Western Conference Semi-Finals Thread: Blazers vs Warriors

[Left*My*Heart]

We need better bench production this game. Portland's bench outplayed ours and that can scary if their starters get in a groove.

Danny Leroux/Nate Duncan pointed this out, but some of Kerr's rotations over the last month have been quite questionable. For example, in game 1, our lead shrunk by 10 points when Varejao, LB, and Clark were on the court together

It's tough without Steph's 35+ minutes, but Kerr should be playing more Festus to shore up the rebounding and defense -- Ed Davis is a beast on the boards. Probably should be playing Rush more, too, seeing how well he's been shooting.

I think that 7 or 8 minute stretch with Rush was enough for Kerr. That wasn't good basketball being played. The Festus scratch is concerning, but as some have pointed out, Andy matches up with Plumlee better. I don't know, but I thought Andy was okay in his minutes he played. They say Festus was healthy and I hope that his knee isn't bothering him.

I agree that the Festus would be a good matchup for Davis, so maybe we will see that tonight? I can't recall a home game where the bench sucked so badly.

[Sam Lowry Jr]

We need better bench production this game. Portland's bench outplayed ours and that can scary if their starters get in a groove.

Danny Leroux/Nate Duncan pointed this out, but some of Kerr's rotations over the last month have been quite questionable. For example, in game 1, our lead shrunk by 10 points when Varejao, LB, and Clark were on the court together

It's tough without Steph's 35+ minutes, but Kerr should be playing more Festus to shore up the rebounding and defense -- Ed Davis is a beast on the boards. Probably should be playing Rush more, too, seeing how well he's been shooting.

I think the main reason why we're not seeing as good of bench production is that Livingston is now playing with the starters and he's on a minutes restriction of 30 minutes or less. As such, that's why we're getting Clark and LB sometimes playing together.

Festus is just a ball stopper at this point , whereas Varejao actually moves the ball and rebounds decently.

I think Kerr's doing fine considering that we haven't seen any slippage in our offensive rating in the postseason compared to the regular season while our defense rating has improved by 9.7. All pretty much without Curry for most of the games. Smaller sample size of course against only 2 opponents, but pretty impressive nevertheless.

[OptionZero]

Varejao is a trainwreck on defense and offense. He's in all the wrong spots and late getting there.

We need Ezeli to get minutes and find his rhythm

[Left*My*Heart]

We need better bench production this game. Portland's bench outplayed ours and that can scary if their starters get in a groove.

Danny Leroux/Nate Duncan pointed this out, but some of Kerr's rotations over the last month have been quite questionable. For example, in game 1, our lead shrunk by 10 points when Varejao, LB, and Clark were on the court together

It's tough without Steph's 35+ minutes, but Kerr should be playing more Festus to shore up the rebounding and defense -- Ed Davis is a beast on the boards. Probably should be playing Rush more, too, seeing how well he's been shooting.

I think the main reason why we're not seeing as good of bench production is that Livingston is now playing with the starters and he's on a minutes restriction of 30 minutes or less. As such, that's why we're getting Clark and LB sometimes playing together.

Festus is just a ball stopper at this point , whereas Varejao actually moves the ball and rebounds decently.

I think Kerr's doing fine considering that we haven't seen any slippage in our offense in the postseason compared to the regular season while our defense is giving up about 8 less ppg. All pretty much without Curry for most of the games. Smaller sample size of course against only 2 opponents, but pretty impressive nevertheless.

Bingo! Yes, Livingston with the second unit is huge and why a lot of us wanted a 3rd PG on the team just in case Curry went down. Iguodala can play that role some, but Barbosa is more of a SG in how he attacks the basket and Clark isn't a PG either. Even as deep as our bench is, it still has some limitations.

[InWestWeTrust]

I think Kerr is saving Ezeli for Aldrige/Spurs.

[floppymoose]

Clark may not be much of a pg but he is better than our previous 3rd string pgs, most of whom were horrible: Toney Douglas?

