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Blazers Need to be Perfect Against the Warriors

By Spencer Gordon

Mar 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts after being called for a technical during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-112. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts after being called for a technical during the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-112. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Blazers will have to be near perfect to top the Warriors

Just after the All-Star break, Damian Lillard led the Blazers to a shocking upset of the Warriors to the tune of a 32 point victory. It was Lillard’s best game of the season, dropping 51 points on the MVP Steph Curry.

However, in the other three season games, the Blazers lost by double digits. What it really comes down to is that the Warrior’s are not only the most talented team in the league, but also the deepest. This combination wore out the Blazers in each of their three losses, as Portland just couldn’t keep up with their scoring barrage.

So what does Portland need to do in order to shock the world? Is it even possible? Portland barely squeaked by a hurt Clippers team, so how could they handle the defending champs? These are the basic questions on everyone’s mind as they preview this series. If I’m being honest, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Warriors turn on the jets early and coast. They’re confident, playing extremely well despite Curry’s injury, and are on pace to become the greatest team in NBA history.

And yet, Portland has a legitimate chance to pull off the biggest upset in NBA history, and just like the last series against the Clippers, some pieces have fallen into place in order to give Portland hope.

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First off, the injury to Curry is huge. A lot of people are down-playing the injury after great games against the Rockets without him. But the NBA media gets starstruck, meaning I feel like they had forgotten about how bad the Rockets are was despite having James Harden and Dwight Howard. So now, without the MVP and facing the Blazers, they have to defend Lillard. He’s not just a hungry, hometown kid with a chip on his shoulder, but a playmaker who doesn’t have to expel all of his energy trying to defend Curry. Not only will Lillard get his opportunities, but as soon as his shot begins to fall, that’s when the Warriors will feel the difference between Houston and Portland. C.J. McCollum will step up offensively to assist Lillard in a way that Patrick Beverley could only dream of.

Apr 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and center Mason Plumlee (24) head to the bench for a time out in the second half of game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 27, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and center Mason Plumlee (24) head to the bench for a time out in the second half of game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

In another serious chemistry shift for the Warriors, assistant coach Luke Walton is leaving the team for the Lakers at the end of the season. Normally this wouldn’t be that big of a deal for a team, but Walton coached Golden State for more games than Steve Kerr this season. He is effectively the co-head coach and he’s announced he’s leaving during the most pivotal time for the Warriors. I can only speculate, but if I were a Warriors’ player and I knew my coach was leaving, my thoughts would turn to that rather than prep   for a playoff game.

The Blazers could win this series. It would have to come early, but a deflating loss at home for Golden State could cause them to hit the panic button. Lillard and McCollum will need 50+ points combined, with the rest of the Blazers matching, if not exceeding that. Also, Mason Plumlee has to continue his tremendous play this postseason by outplaying Draymond Green as a big man playmaker. Yes Green can shoot the three, yet Plumlee can outwork him on the boards. Whether it’s scoring, rebounding, finding open players or playing lockdown defense, each Blazer needs to grasp their role of the game plan and execute it to perfection.

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#They didn’t think we’d be here, #they don’t think we have a chance. Portland, let’s prove them wrong again.