What We Learned About the Portland Trail Blazers During the 2014-15 NBA Season
The Portland Trail Blazers' 2014-15 season concluded in disappointing fashion, but we were still able to learn a few things from this group.
After making major strides last season, it was expected this team would take the next step and contend for a title. But injuries derailed any and all hope to do so, losing key players for stretches without the chance of recovering or adjusting.
But art can come from adversity, and there is plenty to take away from this year that can aid Portland's progress going forward.
School Was Still in Session
By "school," we're not talking about Damian Lillard's recent graduation from Weber State. Rather, we're exploring the fact that Portland still had a lot to learn this season.
Last year's playoff exit against the San Antonio Spurs was labeled as a "lesson" by the guard in late December, according to a report from NBA.com's Fran Blinebury. Lillard went on to compliment the 2014 NBA champs.
"They showed us the brand of basketball you got to play to be a champion and to be success [sic] deep in the playoffs," Lillard said. "They play the basketball that we want to play eventually. I think the way they did it to us is what hurt the most, and we got to take it as a lesson and come back better, and I think we've done that."
While the Blazers were 22-6 at the time, they went just 29-25 over the rest of the year. A plethora of injuries to every starting player except Lillard was a major factor, but this group was still routinely overshadowed by stronger opponents.
Even with the roster at full strength for most games, the Blazers went just 3-11 against the top four seeds of the West in the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies. After a swift 4-1 defeat in the first round of the playoffs against the Grizzlies, it marks the second straight year Portland has been overwhelmed and eliminated in five games.
If this group is to truly contend going forward, many more lessons need to be taken from this season, namely playing consistent defense and playing through adversity.
The Prospects Have Developed
After a troublesome start to their NBA careers, C.J. McCollum and Meyers Leonard are ready to take over.
The 6'4" guard out of Lehigh broke his left foot during his rookie season, missing the first 35 games before making his debut in early January. McCollum's limited role of 12.5 minutes per game disallowed any on-the-job learning, which was crucial this season.
Only McCollum fractured his right index finger just 11 games in, missing close to four weeks. But unlike last year, he was able to pull things together and contribute in a major way.
During April, McCollum averaged 15.6 points on shooting percentages of 53.2/40.7/87.5, along with 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals.
Versus Memphis in the opening round of the postseason, he upped his scoring to 17.0 points, including a 33-point showing in Game 5 on 7-of-11 shooting from three-point range, as he fought single-handedly to keep Portland's season alive.
If McCollum is able to bring that same offensive excellence next season, he will reach new heights that could fringe on being one of the better backcourt scorers in the NBA. If he does so as a reserve, he has the potential to be a prime Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Leonard, after miring through two years that lacked confidence and consistency, developed into a unique player for Portland.
He exhibited a long-range stroke not seen in players his size, converting 0.9 threes per game on 42 percent at 7'1", en route to averaging career-high numbers in points (5.9) and rebounds (4.5). Leonard put up 9.4 points and 7.9 rebounds in April, playing 22.1 minutes per game in the absence of LaMarcus Aldridge and Chris Kaman.
The latter player had a profound effect on Leonard's season early on, as Leonard said in an article from Erik Gundersen of The Columbian:
"Words can't describe it really. He's been a mentor, a big brother to me really. It's been so awesome to have him around. ... Hanging out off the court, me just kind of picking his brain, asking him things about life, things about basketball. He's extremely knowledgeable about both, and it's a comfortable and good feeling having him around.
"
It's clear some of Kaman's knowledge rubbed off on him, as he's become a unique and strong reserve. Against Memphis in the postseason, Leonard shot a mind-boggling 76.9 percent from three for the series, including a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds in the Blazers' Game 4 win.
His 7.8 points and 6.6 rebounds mirrored his play from the regular season, but it was obvious he was playing with more confidence, as evidenced by the below video which shows Leonard standing his ground against Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph.
Alongside his backcourt teammate, Leonard and McCollum can combine to be a deadly duo off the bench. They played very well down the stretch with more minutes and into the playoffs, clearly ready for bigger roles going forward.
The Importance of Wesley Matthews
The impact of Wesley Matthews on the Blazers has long been known, but it became even more evident after his season-ending injury.
It was arguably his best year, averaging 15.9 points and a career-high 2.9 made three-point field goals per game. Matthews ranked in the 90th percentile in spot-up shooting, according to NBA.com/Stats, in addition to finishing No. 9 in total three-point shots made, despite playing around 20 games less than the category leaders.
Unfortunately, Matthews suffered a torn Achilles tendon against the Dallas Mavericks on March 5, and that sent the Blazers' season into a tailspin. He missed the final 22 games of the year, and his team struggled to fill the void, going just 10-12 in that stretch.
It wasn't his offense that was missed, though, as Portland averaged 102.6 points and 103.1 points prior to and post the All-Star break, respectively, per NBA.com/Stats.
Defensively, the Blazers held a rating of 99.7 points allowed per 100 possessions before the beginning of All-Star Weekend. The period after the festivities, of which Matthews played just seven games, Portland's defensive rating soared to 104.5.
The drop-off is the equivalent of the Golden State Warriors (ranked No. 1 in defensive rating during the regular season at 98.2) performing similarly as the Los Angeles Clippers on that end, who ranked just No. 15 in the league at 103.0, according to ESPN.com.
Matthews was known for his defensive prowess, but it's clear just how crucial it was in the Blazers' game plan each night.
Matthews was always a treasured and celebrated part of this team, but now it's obvious he's just as important as his two All-Star teammates, as the season was lost without him.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
