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Report Card: Blazers Historic Season Ends in Game 5 Loss

By Perry Waggoner

May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the first quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the first quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Players Grades and Analysis from the Trail Blazers season ending 125-121 loss at the hands of the Golden State Warriors

Starters

Damian Lillard: 28 points/7 assists/7 rebounds

Damian Lillard’s poor shooting followed him to Oakland, where he shot just 29% (7-24) from the field. He was never able to find any sort of rhythm on offense throughout the game. Give credit to the Warriors, as a lot of his struggles were the result of forced shots (five turnovers also didn’t help). For Lillard, this season was a major step in his quest for NBA super-stardom. Despite his All-Star snub, this was by far his most impressive campaign to date. Expect similar numbers (with hopefully a few more accolades) next year in what should be another inspiring run from the point guard out of Weber State. Grade: B+ Season Grade: A+

CJ McCollum: 27 points/5 assists/8 rebounds

No player loomed larger between the Warriors and the Conference Finals than CJ McCollum. The Most Improved Player had a phenomenal fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his 27 points in the period. It’s hard to imagine this being a single-digit game if he McCollum doesn’t make the plays he did in late in the game. It’s been an insane year of growth for the entire Portland roster, but no player surprised us more than CJ McCollum. No one knew who would replace the scoring of Wes Matthews and Nic Batum and he showed up and did it all by himself. The future is bright with McCollum starring in the backcourt. Grade: A+ Season Grade: A+

Al-Farouq Aminu: 16 points/9 rebounds/2 steals

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Aminu could not have picked a better time to the find the consistency I’ve been longing to see all season. With a 16 point performance in Game 5, he sealed up a season long streak of double-digit scoring outings (6). Aminu’s talents were on full display over the last few games and if you had any doubts about his salary this series against the Warriors should put those to bed. It will be interesting to see Olshey and Co. is committed to keeping him as the starting small forward, or if they will explore options that could push him to a sixth-man type role. Either way, Aminu will undoubtedly find ways to make an impact. Grade: A- Season Grade: B+

Maurice Harkless: 13 points/3 rebounds/2 steals

Harkless’ series had been up and down due to some hip issues, but he was able to turn in his best outing in last night’s loss. While he didn’t get his usual serving of rebounds, he was very active on defense with two steals and made three shots from beyond the arc. Extreme Couponing could learn from GM Neil Olshey, who got an absolute bargain for a player that made a major impact during the playoff run. I’m sure the Orlando Magic would take him back in a heartbeat for next season. Too bad, he’s ours. Grade: B+ Season Grade: B-

May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 125-121. Mandatory Credit: John G. Mabanglo-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) goes to the basket against the Golden State Warriors during game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 125-121. Mandatory Credit: John G. Mabanglo-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /

Mason Plumlee: 5 points/6 rebounds/4 assists

Even after coming off an amazing first round performance, many people had their reservations about his ability to stay on he court against the defending champs. Well, those people were 100% right. The big man struggled in all five games and appeared to either be getting blocked, or getting the ball stolen on nearly every possession he touched it. Even so, Plumlee was Portland’s most consistent presence down low over the course of the season. While the front office will be on the lookout for a more offensively (or defensively) potent center in free agency, he figures to play a huge role in the Blazers rotation next year. Whether that is in the starting lineup or coming off of the bench is still to be decided. Grade: C- Season Grade: B+

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Sixth Man of the Game

Allen Crabbe: 20 points/3 rebounds/2 steals

If it weren’t for McCollum’s fourth quarter outburst, Allen Crabbe would have been the MVP of the game for Portland. In 33 minutes of action; he flew around on both sides of the court, made big shots and steals, and kept Portland close in key moments where it appeared the Warriors were ready to pull away. There’s no doubting that it was Crabbe’s best performance of the entire season. If Neil Olshey is smart, he will do whatever it takes to bring back Crabbe on this roster for next year. Every championship team needs a three and D player, and he is certainly that guy. Grade: A+ Season Grade: B+