If you consider yourself an avid follower of viral social media trends, you’ve undoubtedly come across DJ Khaled and his comically entertaining, yet often-irrational, inspirational advice.
And if you consider yourself a fan of the fifth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers, you’re patently distraught at the poignant reminder that advancing to the second round now looks bleak at best following a 102-81 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Wednesday night.
So, what brings a rapper-turned-motivator and a struggling Western Conference squad together at this point in the NBA playoffs? It’s clearly not that all they do is win win win no matter what.
Throughout the 2015-16 season, Portland has defied odds. The players on the roster have used preseason expectations to fuel them throughout a year that was supposed to be defined by tanking. And yes, Damian Lillard and crew have turned to DJ Khaled as a source of inspiration.
Khaled’s counsel, often themed around blocking out the detractors of the world, has seemingly helped the Blazers convert the chip on their shoulders into production instead of frustration. And now, with the team down 2-0 in the current best-of-seven series, it’s time to channel Khaled once again with the world ready to count out Rip City for good.
“They Will Try To Close The Door On You. Just Open It.”
DeAndre Jordan has been a shot-blocking machine throughout the first two games of the postseason. He’s currently in a four-way tie for first place in blocks per game (3.5), which shouldn’t be surprising considering he was second in the league during the regular season behind only Hassan Whiteside.
Wednesday night, Jordan had three rejections, enticing Clippers Twitter to get in on the excitement that was the Staples Center block party. But when Lillard opened the door that had been the 7-footer’s constant denial, Blazers Twitter was quick to retaliate:
.@LAClippers maybe we’ll just dunk everything instead. https://t.co/RE7Yt8N2sW
— Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 21, 2016
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“SMH…They Get Mad When You Have Joy.”
If we’ve learned one thing about the Trail Blazers at this point in the process, it’s that they’re not afraid to implement a hack-a-DJ strategy at any point. And if we learned anything about the Clippers, it’s that Jordan and Co. really, really don’t appreciate this tactic.
Following Game 1, Kaman was quoted saying, “I think guys just need to work on their free throws.” That quote comes courtesy of Trail Blazers YouTube, and Kaman goes on to say, “The players get so upset about it on the other team, but it’s not my choice.”
Upset about it those Clips did get. In the video below, we see Kaman intentionally fouling Jordan, Jordan reacting with a shove and Kaman ultimate laughing it off.
Chris Kaman with a funny Hack-a-DeAndre Jordan.https://t.co/S4lO8PHT6z
— Sportando (@Sportando) April 18, 2016
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But really, what else would Jordan expect? Until he improves that aspect of his game, he’s going to be a target. And it’s not as if intentional fouls are designed to be friendly in nature.
“I’m going to intentionally foul him.”
[Chris Kaman gently kisses DeAndre Jordan on the left cheek]— Dane Carbaugh (@danecarbaugh) April 21, 2016
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If the Clippers go on to win this series, they’ll ultimately get the last laugh. I’m sure they’ll take a best-of-seven win and a bad look in the eyes of social media any day of the week.
But the Blazers can’t let the sourness of the most hated team in the NBA change their approach—or their willingness to find joy in what has thus far been an ugly situation.
“Another One. No, Another Two.”
Dropping the first two games in a series is never ideal, but Rip City can hang its collective hat on one simple fact.
This is how it was supposed to be.
With the first two contests played away from the friendly confines of the arena formerly forever know as the Rose Garden, Los Angeles simply took care of business. Now it’s the Blazers’ turn to defend home court with the team looking for two straight wins before returning to Staples.
“Always Have Faith. Always Have Hope.”
Cliche? You bet.
Accurate? Absolutely.
Nothing about this team has led to the belief that Portland is throwing in the towel. Nothing about Lillard has ever made you believe “quit” is anywhere near the vicinity of his vocabulary.
Ironically enough, the Clippers channeled their inner-Khaled back in January posting this exact quote (and crediting Khaled) to their Facebook page.
Here’s hoping Portland isn’t too late and that it can steal some good juju away from the Clips throughout the rest of the series.
“You Smart! You Loyal! You Grateful! I Appreciate That!”
Here’s looking at you, Terry Stotts. There’s a reason you’re a legitimate contender for Coach of the Year this season. You found a way to take a hodgepodge roster and get to the playoffs. You created a situation where the final value of the team was truly greater than the sum of its individual pieces.
You even continue to coach to the very last second in blowouts when you don’t stand a chance.
Terry Stotts, deadline assassin.
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) April 18, 2016
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You smart! You loyal! You grateful! I Appreciate that!
Now work your magic and turn this series around, please.
“I Changed. A Lot.”
There’s something to be said about staying the course. Sticking to your game plan can sometimes be the best way to combat struggles in the NBA.
Then again, the playoffs are a different beast, and one of the biggest themes from night to night is how you adjust when you see the same opponent for a minimum four straight outings.
If Portland hopes to turn things around, something must change. The Clippers have found a way to make Lillard uncomfortable, meaning the Blazers must get him in situations where he can create off the ball. Chris Paul and J.J. Redick are torching the Blazers backcourt, so experimenting with guys like Al-Farouq Aminu and Moe Harkless defending the smaller 1 and 2 positions could be necessary.
Like the last Khaled stroke of genius, a lot of this points to Stotts. But like the next gem in line, some guys just need to find their strokes.
“The Key Is To Make It.”
DJ Khaled is full of keys. If you follow him, much of the advice he offers involves personal keys to success.
“The key is to make it” comes across as painfully obvious, as in “make your own success.” But there’s one painfully obvious flaw in Portland’s game right now.
This team just can’t make shots.
Through two contests, the Blazers are a heart-rending 15-of-56 from the three-point line. For all you math junkies out there, that’s a shooting percentage of 26.8 percent. And for all you hoops fanatics, that places them 12th in a group of 16 postseason participants.
So, Portland. Follow this advice next time you think about firing away. Al-Farouq Aminu: Take a step or two inside the arc—you’re just 3-of-15 from deep this series. Lillard, consider breaking the glass on your emergency Lillard Time stash—you’re 12-of-46 from the three-point line in the playoffs since “The Shot” against the Houston Rockets, according to SI.com’s Ben Golliver.
And maybe we should institute a rule that states you’re only allowed to shoot from the land of three-pointers if you’ve successfully stopped Chris Paul from scoring the possession before.
At its most fundamental level, the key to basketball is to put the ball in the hoop. Or simply put: The key is to make it.
Make it more times than your opponent and odds are you’re going to be in good shape.
Listen to DJ Khaled, and odds are, you’re guaranteed to be in good shape.
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