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Trail Blazers Player Power Rankings: Playoffs Edition

By Perry Waggoner

Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) congratulates guard Damian Lillard (0) after making a basket over Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Maurice Harkless (4) congratulates guard Damian Lillard (0) after making a basket over Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Maurice Harkless

Playoff Stats: 11.0 PPG / 5.1 RPG / 1.0 SPG

Enough cannot be said about the contributions Mo Harkless gave this team in the second half the season and in the playoffs. He was Portland’s Swiss-Army Knife, he did everything you’d want to see from a player in that position: spread the floor, hit open shots, and crash the boards on both sides of the ball. Even though his second round performance was hindered by a hip injury, it was still a solid showing from a 23-year-old who’d never played a minute of playoff basketball before. His 11 PPG ranked fourth best on the team, while his rebounding average of 5.1 was behind only Mason Plumlee and Al-Farouq Aminu for the team lead.

Like Allen Crabbe, Harkless will more than likely test the restricted free agency waters and see how much the rest of the league values his repertoire. While it almost certainly will be high, expect Harkless to be back in Portland next season.

Next: Number Six: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Plumlee