Portland Trail Blazers: Rumors about KAT heading to Rip City heating up
Rumors about the Portland Trail Blazers pursuing Karl-Anthony Towns are heating up. Is there any fire to this smoke?
Rob Ryan
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Big Downside
That same offensive team I mentioned above would simultaneously be the worst defensive itineration that the Portland Trail Blazers ever put out. As fun as it could be watching high-scoring games and endless highlights, we’d also see endless highlights by other teams against Portland.
For all his offensive upside, Karl Anthony Towns has been one of the worst defensive big men in recent history. Imagine adding him to a team with problems playing D.
Power forward Jerami Grant also doesn’t protect the rim very well. Point guard Damien Lillard is below average on defense and Shaedon Sharpe is an unproven defender. That sounds like a recipe for a playoff disaster.
This potential lineup reminds me of those great offensive-oriented Steve Nash-led Phonex Suns teams. They performed well in the regular season but constantly choked in the playoffs.
Those Suns teams were stacked with more talent than this Blazers team would have left after a Towns trade. Yet Phoenix couldn’t make it to a single NBA Finals.
“Defense wins championships” there’s a reason that’s one of the main quotes often mentioned in professional sports. If the Portland Trail Blazers were a team full of defenders that just lacked offense, then Towns would be a perfect fit.
Reality is the polar opposite. Nurkic is a solid defender but looked horrible at times trying to cover for his teammate’s many defensive lapses.