Portland Trail Blazers: Neil Olshey should accept some blame
Teresa Powe
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Defense
The 29 out of 30 defensive ratings was definitely a big reason the Blazers went home after six games. The non-defensive players were the other reason. Olshey already knew that before the words even left his lips.
How many thought the Blazers were going to defeat the Denver Nuggets? I had little hope and knew for sure they would not get past Phoenix. Where were the 2018-19 Blazers? You know the team that defeated Oklahoma City. What happened to the three-point buzzer-beater and the wave goodbye. That Portland Trail Blazers team, coached by Terry Stotts, went to the Western Conference Finals.
“The mission is clear. If we’re going to take the next step, they’re going to have to make an impact on the defensive end of the floor, So, that will be a criteria.”
Didn’t I say that? Carmelo Anthony and Enes Kanter are not good for any team’s defensive strategy to emphasize the problem. Kanter, Portland can do without. But what happens when the Blazers need a sharpshooter who can rain down three’s with little or no effort? Who can lead the second team?
CJ McCollum and Norman Powell are another set of shooters. But they come up a little “short” on wing protection. Both are 6-3 and give up several inches to the men they had to guard.
What can the Portland Trail Blazers do? Getting a good defensive coach who can turn great offensive players into great defensive players also would be the place to start. Anyone except Tom Thibodeau that is, he already has a job.
Trail Blazers’ Neil Olshey begins coaching search with defense on his mind: ‘Dame will be a part of that’ https://t.co/DJAIhkTkcu pic.twitter.com/lVK1SEjpxY
— Oregonian Sports (@OregonianSports) June 8, 2021