NBA Playoff 2017: Three Observations And Three Overreactions

Apr 16, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) is congratulated by forward Ryan Anderson (3) during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

After the first weekend of NBA playoff basketball, we explore three observations and three overreactions from the first round

The 2017 NBA Playoffs have officially started, and the slate of Game 1’s were some of the best playoff openers we’ve seen in a while.

Until the Houston Rockets handily downed the OKC Thunder in the last of eight weekend tip-offs, each game was close entering the fourth quarter.

With that in mind, here are some observations and overreactions from opening weekend.

Observation: Draymond Green is the Most Important Warrior

The Warriors entered the playoffs as the unequivocal favorites and boast a starting lineup that could suit up for an Olympic team and probably win gold. Kevin Durant looked unstoppable at times during the Warriors’ 121-109 win over Portland on Sunday.

Steph Curry was doing Steph Curry things again (in spite of 5 turnovers), continuing his post-All Star game surge. Klay Thompson survived a poor shooting night by playing his typical hounding defense.

And yet, the Warriors traded leads with the Blazers throughout the 3rd quarter and carried a flimsy four-point lead in the opening minutes of the 4th quarter thanks to the brilliance of the Blazers’ backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. And then Draymond Green took over the game.

Draymond does it again on #NBAonABC! pic.twitter.com/upRfVLB2nK
— NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2017

All Green did was remind the national TV audience of just how much he can do on the court, stuffing the stat sheet in a way that hadn’t been done before in playoff history, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and five blocks. It was his 4th quarter defense in particular, where a few of those blocks came, that sealed Golden State’s win.

We’ve seen this before, the Warriors playing close games in the first three quarters only to blitz the 4th quarter and leaving opponents stunned. Each time we’ve seen it, there has been Draymond Green – loud, intimidating, and strutting around the court like a madman unleashed. When he turns it on like that, the Warriors are unbeatable.