Historically, the top eight teams in the Western Conference this season are the Spurs, Lakers, Mavericks, Thunder, Nuggets, Trail Blazers, Hornets and Grizzlies.
Because of the arrival of the Warriors, one team must be eliminated.
At the end of the season, the Trail Blazers, Hornets and Grizzlies have similar records, and anyone may be eliminated.
The unlucky team in the end was the Hornets.
This also has something to do with the Hornets' bad luck.
The Hornets performed well this season, but they lost a general in the final sprint.
During the game between the Hornets and the Jazz on March 25, in the fourth quarter of the game, the Hornets' West sprained his left knee when he landed after a dunk. He then fell to the ground in pain. After being examined by the team doctor,
West returned to the locker room in a wheelchair and looked seriously injured.
In the early morning of March 26, the Hornets announced the unfortunate news to the outside world that their power forward David West would miss all remaining games of the season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
West was seriously injured and left the game. Hornets coach Paul said: "Losing a player like West is simply catastrophic, because he is our most reliable player and no one can replace him."
In the end, the Hornets also lost in the fierce competition.
The Hornets' elimination also changed the rankings of the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers. In the end, the Trail Blazers dropped to eighth and the Grizzlies rose to seventh.
In this way, the Warriors' opponent in the first round of the playoffs becomes the Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers have been troubled in recent seasons and have been plagued by injuries.
In 2007, the Trail Blazers used the No. 1 pick to select the ever-talented big man Oden, but Oden was reimbursed in his first season.
Oden played 61 games in the second season, and only 21 games last season.
This season Oden once again missed all games due to injury.
You know, the Trail Blazers gave up on Durant and chose Oden!
In addition, Blazers leader Roy also had a bad fate.
After coming to the Trail Blazers in 2006, Roy quickly became the team's leader.
In the first three seasons, Roy played smoothly and earned the title of Yellow Mamba.
Paired with interior scoring power forwards Aldridge, Fernandez and Batum, the Trail Blazers look to have a bright future.
However, in the 2009-10 season, the Trail Blazers once again encountered a wave of injuries. Fernandez, Batum and others were injured one after another. At the end of the season, Roy suffered a torn meniscus and was ended for the season.
Roy underwent right knee surgery at that time, and the official result was that Roy would be sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks.
This means Roy completely missed the first round of the playoffs.
After the first three games of the first round of the playoffs, the Suns led 2-1. However, in the crucial fourth decisive battle, Roy made an unexpected appearance. Roy played 27 minutes and scored 10 points, ranking fourth.
At the last moment of the quarter, Roy hit a winning three-pointer to help the Trail Blazers tie the score at 2-2.
Although the Trail Blazers lost the series in the end, Roy's spirit still inspired everyone.
During this season this year, Brandon Roy underwent surgery again on both knees to remove the menisci.
Roy only played 47 games in the regular season, and his average data plummeted to 12.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
On December 31, 2010, the Portland Trail Blazers announced that Brandon Roy would be out "indefinitely" due to knee soreness.
On January 18, 2011, Brandon Roy completed arthroscopic repair surgery on both knees.
Roy is back again after a few weeks of rest.
However, after returning, Roy could only play as a substitute.
Of course, even if they are troubled by injuries, the Trail Blazers team still cannot be underestimated.
Deng Fang clearly remembers that in history, in the first round of the playoffs this season, the Trail Blazers and the Mavericks fought in six games and ultimately lost 2:4.
What you need to know is that historically the Mavericks won the championship this season, and they are very powerful.
In addition to losing two games against the Trail Blazers in the first round, the Mavericks only lost two games against the Heat in the Finals!
Sweeped the Lakers 4:0 in the second round, and swept the Thunder 4:1 in the Western Conference Finals!
It can be seen that the Trail Blazers still have two brushes.
The Trail Blazers approached Deng Fang in the middle of the season and wanted him to treat Roy and Oden.
However, Deng Fang ultimately refused.
If Deng Fang's ideas were followed, he would still want to treat the two of them.
Huang Manbaloy is low-key and humble, with outstanding abilities. If he were not troubled by injuries, his achievements would be limitless.
As an unparalleled genius, Oden's development is also something to look forward to.
However, the system does not allow it.
During the regular season, Deng Fang cannot treat players other than Warriors players. This has been made clear by the system for a long time.
