Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin has done a great job of establishing a defensive identity in Portland. That may not be apparent in on-court production this season, as Portland ranks just 19th in defensive rating (116.0) and 24th in opponent points per game (118.9). But that has primarily been due to being one of the most injured teams in the league. We saw Cronin's vision come to fruition for a brief stretch at the beginning of the season, when underrated role players like Blake Wesley and Matisse Thybulle were still in the picture.
Joe Cronin has established a defensive identity in Portland
Last year, the Blazers' improved defense catalyzed their end-of-season push to be in the play-in conversation out west.