E-Balla wrote:E-Balla wrote:Deeeez Knicks wrote:A floor spacing big is probably more critical then a rim protecting big at this point in the league
Name a single team that has won without a rim protecting big or a wing/forward that can protect the rim? In NBA history. Like there's no archetype of player more consistently impactful than a rim protector, no matter the era. The best shots are still dunks and layups. An uncontested layup is a damn near 90% shot.
Looked it up the Celtics and Wolves were the 2 best rim defending teams last year. Post trade deadline the Mavericks were the best rim defending team last year.
In 2023 the Nuggets allowed the least amount of points inside of 6 feet per game in the playoffs.
The 2022 Warriors were 5th *lowest in points allowed inside of 6 feet.
The 2021 Bucks allowed the fewest points inside of 6 feet.
Like what NBA are y'all watching where rim defenders are dead? The one where Gafford/Lively vs Gobert/KAT determined the WCF and where Horford/KP were key players on the championship squad?
Team defense is way more important these days then just one shot blocker that roams the paint. The good teams have that floor spacing big that basically takes the guys like Gobert, Gafford, etc out of the paint. We have great wing defenders that can help cover. Plus we still have Mitch coming back so we can mix and match as needed.
Every recent team had floor spacing bigs too. That was something we really needed. Randle at 30% from 3 + a non shooting C just wasnt going to be good enough.
So ideally we can play multiple different ways and can match up better against teams like the celtics.