Fansided

1 move every NBA team needs to make to beat the Warriors

By Brad Rowland

Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), guard Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with the Larry O
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11), guard Stephen Curry (30) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates with the Larry O /
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Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) hugs guard CJ McCollum (3) after defeating the Los Angeles Clippers 106-103 in game six of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers: Rim protection

Though the Blazers left a positive impression the NBA landscape with their performance in the 2016 NBA Playoffs, there is room to grow in Portland. Terry Stotts’ team was excellent offensively throughout the 2015-2016 campaign, but on the defensive end, let’s just agree that there are challenges.

Of course, that comes with the territory when deploying a backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Both players are fantastic offensively, but on defense, there are challenges with playing both together, especially when dealing with high-end NBA shooting guards. Portland does have some nice defensive talent on the roster, headlined by Al-Farouq Aminu, but the frontcourt needs to be excellent defensively as a unit and that isn’t the case right now.

The Blazers have several decisions to make on free agents, ranging from Allen Crabbe to Meyers Leonard and Maurice Harkless. Still, the end goal of free agency in 2016 should be to net a legitimate rim protector. Adding a player like Bismack Biyombo or even Dwight Howard would do wonders for Portland’s overall defensive ceiling and, potentially, thrust the Blazers into the mix as a top-four team in the West.

Taking the fiscally conservative (read: smart) approach has benefited Portland to this point in their quick rebuild, but the Blazers need help at the rim on defense. It’s time.

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