[Sam Lowry Jr]

Clark may not be much of a pg but he is better than our previous 3rd string pgs, most of whom were horrible: Toney Douglas?

Steve Blake?

[old rem]

No game girl?

Damn.....we are sure taking it for granted lately. Well...after the first half of game 1.....why not? After a shock & awe start.. we coasted, with not even a "break even" 2nd half.

[GS Warriors 1]

Welcome back, Festus Ezeli.

[likashing]

Not having Steph made us prioritize defense again.

Right now, our def rating is #1 in the post season at 92.1, ahead of the Spurs' 92.9

What is even more amazing is our 2 opponents are the Rockets and Blazers, which despite their deficiencies, are pretty good at offense.

The Spurs played the Grizzlies in the 1st round, who can't buy a bucket no matter how they are defended.

Our defense has been phenomenal in the post season (except the 1st half of Blazers game 2).

This will be key to this group's 2nd ring once Steph returns.

Steph's knee strain might be a blessing in disguise since even though we have played okay defense this season, we have not played championship level defense for a long time... until now!

[Left*My*Heart]

Some links to Portland interviews, Lillard, Stotts etc.

http://www.nba.com/blazers/video/teams/blazers/2016/05/05/lillard#

[510TWSS]

Varejao is a trainwreck on defense and offense. He's in all the wrong spots and late getting there.

We need Ezeli to get minutes and find his rhythm

Exactly, how AV is a + against anyone is a surprise to me. Ezeli is way better guarding Plumlee than AV. Unless he's getting under the other team's skin AV's contribution is to keep the bench warm as insurance against a catastrophic injury to Bogut or Fez.

[510TWSS]

We need better bench production this game. Portland's bench outplayed ours and that can scary if their starters get in a groove.

Danny Leroux/Nate Duncan pointed this out, but some of Kerr's rotations over the last month have been quite questionable. For example, in game 1, our lead shrunk by 10 points when Varejao, LB, and Clark were on the court together

It's tough without Steph's 35+ minutes, but Kerr should be playing more Festus to shore up the rebounding and defense -- Ed Davis is a beast on the boards. Probably should be playing Rush more, too, seeing how well he's been shooting.

I think the main reason why we're not seeing as good of bench production is that Livingston is now playing with the starters and he's on a minutes restriction of 30 minutes or less. As such, that's why we're getting Clark and LB sometimes playing together.

Festus is just a ball stopper at this point , whereas Varejao actually moves the ball and rebounds decently.

I think Kerr's doing fine considering that we haven't seen any slippage in our offensive rating in the postseason compared to the regular season while our defense rating has improved by 9.7. All pretty much without Curry for most of the games. Smaller sample size of course against only 2 opponents, but pretty impressive nevertheless.

Ballstopper? Lol at least Fez finishes those alley oops and dump off passes from Dray.

[tacos]

You shall never obtain the Necronomicon!

[prech]

Not having Steph made us prioritize defense again.

Right now, our def rating is #1 in the post season at 92.1, ahead of the Spurs' 92.9

What is even more amazing is our 2 opponents are the Rockets and Blazers, which despite their deficiencies, are pretty good at offense.

The Spurs played the Grizzlies in the 1st round, who can't buy a bucket no matter how they are defended.

Our defense has been phenomenal in the post season (except the 1st half of Blazers game 2).

This will be key to this group's 2nd ring once Steph returns.

Steph's knee strain might be a blessing in disguise since even though we have played okay defense this season, we have not played championship level defense for a long time... until now!

Definitely appreciating the defense. Despite HOU and POR's deficiencies, both were top 10 ORTG teams in the regular season.

That Festus & Draymond combo in the late third and early fourth quarters of game 2 was monstrous. Hope they can keep it up

[BaggageHandler]

Blazers are 23-4 at home since Jan 10.

Don't say i didn't warn ya'll

[ducler]

[rcfc1]

Apparently you can camp in the paint for 7 seconds.

[cpower]

klay is about to take 40 fgs this game..

[rcfc1]

klay is about to take 40 fgs this game..

At this rate, that will be a good thing.