Rip City Project
Fansided

Could Blazers’ top 5 beat Warriors in 7?

By Jacob Swanson

Mar 2, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; American broadcaster Bill Walton before the game between the Stanford Cardinals and the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Boulder, CO, USA; American broadcaster Bill Walton before the game between the Stanford Cardinals and the Colorado Buffaloes at the Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates after a basket against the San Antonio Spurs during the third quarter in game two of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Three-point line Golden State’s X-factor

We’ve already mentioned it, but if we’re playing this game right now, it causes big concerns for Rip City.  Not only can the Blazers not shoot from beyond the arc, they’d have trouble defending it.

At this point, you’re probably wondering why I gave the advantage to Portland on defense if they can’t lock down the three-ball.  The defensive advantage for the Blazers comes in the post and on the wing.

Pippen locks down Durant, while Lucas and Walton patrol the post, blocking shots and grabbing rebounds.

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The issue is with Lillard and Drexler covering two of the most lethal shooters of all-time.  The easiest match-up in this entire fictional scenario is Curry vs. Lillard, and that’s because it’s actually happened.  We know how that story ends.  Lillard doesn’t even guard Curry in crunch time.

That’s a job for Allen Crabbe.  Curry has shown, time and time again, that you need a specialist to guard him.  If we had Terry Porter here instead of Lillard, we might be in better shape.

The best player to ever come from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point would have a better chance of guarding Curry from downtown, but with Lillard in the position, we have an issue.

Curry has hit 43.8 percent of his three-point shots in his career, and it’s fair to assume he shoots even better in this series.  Obviously, if it’s a real series, we have players off the bench to guard Curry, but this is simply a comparison of five against five.

Curry is likely to average at least 30 points per game against Portland in this fictional series, reverting to his pre-Durant ways after Pippen locks down the Warriors’ newest superstar.