How will the Portland Trail Blazers replace Robin Lopez's defense?
The Portland Trail Blazers lost their entire identity over the summer. But while most focus on how the team will replace LaMarcus Aldridge's offensive production, it's Robin Lopez's defense that could be just as missed.
The seven-foot Lopez is quietly one of the NBA's finest rim protectors, a stout monster who anchored a pretty good Portland defense last season. Now he's on the New York Knicks.
Here's The Oregonian's Mike Richman with a look at how the Trail Blazers will try and replace Lopez's ability to stop opponents in the paint:
It's not a pretty picture. Terry Stotts' system may help put these guys in better positions to succeed, but so far they don't look anything like the anchor Portland lost in free agency.
It's shaping up to be a very long season in Rip City.
(h/t: The Oregonian)
Meyers Leonard, Mason Plumlee and Ed Davis will likely see the bulk of the minutes at center this season with veteran Chris Kaman and perhaps even Noah Vonleh getting limited action. Plumlee, the most likely candidate to start at center, allowed opponents to shoot 55.5 percent at the rim last season while contesting 46.7 percent of the shots near the hoop when he was on the court. Davis contested 34.6 percent of opponents attempts at the rim and allowed 53.9 percent shooting. Plumlee and Davis will be stepping into a slightly different defensive system with the Blazers, but neither of them were elite defenders around the basket last season.
