Goal #2 – play consistent defense
Little has already shown flashes of his impressive help and man defense. With a solid six-foot-five frame and big six-foot-ten wingspan, he can guard multiple positions.
Where he needs to continue improving is his team defense. He isn’t a bad team defender, but young players are prone to mistakes in team situations. With a small three-guard lineup that he will either backup or play alongside, Little’s length, size and awareness will be needed as he looks to help at the rim or when jumping passing lanes to force turnovers.
Little has already shown some potential as a transition or weakside shot blocker, so in bench units where Anfernee Simons, CJ McCollum and Cody Zeller are fronting up he can help protect the rim.
The Blazers have very few defenders with positional size or defensive tools. Little has the ability to guard oppositions threes and some fours and twos, because of his length, strength and quick feet.
He will be asked to do plenty on the defensive end, and if he can complete these tasks, he will go a long way towards ensuring the Blazers bench units are better defensively.