Assessing The Threat Level: The Portland Trail Blazers
By Sumeet Paul
If the NBA regular season ended today, the Golden State Warriors would open their playoff campaign against the New Orleans Pelicans. If they prevailed in that series, either the Portland Trail Blazers or Los Angeles Clippers would await them in the Western Conference semi-finals. If both the Warriors and Blazers advance, just how much of a threat would they be?
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While a lot needs to happen before that test presents itself, it is worth considering the danger posed by all teams that stand in the way of Steve Kerr’s ambition of winning a title in his first season as an NBA coach.
Portland are 50-27 for the season, and despite losing Wes Matthews for the rest of the campaign due to an Achilles injury, they have stayed afloat even with their front-court decimated by injuries too.
Jan 26, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) stands next to Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) in the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
The obvious threat comes in the form of point guard Damian Lillard, who showed against the Houston Rockets last year that he is capable of producing big moments when his team needs him. The former Rookie of the Year and NBA superstar in the making has continued to develop his game and has maintained a high level of consistency. As a result, he will be a significant problem for teams in the playoffs as he will likely raise his game another level and relish the occasion.
However, that is only the start of the problem that Portland will cause, as LaMarcus Aldridge leads the team with 23.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per game this year. Despite suffering a hand injury, Aldridge has battled through the last few weeks and put off surgery. It doesn’t appear to have hindered him too badly, and he will be a key part of Portland’s push to make a deep post-season push.
Along with the likes of Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, Steve Blake and a support cast that will need to step up, the Trail Blazers are a dangerous team but the Warriors should be confident of dealing with them if the test presents itself.
Kerr’s men have won both meetings so far this season ahead of the third clash on Thursday, with both wins coming on the road as the latter was a more comfortable affair with a 14-point cushion. As a result, if the Warriors are locked in and focused, they should be confident of overcoming them if their paths cross next month. However, they mustn’t lose sight of their goal this season and that means no underestimating opponents.
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Stephen Curry vs Lillard would be a joy to watch over a playoff series, while Draymond Green and Co. will fancy their chances of at least restricting Aldridge to the point where he isn’t a machine capable of dragging Portland through. With no Matthews to pester Klay Thompson, the Golden State shooting guard could play a huge role, while the bench will be confident of out-duelling their opposition which could be key.
As a result, the Warriors are more talented across the roster, and if they can execute like they know how, then the Trail Blazers should be a beatable opponent.