Portland Trail Blazers: 5 points as first round shifts to Rip City
Rob Ryan
|
4. Kanter – Play bully ball
I can expect Carmelo Anthony to have up and down games. His success often depends on how effectively his shot is falling. I shouldn’t expect back-to-back games of Enes Kanter not being the double-double machine he can be. An average of 3.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in two games is a near disappearing act for Portland’s most consistent interior offensive threat.
When Jokic has the ball in his hands, he’s turned, twisted, tortured, and otherwise turned Kanter inside-out. It is an obvious liability, but Kanter has never been a good defender, so it comes somewhat expected. If he can’t defend his man, then he has to contribute in other areas.
Kanter is a highly effective rebounder and inside scorer. He’s the type of player who is capable of getting under the skin of opposing defenders. The Portland Trail Blazers need to see THAT Kanter in this series. I “groaned” too many times while watching Jokic pull a spin move for an easy layup. I need more “maniacal laughter” after watching Kanter get it back on the other end.
He has to be the Kanter that averaged nearly 13 points and 10.5 rebounds in the 2019 playoffs against Steven Adams and Jokic in back to back series. Nurkic and Kanter need to be the two-headed monster they can be if Portland expects to win this series.
might be the most fun quarter of the day so far. Jokic emptying the clip of NBA Street Gamebreaker post moves on Enes Kanter while Carmelo Anthony is giving Denver buckets like it's 2009, all while Jamal Murray is halfway onto the court cheering/trying to play in street clothes.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 23, 2021
Next: Page 4 – Zach mentality
>