The defense is for real

Post #1 » by **Knightro** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:17 pm

We're now 18 games in and starting to creep up towards "this is a trend" instead of "small sample size noise". I'm pretty comfortable saying that the Magic defense seems to be for real.

6th in defensive efficiency
4th in opponents PPG
3rd in opponents 3PT%
5th in free throw attempts allowed
6th in contested two-point FGs
24th in Pace

This is the classic Frank Vogel method. Go back to his last five years in Indiana and you'll see similar trends. Slow the game down, scramble to contest everything in the half court without fouling, avoid a windshield wiper game, etc.

9th DEF, 19th Pace
1st DEF, 25th Pace
1st DEF, 20th Pace
7th DEF, 19th Pace
3rd DEF, 11th Pace

We're not even 20 games in and Vogel's fingerprints are all over this team defensively.

Think about it this way. The middle of the pack in points per game allowed is 104.0 and defensive efficiency is 103.1. The Magic have LOST games this year allowing 87, 88, 93, 92 and 94 points. In four of those five losses, the Magic's defense played at a level that would be No. 1 in the NBA over the course of a full season.

Now about the offense...

Optimus_Steel · Post #2 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:31 pm

Is there a way to see the defensive rating if you exclude the first 2 weeks of the season?

nicnac215 · Post #3 » by **nicnac215** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:54 pm

We are like the 2001 76ers without Iverson. Give us modern day Iverson aka Westbrook and we could lose in the finals.

ButchMcRae · Post #4 » by **ButchMcRae** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:57 pm

Optimus_Steel wrote:Is there a way to see the defensive rating if you exclude the first 2 weeks of the season?

I wouldn't mind seeing those numbers at all. We stunk it up in the beginning. You can really see the team coming together now. The games we have loss lately havent been by large margins as the were in the first couple of weeks.

Bergmaniac · Post #5 » by **Bergmaniac** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:01 pm

Optimus_Steel wrote:Is there a way to see the defensive rating if you exclude the first 2 weeks of the season?

http://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/#!?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=2016-17&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&DateFrom=11%2F09%2F2016&DateTo=11%2F30%2F2016

fendilim · Post #6 » by **fendilim** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:05 pm

Well, the concern since the offseason isn't the defense. I think bringing in Frank, everyone expected us to be a good defensive team.

I'm just surprised how we did nothing to suppress the real issue.

Post #7 » by **Dirk** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:11 pm

ButchMcRae wrote:
Optimus_Steel wrote:Is there a way to see the defensive rating if you exclude the first 2 weeks of the season?
I wouldn't mind seeing those numbers at all. We stunk it up in the beginning. You can really see the team coming together now. The games we have loss lately havent been by large margins as the were in the first couple of weeks.

From Nov 13-30

Defense #2: 95.3 (Oct 26-Nov 13: #28 108.3)

Offense #28: 94.7 | TS% #29: 49.6

Post #8 » by **UCFJayBird** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:13 pm

I think we were all a bit surprised that the defense was so poor to start the year, but expected it to improve throughout the season. Admittedly I thought we might be top 10 by the end of the season I didn't expect the sudden overnight improvement.

The offense has been worse than people expected, and unlike the defense it hasn't improved all that much. I think it's been better the last two games but that's too small to say, and even then it's just OK. I think Ibaka's usage on offense needs to increase as he's been highly efficient, while Fournier needs to back it off a notch. Vooch seems to be getting back into his groove. The real issue though is Elf and Aaron are inconsistent. DJ starting helps but we need Aaron to play more like last night.

Optimus_Steel · Post #9 » by **Optimus_Steel** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:13 pm

Bergmaniac wrote:
Optimus_Steel wrote:Is there a way to see the defensive rating if you exclude the first 2 weeks of the season?

http://stats.nba.com/teams/advanced/#!?sort=DEF_RATING&dir=-1&Season=2016-17&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&DateFrom=11%2F09%2F2016&DateTo=11%2F30%2F2016

Interesting, our defensive rating in that time frame is 3rd, but essentially tied for 2nd with our next opponent Memphis. We really need to try to jump on them early since they could be vulnerable with Conley being out. Could be an ugly game on both sides. Tied for 2nd thats really damm impressive considering how bad the first week or 2 were.

Post #10 » by **UCFJayBird** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:15 pm

Oh, and Jeff Green has been a rather large disappointment on offense. I expected inconsistency, but he really hasn't even shown too many flashes. Definitely understand why he was signed to a one year deal.

ButchMcRae · Post #11 » by **ButchMcRae** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:22 pm

UCFJayBird wrote:Oh, and Jeff Green has been a rather large disappointment on offense. I expected inconsistency, but he really hasn't even shown too many flashes. Definitely understand why he was signed to a one year deal.

I agree with you Jay Bird he seems too lackadaisical for me on the court, there's absolutely no urgency. At the very least be a consistent 3 point threat. Hes chucking em but there not falling. I cant see him being on this roster anything past this season.

Cammo101 · Post #12 » by **Cammo101** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:37 pm

UCFJayBird wrote:Oh, and Jeff Green has been a rather large disappointment on offense. I expected inconsistency, but he really hasn't even shown too many flashes. Definitely understand why he was signed to a one year deal.

If we can replace Green with a true scoring wing, we would be very good IMO. Trade for Gay, sign a FA scorer this offseason, or draft a lottery wing prospects should be the priority.

Nemesis21 · Post #13 » by **Nemesis21** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:48 pm

Cammo101 wrote:
UCFJayBird wrote:Oh, and Jeff Green has been a rather large disappointment on offense. I expected inconsistency, but he really hasn't even shown too many flashes. Definitely understand why he was signed to a one year deal.

If we can replace Green with a true scoring wing, we would be very good IMO. Trade for Gay, sign a FA scorer this offseason, or draft a lottery wing prospects should be the priority.

I keep getting bashed for bringing his name up, their argument is he won't get us to title contenders. How about making the playoffs first before thinking about contending for title. Rudy would definitely help get us to the playoffs.

BadMofoPimp · Post #14 » by **BadMofoPimp** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 4:59 pm

I would only take Gay in a Green/Dudek for Gay type deal. I wouldn't give anything of value for Gay.

Nemesis21 · Post #15 » by **Nemesis21** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:11 pm

BadMofoPimp wrote:I would only take Gay in a Green/Dudek for Gay type deal. I wouldn't give anything of value for Gay.

Green, Rudez and NEM for Gay. Get it done BadMofo!

Mauro Pedrosa · Post #16 » by **Mauro Pedrosa** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:14 pm

Do you guys like Dragic and trust him to stay healthy?

Nemesis21 · Post #17 » by **Nemesis21** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:15 pm

Mauro Pedrosa wrote:Do you guys like Dragic and trust him to stay healthy?

Does a bear chit in the ocean?

cedric76 · Post #18 » by **cedric76** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:09 pm

Nemesis21 wrote:
Mauro Pedrosa wrote:Do you guys like Dragic and trust him to stay healthy?

Does a bear chit in the ocean?

lol

axl_c_cool · Post #19 » by **axl_c_cool** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:34 pm

I've been talking about Gay to, I really think if we can get him without giving up much we should, maybe DJ and a protected pick? They need a PG

Magic_Johnny12 · Post #20 » by **Magic_Johnny12** » Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:49 pm

I will happily give Sacramento Green + a protected 1st (which probably ends up being (2) seconds) and a minimal young player of their choice (Wilcox, Zimmerman).