Portland Trail Blazers: 3 goals for Al-Farouq Aminu in 2018-19

Portland Trail Blazers forward Al-Farouq Aminu has settled into his role as a 3-and-D player. What are some goals he could work toward achieving in the 2018-19 season?

The Portland Trail Blazers had a roller-coaster season in 2017-18. They began the year hovering around the .500 mark with an improved defense and stagnant offense. However, things kicked into gear in February when the team reeled off a 13-game winning streak. Sadly, the Blazers faltered down the stretch, going 5-7 in their last 12 games and getting swept in the first round of the playoffs.

Al-Farouq Aminu was one of the few players on the team who remained fairly consistent through all of the ebbs and flows. He played 69 games in 2017-18, making 67 starts and averaging 9.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He only shot 39.5 percent from the field, but a respectable 36.9 percent from 3-point range and 73.8 percent from the free throw line.

Aminu was an important role player last season. He possessed the fourth-best scoring average on the team and the second-best net rating among Blazers rotation players. Heading into 2018-19, Portland is likely going to need more of the same from the stretch forward.

As we approach a new NBA season, what are some goals that Al-Farouq Aminu could work on to aid his personal — and the team’s — success?