Al-Farouq Aminu has consistently been one of the Portland Trail Blazers best defenders, but by diving deeper into the box score, we can see that he has taken his game to another level this season.

The Portland Trail Blazers have got off to an impressive start this season including a statement win last night versus the Milwaukee Bucks.

Part of their success can be attributed to the team’s defense. Portland is currently ranked sixth in opponent points per game, but even more impressive is the fact that they are ranked third in opponent field goal percentage thus far.

The Blazers are allowing opposing offenses to shoot 42.7% from the field, which is two percent lower than last season.

This defensive success begins with Al-Farouq Aminu. Aminu is the Blazers best perimeter defender. Maurice Harkless is very good, as well, but he has missed significant time this season.

Aminu has increased his defensive rating to 105.4, which is higher than last year’s mark of 103.8. However, what Aminu has done best this season is defending the perimeter. Opponents are shooting an insane 25.6% from deep when Aminu is defending them. Last season, Aminu held defenders to 34.6% shooting from three, which is still impressive.

Nevertheless, 25.6% is an elite mark. For context, he is currently disrupting three-point shooters better than Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Avery Bradley, and Robert Covington.

In a league that is now built around the three-point shot, Aminu’s defense has been more valuable than ever. Opponents have not fared any better from midrange as he holding opponents to 25% shooting from 15 feet or more.

He has not just been locking down rookies or role players, either. For example, Aminu defended LeBron James in two games this season. James shot 40.7% from the field and 12.5% from three across the 53 possessions that Aminu defended him.

Two other examples are Nikola Mirotic and LaMarcus Aldridge. Aminu held Mirotic to a field goal percentage of 27.3% while guarding him for 50 possessions. He also held Aldridge to 33.3% shooting from the field while defending him for 43 possessions.

It is safe to say the Aminu has upped his game significantly this season. If this level of play continues on the defensive end, he may even end up being named to his first All-Defensive team at the end of the season.