The 4-2 Portland Trail Blazers are experiencing an early-season thrill, riding high on a victory over the Denver Nuggets and a winning record for the first time in what seems like forever. Defense is one of the main reasons the Blazers have stayed competitive so far. They’re looking thrilling on the defensive end. But is the approach really effective or is this smoke and mirrors? That’s the subject of today’s Blazer’s Edge Mailbag.

Hi Dave,

There is much to love about our vaunted defense: steals, pressure, energy. But then I see the numbers opponents are putting up both individually (Edwards: 41, Curry: 35, Reaves: 41) and as teams (Utah’s 134, 73 at the half) and wonder: is our defensive strategy sustainable if we can’t keep opponents from scoring? It’s great that we are winning games,

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