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Blazers Warriors Player Matchup Preview 4/5: Blazer Frontcourt vs Draymond Green

By Isaiah De los Santos

Jan 29, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) breaks through a double team defense by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Klay Thompson (11) at the Moda Center. The Warriors won 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) breaks through a double team defense by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) and guard Klay Thompson (11) at the Moda Center. The Warriors won 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts talks with forward Noah Vonleh (21) during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Trail Blazers won 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 19, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts talks with forward Noah Vonleh (21) during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Trail Blazers won 88-84. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Noah Vonleh V Draymond

Noah Vonleh has seemed to carve out a role in Portland after sporadic playing time in Charlotte.

He is averaging a career high in minutes per game (16.8) this season. With added minutes, comes added stats: his 4.3 PPG and 5 RPG are career highs as well.

The former Indiana big man has started 40 games for the Blazers, including the entirety of March and April that helped Portland make the playoffs. In that time, Vonleh has registered rebound totals of: 14, 13, 12 and 11 (x2).

Bounce is a dear friend to Vonleh, who can sky over defenders for rebounds, or to dunk all over them:

The six-foot-ten-inch forward holds a three-inch height advantage over Green. Vonleh will need every bit of the advantage to get going against the tenacious defender.

Given Green’s tendency to get a high amount of steals, he’ll look to poke the ball away from Vonleh as he tries to establish his back to the basket game.

Green can also disrupt Vonleh by pulling the chair on him as he makes his power moves. It would be no surprise to see Green not get the call, complain to the ref, then get the call on a similar situation the next time it happens.

Vonleh can, however, use his ability to run explosive pick and rolls to his advantage. Vonleh’s cutting is one of his best attributes, and allows for monster finishes over defenders.

If he can get Green to sag off to chase Damian Lillard or C.J. McCollum, look for a hard dive to the basket by Vonleh.