The Blazers now have the statiscally worst defense in the NBA

[Draco]

The Blazers give up 110.7 point per 100 opponents possessions. That is now dead last in the entire league. The Clippers, Wizards and Kings are all slightly superior to the Blazers. The league average is 103.1. The Pacers are leading the league in defense at 89.7 with the Warriors second at 94.9

 

[SlyPokerDog]

We can only get better.

 

[HailBlazers]

105.8: Points Portland's opponents are averaging, a number inflated by the 116 points they gave up against Houston on Tuesday. The Blazers allowed 100.7 points last season, the first time they gave up 100 per game since 1993-94.

4 games

 

[magnifier661]

The only direction is up!

 

[Pinwheel1]

The Blazers give up 110.7 point per 100 opponents possessions. That is now dead last in the entire league. The Clippers, Wizards and Kings are all slightly superior to the Blazers. The league average is 103.1. The Pacers are leading the league in defense at 89.7 with the Warriors second at 94.9

The Warriors are for real. As long as they stay healthy.

 

[Draco]

4 games

The Blazers defensive efficiency was 108.1 through the first 3 games. So if you want to remove the Houston game and say they proudly have the 26th rated NBA defense be my guest.

 

[Nikolokolus]

4 games

Indeed.

I wonder, would you be singing the same tune if they had the best defense after 4 games?

 

[BBert]

Ouch.

 

[e_blazer]

Indeed.

I wonder, would you be singing the same tune if they had the best defense after 4 games?

Man, do you always have to play the "You're a homer, I'm a subjective realist" card?

I think that it's pretty reasonable to believe that a small sample size at this stage of the season has a pretty dramatic impact upon defensive stats. The Blazers have played 3 high octane offenses (Denver, Spurs & Rockets). The Warriors, by way of comparison, have played the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Sixers & T'Wolves. Only one of those teams is going to test a defense significantly. We might want to wait a month or two before making too much out of these stats.

 

[Nikolokolus]

It's just a question.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Like we didn't see this coming. Did you really think they would be one of the best?

 

[Nikolokolus]

Like we didn't see this coming. Did you really think they would be one of the best?

No. But after all of the chatter about a "new philosophy" on defense I guess I was hoping for just a little bit more. But Hailblazers is actually right; it's just 4 games. There's almost nothing to be gleaned (positive or negative) long-term from what we've seen so far.

 

[magnifier661]

Indeed.

I wonder, would you be singing the same tune if they had the best defense after 4 games?

I would be praising the hell out of the Blazers for their 4 game production. I will admit it 100%. But I am not discounting the small sample size of the deficiency. I watched with my own eyes on how badly we are allowing teams to score on us. The rebounding is even more of a problem. <-- Was really hoping it was gonna change.

 

[Blazinaway]

who is the best defensive head coach available? Hollins? we will revisit this in 15-20 games

 

[Boise Blazer]

I can tell you that number sure a shit better be improved after game 5!

 

[magnifier661]

who is the best defensive head coach available? Hollins? we will revisit this in 15-20 games

I really wish we could convince Hollins to come back to Portland and be our assistant. Maybe even entice him with a large contract and a title "Coach 1b"

 

[HailBlazers]

^That would be awesome

 

[Nikolokolus]

People in Memphis got pretty tired of Hollins from what I remember - mainly that Grizzlies guy that used to post here the last couple of years (his name completely escapes me).

 

[Pinwheel1]

People in Memphis got pretty tired of Hollins from what I remember - mainly that Grizzlies guy that used to post here the last couple of years (his name completely escapes me).

NOVoodoo. Good poster. I enjoyed his takes. But I think he and Memphis fans underestimated Hollins as a coach. He said their current head coach was the mastermind behind their D. Which could very well be true, but it still takes the right coach to make sure they emphasize it. Especially with guys like Zach on the team. Coach has to be willing to get in the player's faces.

 

[blue9]

No. But after all of the chatter about a "new philosophy" on defense I guess I was hoping for just a little bit more. But Hailblazers is actually right; it's just 4 games. There's almost nothing to be gleaned (positive or negative) long-term from what we've seen so far.

Except that we're getting scored on in the same manner we've always been scored on. And we're still in the same range for Opp FG% that we've been in for the past...decade?
Yes, this can all change. But it's not just a 4 game sample size we're talking about. The same things that have plagued us in the past continue to plague us. It's not like we fixed those things and are dealing with new defensive deficiencies that we just need to "iron out".

