Trail Blazers lessons from the first round of the playoffs

The Trail Blazers are spectators for this year's playoffs but the teams left in the postseason offer some useful lessons for what it takes to be successful this time of year. Versatility is key and in Memphis and Dallas that trait has been on full display with scheme versatility from the Mavericks defense and lineup versatility from the Grizzlies in a bounce Game 2 blowout. Weaknesses get exposed in the playoffs and that has been readily apparent with the Utah Jazz's perimeter defense, the Denver Nuggets' lack of depth and Raptors' complete absence of centers. The things you don't do well become the things you are constantly asked to do this time of year. And finally the playoffs are about breakout stars having their moment on a bigger stage. Golden State's Jordan Poole and Philadelphia Tyrese Maxey look like the early breakout stars from these playoffs. Can Anferenee Simons be next this time next year? Music for Locked On Blazers by Drae Slapz. Find more of Drae's work here: https://ffm.bio/thedraeslapz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices