Rip City Project
Fansided

Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from Toronto’s NBA Finals victory

By Austin Carroll

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks at the NBA trophy with Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors after winning the NBA Championship against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks at the NBA trophy with Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors after winning the NBA Championship against the Golden State Warriors during Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. 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 Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 13: Toronto rapper Drake sprays the crowd with champaign as Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the NBA Finals, during a viewing party in Jurassic Park outside of Scotiabank Arena on June 13, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 13: Toronto rapper Drake sprays the crowd with champaign as Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors in Game Six of the NBA Finals, during a viewing party in Jurassic Park outside of Scotiabank Arena on June 13, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images) /

In the wake of the Toronto Raptors’ historic NBA Championship run, the Portland Trail Blazers could learn a few lessons from their Canadian friends.

The stage was set perfectly. The Golden State Warriors were coming off the heels of an emotional victory to redeem Kevin Durant’s devastating injury. The Warriors were getting a Game 6 in the hallowed Oracle Arena. In the last game that would ever be played in Oracle, the Warriors were prepared to take the next step in an improbable comeback series victory.

Alas, the Toronto Raptors had other plans. Faring far better than the Portland Trail Blazers did last time they set foot in Oracle, the Raptors delivered a final blow to possibly end the Golden State dynasty and legendary reign over the league.

At the conclusion of a tightly contested six game series, both teams left battered and bruised. When the dust settled, only Canada’s sole basketball team remained standing victorious.

Although the Portland Trail Blazers checked out just before reaching the big dance, there was still much to be learned from the conclusion to the 2018-19 season. In the following slides, we’ll discuss some of the biggest difference makers that helped push the Raptors over the edge in the NBA Finals.

If the Blazers hope to replicate that success next year, they better have been paying close attention.