The New York Knicks are stunningly just one win away from hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. If the series were to end today, the Finals MVP should be OG Anunoby. The Knicks' two-way wing strengthened his case with a 33-point performance in Game 4, with clutch plays on both ends to complete the historic comeback.
New York's dominant postseason run proves that teams can still be led by undersized, offensive-minded stars. That is, if they are surrounded by the right two-way pieces to cover for their defensive limitations. Jalen Brunson has the ideal supporting cast with versatile wings in Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart. He also has a stretch five in Karl-Anthony Towns, who not only effectively spaces the floor but has also contained Victor Wembanyama far better than most expected.
Blazers failed to surround Damian Lillard with the right pieces
Portland should've followed a similar blueprint to maximize Damian Lillard's prime, but repeatedly failed to surround him with the necessary pieces.
They had Hart but traded him for peanuts.
GM Joe Cronin has "long admired" Mikal Bridges but never pulled the trigger.
Lillard even wanted Portland to trade for Anunoby four years ago after they retooled!
That's the most frustrating aspect of this Knicks run as a Blazers fan. Not only is New York creating a blueprint for how to win at the highest level around Brunson, but Portland literally had a chance to land the same exact players with Lillard.
In 2019, Lillard led the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals, only to be swept by the Golden State Warriors. His co-star was CJ McCollum, a backcourt duo that translated far better to regular-season than postseason success.
But look who else started in Game 1 against Golden State: Enes Freedom, Maurice Harkless, and Al-Farouq Aminu. Key pieces coming off the bench? Rodney Hood, Seth Curry, Zach Collins, and Evan Turner.
Mind you, this was the most successful iteration of Portland's roster during the Lillard era.
The silver lining is that Portland is now far better equipped to surround him with the necessary pieces. Their inability to get Lillard help tested his loyalty, leading to an understandable trade request in 2023. That trade has already come full circle, with Lillard returning just two seasons later after being waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks.
Largely thanks to that Lillard blockbuster, they now have the two-way players required for postseason success. But the concern is that it may be too little, too late, considering Lillard is now 35 and, in all likelihood, no longer at the same level as the superstar he once was.
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