The Portland Trail Blazers’ 2020-21 season has been typified by two trends: mammoth scoring performances from All-Star guard Damian Lillard and an utter lack of defense. The former was expected; Lillard has been regarded among the NBA elite for several seasons. Acquiring forwards Robert Covington and Derrick Jones, Jr. at the start of the season was supposed to cure Portland’s defensive woes as well. It didn’t. Despite height, skills, and avowed focus on the issue, the Blazers remain among the most scored-upon teams in the league.
It’s easy to say that Portland’s defense is bad.