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The Portland Trail Blazers’ new crop of defenders

By Michael Keenan

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In past seasons, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez were the anchors for the Trail Blazers’ plans defensively. Matthews was a lock down perimeter defender, matching up with the other team’s best scoring guard, while Lopez held down fort in the paint.

However, this season, Portland will unfortunately be without both Matthews and Lopez, who each signed deals elsewhere. Who will step into their roles and become the team’s newest top defenders on the perimeter and down low? There are a number of potential options that could begin to fill their shoes.

From a perimeter perspective, Damian Lillard is the first name that comes to mind. As the clear-cut best offensive player and leader of the team, Lillard needs to take his defensive skills to the next level and set an example for his team on that side of the ball. This could be tough for him, as defense has been a noted weak point in his game, but sometimes improvement is birthed by necessity.

Apr 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) shoots the ball over Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (9) in the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Other players that could have what it takes to replace Matthews’ defensive presence are Gerald Henderson and Al-Farouq Aminu.

Henderson is a versatile shooting guard, known mostly for his mid-range shooting, finishing ability at the rim, and his defense. Henderson is lengthy, which helps when getting his hands in the passing lanes and making it hard for the opposition to get by him.

Aminu, though more of a small forward, is one of the most athletic players on the roster. Like Henderson, Aminu is very long and quick, allowing him to lock in on other players and force them into making bad decisions with the ball. Along with Lillard and Henderson, these three will handle much of the perimeter defense for the Trail Blazers.

Ed Davis, who could start down low alongside Mason Plumlee if Meyers Leonard does not fit defensively, will anchor the defense in the paint. Davis is a very athletic, high-energy big man who was signed in the offseason after he left the Lakers.

Davis is an extremely talented defender; often times caught making big time blocks or defensive stops at the rim. Davis should have no problem stepping into his expanded role this season and providing the team with rim protection and shot blocking, as well as rebounding and finishing.

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Plumlee will also be helping with rim protection, as he will likely be the starting center to round out the lineup. At 6’11”, Plumlee is long and tall, making his ability to defend the rim much easier. He may be better known for his offensive skills around the rim and finishing, but he has the tools to develop into a better defender and prove to be stable down low for the Trail Blazers.

Other guys like Noah Vonleh and Leonard, who are young talents, may be able to become better defenders with experience. Both have big wingspans and are athletic, meaning if the work is put in, they have the potential to cause havoc on that end of the floor.

With the team going through a rebuilding phase, different guys will be provided with great opportunities to play more minutes and better their games in order to contribute to the team at a higher level. Heading into next season, Portland may have lost two of their best defenders, but they surely brought guys that are potentially capable of replicating their success in the long term.

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