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2018 NBA Playoffs Roundtable: The wild wild West edition

By Michael Saenz

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 12: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a foul call while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 12, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. New Orleans won the game 118-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – FEBRUARY 12: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts after a foul call while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 12, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. New Orleans won the game 118-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

The best player in the Blazers-Pelicans series will be?

Doole: As much as I would love to see Jake Layman break out in the playoffs or Cheick Diallo take his game to a new level, this question only has two possible answers – Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis. I like to reward the victors, so I’ll take Lillard in a close series win. He’s riding the biggest hot streak of his career into the playoffs, as he’s averaging 30.5 points over the last 25 games, and his playmaking and defense are both much improved. He’ll take over in Dame Time in at least two games, and that could be what decides the series.

Allen: It will be Anthony Davis. He’s been an absolute stud all season long, averaging 28 points per game and collecting 11.1 boards. He’s so versatile and has the ability to impact the game in so many ways, and I believe he will do just that in this series against Portland. Damian Lillard will also have a big series for the Trailblazers, but I believe Davis will be that much better. Regardless, I still think the combo of Lillard-Mccollum will be too much for New Orleans.

Nelson: Damian Lillard. Anthony Davis is the best player from a general standpoint. But, for the series, I currently don’t see options from the Pelicans that could slow him down. Meanwhile, the Blazers will be able to focus their attention on Davis because nobody else is a threat. So I imagine Davis struggling with all of the love and attention.

Hope: The best player in the Blazers-Pelicans series will be Anthony Davis, but only by a small margin. Being the lone star with DeMarcus Cousins out, Anthony Davis could potentially have a historic series numbers wise. Other than maybe Jusif Nurkic, the Blazers don’t really have anyone to guard Davis, although this is true for most teams.

With that being said, Damian Lillard has a strong case to be in contention for the best player of the series. Damian Lillard and the Portland Trailblazers have been playing their best basketball in years this season. Portland will likely win this series but the games will come down to whoever wins the 4th quarters, and we all know whose time that is. Damian Lillard.

Knitzer: Anthony Davis.