Defense

[Rastapopoulos]

A lot of things are not in the Blazers' control. Obviously health has been one, but also availability of players in the draft, willingness of free agents (both players and coach) to come to Portland and ability of players to reach their potential (although the Blazers could probably be doing more to nurture certain players, but eventually it's on the player). One thing that I think is always in the control of teams, and that is perhaps the key factor separating perennial lottery teams and teams that overachieve, is defense. The Chicago Bulls should be exhibit A in this respect: the major change from the Del Negro Bulls to the Thibodeau Bulls has been improved defense. What was most soul-draining about the Blazers this year was watching crappy players waltz into the paint and score with ease against us. Whatever changes we make next year, I would hope a real commitment to defense is one of them.

With that in mind, who are the best defenders in college? I find it kind of refreshing that Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist are rated so highly when it seems that, for a while at least, their major impact on teams will be defensive. Beyond those two, however, what are some college players who might have to go the Bruce Bowen/Ben Wallace route into the league of being so good at defending that their other weaknesses must be overlooked? I'm particularly interested in guard defenders.

 

[jlprk]

You want the status quo. McMillan required 48 minutes of effort on defense, but didn't know how to coach it, so the exhausted players folded every 4th quarter. We acquired players known for their defensive effort, like Felton.

You say it's ultimately the player's responsibility. I think it's the coach's, and having many good defenders won't help unless we hire a more clever defensive coach.

 

[Fez Hammersticks]

Sounds like MKG is your guy.

High defensive IQ -- 6'6" with a 6'11" wingspan. Though, he could go as high as #2 and wont drop past #3.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

We acquired players known for their defensive effort, like Felton.

When was Felton ever known for defense?

You say it's ultimately the player's responsibility.

Where did I say that defense was the player's responsibility?

I think it's the coach's, and having many good defenders won't help unless we hire a more clever defensive coach.

Notice that I credited Thibodeau with the Bulls' improvement.

However, you could have the best defensive coach in the league and if you're starting Babbitt and Nolan Smith, you're screwed.

We should have a few decent defenders in Aldridge, Batum, Elliott Williams and possibly Wesley Matthews if this year was an aberration, but we need more, and we need a good coach. Stan Van Gundy might be available...

 

[jlprk]

When was Felton ever known for defense?

I see a lot more energy from him than, say, Andre Miller. I can't look up a bunch of articles; here's the one at the top of the search engine.

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/knicks_felton_gets_the_point_of_yco3s1rZfjKxbpkLy4u6hK

"A ball-hawk on defense who isn't easily bodied."
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/players/21533/raymond-felton

Where did I say that defense was the player's responsibility?

ability of players to reach their potential (although the Blazers could probably be doing more to nurture certain players, but eventually it's on the player).

Notice that I credited Thibodeau with the Bulls' improvement. However, you could have the best defensive coach in the league and if you're starting Babbitt and Nolan Smith, you're screwed. We should have a few decent defenders in Aldridge, Batum, Elliott Williams and possibly Wesley Matthews if this year was an aberration, but we need more, and we need a good coach. Stan Van Gundy might be available.

I knew we'd agree.