Defense - Every position ranked by 5 years of DRPM data

[LBJKB24MJ23]

Derozan showing what world class talent can give you on the defensive end.

[CoreyGallagher]

For what's it's worth, Embiid and Simmons have played a little less than 100 games each.

Simmons (PG): +1.45, would be ranked 4th, not bad for a rookie
Embiid: +3.59, would be ranked 2nd

I understood why they weren't there, but appreciate you taking the time to calculate it.

[Illmatic12]

Nene FTW....surprised to him being #2 center in DRPM.

Nene was a defensive beast his last few years with Washington. The Wizards played him next to Gortat and completely walled off the paint (and that was before stretch 4s really became popular)

[Dan Z]

I didn't realize that Danny Green was that good at defense.

[SomeBunghole]

DRPM generally skews a bit towards big men because of the algorithm it uses, but I love the way it's broken down in this thread so you can compare players to their own position.

Like people said, it aligns well with "the eye test." Look at the bottom 4 PFs. They are the worst defenders at that position in the league and teams know it. Except the Rockets, shockingly, who are supposed to be big on advance stats. I know people will say Morey somehow has better, more accurate stats, but I would love to see a stat that does not show that Carmelo and Anderson are utter garbage at defense.

I think one of the reasons why the SG position looks especially rough is that teams are more willing to play guys who don't bother defending at that spot because they can score. I mean, can you imagine a team giving minutes to a center who approaches defense like Jamal Crawford? Enes Kanter put up 14-11 on 26(!) minute a game. That's 20-15 per 36. There's a reason he doesn't play 36 minutes a game, though, even on a bad team. He is the Jamal Crawford of centers.

The SG thing also makes sense if you think about how many SGs really take pride in their defense? A handful, and they're all in the top 10 on that list. Props to Vince, Korver and Manu, who are proof that you don't need athleticism to play D. You need intelligence and dedication.

[SomeBunghole]

Can I also point out that my Jazz have 4 out of 5 starters in the positive(one is a rookie and doesn't qualify) and 2 of the 5 are #1 and #2 at their position? And that Kanter was basically traded for Rubio?

[GQ Hot Dog]

Rudy Gobert is the best NBA defender since ORL's Dwight Howard.

According to the numbers(and the eye test) Gobert is the best NBA defender since Draymond Green.

[YogurtProducer]

Lowry 4 FVV 9 Delon 13
Green 2
Kawhi 1
Serge 10 Siakam 23
Monroe 47 Val 48

There’s a lot to like in Raptor land defensively especially considering that doesn’t have OG in there.

[YogurtProducer]

Can I also point out that my Jazz have 4 out of 5 starters in the positive(one is a rookie and doesn't qualify) and 2 of the 5 are #1 and #2 at their position? And that Kanter was basically traded for Rubio?

As far as I can tell raptors don’t have a single negative player in their entire rotation. 3 top 5’s and 5 top 10 players to. DeRozan was traded for Kawhi

[TheNewEra]

4 Salah Mejri. How does this happen and how does this not discredit the stat as a whole?

[YogurtProducer]

4 Salah Mejri. How does this happen and how does this not discredit the stat as a whole?

Because people understand how to look at stats and think about context. He does average 1 steal and 3 blocks per 36 so he does have some defensive instinct. Dallas’ defense also got 5 points worse with him on the bench. Combined with the fact he probably on played in favourable matchups probably means he didn’t have the opportunity to ever be bad and bring his ranking to a more true place. Similar issues with Lucas Nogueira who would play 25 minutes when hot and boost his stats and only 2 when he sucked. He never has the opportunity to be bad log enough to affect rankings.

So yeah, just try and understand stats and don’t instantly bash them.

[TheNewEra]

4 Salah Mejri. How does this happen and how does this not discredit the stat as a whole?

Because people understand how to look at stats and think about context. He does average 1 steal and 3 blocks per 36 so he does have some defensive instinct. Dallas’ defense also got 5 points worse with him on the bench. Combined with the fact he probably on played in favourable matchups probably means he didn’t have the opportunity to ever be bad and bring his ranking to a more true place. Similar issues with Lucas Nogueira who would play 25 minutes when hot and boost his stats and only 2 when he sucked. He never has the opportunity to be bad log enough to affect rankings.

