Lillard Needs to Load up The Backpack For Game 5

\Derek Cooley

PICTURE CREDIT: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It sucks after a disappointing playoffs loss where it really felt the momentum was swinging our way before tipoff. It would have been a whole hell of a lot better to be up 3-1, but as Coach Stotts said regarding the matter: “Now It’s a three game series.” When you look at it that way, it takes a little bit of the playoffs jitters away for me. Especially knowing that we can’t get much worse in the third quarter again terms of turnovers and sloppy play

I would like to think that at this point of the season and given the way the Blazers are gelling as a unit, it would be improbable for the Nuggets to take the Trail Blazers. I for one would like to iterate friend of the show Chad Doing‘s line of thinking when I say that I am sick and tired of fatass Jokic balling all over us for the majority of each game. Especially when you consider that he does not seem to be healthy in the “not overweight” sense.

Now, now. It’s not fat shaming if I can simultaneously tip my cap, acknowledge and wonder how Jokic can keep up the intensity and level of play for the amount of time that he does. The dude balls out and his playing style does not always seem to fit his body type, which can be a nightmare for the dismantling of Portland’s defensive groove. 

Blazer fans know that Damian Lillard is a late bloomer when it comes to showing his prowess in relation to the overall progression of a game. To me, Dame’s playing style is reminiscent of Floyd Mayweather’s counterpunching style; where it often feels like Lillard could go off at any time, but once you start feeling the onslaught, it's often already too late anyways.

I am predicting that in order to for Rip City to take Game 5, everyone is going to have to stay extremely steady and on course, stat-wise; but we can’t just continue to obliterate and void out any momentum garnered during halftime or during any other hot streaks. Damian Lillard is also going to have to initiate Dame Time and go for at least 40 points. We know that CJ is going to get his looks and we also know the potential of Rodney Hood, who I hope has more of an impact moving forward. Especially given his known potential. Kanter is going to do Kanter things and maybe we will see a breakout benefit not previously provided by Collins and Leonard. God knows it would be needed. We’ve got everyone busting their ass out here as much as they progressively can.
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Derek Cooley
@RippedCityPDX
@Blazertagpdx Contributor