I'm just hoping that Mirotich, Ian Clark and E'Twaun Moore don't crap the bed. They have all stepped up and look like quality pieces around Jrue/AD.
To be honest, Blazers look awful when Lillard is double teamed. They're forcing the role players to beat them.
I think it would be a better matchup for Portland if that where the case. They would have someone to hide nurkic on. Nurkic is important to what they do and have done all season. But he has no place in this series. He can’t guard AD, and hiding him on mirotic completely takes him out of the defensive equation. And he’s been a very important defender/rim protector for them. It’s why nurkic is playing so little minutes. Cousins+AD against gsw would be better but hey, the way jrue is playing (defending!) and curry not back yet and to be hobbled when he does come back, watch out.
pretty surprised at how this series is going but obviously a must win for port to actually have a chance at this series in game 3.
shoutout to all those saying theres no way mccollum and lillard will shoot that terrible again after game 1
Rondo is one of most overrated-underrated players of all time. Dude was labeled next Jesus when he was on that stacked Celtics team, then he was labeled total trash, dude always brings 100% and then some come playoff time. Barely got a contract.
So...Kerr expects Curry to be out another 3 weeks...I'm now rooting for a Pels sweep... 3 weeks away would be...around may 9th? GSW Game 7 *If necessary would be Apr 28... So, that means he is assuredly missing a game or two in the 2nd round, pretty huge if true. EDIT: It seems likely, too, that this series could start early. GSW will likely sweep the Spurs, Pels-Blazers 6 games at most I feel...when that happens, then Curry could be forced to come before he's ready, at Kerr's timeline, he's at least missing a game or two...and hopefully Klay is wasting all of his hot shooting nights on the Spurs.
Holiday was a BOSS in this game! Wow! So glad the Rockets did not have to deal with the Pelicans in the 1st round. Much rather the Rockets deal with KAT than AD, tbh.
Pretty much this. Pelicans played Nurkic off the floor. Only 15 minutes. Pelicans dictated the game. This is where Capela is valuable, as he has the quickness to go out in the perimeter to guard people. Just very valuable in this new age of offensive basketball.
They probably will. AD has always been a problem for Green. Holiday and Rondo are getting it done. The big key with the Pelicans is AD....and keeping him on the floor. When he is off the drop off is huge. He will play 40+ minutes a game. So they have to buoy and stay close when he is off.
It's a guards league. NOP rise has coincided with the improved play (for whatever reason... Boogie going down leading to changes key among them) of Holiday and Rondo.
Rondo is the x-factor. If he is motivated, he can still be a handful. Holiday and Rondo can be the best defensive back court that gives problems to GS.
Jrue is a very underrated PG and an even more underrated defender. Kinda like Mike Conley but at least Conley is getting paid lol
