nate33 wrote:payitforward wrote:nate33 wrote:I think Rui is that guy. He'll be a legit stopper in this league....
You've said this kind of thing about Rui several times. I would be really grateful if you'd explain why you think this -- & above all why you seem to be so extraordinarily
confident about it. To a point approaching certainty.
Am I misreading you? If I'm not, then anything to support that projection would be most useful & welcome.
You keep asking this question, but I can't answer it to your satisfaction because you only believe box score stats, and defense isn't measured by box score stats....
Please don't act like I'm simple-minded or one-dimensional, nate -- I don't pull that attitude on you. In particular, my question couldn't have been framed more respectfully. & if I'm engaging with an individual, I hope he will notice that respect & respond in kind -- as you usually do.
For the sake of clarity, box scores are
data. They aren't inherently a form of knowledge, tho of course they do provide information, hence there is something to learn from them. Thus, I notice that you use box score data whenever you find that it supports a point you want to make (e.g. on/off -- but all the rest of them as well: it's from the box score that we learn Rui's 3pt %, & it's from box scores that we learn about the changes in rebounding patterns per position).
None of this should be a surprise, given that a box score tells you unambiguously who won or lost a game, & quite often suffices as well to tell you why a team won or lost.
You are absolutely correct, however, that the box score tells you nothing about defense. &, in fact, defense is obviously so much a matter of teamwork that it can be really hard to judge individual defenders -- e.g. one guy who doesn't pay attention can put another guy in a position to look like a bad defender.
For that reason, I appreciate what you go on to write:
nate33 wrote:...The best I can tell you is that, I watch the games and I watch how teams treat Rui. Nobody runs screens to try to force a mismatch against Rui. They go at other players - virtually any other player on the roster. Likewise, the Wizards try to have Rui guard the opposition's best offensive forward. They always do....
Thanks, that's to the point of my question; it's a reason why you think something. Of course, being a team's
best defender doesn't necessarily mean that a guy is a
good defender, but still this is what I was asking about. & if you can be a little more granular about it, I'll be appreciative. I.e. what is Rui doing that dissuades the opponent from going at him?
nate33 wrote:...When you watch the playoffs wear on, you see how teams attack weak defenders, ultimately forcing coaches to shorten their rotation to extreme levels. Phoenix only plays 6 guys now: the starters plus Cam Johnson....
I thought of Torrey Craig as a player known for his high-level (or at least high-effort?) defense, but he gets no PT.
nate33 wrote:...Milwaukee is really only comfortable with 5 guys: Jrue, Middleton, Connaughton, Tucker and Giannis, and they hold their breath whenever Portis or Lopez are in the game. ...
Pat Connaughton really is having a great series. I'm glad you mentioned him.
nate33 wrote:...Rui is a guy who can stay in a game defensively. Indeed, looking at our roster, the only guys that look like they can play in a Finals game without getting played off the floor are Beal, Westbrook and Rui....
Ok, thanks -- I have an idea what you mean.
Overall, it seems like defense is largely a question of 1) focus & attention, & 2) individual athleticism (i.e. as opposed to specific highly-developed "skills"). Since Rui is clearly a hard worker & is obviously more than adequately athletic even for an NBA player, it makes sense that he would establish himself more quickly & at a higher level on defense than on offense.
