The Blazers are on the top defensive teams

[magnifier661]

What has changed? I'm asking you guys, because it doesn't look much different than last season. Of course something did, and defensive stats are clearly a big improvement of last year. Maybe I'm too lazy to really think it through.

I guess my opinion is Oden getting more minutes, but defense is a team effort. Could it be more communication? Possibly Nate preparing the team better for his opponents? Please enlighten me cause it's something I'm proud of and I really want to figure it out.

 

[hasoos]

Oden getting more minutes, and the guards are successfully switching everything on the perimeter. Portland is also doing a good job at controlling the pace of game. Most of the teams in the league are trying to become higher scoring higher paced teams. Portland is doing the opposite, controlling the pace, and taking them out of their comfort zone. There are no easy buckets in the half court, and that is throwing teams off.

 

[tlongII]

I think it's Nate's successfully communicating his defensive concepts.

 

[andalusian]

Oden getting more minutes, and the guards are successfully switching everything on the perimeter. Portland is also doing a good job at controlling the pace of game. Most of the teams in the league are trying to become higher scoring higher paced teams. Portland is doing the opposite, controlling the pace, and taking them out of their comfort zone. There are no easy buckets in the half court, and that is throwing teams off.

Yup. This. And as much as it seems hard to integrate Miller into the half-court offense, his defense on the perimeter is a big deal of helping funnel the opponents away from the paint.