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The Blazers’ Best Defender Could Be The NBA’s Top Stopper

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Toumani Camara is the Blazers’ best defender, as proven by his All-Defensive Team selection. The Portland wing has the versatility to cover multiple positions, which makes him a potential top stopper in the league.

The Blazers’ Best Defender Could Be The NBA’s Top Stopper

As the Portland Trail Blazers continue to improve, their defense will be the foundation. Chauncey Billups has focused his efforts on building a strong defense with a specific standout player.

Toumani Camara has cemented himself as one of the brightest players on the Blazers roster. He was once a second-round pick on the Phoenix Suns roster, but the Blazers saw his potential. They got him as a throw-in in the Deandre Ayton trade. It was a fantastic steal for Portland, as he has become the team’s best defender. His potential is through the roof, which is great for the Trail Blazers’ defense.

Camara Has The Tools To Be The NBA’s Top Defender

At 6’8″ and 220 pounds, Camara has the optimal tools for the NBA. He has the versatility to defend forwards and centers, but he is also agile for defending guards. That has made him one of the league’s most underrated players.

Those physical tools already made him one of the best defenders in the NBA. However, he also has tremendous defensive IQ, which helps him to have a high ceiling. That helps him be a tough on-ball and off-ball defender, which boosts the Blazers’ defensive quality.

Camara is superb with his positioning, as evidenced by his league-leading 31 charges drawn. Every time he finds himself in the paint, he is finding ways to turn the possession around. He is also smart with his approach to one-on-one defending, as he loves containing his matchup.

During a February matchup against the Indiana Pacers, the Portland wing kept Tyrese Haliburton scoreless. It was one of the most impressive defensive performances of the season. The feat was even more remarkable after Halliburton led the Pacers to the NBA Finals months later.

Versatility Can Make Camara The NBA’s Best Stopper

With his physical traits, Camara can be a valid stopper across all five positions. He proved that as a versatile defender who guarded both Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Not many players can do that in the NBA, but Camara continued to prove he is a top defender. He is already one of the best one-on-one stoppers, but he also thrives in any system. For Billups, Camara is the chosen player who can pressure for 94 feet.

Billups trusts Camara enough to match him up on the opponents’ number one option often. Even when Camara only had one season under his belt, Billups already trusted the Belgian’s versatility.

“He’s gifted at it. I want guys that play to their strengths every night, and that’s what he does. He’s to me, one of the best in the league already at it. He’s always going to do what’s best for the team, what’s best for him. So, you can book that,” Billups said in an interview before the 2024-25 season.

Camara Can Go Beyond Being The Blazers’ Best Defender

After a promising second half of the 2024-25 season, the Blazers look encouraging again. They have the potential to become a top team, especially on defense. Camara is their leader on that end, and they also added Jrue Holiday.

Donovan Clingan is also a top defender, as he showed his prowess during his rookie year. The defensive talent on the Trail Blazers is on a high level, which is exciting for the fans.

As long as they remain committed to Billups’ system, Portland will be a threat. They might still have some issues with the offense, but they are slowly working on that.

If they prove they are a top-tier defense, Camara will become more popular. He is already an underrated defensive star, but the rest of the NBA will learn more about him.

© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

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