The Portland Trail Blazers own a respectable 18-14 record, good for 6th in the NBA’s Western Conference playoffs race. Despite that, they’re struggling with consistency, unable to separate themselves from the crowded field and join the league’s elite. Colin Ward-Henninger of CBS Sports suggests that defense is partially to blame. In an article detailing the biggest disappointment for all 30 NBA teams, Ward-Henninger tabs personnel changes over the summer as the main reason for Portland’s drop-off from last season.
The Blazers earned a surprising No. 3 seed in the Western Conference last season, partly due to a sixth-ranked defense, but that has taken a major slip this year.