Damian Lillard is an electric offensive player, but as the second-year guard continues to log minutes, many are wondering just how good he is on the defensive end of the floor.
We can look at his points per possession allowed (PPP) to get a baseline of where he's at compared to last season. While not an exact indicator of defensive value, PPP gives a general idea comparatively within the context of team defense and success.
Damian Lillard has improved his PPP numbers in nearly every major category in 2013-2014.
He's made noticeable improvement in almost every major play type this year save for a .02 PPP increase in the pick-and-roll. He's a little better in isolation, and much better in the post. That being said, there are a few areas Lillard needs to work on.
First, he has a tendency to jump plays in isolation. Lillard plays quick and tight, and a simple hesitation move can get him to bite. Because of this, he's often open to the double move as players crossover or give him an in-and-out dribble. His hips end up out of position, and he gives up open lanes.
Consistent effort in transition is something I've already talked about in breakdowns, but it's worth pointing out again. When Lillard is caught underneath the free throw line on offense in transition, he rarely makes an effort to get back on defense. His teammates could use an extra hand, especially against the secondary break as they set up a quick play in transition. The last two weeks we've seen him getting back on defense, and I suspect the coaching staff has stressed the importance of his effort....
