A lack of reliable outside shooting at the forward position has plagued the Portland Trail Blazers in three consecutive postseasons. Al-Farouq Aminu and Moe Harkless played crucial roles, primarily on the defensive end, during the regular season, but became unplayable once the playoffs intensified.
The organization’s first Western Conference Finals appearance in 20 years signaled optimism, but it concurrently signaled a climax for that iteration of its roster. The Blazers benefited from avoiding the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors until the conference finals. A forward rotation of Aminu and Harkless, with the league’s new emphasis on perimeter shooting, didn’t cut it against the elite defenses in the playoffs.