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Blazers: 5 goals for Seth Curry in his first season back from injury

By Nate Mann

PORTLAND, OR - JULY 6: Seth Curry #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a head shot after being signed on July 6, 2018 at the Trail Blazer Practice Facility 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - JULY 6: Seth Curry #5 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a head shot after being signed on July 6, 2018 at the Trail Blazer Practice Facility 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 13: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Seth Curry #30 of the Dallas Mavericks defends during the second half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on March 13, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 13: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles the ball as Seth Curry #30 of the Dallas Mavericks defends during the second half of an NBA game at Air Canada Centre on March 13, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Quick hands on defense

Last season, Shabazz Napier averaged 1.1 steals in 20.7 minutes per game. Despite being undersized at 6 feet 1 inch tall, he managed to pester opposing guards and throw off their offensive flow.

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Portland had a defensive rating of 103.6 with him on the court, compared to a rating of 104.5 with him off. This net improvement of 0.9 was third best among the team’s rotation players.

Seth Curry in his most recent season also averaged 1.1 steals, but he played 10 minutes more per contest. Still, he helped Dallas’ defense improve by 1.4 points in its defensive rating.

To continue Napier’s work on the defensive end, Curry must play more handsy defense. Napier was always slapping at opponents trying to poke the ball loose, preventing them from being able to look around and find an open teammate.

Curry, on the other hand, plays more conservative defense. But with a solid defensive unit behind him in the Blazers reserves, he can afford to play more aggressive defense, especially on the perimeter.

This aggressiveness leads to more steals, boosting Portland’s embarrassing transition scoring efforts.