Portland Trail Blazers: Behind Enemy Lines

I had a chance to talk with Dave MacKay of Rip City Project, the FanSided blog of the Portland Trail Blazers. We discussed five keys to the game tonight between the Blazers and Grizzlies.

Behind Enemy Lines: Portland Trail Blazers

1. Damian Lillard is an outstanding point guard, and I’ve loved his game ever since he was at Weber State. Do you think he’s taken over the ‘star’ role on this Blazers team?

“He has not taken over the star role, but he has certainly become a star. He and LaMarcus Aldridge are nearing equal footing. Lillard’s contributions are of comparable import, but tend to get romanticized because they spring forth from necessity while Aldridge’s are a product of consistency. Both are team leaders and neither is a solitary hero.”

2. Robin Lopez has been out for the past 15 games with a broken hand. How has Chris Kaman done in the starting role since replacing Lopez?

“Well actually, Joel Freeland drew the start for the first several games before injuring his shoulder. Kaman has only started the last six games. In those six games he has looked respectable. He has admirably stepped into the role of ‘rim protector,’ but you can tell that he is out of his element at times. Still, he has maintained solid offensive production despite the added energy required of him on the other end, which is great to see from a 32 year-old.”

3. I wrote an article for Beale Street Bears this year that said that the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers could be the next big rivalry due to their focus on a top tier defense. Do you think a rivalry could brew in the near future?

“I think it would take a little more history between the two teams to get the blood pumping. They have never crossed paths in the playoffs and do not divide fandom through neighboring geography. I do not see defensive focus being enough to light the fuse by itself, but perhaps a heated match in the playoffs could get the job done. It all depends on how the post-season plays out.”

4. Coach Terry Stotts has done a tremendous job turning this team around with his focus on improving the defense. After sporting one of the worst defenses in the NBA last year, what has been attributed to the turn around?

“I wouldn’t say the Trail Blazers were necessarily among the worst last year, but a jump from 16th to 2nd in defensive rating is quite the improvement. Stotts has preached team defense all season, emphasizing communication and help side alertness. Everyone on the roster is buying into his system and the young guys have another year of it under their belt. The increased player-to-player involvement has significantly reduced defensive lapses.”

5. What is your prediction for tonight’s game?

“As much as I would love for the Trail Blazers to prevent their first 3-game skid of the year, I probably have to give this one to the Grizzlies. Wesley Matthews is battling multiple injuries (knee/ribs), Nicolas Batum is in one heck of a slump, and both of Portland’s rim protectors (Lopez and Freeland) are still out. It would be difficult to steal one from Memphis at home even with perfect health. My final score prediction is POR 95, MEM 103.”