Because that is likely to cause a significant change in the strength of the alliance!
This situation should not occur.
After the regular season, the Trail Blazers also wanted to seek treatment from Deng Fang, but in the end they gave up.
Roy has already completed meniscus surgery and is already able to play. Although his strength has dropped a lot, it cannot be said to be due to injury.
Deng Fang could not take action in this situation.
As for Oden, he has not played for a season. Even if Deng Fang is cured, it will not be of much significance.
In fact, the Blazers have given up their last hope on Oden.
Especially watching Durant's rapid growth, the Blazers were even more heartbroken.
Neither team had any injuries and the game was fair.
At 8 pm on April 17, 2011, the first playoff game between the Warriors and Trail Blazers officially started at Oracle Arena.
The Trail Blazers' starting five are Andre Miller, Matthews, Gerald Wallace, Aldridge and Marcus Camby.
Andre Miller is 1.88 meters tall. He was born in 1976. He is 35 years old this year and is a veteran point guard.
Although he is older, Miller still performs very well on the court.
Andre Miller's style of play is very different. As a point guard, he never shoots three-pointers. He is good in the mid-range and relies more on post-ups inside!
A 1.88 meter point guard plays in isolation!
The key is that his hit rate is still very high!
Matthews is a 3D player who has three-pointers and can defend.
Gerald Wallace, known as Elvis Presley, spent most of his career with the Bobcats.
On February 25, 2011, the Bobcats traded with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Bobcats traded Gerald Wallace for Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla, forward Dante Cunningham and two
First round pick.
The Blazers paid such a large price mainly because of Wallace's defensive and offensive versatility.
Gerald Wallace is a player with a tough style. He is 2.01 meters tall and 28 years old, which is the right age for him to play.
Wallace is capable of three or four, has strong defense and a tough style, but his problem is that his shooting is not stable on the offensive end, especially his three-pointers.
Marcus Camby is 2.11 meters tall and is 36 years old this year. He is an out-and-out veteran center.
Camby is characterized by his excellent shot-blocking awareness and good interior defense. His disadvantage is that he moves slowly and cannot switch defenses.
Aldridge is the boss of this Trail Blazers. He is 25 years old this year. He is 2.11 meters tall. He plays a standard power forward style. He is good at post-up singles and is very accurate in mid-range shots.
Generally speaking, the Blazers' style of play is still mainly based on the inside, advocating half-court offense, and has a slow pace. It is completely different from the Warriors' style of play.
The Warriors' starting lineup remains unchanged, with Curry, Azubuike, Laga Bell, Prince and Lopez.
Although the Warriors have the best record in the league, there were still doubts before the game.
"The reason the Warriors have a good record in the regular season is because there are so many people who can play, but in the playoffs it's time to test the strength and number of stars. The Warriors only have one Curry, how can they still perform so well?"
"The Warriors focus on the perimeter, but what should they do if they encounter a team with a strong interior offense?"
"Those who win inside win the world, and this is especially true in the playoffs. The Warriors advocate outside offense so much, and the prospects for the playoffs are not optimistic."
Of course, there are still more people who are optimistic about the Warriors. After all, the Warriors have a much better record, and they also have strong troops and a lot of manpower.
Deng Fang still attaches great importance to this game.
Even though the Trail Blazers are only ranked eighth in the Western Conference, their combat effectiveness is quite strong.
The Warriors coaching staff had been studying countermeasures for several days in a row, and they also worked hard in training.
The referee blew the whistle and the game officially started.
Lopez and Camby jumped the ball in the middle circle, and the Warriors got the ball and took the lead in attacking.
It's Matthews who's guarding Curry, not Miller.
Old Miller is 35 years old, so it is unrealistic for him to chase Curry!
Not to mention anything else, Curry only needs one move without the ball to make old Miller gasp from exhaustion!
The Warriors' offensive strategy is very simple, that is the pick-and-roll!
Just beat Canby and you can’t get out!
Whoever Camby guards, let him pick and roll with Curry!
Camby has no choice but to guard Lopez!
Let Camby guard Prince?
dream!
Even Camby’s old arms and legs have not been swayed by Prince!
Lopez came up to block Matthews, and Camby could only shrink inside!
Come out to double-team Curry?
With Cambie's speed, Curry just lowered his head and passed him!
