Lillard has been an excellent closer for them hitting a lot of clutch shots over his 1.5 years in the league. Aldridge has had his clutch moments too - but given the choice Lillard is light years ahead since Aldridge is strictly a jump shooting player whereas Lillard is better off the dribble attacking and can pull up and create for others.
Obviously you haven't seen many Blazers games the last 2 seasons. That is fully on display. It isn't a matter of me smoking anything, you just have no clue. The_Yoyo, like most teams with a good big man, small man combo, the backcourt player is the main guy down the stretch because the ball is in his hands and it's on him to create. For all his flaws, Lillard has nerves of steel and icewater in his veins. He'll play bad an entire game while LMA or someone else carries the team, then the last 2 minutes he's becomes a different player.
Like I said back then...They are a jump-shooting team and will never be a real contender until they change that. LMA is a beast, but they don't have anyone that can attack the rim consistently and get high percentage shots.
The Mavs did get hot from three during their run but they were also a very good defensive team. Kidd, Marion, Stevenson and Chandler had huge defensive plays for them. Prime Marion played LeBron James as well as anyone I think during the series. Blazers, while a good jump shooting team, do not have the defense. Lillard is a sieve on the perimeter and Aldridge isn't too great either on defense. If Lopez is your best defensive player, you aren't going anywhere.
Saying hey the mavs won a title, see a jump shooting team can win is like saying see the Pistons won, you can win without stars. Sure, you can win, you can win the lottery too.
difference is... 1.LMA is no Dirk 2.Terry>mo williams 3.Jkidd actually played GREAT defense. Look at Lillard lol 4. Chandler>Lopez
I actually like the Mavs comparison for the Blazers. It also shows just how far the Blazers need to actually go before entering the championship talk. That Mavs team was damn near IMPOSSIBLE to score on in the 4th quarter due to their length at almost every position. Plus, being a jump shooting team was just fine by them as they caught fire in the playoffs. Guys like Stevenson, Kidd, and Terry were absolutely lighting it up from beyond the arc, and Dirk was in complete Beast-Mode. The Blazers lack the defensive prowess, and the consistency to enter into the conversation right now. I also forgot to add just how much of a defensive stalwart Tyson Chandler was for them. He was turning away anybody who tried to score near the rim, and pulling down pretty much every board that came his way. Robin Lopez is doing his best out there, but he's still got to protect the paint a bit better.
The point is tired cliches are worthless. Being a "jump shooting" team isn't what keeps the Blazers from being a legit Finals contender. IMO, it's best to post something thoughtful and accurate instead parroting a worn out phrase when commenting on a team's shortcomings.
LMA is in no way close to Dirk. Thats pretty much comparing an all time great/legend to a normal NBA star. For that reason alone, you can't make those comparisons.
Not only is the Aldridge - Dirk comparison laughable, but the blazers don't play defense. Dallas was the 8th rated defense in the NBA. Aldridge has a pedestrian TS% of 51%, largely because he specializes in the least efficient shot in the league. Like I said earlier, 18-16 since the hot start in which they had unsustainable shooting, they are what they are, which is good, but certainly not great.
I believe that the Rockets pretty much have blown up the Blazers myth. They probably will be road kill in the playoffs. In the regular season they may hold to the fifth seed.
