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Can Blazers Go Even Smaller Against Clippers?

By McLayne Bertsch

Apr 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich (45) during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers center Cole Aldrich (45) during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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What Adjustments Can the Blazers Make After Game 1?

After fully digesting the thorough beat down in Los Angeles last night, it was a little tough to stay optimistic about Portland’s chances in the series. Fortunately, it was just one game. After ending the season on an emotional high earning the fifth seed, this was a reality check: The playoffs are an entirely different animal than the regular season. Pace of play slows down while defense and individual match-ups become increasingly important. The Los Angeles Clippers executed their defensive game plan flawlessly last night: Deny Damian Lillard the ball, bait Al-Farouq Aminu into shooting, and stop C.J. McCollum with a larger defender (Luc Mbah A Moute.) Head Coach Terry Stotts now has two full days to figure out what adjustments to make. Based on his excellent rotation adjustments all season long, the Blazers are in good hands.

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The Trail Blazers most important lineup adjustment of the season happened just a few weeks ago at the 4 position. Meyers Leonard dislocated his shoulder and Noah Vonleh put together a lengthy resume of ineffective minutes. They needed to try something out-of-the-box for the playoff run. Stotts struck gold by inserting Moe Harkless, who was out of the rotation completely at that point, into the starting lineup as a 4. Although ‘small ball’ is hardly a new idea, Harkless had very little experience at the 4. Basketballreference.com estimates that Harkless had logged about 10% of his minutes at the position before this season.  After the adjustment, Harkless held his own on defense, rebounded impressively and provided just enough shooting to stretch the defense.

However, the Clippers were not impressed by Harkless or Aminu’s shooting ability. They ignored the two players to harass Lillard and McCollum with double teams. The game plan worked brilliantly for the Clippers. It is not like Aminu or Harkless cannot shoot at all – Aminu shot 36% on 3’s this season – it is the psychological game that Doc Rivers is playing with the Blazers. Players are not used to having an extra second or two to think about a shot. It has to cross Harkless and Aminu’s mind that Rivers wants those two players to shoot. If the early jump shots do not fall for either player in game 2, it might be time for another out-of-the-box adjustment: Going with an even smaller ‘small ball’ lineup.

Apr 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Gerald Henderson (9) shoots against Los Angeles Clippers forward Jeff Green (8) during the first half in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Gerald Henderson at the 4

The lone bright spot of Sunday night was Gerald Henderson. As the veteran presence on a very young team, it was no surprise he excelled in the first playoff game. It was surprising that Stotts elected the 6’5” Henderson to guard the 6’10” Blake Griffin for a few possessions. Even more surprising: It worked. Although Henderson gives up five inches, he is one of the stronger wings in the league, at 215 lbs. It also negates Griffin’s quickness advantage over his usual forward match-ups. While the match-up only lasted a couple minutes Sunday night, Henderson clearly frustrated Griffin and nearly baited him into a technical.

A lineup with Ed Davis – Henderson – Crabbe – McCollum – Lillard lineup is not totally unheard of: The four man small-ball combo of Henderson – Crabbe – McCollum – Lillard played 31 minutes this season. (They outscored opponents by 29 points during those 31 minutes!) If Stotts used this lineup for a couple minutes in each half, it could stretch the Clippers defense and open things up for the playmaking guards. Having excellent shooting at four positions will slow the Clippers from double teams on Lillard and McCollum. Just like last night, the Clippers will undoubtedly isolate Griffin on Henderson when they see the match-up. If Henderson gets another stop, no doubt, Griffin will be rattled again. Let the psychological games begin.

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The proposed lineup change would not be sustainable for long stretches of the game; it could turn into a rebounding nightmare for Portland with a 6’5” guard at the 4. However, it might disrupt the Clippers game plan and jump start the Blazers offense up. After Sunday’s drubbing, any idea to disrupt the Clippers flawlessly executed game plan should be considered.