NBA.com season preview: "For Trail Blazers to take next step, defense must improve"

[PtldPlatypus]

http://www.nba.com/preview/2014/POR/index.html

Nothing particularly earth-shattering in here, but they did point out what many in here have been saying about the gradual improvement the Blazers' defense has shown over the past couple seasons.

Portland was a poor defensive team in Stotts' first year, finishing the season ranked 26th in defensive rating (106.9 points per 100 possessions). They moved up to 16th last season (104.7 points per 100 possessions). Particularly exciting to Stotts was a consistent improvement as the season wore on as the team committed to upholding the core principles.

Heading into the All-Star break, Portland ranked 23rd in defensive rating. In the final 29 games of the season, as the Blazers battled for playoff position in the rugged Western Conference, they ranked 10th, allowing 103.0 points per 100 possessions.

 

[magnifier661]

Re: NBA.com season preview: "For Trail Blazers to take next step, defense must improv

I could have sworn someone else posted this already. I can't remember who

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Re: NBA.com season preview: "For Trail Blazers to take next step, defense must improv

I could have sworn someone else posted this already. I can't remember who

Perhaps, but the article shows a posted date of 10/17, so unless this is a re-release, I don't think it's been posted before.

 

[handiman]

Re: NBA.com season preview: "For Trail Blazers to take next step, defense must improv

So, that begs the question of whether defense is fool's gold for this team, and whether it's all about offense. The record was better when we played worse defense, albeit against weaker opposition.