Camby didn't even have a chance to foul!
The Blazers can only rely on Matthews' pursuit.
As soon as Lopez blocked Matthews, Curry raised his hand and shot!
Don’t hurry up and take advantage of this great opportunity!
The basketball flew straight towards the basket and bounced out with a bang.
Oracle Arena suddenly let out a sigh.
Didn't even get this chance!
Deng Fang didn't care, no one would score as soon as he made a move!
Even dunks are dunked, let alone three-pointers!
The Blazers' strategy is to defend the paint while holding the position against the Warriors.
I don’t believe you can kill me with just three points!
On the offensive end, the Trail Blazers mainly rely on Aldridge and Miller Sr.'s post-ups to score.
The Warriors' defensive strategy is to flank!
Aldridge posted up Prince, and the Warriors decisively attacked!
Anyway, your passing ability is average!
Anyway, you don’t have three-pointers from the outside!
Old Miller doesn't shoot three-pointers at all, Gerald Wallace's three-pointers are unreliable, and Camby, a big center, has no three-pointers!
There is only one Matthews three-pointer that is not bad.
When a team only has one three-point shooter, you can imagine how small their offensive space is!
Camby was ignored when he left the penalty area!
No one cares about old Miller!
Laga Bell, who was guarding Wallace, also shrank two meters inside the three-point line!
We are not afraid even if Matthews shoots a three-pointer, let alone Wallace!
Just force Aldridge to pass the ball to the outside!
As soon as the basketball in Aldridge's hand hits the ground, someone from the Warriors will immediately come over to attack!
Either throw a three-pointer to the outside, or force a shot against the defense of two people!
Throwing three-pointers from outside?
That's exactly what we want!
A difficult shot?
Not bad!
The five players on the Warriors field cooperated very well, and Aldridge had no good chance to take a shot!
Being continuously flanked by the Warriors, Aldridge also made two mistakes.
As long as the Blazers make a mistake, the Warriors will counterattack like crazy!
Camby, Aldridge, and old Miller can't run, so they can only watch the Warriors run fast breaks!
Aldridge can't hit his back, and neither can old Miller.
The person guarding Miller is Azubuike, who is much taller and younger than Miller. He has an advantage in strength and height!
Miller's low post game is very good, but that's against a point guard of the same size!
If faced with a second or third position player who is a head taller than him and stronger than him, there is nothing the old Miller can do.
Of course, Miller will keep looking for Curry's weaknesses.
But the Warriors didn't give him this chance.
Once Curry switches defense in front of Miller, and once Miller wants to back up Curry, the Warriors will resolutely attack from a double flank.
For the same reason, I bullied you for not having three points!
Just bully you for being inaccurate!
We won't fight against you!
Just fight with you!
How to play faster?
Everyone throws three-pointers, grabs long rebounds, and plays fast breaks!
Facing the Warriors' double attack, the old Miller was able to pass the ball out.
But the Blazers can't make any throws from the outside!
The Blazers' offense is very difficult and it is difficult to score a point.
On the contrary, it is much easier for the Warriors.
Curry missed the first three-pointer, and he threw it the next time!
The second one hasn’t come in yet?
Then the third one!
Here comes the fourth one!
After scoring two three-pointers in a row, Camby tried his best to rush out, and Curry began to rush in.
Easy layup and two more points!
Aldridge helped defend, Curry passed the ball to Prince who was cutting through the air, and Prince immediately scored a dunk!
…
The game only lasted 5 minutes, and the Warriors scored 19 points!
The score became 19:7!
The Warriors lead by 12 points!
Curry scored 10 points alone and also sent 3 assists!
Trail Blazers head coach McMillan had to call a timeout.
After the timeout, the Trail Blazers took away Camby and Wallace and replaced them with Batum and Fernandez.
Facts have proved that it is impossible to compete with the Warriors!
Even if you really want to weaken your position, you have to put enough shooters on the outside!
Batum and Fernandez's three-point shooting is still very reliable. As soon as these two people came on board, the Blazers' court space immediately became much wider.
However, this time it was Lopez who defended Aldridge, and the Warriors no longer needed to flank him.
As for the old Miller, it is difficult to make a fuss about Curry.
The Warriors also made a substitution, replacing Laga Bell with Tucker.
The Warriors are moving faster on the defensive end and defending in the low post better!
