NBA Contenders and Pretenders

CONTENDER: Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers’ sudden success cannot be fully explained by quantitative analysis; there is an intangible reason why they have suddenly become the most dangerous dark horse team in the NBA. And they are fueled by disrespect.

The Blazers saw huge changes in personnel over the offseason, with starters LaMarcus Aldridge, Wes Matthews, Nicolas Batum and Robin Lopez all leaving for other locations around the league. Only point guard Damian Lillard has remained among the starters. As a result, the Blazers were written off at the start of the season and seemingly forgotten as it continued. Lillard was even denied the All-Star spot he rightfully deserved in the West.

The Trail Blazers have responded by thoroughly exceeding expectations, going 20-6 since January 10, a stretch that has included huge victories over the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder. They are winning with their lean, young roster and with mammoth “eff-you” performances from Lillard, including five straight games of 30+ points.

The way the Blazers use Lillard is similar to how Stephen Curry is used on Golden State. Dame does a great deal of his damage off of three-point shots by wrapping around picks. These picks, which often happen at the top of the three-point arc, force the defense to either …

a) … ignore the value of the three, and continue to give Lillard the shot and a chance to boost his scoring efficiency.
b) … try to slide the big help defender – assigned to the Blazer setting the pick – up towards Lillard to contain his attempt, allowing that pick-setter to roll to the basket for an easy bucket.

Shooting guard C.J. McCollum has a similar effect on these plays, getting open shots and hitting rolling bigs for easy buckets. The Blazers’ commitment to efficiency, both in terms of setting up shots for themselves and encouraging low-efficiency shots from opponents, has sparked their current run.

This is of course alongside Lillard’s Ahabian desire to prove himself and his team as legitimate contenders. Damian Lillard might be able to accomplish what Chris Paul has never been able to do: will his team into the Western Conference Finals with the sheer force of his anger.

Next: Pretender: Los Angeles Clippers