The Portland front office is doubling down on the focus on the Blazers’ defense with new coach hirings. After Tiago Splitter, James Posey is the latest addition to the staff under head coach Chauncey Billups.<\/p>\n
The Portland Trail Blazers have continued to make sweeping changes with the roster. Anfernee Simons<\/a>‘ move to Boston and Deandre Ayton’s<\/a> buyout<\/a> were surprising, but it was a step in a new direction. The Blazers also made changes to their staff under Chauncey Billups with new assistant coaches.<\/p>\n Portland hired Tiago Splitter in June<\/a> as a new assistant coach and followed up with James Posey. Both men were champions during their playing days, and they have gained coaching experience after their playing careers. Splitter bounced around the NBA as an assistant coach and was the coach of Paris Basketball in the 2024-25 season. Posey has been coaching for over a decade, including a time he won a title with the Cleveland Cavaliers.<\/p>\n With this change, it looks like the Blazers are focusing on defense. Billups already had this philosophy, but bringing in two former players adds to that. With players like Toumani Camara<\/a> and Donovan Clingan<\/a>, their vision could be great. Camara is a versatile defensive star<\/a>, and Clingan has the chops to become a franchise center<\/a>.<\/p>\n Splitter and Posey will strengthen that focus on defense. They will also bring valuable championship experience to the team in addition to Billups’ pedigree. The players should benefit from all the advice these coaches give, especially on the defensive end.<\/p>\n The Blazers adding James Posey to the coaching staff is interesting – between Billups, Splitter and Posey, that\u2019s 3 hard nosed, tough, defensive minded dudes that won a lot of games playing a style reminiscent of what the Blazers are trying to build out.<\/p>\n — Danny Marang (@DannyMarang) July 11, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nCoach Billups’ Focus On Defense Matters<\/h3>\n
\n