The Trail Blazers advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.
For anyone who knows me personally, as a lifelong Blazers fan, I never really fully bought into the Dame-and-CJ vision for the team. They're two small guards who need the ball in their hands and like to take shots. Too much duplication of skills, not enough size and defense or whatever. Two scoring point guards trying to fit in a starting lineup. I've always liked CJ McCollum's game, but have always wondered what he could do in another setting while thinking of what Portland might be able to bring in return for him.
Well, this little experiment has been going on for quite some time, and has finally earned the team a berth in the Conference Finals against another starting backcourt known for long range theatrics. Sometimes, whatever works is whatever works, and it's brought the Blazers this far. With teams bearing down on Damian Lillard, CJ has offered up some incredible games. It's been an exciting season that has led into an even more thrilling playoff scenario. Game after game, round after round... this has been fun! Both teams are beat up, but it's mid-May and there are still more basketball games to be played.
Eight down, and eight more to go!
That was an awesome game. I'l be rooting for the Blazers.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I don't follow basketball, but I'm forced to listen to Warriors basketball on both local sports talk radio stations. Can't wait for the season to end, so I can briefly listen to Giants and A's baseball.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know that I haven't been the only one who's been on the fence with this two scoring guards configuration. But they've plenty of more traditional lineup's in the past that weren't making it to the WCF, so I'm not going to complain too much, especially since I didn't ever think that I would live long enough to see the team to get even this far again.
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