Portland Trail Blazers' All-Star point guard Damian Lillard says the Golden State Warriors' defence is weaker without Andrew Bogut's presence.
Lillard plans to attack the basket against the Warriors this season because the intimidating presence of the 213cm tall Australian centre and shot blocker is not there.
The Warriors offloaded Bogut to the Dallas Mavericks in the off-season to clear salary space for prized recruit, forward Kevin Durant.
"It's not the same,'' Lillard, critiquing the Warriors' defence this season, told reporters.
"They are a great offensive team and I think they will still be a good defensive team, but it's different when Bogut is not back there.
"It's just not the same."
The Trail Blazers play the Warriors on Tuesday (Wednesday 1pm AEDT).
Lillard said while watching Warriors' games this season he noticed teams attacking the paint "a lot" and in a preseason game he found himself free to get to the rim.
It was not the case when the Warriors knocked the Trail Blazers out of the playoffs last season with Bogut in the team.
"It's different when you don't have a guy like Andrew Bogut in that paint," Lillard said.
Share
