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Playoff Picture: Portland Trail Blazers

By Luke Duffy

Mar 30, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers huddle at half court and celebrate 109-86 win over Phoenix Suns at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers huddle at half court and celebrate 109-86 win over Phoenix Suns at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Arron Afflalo (4) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Arron Afflalo (4) shoots over Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential X-Factor

Arron Afflalo

It’s going to have to be Arron Afflalo. Some people forget, but he was a two-way star for the Orlando Magic in his time there, and their go-to offensive weapon. Although that wasn’t his type of role his first few years in the league, he embraced it and became a polished scorer.

Season Tm G GS MP FG% 3P% 2P% FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PTS
2012-13 ORL 64 64 36.0 .439 .300 .489 .857 3.7 3.2 0.6 0.2 2.2 16.5
2013-14 ORL 73 73 35.0 .459 .427 .473 .815 3.6 3.4 0.5 0.0 2.0 18.2
2014-15 DEN 53 53 33.0 .428 .337 .481 .841 3.4 1.9 0.6 0.1 1.6 14.5
2014-15 POR 23 17 30.3 .416 .419 .414 .844 2.7 1.2 0.3 0.1 1.4 11.0

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

All of this means he has almost been preparing most of his career for a big playoff moment like this. He will shut down opponents when on the court, and will take all the open looks afforded to him as the bigger stars get guarded heavily. As mentioned, in some ways he’s like a lesser Matthews, but that is no disrespect to his game.

He’s a team-first guy who has been everything from a role player to a go to guy on a team. He’s got the relevant experience having been in the playoffs with the Denver Nuggets before. His 42 percent three-point shooting is excellent and the perfect weapon for this team. He’s perfectly suited to being a third or fourth option on a team. He gives Portland an extra way to hurt you.

Next: They're Good, But Are They That Good?

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