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End-of-Season Awards: Portland Trail Blazers Edition

By Nate Mann

PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 10: The Portland Trail Blazers celebrate a win against the San Antonio Spurs on April 10, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - APRIL 10: The Portland Trail Blazers celebrate a win against the San Antonio Spurs on April 10, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 17: Al-Farouq Aminu #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers talks with the media after the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 17, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – MARCH 17: Al-Farouq Aminu #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers talks with the media after the game against the Detroit Pistons on March 17, 2018 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Year

Chief is a lockdown defender. His long reach and ability to stick to opponents like he’s their shadow makes him our defensive leader. For long stretches of many games this season, it appeared that Aminu wasn’t playing much of a factor, but I think that’s because we typically judge a player’s presence by his offensive numbers. The reason I think Aminu sometimes seemed to disappear into the background was because he was so busy — and effective — cloaking his opponents in his smothering defense.

Nurkic leads the team in blocks and rebounds while playing the third most minutes per game on the team. However, he does lead the team with 3.1 fouls per game. I considered putting Al-Farouq Aminu in this spot because of Nurkic’s foul issues, but the minutes that Nurkic plays pushed the scales in his favor.

Portland’s defense was greatly improved this year. In 2016-17, they ranked bottom-10 in defensive rating. In 2017-18, they finished top-10, and found themselves as a top-5 defensive team for a good chunk of the year.

Of the top-15 individual per-game defensive ratings, the Blazers had five of their own, most of any team. All five were bench players, but the highest Blazer starter on the overall list is Al-Farouq Aminu (181st). In 30 minutes per game, Chief averaged over 6 defensive rebounds, 1 steal, and 0.5 blocks.

When Aminu sprained his ankle and missed 13 games early in the season, nearly half (six) saw the Blazers give up 100 or more points. This includes 110 to the Lakers, 125 to the Nets and 123 to the Pelicans. Aminu is an anchor on the perimeter, and his size permits him to do work down low around the basket as well. He was clearly the defensive juggernaut for the team, while also improving upon his three-point shooting.