johnnyvann840 wrote:Indomitable wrote:transplant wrote:Getting back to the OP, I don’t know that LaVine needed a wake up call...or should I say another wake up call. When you read anything nationally about LaVine, something like “terrible defense” is bound to be included. Not surprisingly, few choose to note that he’s gradually getting less terrible.
Reputations are hard to shake, particularly when the stats continue to support that rep. While I’d love to see some defensive lightbulb go on for him, I’ll accept the gradual improvement.
Scoring is important and the kid can do it on that end.
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He needs to improve his playmaking. Westbrook, Harden, and a host of all stars are crap defenders. He needs to become a 2 to 1 assist TO and he will become another up in coming star in the media.
Defense is important to win big.
Harden really is not a crap defender. He's actually a very solid team defender and one of the better guards defending in the paint. A player with a bad defensive reputation due to some memes and youtube low lights and a lot of "know nothing" commentary which perpetuates the misnomer. He spends so much energy on the offensive end that he does take an occasional play off on the other end and those wind up as memes. What he does well is anticipate, position himself and his hands are very good. His high IQ and anticipation is something that you can't teach. Truly a case of a bad rep following a player around for far too long.
Also...
Although I'm not huge on def rating as a stat, I would certainly not call Westbrook a "crap defender" either. When he wants to lock it down, he can be very good and quite often is.
https://okcthunderwire.usatoday.com/2018/12/30/oklahoma-city-thunder-russell-westbrook-nba-leader-defensive-rating/
Westbrook is hidden just like Harden but believe what you may. Harden is schemes are. He always had 4 good defenders on the floor with him.
Okc has solid team defense concepts.
Westbrook and Harden defense is bad. The team help them. Curry defense is nothing special. Team defense is what this league is about.
Zach is not good on defense . His problem was he had Lopez who could not move. Lauri who is below avg on defense.
Jabari who is terrible.
Portis who is a middling defender.
Last year Bulls team had 4 solid to good defenders.
Wendell, Hutch, Shaq, Otto
Dunn defense was bad.
Wendell and Hutch were struggled on offense but they always rotated to the right position. Otto is a pro. Shaq brought great passion and brought the intensity. He did not do all that reaching Dunn did last year.
Tomas in FIBA never missed a switch or a close out. He is not a stopper but he understands his job.
Young is a pro in the mold of Taj on defense.
Arch is nothing special but he does his job.
Defense is more about being aware since advent of the zone defense. The Bulls can switch a lot on defense with their backcourt size.
My point being is The Bulls have made a roster to protect their two best offensive players on defense. The defense will be better because you have reduce the number of clowns on the team.
Harden and Westbrook were helped by their team on defense. Zach on the ball defense in a drive situation is not bad. His awareness is his weak point.
Both Harden and Westbrook have shown better awareness. Zach Lowe agrees with me about the defensive play of Harden and Westbrook.
Westbrook has not truly tried on defense in about 4 years. He still probably has the ability. His biggest issue last year in his play was having the knee surgery just before the season.
Harden on defense stinks in space. He is aware and plays solid post defense. He a bad individual defender but is scheme protected. Plus his awareness off the ball is better then3 yea 're ago.
