{"id":150838,"date":"2025-07-19T07:30:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T11:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=150838"},"modified":"2025-07-19T06:32:44","modified_gmt":"2025-07-19T10:32:44","slug":"chauncey-billups-believes-blazers-are-top-nba-defense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/07\/19\/chauncey-billups-believes-blazers-are-top-nba-defense\/","title":{"rendered":"Chauncey Billups Believes The Blazers Are A Top NBA Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chauncey Billups’ Blazers have undergone a significant transformation recently. From being a team with a bleak future, they became one of the league’s most promising teams. Portland’s defense has Toumani Camara<\/a>, who has elite defensive ability, as its focal point.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Apr 11, 2025; Portland, Oregon, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives to the basket during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Chauncey Billups Believes The Blazers Are A Top NBA Defense<\/h2>\n

Since the 2021-22 season, the Portland Trail Blazers have been a mediocre team. Even when they had superstar guard Damian Lillard<\/a>, they were barely competing in a loaded Western Conference. That shifted when they traded Lillard away to the Milwaukee Bucks<\/a> to initiate a full-on rebuild.<\/p>\n

Under Billups, the Blazers have become more focused on locking in defensively. The front office acquired superb defenders like the versatile<\/a> Toumani Camara<\/a>, drafted Donovan Clingan<\/a>, and more. It has been a fantastic rebuild in their defensive improvement, which Billups always highlights.<\/p>\n

Billups’ Blazers Deserve Praise For Defensive Improvements<\/h3>\n

In the past, the Blazers’ main issue was their lack of defensive structure. Lillard was the shining crown for the team due to his offense, but the defense was always missing. Ironically, Lillard’s exit in 2023 led to Portland shifting the focus to the defensive side of the ball. It is even more interesting now that Lillard is back on a three-year contract<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Billups has been stellar with how he and his staff conduct his defense<\/a>. They have talented players with Camara and Clingan leading the way, but the coach also demands effort from his players. That was what happened with Shaedon Sharpe<\/a>, who is arguably the team’s most promising player. However, he did not play the best defense that he was capable of, which led to a stint on the bench.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cIt all starts with Toumani Camara\u2026 It all starts with 33\u201d<\/p>\n

Portland has the #1 defense in the last 10 games (104.7 DEF RTG) pic.twitter.com\/3HUdundENT<\/a><\/p>\n

— kup (@bleepinbloop) February 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n