The Portland Trail Blazers are in the NBA Playoffs, or play-ins, depending on the generation. But after Wednesday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, there are mixed reactions from the fans about what should happen next. Some feel this team is already at its ceiling, while others are happy to be a part of competitive basketball. Portland will need to add a few pieces to reach the next level, but the city should still be juiced about this team. The game against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight is an excuse for the city to rock L.A. back to the ocean. It’ll also likely foreshadow what to expect in a first-round playoff series. This column will look at the three things the Trail Blazers need to do to upset someone in the playoffs.
Deni Avdija
Anyone hating on Deni Avdija should chill a bit. Avdija brought life back to the Blazers.
For the playoffs, though, he needs to protect the ball better. He’s second in the league, averaging 3.9 turnovers per game. The six against San Antonio felt excessive, but this has happened on multiple occasions this season. Earlier this year, he had six against the Washington Wizards, the same number against the Denver Nuggets, and seven against the Philadelphia 76ers.
A way to fix this problem is to let Jrue Holiday bring the ball up the court more. Holiday’s a bit older now, but he’s still a solid ball handler. All he has to do is limit turnovers. He’s only averaging 2.7 turnovers per game, and his championship experience is irreplaceable.
Another argument would be that this is a usage issue.
The league leader in turnovers is Luka Doncic. The Number three through five giveaway leaders are also top players in this league. Nikola Jokic, Cade Cunningham, and Jaylen Brown fall behind Avdija on this list.
The key for him is to keep the turnovers below five per game. He should be able to do that; free points are deadly in the playoffs.
In terms of ball-handling responsibilities, it feels like a mix between Holiday and Deni would prove best, especially against a team with good defensive pressure.
He’ll have to pick his spots; the playoffs are a different breed.
Donovan Clingan
Donovan Clingan could be the most underrated player in the league right now. In a conference with Victor Wembanyama, Chet Holmgren, and Jokic, it’s easy to get lost in the puzzle.
Clingan’s biggest weakness is probably his strength, which shouldn’t be too much of a problem unless they run into Nikola in the Western Conference Finals. And if Portland makes it that far, no one cares.
What Donovan does provide, however, is elite rim protection. He’s not the highest jumper in the league, but he’s crafty with his positioning and blocks shots with intelligence. He’s currently fifth in the league, averaging 1.7 blocks per contest.
In the Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge, CJ McCollum era, it often felt like interior defense limited their ceiling. This team could prove tricky to beat because of this element.
Clingan can also shoot a little bit. While he isn’t an elite deep threat, he provides enough of a threat to keep rim protectors from cheating. He’s shooting 33.8 percent from beyond the arc.
This is vital in an era where little kids can dunk.
Most NBA playoff teams have at least one defensive presence that can rim protect. And his shooting presence is enough to cause a brief hesitation. That’s the difference between a blocked shot and a one.
Tiago Splitter
This is the same season as the Chauncey Billups scandal. This is not where Tiago Splitter expected to be in October.
But heck, Tom Brady got his chance when Drew Bledsoe got hurt. Splitter also won a title with the Spurs in 2014.
It’s also important to note that he’s likely coaching for his position. His 40-38 record is decent, but PDX’s still looking at other options.
But this can wait until later.
This is what’s happening now, according to SI, “He has successfully stabilized the locker room and fostered a defensive identity that the players have responded well to.”
This is the type of identity needed to win in the playoffs. It’s smart to do something different than bet against the first Brazilian-born NBA Champion.
Conclusion
The fanbase has raised questions about the long-term viability of this roster. And there’s realism behind that. Regardless, the Blazers have a solid chance to make the playoffs, and the playoff push continues tonight against the Clippers. A win would double Portland’s chances of making it to the first round against Oklahoma City. While PDX may not have top-tier stars, they have enough pieces to cause problems for many teams. If Avdija protects the ball and others catch fire, the Blazers could take a series deep.
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