The Blazers now have the statiscally worst defense in the NBA

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

Everyone.

 

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

 

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!

 

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

 

Wizard, I don't believe our schedule has been tough at all. We've played two very bad teams and two very good teams. We've played two road games and two home games. Our strength of schedule currently ranks 20th in the league by BBReference. The Blazers have only played one opponent who ranks in the top half of the league offensively; the Rockets who are 5th at 108.9 points per 100 possessions.

Your numbers are listing PPG instead of points per possession. All of the teams who give up more PPG than the Blazers play at a faster pace so their offense has more chances to outscore the other team and still win. Those teams are the 76ers, Clippers, Lakers, Mavs and Wizards.

I expect the Blazers to eventually have a better defense than some team in the league, but the results so far have been extremely discouraging and I'm not sure how anyone can be content with our defense to date.

 

Synergy has us at #25 giving up .96 points per possession. We are scoring .95, which is #7.

 

good point. Where did you find SOS? Sagarin says our schedule has been the 6th most difficult:
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/nba/sagarin/2014/rating/

 

So is this a case of Stotts getting the blame here, but an assistant in Indiana getting the credit?

Are you one of those fucking idiotic Ass Clown supporters?

 

Whoa there cowboy, meds on aisle 3

 

Just two simple questions

 

Food for thought: How shitty is your defense when people start pining for Nate-ball?

 

In short, too much emphasis on the 3 point shot on both ends.

 

SOS column on BBReference page

 

cool, thanks.