Trailblazers and the Big Cat

The NBA playoffs are beginning this weekend. Benjamin Hoffman of the New York Times predicts the Oklahoma Thunder will beat the Portland Trailblazers in 6 games, mostly due to the loss of Nurkic and the undeniable abilities of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Steven Adams. But I've been watching the Trailblazers and I have a different prediction. I think the Blazers will win in 5 games.

Enes Kanter has integrated into the pick and roll system of the Blazers very well. He is a better scorer and offensive rebounder than Nurkic but not as good a defensive player or passer. On balance I think he will do well inside against Adams but in a different way from Nurkic. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum are in good shape physically and will outplay, and probably outscore the Thunder forecourt. But those things aren't going to win it for the Blazers. What will win it is pure fire power. This week, a 6 man squad of rookies and non-starters beat the first team of Sacramento. It was like suddenly dropping an atom bomb on the west coast conference. Anfernee Simons, Gary Trent and Skal Labissiere all demonstrated tremendous scoring and defensive abilities. When you add them to the starting five of Portland, along with Evan Turner, Rodney Hood, Seth Curry, and Jake Layman I think the depth of Portland will overwhelm the Thunder. Portland has 4 guys who can reliably shoot the 3 - Lillard, McCollum, Curry, and now Simons. They have defensive energy and they play as a team.

Today's Oregonian has a piece by John Canzano which sums up what the Blazers need to add to their deep talent pool - combativeness. They are going up against the Thunder who are "Not Nice". "Not Nice" was the name of a friend of mine's city league basketball team and it is the attitude the Blazer's need to bring to the court on Sunday against the Thunder. Lillard says that he doesn't think the Blazers dislike the Thunder, but I do. I want them to remember Westbrook purposely knocking Nurkic down from behind during their last game here. The guy is an a--hole. He may be a great basketball player but on the court, he is hostile and aggressive. Dislike him Damian and give him hell out there on Sunday, please.

One more sports item of interest. Even though I don't play golf, I follow the erratic career of Tiger Woods. This weekend he is in contention to win his 5th Master's title. If he does win he will pass Arnold Palmer and be one Master's win away from tying Jack Nicklaus's record of 6 Master's victories. The Big Cat has been trying to comeback after his multiple back surgeries and disrupted marriage. Perhaps this will be the weekend.

That's all from the sports desk.


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