Blazers-Rockets Summary

(Note: all box score data compiled from basketball-reference.com)

Best Plus Minus / Series MVP: Damian Lillard (+22 in 268 minutes, Net +24). The first two regular seasons of Damian Lillard have been filled with impressive scoring efficiency, at-times lackadaisical defense, and a very heavy minutes burden. Now, the narrative goes that the playoffs, especially the first time, are a test that most players tend to fail. While basketball nerds might point to a higher minutes load against a high pace team, most people will only remember that he was better than his season averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and assist-turnover ratio. Actually, I take that back, all anyone will remember is this shot. Well done.

Worst Plus Minus / Series LVP: Dorell Wright (-33 in 79 minutes, Net -31). The Blazers have been a starter-heavy team all year, and the playoffs only accentuate that strategy. Given the tightness of the series, the quality play of Nic Batum, I don't think this says anything about Dorell Wright.

Jerome James Award: Dwight Howard. For the record, I had a whole lot of venom stored up for Patrick Beverley for this spot, but given the torn meniscus, knee sprain, and fever, it's just not right. So, unfortunately, this has to go to D12. 26 points, 13 rebounds, and almost 3 blocks per game are ridiculous numbers. But, why were the Rockets +8 with Dwight off the floor in the series, and -8 with Asik off the floor? While some could argue that the Dwight produced despite flaws like poor foul shooting, James Harden managed to be +15 despite his famously bad defense, and Howard was -6. Looks like the big guy was the bigger problem in this series.

Wizards-Bulls Summary

(Note: Box score data compiled from basketball-reference.com)

Best Plus Minus: Trevor Ariza (+53 in 195 minutes). It's almost forgotten that Trevor Ariza made two game-winning plays in the Western Conference finals for the Lakers... in 2009. In the years that followed, we've spent so much time focusing on what he isn't, that we forgot what he can do really well: play good defense on three positions, and provide timely (if streaky) outside shooting as a safety valve on offense. When he's hitting threes (46.4% for the series on 5.6 attempts per game), he's a very valuable piece.

Worst Plus Minus: Kirk Hinrich (-32 in 163 minutes). Unfortunately, Derrick Rose's injury placed a burden on Hinrich that he may not be up for at this point in his career. Combined with the task of chasing around John Wall or Bradley Beal, and it's pretty easy to figure out why he shows up here.

Series MVP: D.J. Augustin (Net +42 in 142 minutes). Despite being cast off for basically nothing by two franchises, Chicago put Augustin in the "Nate Robinson Memorial Scoring Point" role, and he performed admirably. I'm still not sure that his place in the league can move much beyond rotational guard, but kudos to Chicago for letting a guy do what he does best, and reaping the benefits.

Series LVP: Martell Webster (Net -48 in 91 minutes). I'm assuming that Trevor Ariza's defense allowed him to flourish much more than Webster, given that Ariza was tasked with chasing Augustin around at critical junctures. Having said that, for a guy whose major calling card is outside shooting from the corners, 31% from three probably isn't good enough.

Jerome James Award: Nene Hilario. As a fan of Nene's one-on-one post defense and offensive smarts, this one is tough. But it's hard not to notice that the Wizards were +25 when he was off the court. I'm perfectly willing to accept the idea that Nene and Gortat had a cumulative effect on wearing down Noah, and for some reason it just happened to show up in Gortat's minutes (who was +43 in 180 minutes). Unfortunately, their respective numbers are just too different to back that up, and I won't play favorites on the hallowed grounds of the Playoff Summaries.