The Portland Trail Blazers were ousted from the 2015 NBA Playoffs by the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday (4-1). While not the season outcome the team had hoped for, there were a few bright spots in the series that could mean an even brighter future. What was the most encouraging thing you saw, and what might it mean for the Trail Blazers in 2015-16?
Bryce Olin: It has to be C.J. McCollum and Meyers Leonard showing up when the team needed them most. Being the most injured team in the playoffs, by far, did create some positives going forward. McCollum and Leonard are locked up with the Trail Blazers through 2018 and 2017, respectively, and that could be huge, depending on what Portland does in free agency.
Granted, McCollum was going against Beno Udrih and Nick Calathes, but the way he attacked the basket was something we’ve seen, just not in bunches, like Game 3 and 4. If he can build on that this summer, McCollum could be the scorer off the bench the Trail Blazers have been looking for.
For Leonard, we knew he could shoot, but he also played well on defense against two of the best low-post scorers in the league, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph, for stretches during the series. I don’t think Leonard is a star or even a starter in the future, but he’s a huge matchup problem as a stretch-five coming off the bench. I’d like to see him improve his post game this summer, but things are looking up for the bench.
I don’t know if I would have said that two weeks ago.
Brandon Goldner: Getting thrashed in the playoffs might be kind of a good thing. Seeing McCollum and Leonard rise to the moment in very difficult playoff games should give fans a lot to look forward to. It wasn’t fun seeing LaMarcus Aldridge play poorly or be held in check for long stretches, but the Trail Blazers didn’t give up. Every team deals with injuries, and I think you can acknowledge both that and the very real negative impact that the absence of Wesley Matthews had on the team, not to mention the myriad other injuries that hit just before and during the playoffs.
Ryan Allison: How could you not like the fight you saw in Games 4 and 5? The Trail Blazers hadn’t beat the Grizzlies all season and they broke through in Game 4. The most impressive thing would be how they did it. Who would have guessed that Leonard and McCollum would be in the lineups closing out games in April? The immediate future may have been solidified in the last two games of the season. We will have to face the threat of free agency this summer but it helps to see those young players show signs of improvement and maturity.
Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Portland Trailblazers guard CJ McCollum (3) shoots a three point shot in the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Portland 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Casey Baumann: The most encouraging thing to come out these playoffs for the Trail Blazers has to be the play of Leonard and McCollum. The two young guys were the only Trail Blazers to finish the series with a positive +/- over the five games. McCollum showed that the sort of offensive dynamism he displayed in college might actually translate to the NBA better than expected. His role on the team has to increase dramatically next season. If his performance in this series doesn’t earn him more responsibility in the Trail Blazers’ offense, I don’t know what will. Leonard’s success in this series aside, he struggles with the speed and intricacy of the NBA game at this point in his career. More than likely, he will continue to be slightly behind the curve in that respect, but he’s far too unique a player in today’s NBA to spend the majority of his time on the bench.
Patrick Heath: Simply put: McCollum. In the last two games he’s affirmed his selection as a smart first round pick two years ago. At times on Wednesday night when Portland’s two biggest stars were inept offensively, McCollum almost single-handedly kept the Trail Blazers in the game. Looking forward to next year, it’s hard to predict what his role will be until after free agency, but with Matthews likely to miss the beginning of the season, McCollum will see extended time. Depending on if Aldridge decides to return to Portland, McCollum’s offensive role could be increased even after Matthews returns from his Achilles injury.
Jason Hortsch: By far, the most encouraging thing was the development of young players, namely McCollum and Leonard. Shockingly, only five Trail Blazers have guaranteed contracts next season: those two plus Nicolas Batum, Damian Lillard, and Allen Crabbe. With so much uncertainty swirling around the team, it is reassuring to know that those two will not just be around, but have also started blossoming into valuable players.
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With the shooting guard position especially up in the air, McCollum offers a modicum of insurance if other options (Matthews or Arron Afflalo) depart. If not, he can be a valuable spark off the bench, as he demonstrated in Game 5. Leonard is a true seven-footer who can shoot – a type of player whose value cannot be overstated. Previously his awareness held him back, but with a better grasp of the game, his value has grown as well.
David MacKay: Without question, the strides made by McCollum and Leonard, both of whom could have a tremendous impact on how the Trail Blazers handle free agency this year. McCollum is nice to have if Matthews or Afflalo (or both *shudder*) take their leave, but Leonard may end up sneakily valuable as the team tries to save money. Remember that only $1 million of Chris Kaman‘s $5 million contract is guaranteed in 2015-16. The Trail Blazers can save $4 million by cutting him loose if they feel that Leonard is ready to take his place. By the end of the season, many felt it was time for that anyway. Since Joel Freeland is a restricted free agent, the Trail Blazers can still run three deep at center if able to re-sign Robin Lopez as well.