So yeah, just try and understand stats and don’t instantly bash them.

So what’s the context of Greek Freak being so low. So it’s a minutes topic ? So David West is a top tier bench defender?

[cupcakesnake]

:o Raptors have three in the top 5: Leonard (1st), Green (2nd), Lowry (4th)

Yay. They also acquired Greg Monroe who is their best defensive center. (Poor Jonas)

Denver is lucky. Jokic is an elite defender never knew that. Imagine a Jokic, Nurkic frontcourt they would dominate.

In all seriousness Jokic probably confuses the opponent with his passing so they become tired and inept on offense.

Jonas took a huge step forward this past season. DRPM of 0.62, which isn't amazing but he went from bad to average. I bet you he takes another leap now that Derozan's gone. Teams would go after Derozan/Val in pick and rolls and Val would end up playing 2 on 1 almost every time

[YogurtProducer]

4 Salah Mejri. How does this happen and how does this not discredit the stat as a whole?

Because people understand how to look at stats and think about context. He does average 1 steal and 3 blocks per 36 so he does have some defensive instinct. Dallas’ defense also got 5 points worse with him on the bench. Combined with the fact he probably on played in favourable matchups probably means he didn’t have the opportunity to ever be bad and bring his ranking to a more true place. Similar issues with Lucas Nogueira who would play 25 minutes when hot and boost his stats and only 2 when he sucked. He never has the opportunity to be bad log enough to affect rankings.

So yeah, just try and understand stats and don’t instantly bash them.

So what’s the context of Greek Freak being so low. So it’s a minutes topic ? So David West is a top tier bench defender?

5 years of data would include Giannis underwhelimg first couple years

[TheNewEra]

Because people understand how to look at stats and think about context. He does average 1 steal and 3 blocks per 36 so he does have some defensive instinct. Dallas’ defense also got 5 points worse with him on the bench. Combined with the fact he probably on played in favourable matchups probably means he didn’t have the opportunity to ever be bad and bring his ranking to a more true place. Similar issues with Lucas Nogueira who would play 25 minutes when hot and boost his stats and only 2 when he sucked. He never has the opportunity to be bad log enough to affect rankings.

So yeah, just try and understand stats and don’t instantly bash them.

So what’s the context of Greek Freak being so low. So it’s a minutes topic ? So David West is a top tier bench defender?

5 years of data would include Giannis underwhelimg first couple years

I see curious interesting seeing Wesley Johnson so high oh well

[YogurtProducer]

So what’s the context of Greek Freak being so low. So it’s a minutes topic ? So David West is a top tier bench defender?

5 years of data would include Giannis underwhelimg first couple years

I see curious interesting seeing Wesley Johnson so high oh well

This is just defensively in case you missed that. Wesley as far as I know has always been a decent enough defensive player

[Gus McCrae]

Lonzo ranked #3 but not enough games to qualify.
Also different numbers on ESPN for some reason

http://www.espn.com/nba/statistics/rpm/_/sort/DRPM/position/1

[TinmanZBoy]

lol @ austin rivers... the former defensive stopper for doc rivers...

Austin's argument is that 5 years is too much data, he was only "good" since 2-3 years ago. Austin has tools defensively and actually can defend well here and there, his problem is that he negates the good defense he plays with some bone head plays like bad fouls, etc. He's not necessarily a high IW defense. He also doesn't contribute much to helping a team rebound statistically or in any other way.

you look no further than last season when he played huge minutes... he was one of the worst defenders in the whole league... a little pesky on ball here and there is not good defense, does not show capability either... he has never been a plus defender in any stretch of his career....

[homecourtloss]

One of the greatest NBA mysteries to me: Amir Johnson is somehow SUPER impactful on defense.

The eye test doesnt do him justice whatsoever

People don’t make shots when he contests them. Players in the league shot worse from everywhere on court against him than did against other players on average

2018 stats: https://stats.nba.com/player/101161/defense-dash/?Season=2017-18&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

2017 stats: https://stats.nba.com/player/101161/defense-dash/?Season=2016-17&SeasonType=Regular%20Season

[CelticsFTW]

So the interesting question is: how far would a team with

PG: Murray
SG: Roberson
SF: Leonard
PF: Green
C: Gobert

go?

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