Scouting the Enemy: Portland Trail Blazers
By Eric He
Before every game, Blue Man Hoop will “scout the enemy” by doing Q&As with FanSided writers familiar with the opposing team.
As the Warriors get set to play the Portland Trail Blazers in little less than 12 hours, it’s time to preview the game by scouting the enemy. Our thanks to David MacKay of Rip City Project, who was kind enough to answer five questions about the Blazers and the upcoming game:
1) After a breakout season last year, how high are expectations in Portland?
More than anything, people in Portland are expecting the Trail Blazers to be a playoff team this year. The fans are eternally hopeful, but also educated and realistic. The Western Conference is a double-edged sword in that, yes, the competition is tight, but almost anyone could come out on top without surprise. The Trail Blazers could be that team, but they probably won’t be. A deep playoff run is what we are looking for within reason.
2) The Warriors and Blazers had similar issues last season in that both team struggled with scoring off the bench. How do you feel like the Blazers addressed that problem in the offseason and what do you expect of the bench this season?
The Trail Blazers added Steve Blake for the third time, as well as Chris Kaman in free agency. Blake is a better distributor that Mo Williams, who Portland had last year, so he will ideally be able to get the younger guys like C.J. McCollum and Will Barton going. Kaman, on the other hand, will be counted upon as a scorer. He is capable of putting up double-digits on a nightly basis as a post-presence the Trail Blazers were formerly lacking off the bench.
3) The Blazers are coming off a loss to the Kings, a team that I think you would agree Portland should have beaten. What adjustments should the Blazers make before facing the Warriors on Sunday?
The Trail Blazers need to put an added focus on rebounding. The Kings destroyed them on the offensive glass. Do you know who led the Trail Blazers in rebounding on Friday? It was Damian Lillard with seven. Second chance opportunities were a killer that night. That cannot happen against the Warriors or the Trail Blazers will be in hot water.
4) Is there any weakness in the Warriors you see the Blazers possibly exploiting?
The holes in Golden State’s defense get smaller every year. Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, and Andrew Bogut make an impressive trio. However; David Lee is still underwhelming in my eyes. If his hamstring is feeling well enough for him to play today, LaMarcus Aldridge may be able to pull him out to the elbow and take advantage while Robin Lopez keeps Bogut occupied. If Lee does not play, maybe Aldridge can exploit the fading inexperience of Draymond Green.
5) Final score prediction and why?
Trail Blazers: 109, Warriors: 106. It is difficult for anyone to win in the Moda Center, much less in the second half of a back-to-back. Both teams feature a fast-paced, high scoring offense, so I would be surprised if either finished in double-digits. Lillard has struggled in his first two games, but that won’t last forever. This is going to be a close one, but the Trail Blazers will come out on top.