At the Trail Blazers’ practice facility, there is a steam room that nearly every day is occupied by at least three players: Al-Farouq Aminu, Harkless and Turner.
“We call ourselves the Steam Room Mafia,” Aminu said.
It is in the steam room where the Blazers’ wings talk about life and basketball, strengthening their already deep bond. It’s also where destiny flirted a bit with the Blazers’ wings.
In the days leading up to the Denver series, the Mafia met in the steam room and talked about their upcoming roles. Unlike the Oklahoma City series, where Aminu and Harkless shined, they knew this series would be different. Their defense, more than their offense, would be needed.
“I remember before the series, we talked about how we might not average the points that everybody thinks we should, or play the style everybody says we should,” Aminu said. “But once it says Western Conference finals by our names, it will make sense, and it will make it all worth it.”
The steam room conversations played out, especially in Game 7, when Aminu, a starter, played only 7:08 of the game. Harkless, another starter, played 16:48. Turner, meanwhile, came off the bench and played 19:12, including the entire fourth quarter.
He scored 14 points, and in the fourth quarter alone he had 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block.
“I’ve always been comfortable in back-to-the-wall moments,” Turner said. “If anything, I lock in more. Unfortunately, Rodney —had to get hurt for it to play out that way.”
