The Portland Trail Blazers should be a more than competent defensive outfit this season. General Manager Joe Cronin has flipped a roster that struggled guarding garden gnomes into a defensive behemoth, boasting length and athleticism at every position.

The problem is, the playing group now appears devoid of any standout offensive presence. The Blazers will, of course, score, but unlike previous years, registering 100 points will be a nightly challenge, not an expectation.

Last season, Anfernee Simons was the franchise’s leading scorer, averaging 19.3 points a night. Unless a subsequent trade — to the one that landed Portland Jrue Holiday — eventuates, Simons will be logging points for the Boston Celtics next season.

Second to Simons last season was Shaedon Sharpe who averaged 18.5 point

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