Preview: Warriors take on Lillard’s Blazers in Chase Center

The Portland Trail Blazers are fully in “life after C.J. McCollum” mode, breaking up his longtime partnership with alleged second greatest shooter in NBA history Damian Lillard. Portland ran into the Golden State dynasty three different times in the postseason, winning only a single playoff game in that span.

They’ve reconfigured their team around Lillard with Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant in major supporting roles. Currently they have a record of 18-16, coming off a win over the Charlotte Hornets.

Meanwhile the Golden State Warriors are also coming off a win over the Hornets (the gift that keeps on giving) and have a record of 18-18. They’ve also reconfigured their team, partly due to injuries to greatest shooter of all time Stephen Curry and All-Star Andrew Wiggins, and also because they’re integrating a new rotation of role players.

Golden State Warriors vs Portland Trail Blazers

December 30th, 2022 | 7:00 PT

Watch: NBC Sports Bay Area, NBA TV | Listen: 95.7 The Game

The subject of the role players has been a major subject in Dub Nation, partially because there’s consternation over replacing the void left by sparkplug guard Gary Payton II. GP2 was a major contributor to Golden State’s championship run last season, playing elite lockdown defense while scoring opportunistically with flair.

As the son of Hall-of-Famer and Oakland native Gary Payton, he did the family name proud in the Bay. That also got him paid by Portland in the offseason.

That’s got fans still pining for his impact, especially since a straight line can be drawn from the Warriors not paying for him to retain other assets like...James Wiseman?

But did you know GP2 has yet to play a game for the Blazers this season as he recovers from a core injury? AND he’ll miss Friday’s contest unfortunately. In his absence guys like Donte DiVincenzo and Jonathan Kuminga are getting a chance to step into those shoes.