My take on the game:
For years we’ve watched the Spurs effortlessly execute when it matters most. They believe in their system, themselves and more importantly each other. It’s a completely different look than what a lot of other NBA teams do which is put the ball in your star’s hands and let him get baskets. The Spurs have played together for so long that they know on a game by game basis how to play to the strengths dictated by match-ups to get easy, high percentage, good quality looks at the basket.
The Blazers are growing in that same direction.
This team has played together for so long they know each other, they know what they can do and in watching them you really get the sense that not only that they like each other they believe in each other. Last night I was sitting on press row watching the game, fighting slow internet, while trying to think of witty takes to bring the in game experience to everyone posting in the game thread but at one point in the 4th quarter I just closed to the screen to the laptop, sat back and watched the game. The Blazers effortlessly out executed the Thunder. No panic or anger, just smooth execution of basketball by a team that knows themselves. The 4th quarter was a joy to watch.
It’s always interesting to read the game thread during the game. It’s a live play by play reaction that is focused on the minutia of the moment. Last night’s forum angst was firmly focused on the Westbrook and Lillard match up. Let’s be honest, Westbrook got the better of that matchup. Foul trouble and trying to concentrate on defense took Lillard out of his offensive flow. Lillard struggled and Westbrook feasted. Westbrook was getting easy buckets and the Thunder were leading for the majority of the first half. But then some interesting things happened. Whether it was adjustments or just the game plan, slowly, steadily we had a reversal of fortune for both players.
In the pregame analysis a lot of experts and fans said with the Thunder so depleted from injuries the Blazers should let Westbrook get his and lock down the rest of the team. While that makes sense it’s an overused oversimplification of basketball strategy.
Look at it this way, last night Westbrook was running a mental marathon. The race started off easy, the course was all downhill. Russell was running, looking at his watch and saw that he was on pace for a personal best. Miles clicking by and Russell is in that zone. It’s all coming so easily. But slowly the course leveled off. Lillard was switched off Westbrook and Matthews put on him. Still it’s coming so easily. He can run on this flat course all night long. But in an instant the course went from easy, to uphill and steep uphill at that. Matthews and Batum were switched with Nic now playing tough defense and Westbrook’s thoughts of an easy race and personal best were thrown out the window. Mentally and physically drained Westbrook couldn’t even finish the race.
Lillard ran the same race yet in reverse. What started as an uphill struggle ended as a downhill sprint. Lillard and the Blazers raced to the finish line for an easy victory.
Again, whether it was the game plan or in game adjustments I don’t know. I wasn’t allowed into Stott’s press conference to ask but I do know that one player’s night started off easy and got a whole hell of a lot harder while another player’s night started of hard and as it got easier for him so it did for his teammates.
