[BrentSuriaga01Participant]

Damn, it bleeds my eyes watching them in this palyoffs. Atrocious is an understatement. They are being murdered by Pelicans right now. Sam Bowie be like rolling all over his grave.

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 Portland are going to be this years worst disapointment in the playoffs with exception of if either the Cavs or OKC get bounced in the first round…

If Portland is smart they should consider breaking this team up at the end of next season if they get bounced early in the playoffs again. As they have so far proven they won’t be winning it all anytime soon and that is one expensive roster for just being average…

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

They should’ve went after Kenneth Faried at the deadline. He would’ve been had for next to nothing and contributed greatly in the playoffs.

[GBeeParticipant]

 What exactly does he give them that they need? They’re already a good rebounding team.  His career has flatlined for a reason and that’s because he’s not good on either end of the floor and hasn’t improved. In this era he’s a 6’8 C who provides no rim protection or any positive defensive impact at all.  There isn’t anything he can do that Ed Davis doesn’t do or already does better.

I think they’ll eventually have to split their backcourt duo and get a better coach.  Their offense lacks imagination, as exemplified by their league worst team assist avg.  Yes, they do lack other offensive talent, but they don’t even use their teammates properly. I’d say try to package one of them to balance out their lineup a bit while at the same time trying to get rid of Leonard’s contract.  I would’ve said try to package with Evan Turner, but his contract is untradeable.  Stotts has probably earned his job by getting this team to overachieve down the stretch, but come playoff time, the poor offensive design gets exposed as defenses tighten.

 

[r377Participant]

 I said it before a couple of days ago, Lillard is overrated and not clutch

[whiteflashParticipant]

 What? Lillard might be the most underrated and clutch player in the league. He’s having a rough series due to a number of factors, but calling him "overrated and not clutch" is ridiculous. 

[The GoatParticipant]

 This team has seriously overachieved. Its never going further than the second round with this group, but thats not a knock on them. Its amazing work to get the 3 seed. If they are content getting bundled out early in the playoffs, the have the core to get that done for 5-10 years. I think thats something some teams would kill for – ahem – New York! 

Nurkic was a nice pickup. They need to get two or three more players of his level and then maybe that makes them another Toronto. So what does that mean? Not a lot unfortunately. The goal is to be Golden State. Theyll have to package their young guys for unwanted vets, then send out their stars for draft picks or top line recently  drafted young players. Theyll bottom out  while the vets start and hopefully theyll then jag a real star lotto pick while they have 3-4 really talented guys they pickup for moving CJ and Lillard. Trust the p.. You get the idea

 

[220Participant]

 I haven’t watched any of the Trailblazers this playoffs. Is it truly a case of Portland being bad or rather New Orleans being really good? Their matchup is definitely different than the normal 3-6 matchup as only one win separates their records.

[r377Participant]

 Lillard is still chucking up nearly 20 shots a game and only shooting 32% from the field….

[SubZeroParticipant]

New Orleans being really good is making Portland be really bad

[Miko4rm206Participant]

 The pelicans are the one team that you knew could give the trailblazers problems. I woulda liked Portland against the Jazz, Spurs, Okc and even the Twolves.

But you look at AD you have nobody on Portland that can gaurd him straight up. Then you have mirotic bringing the other big man out the paint so you can’t double.

Then u have Rondo and Jrue in the backcourt. Rondo has always been a tough defender and I’m pretty sure he’s been in Jrue’s ear on how to be a dog on ball defender too. It’s just unfortunate for Portland.

If they get swept I’m pretty sure Terry Scott’s will be back in the hotseat and of course you will have to break up the McCollum/Lillard backcourt b/c how they have spent their money in the past couple years

 

 

 

[HazelParticipant]

1- This is the worst possible matchup for Portland, and in the NBA, matchups are everything.  

These Matchups are killing them:

 Holiday has the defensive chops to wreak havock with Lilliard.  Just as fast, bigger and stronger than Lilliard. All-defensive team guy.

Davis is a matchup nightmare for Nurkic.  [By the way, Nurkic is one of those guys who can only help your team against 70% of the teams in the L.  Not an ideal best big guy]

Playoff Rondo is a matchup nighmare too due to his ability to defend and to set up everyone on offense.

Mirotic is another matchup nightmare for Protland:  You are either bringing your center out to the three point line, or guarding him with your best defender exposing whomever is trying to guard Davis. 

 

2- Collins is the real deal.  By this time next year I see Collins starting at center and being a huge upgrade in a couple of years due to his versatility and athleticism on both ends. 

 

 

 

 

  

[MettaWorldDurant1Participant]

 Agreed I never liked that Zach Collins pick but he’s improving had solid instincts and great mobility for his size especially on defense. Also he can stretch the defense out. Holliday is playing some of the best basketball of his career. I always saw this coming from him but I never thought he would stay healthy for long enough to get his shit together. Trailblazers only good playmakers are Cj and Dame literally and they start chucking shots if things aren’t going they’re way. Blazers won’t be able to make this roster better getting swept by the Pels in any situation probably means you should blow it up

[treytalkssports.comParticipant]

McCullom, Collins, and 2018 1st for Kawhi Leonard. 

That has to be a good start for a conversation for both teams, right? 

 

 

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

 Blazers wings Aminu, Harkless, and Turner are not that great. They need to upgrade their wings. 

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 Yeah, I Agree the Blazers r overachievers. Their bench needs an upgrade. I expect Collins to be amongst the nba’s most improved next season. In the draft Brunson would be a nice pickup for the Blazers. I think they’re Last in the league in assists. Brunson would give them a playmaker that can play with both Lilliard & McCollum. 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Give NO credit for playing great at both ends. They’re clicking right now. Mirotic has changed everything for this team. The floor is so wide open and Rondo/Holiday are picking POR apart off of ball screens. 

I’ve always viewed Terry Stots as a very good coach, but he hasn’t done great this series in regards to making adjustments. I do agree it’s somewhat of a tough matchup for POR, but I don’t see the adjustments. 

I also feel that Damian Lillard is being exposed somewhat. He doesn’t play well without the ball. He’s an average passer. He’s not a good defender. 

 

 

 

 

 

[HeroescantdieParticipant]

I think Portlands over reliance on CJ and Damian, But the Pels, they win 3 games, in that 3 games 3 players top scored for each 3 wins, Davis Holiday and Mirotic, very unusual for the Pels, plsu the matchup of defensive backcourt of rondo and Holiday (Holiday is a decent Defender). If they try a Pcik and Roll and Davis was a defender, he can actually stay in front of the ballhandler whoever that is, and I think it played a big factor since Portland generates it’s offense from those two (CJ and Dame). I was a bit surprised with how Aminu played last game, He was 15 or 18 points I think in the first half. They need a consistent 3rd scorer behind those two. Their players is just inconsistent. They really need an interior presence who can block shots, hope collins would do that next year.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

CLE tried to give Oladipo the same defense NO is giving Lillard, but unlike Terry Stots, Nate McMillian actually made adjustments. He took Oladipo off the ball and ran him off of pindowns/screens, sometimes even two. & then there were times they simply spread the floor & decided against using the ball screen (to avoid double) & let Oladipo break his man down 1 on 1.  

Hopefully, Stots is taking notes & will move Lillard around. 

 

[Author]

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