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Should the Blazers Start Allen Crabbe?

By McLayne Bertsch

Jan 8, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Allen Crabbe (23) prepares to shoot over Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Allen Crabbe (23) prepares to shoot over Golden State Warriors forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Blazers Need More Offense Against the Warriors

After a demoralizing game 2 loss, Head Coach Terry Stotts lengthy break to make adjustments going into Saturday night’s game in Portland. It is important not to over react to the losses in the Bay Area, as only three teams have won there in the past year and a half. Also, it was a classic Warriors game: Hang around until the 4th quarter and turn up the defense. Blazers shouldn’t feel bad. They do this to everybody. However, Stotts will need to figure out how to keep the offense from stalling like it did at times during game 2.

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A suggestion from ESPN’s Zach Lowe was to start Allen Crabbe over Moe Harkless. The idea, obviously, is to get three excellent shooters on the floor. Offensively, it could open things up for the guards as they drive. Defensively, the Blazers aren’t losing much. Harkless’ defense has been fantastic this postseason, but he is outmatched guarding Klay Thompson. Thompson is too good at running his defender off several screens for open shots. If we are being honest as Blazers fans, one of the reasons the Blazers had a good lead most of game 2 is that Thompson uncharacteristically missed some wide open 3’s. Crabbe is not an excellent defender, but he works hard and will pressure Thompson as much as any Blazer would.

Lowe pointed out on his podcast that when Al-Farouq Aminu and Harkless play together against the Warriors, the Blazers are scoring 80 points per 100 possessions. In translation, that’s as good as sending a 40% free throw shooter to the line every time down the court for your offensive possession. (Basically, DeAndre Jordan) Just like the prior series, the Warriors are begging Aminu and Harkless to shoot every possession. Their defense is focused on harassing Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum while ignoring Aminu and Harkless.

May 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4, right) talks to Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the third quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 110-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4, right) talks to Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) during the third quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 110-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Against the Clippers, the answer was Mason Plumlee getting the ball off a pick and roll at the top of the key and hitting open cutters to the basket. Unfortunately, Draymond Green is too quick. (And Festus Ezeli for that matter) He recovers immediately on pick and rolls and doesn’t allow Plumlee time to find open teammates.

Having another shooter on the floor will either take away one defender in the paint while the guards drive to the basket or allow for open Crabbe corner threes. It does seem a little panicky, given that Harkless just enjoyed a breakout series against the Clippers. However, each series is its own animal in the NBA playoffs. With DeAndre Jordan last series, the Blazers were always going to have trouble scoring. Defense became the key to the Blazers success. With the Warriors, their offense can score despite great defense. If Blazers have trouble scoring against the Warriors, they have no shot. The Blazers need more offense.

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After the Clippers series, there is no need to panic being down 2-0, Stotts will make correct adjustments to give the Blazers a great chance at winning game 3.