Portland Trail Blazers: 5 goals for Noah Vonleh in 2017-18
2. Average one steal and one block per game
Noah Vonleh brings plenty of energy and hustle to the festivities when he’s on the floor. However, that electricity doesn’t always turn into tangible numbers for the Blazers.
More from Hoops Habit
- 7 Players the Miami Heat might replace Herro with by the trade deadline
- Meet Cooper Flagg: The best American prospect since LeBron James
- Are the Miami Heat laying the groundwork for their next super team?
- Sophomore Jump: 5 second-year NBA players bound to breakout
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
Vonleh averaged 0.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per 36 minutes, which is in line with his career per 36 average. That was only 0.4 steals and 0.4 blocks in per game terms. His defensive rating has also increased with each passing season. In 2016-17, he allowed a career-worst 110 points per 100 possessions.
Vonleh has the length and athleticism to be a peskier defender. The same arms that pull down 11.0 rebounds per 36 minutes can swat away another shot or two per game. They can also deflect or intercept an additional pass or disrupt another dribble drive per game. According to NBA Math, Vonleh allowed only 0.78 points per possession when defending isolation plays.
Accomplishing this goal could come with a downside, however. Vonleh is still a young player, and he averages 2.1 fouls per game. If he becomes more aggressive on defense, he’ll probably pick up another foul or two per game.
However, that is well worth the risk. It’s especially important for Vonleh to improve as a defender considering he has the tools to do so. Increasing his defensive counting stats seems like a simple goal to work towards in 2017-18.