The first round series between the New Orleans Pelicans and Portland Trail Blazers is over… in a sweep. Damian Lillard has a longer summer than expected to work on his rap music, while Anthony Davis advances to the NBA conference semi final for the first time in his career. Meme makers weren’t soft on the Blazers.

And why should they? Portland had home court advantage, and everyone picked them to win the series. But the Pelicans took advantage of the team’s weaknesses and drew up a terrific game plan every night. Jrue Holiday and Rajon Rondo outplayed Lillard and C.J. McCollum. With that balance also leaning in the Pelicans favor, Portland had nothing extra to give.

Besides Portland’s painful exit which casts a doubt on their roster and perhaps their backcourt duo, raising more questions on whether or not they should break them up to allow for more flexibility in cap spending, there’s also the DeMarcus Cousins situations.

Cousins has been out for quite some time, but without him the Pelicans regrouped and formed into a very efficient unit. Suddenly, giving Cousins the max during the summer doesn’t seem like such a good idea.