NBA restart." data-reactid="18">LAKE BUENA VISTA, Florida – The Brooklyn Nets implemented an interesting tactic late in the third quarter Thursday night in what was an unmissable game for the Portland Trail Blazers to qualify for the NBA recovery play-in round.
NBA Bubble — received the inbounds pass and proceeded to casually dribble up the court to set up the offense. But on this trip up the floor, he noticed something unfamiliar. " data-reactid="23">Damian Lillard – the hottest player in the NBA Bubble – received the pass in and proceeded to casually dribble the pitch to set the attack. But during this journey on the floor, he noticed something unknown.
Before he even made it to the middle of the pitch, two defenders electrocuted him, forcing him to advance to his release valve. “Logo Lillard” is what he dubbed for his penchant for pulling up and hitting the league logo from nearly halfway through with regularity.
“I never [seen that] before. Maybe once, but not like this, “Lillard told Yahoo Sports after the Blazers’ 134-133 win to claim the eighth seeded in the West.” Like, bro. Even when they were in a zone, they took a box .We have executed our zone offense and [a defender] he just followed me and denied me. “
basketball world and swept the third-seeded Trail Blazers. The traps came so frequently for Lillard in that series, and for the most part, he tried to play the right way and simply trust his teammates by giving up the ball and hoping they would capitalize on a 4-3 advantage." data-reactid="26">That defensive take on Lillard proved a winner in the first round of the 2018 playoffs, when the six-seeded New Orleans Pelicans shocked the basketball world and wiped out the third-seed Trail Blazers. The traps came so often for Lillard in that series and, for the most part, he tried to play right and just trusted his teammates by giving up the ball and hoping they would capitalize on a 4-3 lead.
Portland was unable to consistently take advantage of those situations, however, and whatever pace Lillard had was cut short. The narrative that many people latched onto from that series was that Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday shut down Lillard when it was rarely a one-on-one situation.
When Lillard saw Brooklyn soon commit to trapping him, he thought about how he had responded two years ago.
“It was more difficult for me then. I took it hard, “Lillard told Yahoo Sports.” Every time people mention it [Pelicans] series for me, i just say i got better from that. I have improved and I think it has shown. Because tonight it was even worse than New Orleans for how aggressive and precocious it was [the trap] era.”
Lillard felt the traps would resurface at some point, and he worked behind the scenes with his teammates to limit their effectiveness.
Sources said Lillard was present at each optional practice during the reboot to see the youngsters play three on three. This is his way of showing them that they are valued members of the team, knowing that he will need them.
On Thursday, the five-time All-Star leaned his head against the Nets, dribbling doubles and making his way into the paint. He found teammates on a pass for open triples. And on a possession early in the quarter, when the defense forgot to catch him in the middle of the pitch, he splashed the ball into the net from the logo.
The right move is to pass the ball when a double is approaching, and two years ago, that’s what he did. It didn’t translate into the result he was looking for.
Lillard would never come out like that anymore.
“That’s why I took those three deep,” Lillard told Yahoo Sports. “I wouldn’t let the traps get me out of the game. Sometimes I started attacking two defenders and if they sucked in excessively, I would still have thrown him out. But I started looking for shots and opportunities. But at the same time, I don’t mind trusting my teammates. I think Gary Trent Jr. has earned our trust. Even if he misses a few below, I still have faith in making him pass in front of him by the double. And I am confident he will make it. So I’m looking at Gary Trent, who probably got the most three in the bubble, I’m looking at CJ [McCollum]and I’m watching Carmelo Anthony. I’m looking at the dual team like, “I’m fine with this.” And we didn’t shoot tonight, but I don’t see many nights where we get those looks and don’t go into a high clip. “
Despite the pattern, Lillard finished with a record of 42 points and 12 assists in 43 minutes of play.
McCollum, who is facing a broken back, scored 25 points and concocted the decisive defensive stop, forcing Caris LeVert to a disputed back-step jumper who crashed on the rear edge at the buzzer.
After the game, Lillard spoke to LeVert, who set the Trail Blazers on fire for 37 points and nine assists.
“I told him he’s nice and to keep playing,” Lillard told Yahoo Sports. “Because he is. He’s really nice, brother.”
Portland, went 6-2 in the second half to grab the eighth seed and will now face the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in round, which begins Saturday with Portland a six-point favorite at BetMGM. The Trail Blazers only need to win one game to progress to a playoff series with the Los Angeles Lakers, while the Grizzlies need to win twice on consecutive days.
Now that Lillard has found a balance on how to deal with traps and extra attention on the pitch, the Blazers are far from easy. However, it will take players to hit shots and some amazing Lillard performances.
“Last year in the Western Conference Finals, the Golden State did a little bit what Brooklyn just did. They just didn’t let me take a look, except they had experienced, smart players out there doing it and they were aggressive with it, “Lillard told Yahoo Sports.” And even at the end of that series, the match that we’ve been eliminated in Portland, where I missed the bell to win it, I played well. I had 28 points and 12 assists in the final game, but it took me some time to get started. But I think right now I’m just growing as a player. I’m trying to figure out what the teams are trying to do and move from there. I’m finding my ways around him, knowing when to be overly aggressive, when to attack him, what to look for, who to put where to make them react so I can see how they are doing it. ” .
It was a great comeback story for Carmelo Anthony, who came out great multiple times for the Trail Blazers in the second half.
But he was recently honored for his off-pitch efforts.
basketball operations, presented Anthony with the Maurice Lucas Award on Tuesday." data-reactid="58">Neil Olshey, president of Blazers basketball operations, presented Anthony the Maurice Lucas Award on Tuesday.
This annual honor is named after the late great man of Trail Blazer to highlight an individual who contributes to their communities and has the support of his teammates and organization.
In such a short time, Anthony has proven that he is much loved in Portland and a valued member of the Blazers.
The Brooklyn Nets are lacking numerous players for the reboot, but one of their stars is making sure other players aren’t without.
Kyrie Irving, who is also vice president of the players’ association, has launched the KAI Empowerment Initiative, a $ 1.5 million fund that is handing out to WNBA players who have given up on their reboot for various reasons.
Sources said the deadline for players to submit their request to receive funds from the program was last Tuesday and the review process is underway. Attendees will be briefed on their requests by August 24, the sources said.
basketball moving forward and do its part to ensure equality and social justice. " data-reactid="65">It is an initiative that intends to support women’s basketball moving forward and do its part to ensure equality and social justice.
Ever since the Brooklyn Nets hired veteran guard Jamal Crawford for the reboot, the organization has been thrilled with his leadership skills and how much his younger teammates respect him.
Sources said Crawford has shown his worth in the locker room and has proven in his limited trials – due to a hamstring injury – that he is still an offensive force. The Nets are seriously considering adding him to the roster for the 2020-21 season, the sources said.
Networking superstar Kevin Durant has already publicly lobbied for Crawford to stay.
Jamal Crawford shows off his headphones. (Yahoo Sports)
The age gap between Crawford, 40, and his teammates is glaring when you look at the headphones Net players use during pre-game to make themselves heard.
Most gamers have wireless Beats or Apple AirPods, but Crawford is rocking an old pair of Sony wired headphones that have an earphone detached from the swivel.
Crawford’s teammates tried to persuade him to improve, but the three-time Sixth Man of the Year refused. His wife, Tori, has heard enough and sent her husband a new pair of headphones that are expected to arrive in the bubble this weekend.
