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

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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May 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) during the third quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 110-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) dribbles the basketball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu (8) during the third quarter in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 110-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Chief V Draymond Green

Should Jusuf Nurkić be unable to play in the series, look for Vonleh to shift to the five. This, in turn, opens up the four spot battle to Al-Farouq Aminu.

This season has not been kind to Chief. A calf injury kept the forward out for a chunk of the season as the team sputtered without his defense.

Aminu was part of the Blazers’ plan for a small-ball lineup that featured the forward at the four, opening up the floor with his developing three-point shot.

However, the injury left little time to develop that lineup; as well, Chief’s three-point shooting has regressed. After shooting 36.1% last year, he has managed 32.9% this year. As well, his FT% has slipped to the second-worst of his career (70.6%).

For signs of hope, though, we can look back to last year’s playoffs. The forward averaged 14.6 PPG and 8.6 RPG.

Not only was his offensive output improved, but Chief sustained this while battling against Blake Griffin and Green himself.

The Clippers dared Aminu to shoot, and he made 2.5 threes a game. For opponents to have to worry about yet another shooter, it spreads the defense thin. As Blazers fans know, the offense is entirely different when Chief does get his shot to drop.

But, with Green, no look will be easily given.

He has the speed to close out on shots, and Aminu can expect Green in his grill as he tries to get his shot going. There is the choice to let Aminu chuck, and Blazers fans know how big of funks Chief can get in shooting-wise.

On defense, Aminu can keep up with Green, but the former Spartan will have his way in the post. He is simply too skilled to be denied; Aminu will need to stop his momentum the best he can, as the forward thrives on setting up his teammates.

Read Parts 1, 2 and 3.

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