Jason Kidd - Worthless on Defense ?

[dond]

I was watching portions of the Lakers / Mavericks game this past weekend and I was noticing how, on occasion, Kobe Bryant was blowing past Jason Kidd like he was standing still. This is not surprising to me. This happens in the NBA all of the time. The offensive moves of good NBA players are much too quick for a single player to handle on defense.

Just then, the thought occured to me that, at times, I had heard the criticism of the Sixers guards described as worthless on defense, or something to that effect because the opposing player was blowing by him as though he was standing still.

I bring this up for the purpose of illustrating how players of high status in the NBA have the same thing occur to them as do the Sixer players without being labeled "worthless on defense". I feel that the Sixer personnel are, at times, subjected to unrealistic standards when compared to what is normal for the League.

So, hopefully, the next time someone notices Willie Green, or Andre Miller, or Lou Williams, or whomever, get "blown by" it will not serve as evidence that they do not belong in the NBA.

Enjoy

[dbodner]

Jason Kidd is a mediocre defender at this point of his career IMO. Age and injuries (RE: microfracture) have really caught up to him, especially with the quicker players.

However, saying great players beat great defenders does not prove that Willie Green, Andre Miller, and Louis Williams are good defender. Willie Green might be average, although at the 2 guard I think he overmatched semi-regularly. Louis Williams has been improving in the 2nd half of the season, but I would still classify him as below average overall. I would say Andre Miller is below average as well. Not based on being beaten on one play by Tony Parker, but on their overall play throughout the season.

[UptownPhilly]

Defense is a team effort. However some players are just not capable of playing good defense, due to a lack of effort or athletic ability.

I agree though, if basketball were a one on one game, many players would be unstoppable.

[dond]

I feel that the Sixer personnel are, at times, subjected to unrealistic standards when compared to what is normal for the League.

This is really my main point in bringing this topic up. I may not have been real clear on that. It was not my intent to begin a discussion on whether or not the Sixer guards are good defensive players. I just feel that because Sixer fans do not see players from other teams on a regular basis there is a tendency to think that they do not make the same mistakes that the Sixer players do ... when, in fact, they do make those "mistakes" because it is just normal throughout the league.

[Grenerd686]

So, hopefully, the next time someone notices Willie Green, or Andre Miller, or Lou Williams, or whomever, get "blown by" it will not serve as evidence that they do not belong in the NBA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huw9kApQVAc

Clearly Kobe should not be in the league.

[dond]

Clearly Kobe should not be in the league.

Good example ....

I can only imagine the abuse that might have been rained down upon Willie Green 2 months ago (by members of this forum) if that had been him on defense. Of course, Kobe may have had some abuse rain down upon him also in that situation because it was bad defense. However, my point, again, is that these things happen all the time in the NBA, it is not unique to the Sixer guards ... it only seems that way when all you see are Sixer games. Or, if you do watch other games, you just do not notice it as much.

[Skates]

being a good defender is often a lot more subtle than stopping every drive or blocking every shot. Sure even the best defenders get beaten by the athletes in this league, that's why the score are usually around 90-100 pts a piece, no shutouts in this league. But that does not mean our guards are good defenders, they are pretty below aveage generally.

As Roletagg noted good D is team D. A lot of times that means letting your guy get past you if need be, but forcing him to his weaker hand and into the strength of the defense. Also it means a lot of drives never get started because the defender has good position on the offensive player even before he receives the ball. The scrambling style of D the team has been playing lately has been executed pretty well by all, but just like our half-court offense, our half-court D could use a lot of work, especially with our guards.

[barkley34]

Most of the decent offensive point guards in the NBA are below average defensive players. Kidd,Bibby,Nash,Iverson,Tinsley,Parker etc.,,,

Occasionally you get guys like Gary Payton who can do both but most of the time they are either good defensive players like Rondo,Snow etc.,, or good offensive players but not both.

It is the wing positions where you need 2 way players to succeed.

[Skates]

Kidd got toasted by CP3 last week and tonight he is being buried by deron Williams. Devin Harris OTOH has been scoring quite nicely for NJ since he came back from his injury. The Kidd and Shaq trades have helped move some better, younger talent to the East and left some Western teams with aging players and monster contracts.

[bech01a1]

Kidd used to be a very good defender. He no longer is, he hasn't been for a while. I remember Parker just abusing him in the Finals a few years back. This is why I thought it was an awful trade for Dallas. Kidd has never been able to shoot, and at this point can no longer play D, I think Dallas gave up way too much for him.

[76ciology]

Jason Kidd might be a step slower in his game at this point of his career. But like the commentators who were at the Lakers-Mavs game said.. "I'll take great offense over great defense, anyday.."

[Skates]

Jason Kidd might be a step slower in his game at this point of his career. But like the commentators who were at the Lakers-Mavs game said.. "I'll take great offense over great defense, anyday.."

Don't be fooled by Kidd having decent looking stats at the end of the Utah game last night, he scored a bunch late when the game was already decided. He had 5 pts and a handful of assists and TO's at the end of the third quarter and the game was pretty nuch in the bag. Deron Williams didn't just score and hand out 20 assists on J-Kidd, he shut him down defensively for most of the game too.

[noone]

Jason Kidd might be a step slower in his game at this point of his career. But like the commentators who were at the Lakers-Mavs game said.. "I'll take great offense over great defense, anyday.."

But what does that have to do with the Mavs trading Harris for Kidd? Sure a great offensive player is better than a great defensive player, but it's not like they traded a great defender for Kidd.

The Mavs were +10 points per 100 possessions at 117.3 with Harris on the court while only playing 30 mpg. Up to date the Mavs are at 109 points per 100 possessions with Kidd on the court in 39 mpg. I know the Kidd stats don't mean much right now because he's only played 8 games, but I'm just trying to make the point (for no good reason) that by the way its looking so far, the Mavs didn't even trade a good offensive player for a better one.

[NetsForce]

It's not like Kidd came back on the fastbreak and ripped Kobe clean on a fastbreak layup attempt, or like he stole the ball from Bryant at the end of regulation... Kidd sucks at everything.

Kidd has his flaws but some of the posts in this thread are embarrassing. I'm sorry if I offended anyone by saying that but honestly... just wow.

Kidd was never getting complimented for when he did shut down players like Gordon and Kobe earlier this year with the Nets but now that he's gone to Dallas everyone talks about the negatives and fails to acknowledge the positives...

Overall I'll tell you this though, Kidd can no longer guard quick point guards like Chris Paul, Tony Parker, etc. for a full 48 minutes. He's still a beast when he guards wing players though, Bryant's amazing outburst aside... (In all honesty though when Bryant is on a run like that is there a single player in the NBA that can stop him one-on-one? I doubt even a prime Kidd could)...

Kidd's help defense is also phenomenal, if you're going to throw out everything I said above because you didn't get a chance to see Kidd play with the Nets this year and didn't get to see the good defensive games he did have... Then at least grant Kidd that...