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.