Even though there isn't much suspense about winning or losing the Western Conference Series, it's still a bit surprising that the Warriors were able to sweep the Trail Blazers without Kevin Durant. It is not that the Trail Blazers have no chance of winning. In fact, they have achieved double-digit leads in G2, G3, and G4 of the series with everyone on the team. However, "never underestimate the heart of a champion." The Warriors can always win. Respond in the second half, decipher the opponent's strategy, and quickly chase points or even reverse the game. Let’s take a look at A-Tuo’s finale of this season and who are the winners and losers:
Winner:Meyers Leonard
Meyers Leonard nearly came to Portland's rescue once again, nearly extending the game. This handsome center, who was once nicknamed "Justin Bieber" by Jalen Rose, jumped out in a last-ditch effort, making people completely forget that he only played less than 15 minutes in the regular season in the past three years, averaging 5.2 points per game. Little coffee. This season is already his seventh year. Before that, perhaps the highlight of his most remembered career was when he and three others signed a multi-million contract with the City of Roses in 2016 (four years, 41 million).
However, in the Western Conference Championship Game, his performance today was almost worth his entire season's salary ($10.6 million). He made 12 of 16 shots from the field and 5 of 8 three-pointers. He scored a career-high 30-point masterpiece. 12 rebounds, 3 assists and one steal each. He was only playing midfield in the game, but he had already broken his own scoring record in the NBA and even in college.
Sports commentator Mark Jackson praised Leonard for having the mental quality of a star player. In fact, Leonard had already performed brilliantly in the previous game, scoring 16 points. He was as tough as Zach Collins in the penalty area and as accurate as Dame Time's Lillard on the outside. At one point, Leonard received the ball from the outside and Lillard A foot away from him, two Warriors defenders chose to double-team Leonard, leaving Lillard with a big gap. You can imagine the threat he created.
It's a pity that in a game where Leonard gave the best performance of his life, he didn't win the game in the end. (The strange thing is that as long as he plays a good performance of 20+ or more, the Trail Blazers will lose all.) But the experience and confidence gained in this series may be a turning point in his career as he enters his contract year next year.
Winner: Warriors’ comeback history
The Warriors have a very strange history: when they are trailing by double digits, their winning percentage is even higher than in overtime. As long as the defending team reached the overtime this season, their record was 0 wins and 6 losses, so the extended overtime in G4 became quite contradictory: they struggled to overcome a 17-point deficit and forced the game into an overtime. However, in the end, they finally broke through their dark history this season and won firmly.
The Warriors dynasty will be regarded as one of the strongest teams in league history, even if Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson All may become free agents, and the team remains immune to public opinion and rumors. The Warriors once completed an epic comeback from a 1:3 deficit by the Cavaliers; they also suffered a 31-point counterattack by the Clippers in the first round of this season; therefore, it is of great significance to them to be the reverse side in this round.
In the past three games, the Warriors were once behind by 17, 18, and 17 points. In the end, they relied on changes in formation, speed up, etc. to cope with the Blazers' offense and defense, and finally won the victory. It is worth mentioning that they were already missing their magic weapon Kevin Durant, and they were even missing Andre Iguodala in the fourth game, so this victory is even more precious.
- Further reading:Key player in the 2019 playoffs – Ronin Alfonzo McKinnie’s most important rebound in his career
Loser: helpless Xiao Li
The last time the Trail Blazers were swept by the Warriors was in 2017. The pioneer ace at that time Damian Lillard The overall shooting percentage was 43.3%, the outside shooting percentage was 28.1%, and he averaged 27.8 points per game. However, in this year's series, his overall shooting percentage was 37.1%, the three-point shooting percentage was 36.8%, and his scoring average dropped to 22.3 points per game. We all know that if we want to defeat "Cosmic Brave", Lillard will absolutely need to get his watch and form back.
As the No. 1 player on the team, Lillard started and ended the Blazers' playoff hopes. After seven bloody games with the Nuggets in the second round, he was exhausted and faced omnipresent double-teaming by the Warriors. It was even rumored that he dragged a few broken ribs onto the court to hold on. This is no longer the Dame we know. , he didn’t even complete his first layup of the series until today.
Lillard tried to send the ball inside, and head coach Stotts tried to get the two guards to play without the ball, but both were in vain. Remember the first round? Lillard's fatal three-pointer has already taken his legend to a new level. The fight with the Nuggets in the second round made people believe that this team is enough to challenge the championship team; however, the Warriors are also prepared. Come on, rely on the double team to attack Lillard, and completely block the Trail Blazers' path this season.
Be
- More key figures from the series:
- Key player in the 2019 playoffs-Meyers Leonard’s miraculous breakout
- Key player in the 2019 playoffs – Ronin Alfonzo McKinnie’s most important rebound in his career
- Key player in the 2019 playoffs – Warriors post-column Kevon Looney
- Key player in the 2019 playoffs – Evan Turner made great achievements
- Key player in the 2019 playoffs – Zach Collins, the Patron Saint of the Trail Blazers
