Player grades and analysis from the Trail Blazers 121-103 win over the Lakers.
Starters
Damian Lillard – 36 PTS / 5 AST / 1 REB
You don’t appreciate how dialed in Lillard was last night until you realize that those are just three quarter stats. He blew up for 14 points in the first quarter and ended his game with 18 points in the third. Not only was his shot falling, neither Lou Williams or D’Angelo Russell could keep Lillard in front as he drove past for lay-ins and pull up jumpers. It was all too easy, I mean 14-19 from the field! Grade: A+
C.J. McCollum – 28 PTS / 3 AST / 3 REB
The “2” of the “1-2 Punch,” had a pretty solid game last night as well, shooting 50% from three and 12-21 overall. Like Lillard, McCollum was just playing to score last night, but against a team like the Lakers, that’s all you need to do. Grade: A
Al-Farouq Aminu – 5 PTS / 2 AST / 1 REB
It’s almost clockwork that Aminu had a pretty good game against the Hawks and then goes back to this lackluster performance. Part of it is his role, trying to spot up while McCollum and Lillard drive, but at least crash the boards or feed your teammates the ball Chief! Grade: D
Noah Vonleh – 11 PTS / 1 AST / 6 REB
Vonleh got to show off some of his athleticism last night. The big man had 1.5 dunks (one got tipped in the air so it turned into a powerful lay-in) and also snuck into the cookie jar for three steals. Most importantly, he was able to duel with Julius Randle for pretty similar games. I’m hope the two of them develop a nice west coast rivalry as these teams continue to develop. Grade: B
Mason Plumlee – 13 PTS / 6 AST / 8 REB
I know he never has outrageous scoring nights, but Plumlee has been the king of a complete stat line all season. Again, he contributed in all aspects of the game by adding three steals, but also held Roy Hibbert to nine points and three boards. He also had the most satisfying steal from Kobe Bryant, just slapping it away from him as he tried to post up. Grade: B+
Sixth Man of the Game
Gerald Henderson – 10 PTS / 2 AST / 5 REB
The starters scored 93 points last night so the bench was able to take a night off. Henderson gets the nod here for not only the best stats, but it seemed that he was the only one taking the game seriously at times. I also admit this is out of courtesy, as he wound up on the wrong end of a highlight last night, getting his dunk blocked by Randle. Grade: C+
Editor’s Note: This Kobe farewell tour has to end. He is an icon and one of the best to ever play, but not only was he by far the worst player on the court last night, but having the crowd chant his name turned a nice Blazer victory into an awkward side-show.
That being said, I am thoroughly enjoying his recent struggles. I especially love Laker fans acting like small town guys who still wear their high school letterman’s jackets and talk about the “good ol’ days.” I mean, have you ever seen a Laker team this bad? It could be the worst team in their organization’s history…
Kind of makes you smile doesn’t it?