’s first chance to be “The Guy” on a playoff team. Although he was no slouch in past, he had to defer to Aldridge. With his style of play he would demand more defensive attention, but at this point aside from quadruple teaming Lillard he’s seen it all.

Players like Allen Crabbe, Noah Vonleh, and CJ McCollum (McCollum to a lesser extent) would benefit the most. A trial by fire if you will. John Wooden defined greatness as “being at your best when your best is needed”, what better way to find out if any of our young players possess the gene?

One bad thing would be that Portland would lose its first round pick to Denver from the Arron Afflalo trade. The pick would be right at the end of the lottery. Barring a miracle, it would not be a player that would factor into the rotation. The Blazers did however pickpocket Cleveland for their 2018 first round pick.

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There really is no down side to making the playoffs, even if it would be a brief appearance. Experience on that stage is priceless. I would much rather see the Trail Blazers develop a culture of winning, rather than lottery picks and disappointment. Behind Lillard anything seems possible.