The Portland Trail Blazers completed the first month of normal season with a balance of ten wins and five losses sustained from defense, as evidenced by the seventh best record in defensive rating that they compiled at that time. However, this good start has faded: the Oregon defense has been the third worst in the entire league since then and the team’s record has fallen to 14-12.
Fortunately, Chauncey Billups will be able to count one of his best forces in this facet in the short term. According to the journalist The AthleticShams Charania, Gary Payton II is aiming for his season debut to happen in the next week or two.
Payton II, who signed a three-year, $28 million contract with the Blazers last July, has been on the down-low due to offseason surgery. Previously, he had been a key player in the rotation for the defending NBA champions, the Golden State Warriors.
Now, the Blazers hope to enjoy this same defensive performance in order to correct one of their main weaknesses and climb back to the top of the Western Conference.
(Cover photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
