After Thursday’s loss in Houston, the Trail Blazers are 7-6, but the tone in Portland’s locker room following the 126-109 defeat suggests things are worse than their record indicates.
“We kind of suck right now,” star guard Damian Lillard said. “It’s that simple.”
The defense is of particular concern. The Blazers are allowing 112.4 points per game, which ranks second to last in the NBA, and their -5.2 average point differential is tied for 23rd in the league.
They give up points in the paint at an alarming rate, as much an indictment on the guards allowing penetration as it is the big men from protecting the rim.
In the last eight days, the Blazers have been down 48 to the Clippers before losing by 31, down 17 to the Nuggets, down 26 to the Bulls and 25 to the Rockets.
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Also, the Blazers have been out-rebounded in every one of their games since the season opener against a depleted Utah Jazz team. Thursday, the Rockets had a 54-41 edge on the boards. Wednesday, the Bulls grabbed an NBA-high 67 rebounds in their 113-88 win at Portland.
“We usually are a pretty good offensive team. We’ve been bad on offense and bad on defense,” Lillard continued. “We’re trying hard, but we’re not always making the smartest plays, sometimes let the offensive end affect the defensive end.”
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Guard Evan Turner added of the defense, “S--- it can’t get no worse. Right?”
One positive, though, that can be taken from Portland’s bad run is the leadership exemplified by Lillard.
Asked what’s next for his team, Lillard responded, “Just got to keep fighting. That’s one thing we have done. … It’s important for our team to stay together. That’s one of the biggest strengths of our team. If we try to stay positive and keep working and keep fighting, at some point it will click and we’ll get it right and then things will be fine.”