 

[Nikolokolus]

Except that we're getting scored on in the same manner we've always been scored on. And we're still in the same range for Opp FG% that we've been in for the past...decade?
Yes, this can all change. But it's not just a 4 game sample size we're talking about. The same things that have plagued us in the past continue to plague us. It's not like we fixed those things and are dealing with new defensive deficiencies that we just need to "iron out".

Oh I'm all in favor of hiring a guy who actually coaches defense, I'm just not 100% convinced that Hollins is that guy.

 

[Draco]

Obviously we will know more when more games are played. But we are seeing trends in the NBA, teams at the top we thought would be great defensively and teams near the bottom that would struggle. We thought Indiana would be great and they are, Houston would excel at rebounding and they have, the Clippers would struggle on defense and they have. Some of us were really hoping the Blazers would improve to a middle of the road defense and that Hickson was a huge problem defensively but through 4 games the results have not backed up those hopes. The results show the defense is similar to last year, the results mean more than any talk or rhetoric. 4 games isn't a large sample size but its infinitely better than 0.

 

[noknobs]

Man, do you always have to play the "You're a homer, I'm a subjective realist" card?

I think that it's pretty reasonable to believe that a small sample size at this stage of the season has a pretty dramatic impact upon defensive stats. The Blazers have played 3 high octane offenses (Denver, Spurs & Rockets). The Warriors, by way of comparison, have played the Lakers, Clippers, Kings, Sixers & T'Wolves. Only one of those teams is going to test a defense significantly. We might want to wait a month or two before making too much out of these stats.

Denver is ranked #28 of 30 teams in offensive efficiency and #24 in point per game.

Small sample size yes, but anytime you're dead last after months of saying you're focusing on defense, that's not good. Not impressed with Stotts. Not sure I've ever seen him get mad at a player. We need someone who commands respect and gets defense out of his guys.

 

[jlprk]

Obviously we will know more when more games are played. But we are seeing trends in the NBA, teams at the top we thought would be great defensively and teams near the bottom that would struggle. We thought Indiana would be great and they are, Houston would excel at rebounding and they have, the Clippers would struggle on defense and they have. Some of us were really hoping the Blazers would improve to a middle of the road defense and that Hickson was a huge problem defensively but through 4 games the results have not backed up those hopes. The results show the defense is similar to last year, the results mean more than any talk or rhetoric. 4 games isn't a large sample size but its infinitely better than 0.

Who's the idiot who got rid of my favorite player Hickson???!!!!!!

 

[LuckyShot]

While I disagree with the offensive and defensive philosophy I've seen and heard from Stotts so far, since we're only 4 games in with a few new players I'm willing to give him some time to work it out and for the guys to gel. Defensive communication takes time, and you can't get it all from practicing against your own guys. You need to go against other teams' starters and schemes.

 

[HailBlazers]

While I disagree with the offensive and defensive philosophy I've seen and heard from Stotts so far, since we're only 4 games in with a few new players I'm willing to give him some time to work it out and for the guys to gel. Defensive communication takes time, and you can't get it all from practicing against your own guys. You need to go against other teams' starters and schemes.

What do you disagree with exactly, and what would you propose? Always curious when I hear similar assessments.

 

[BBert]

Who's the idiot who got rid of my favorite player Hickson???!!!!!!

Everyone.

 

[magnifier661]

Who's the idiot who got rid of my favorite player Hickson???!!!!!!

Your favorite player is spearheading his team to a 1-3 record.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

It's definitely a concern, but nothing to freak out over because it's the wrong statistic. By calling us last in the NBA, it's being assumed that all of the schedules are basically the same. Halfway through the season this is reasonable enough. After 4 games, not at all. So what I want to know is...

How many points have the teams we've played averaged?

Houston: 98 + 116 (us) + 137 +104 + 113 + 96 = 664
SA: 91 + 105 + 102 + 99 = 397
Denver: 88 + 98 + 104 + 109 = 399
Phoenix: 104 + 87 + 96 + 104 = 391

Total: 1851/18=102.9

So, the teams we've actually played against are basically averaging league average.

Conclusion: Yes, we suck!

The Blazers give up 110.7 point per 100 opponents possessions. That is now dead last in the entire league. The Clippers, Wizards and Kings are all slightly superior to the Blazers. The league average is 103.1. The Pacers are leading the league in defense at 89.7 with the Warriors second at 94.9

 

[FromWayDownTownBang]

How are the Pacers doing with Coach Mcmillan as their defensive coach?