NBA Superstars production in playoffs based on faced defenses

[70sFan]

Hi, I've been collecting stats for a while and I decided to make this post here. I separated some superstars offensive production in playoffs based on defense (RS ORtg) faced. Here are my (random) criteria:

Over +2.0 rDRtg - Bad Defense
From +2.0 to -2.0 rDRtg - Average Defense
From -2.0 to -4.0 rDRtg - Good Defense
From -4.0 to -7.0 rDRtg - Elite Defense
Below -7.0 rDRtg - All-Time Great Defense

I started with centers (my favorite position) and I haven't finished yet, but here are some results:


Centers

Spoiler:

Wilt Chamberlain (1960-68):

RS: 46.8 mpg, 24.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 36.0 ppg on 52.7% FG, 52.1% FT and 53.8% TS (+5.50% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (10.0% of playoffs games): -- mpg, 23.1 rpg, 8.6 apg, 27.9 ppg on 55.1% FG, 46.4% FT, 54.7% TS (+6.07 rTS%)
Against Average Defenses (23.75% of playoffs games): 48.0 mpg, 23.4 rpg, 4.1 apg, 34.2 ppg on 53.4% FG, 44.2% FT, 52.9% TS (+4.58 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (13.75% of playoffs games): 47.9 mpg, 27.5 rpg, 5.3 apg, 26.5 ppg on 49.6% FG, 45.0% FT, 49.9% TS (+1.23 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (28.75% of playoffs games): 47.3 mpg, 28.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 25.5 ppg on 50.8% FG, 45.6% FT, 51.0% TS (+2.47 rTS%)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (23.75% of playoffs games): 47.7 mpg, 28.7 rpg, 2.9 apg, 31.2 ppg on 50.9% FG, 56.8% FT, 53.4% TS (+5.30 rTS%)

Bill Russell (1959-66):

RS: 44.0 mpg, 23.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 16.2 ppg on 44.1% FG, 57.2% FT and 47.2% TS (-0.41% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (12.0% of playoffs games): 45.9 mpg, 24.6 rpg, 5.3 apg, 19.4 ppg on 51.5% FG, 60.8% FT, 55.0% TS (+6.32 rTS%)
Against Average Defenses (67.0% of playoffs games): -- mpg, 26.6 rpg, 4.7 apg, 18.9 ppg on 44.6% FG, 64.6% FT, 49.5% TS (+1.84 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (13.75% of playoffs games): -- mpg, 27.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 15.8 ppg on 42.7% FG, 51.2% FT, 45.9% TS (-1.89 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (11.0% of playoffs games): 42.8 mpg, 26.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 16.4 ppg on 42.7% FG, 60.9% FT, 45.4% TS (-1.90 rTS%)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.0% of playoffs games):--

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1970-80):

RS: 40.8 mpg, 14.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 28.3 ppg on 55.5% FG, 71.1% FT and 58.7% TS (+7.70% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (0.0% of playoffs games): --
Against Average Defenses (40.43% of playoffs games): 42.3 mpg, 16.9 rpg, 3.6 apg, 30.7 ppg on 55.9% FG, 73.2% FT, 60.0% TS (+9.22 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (32.98% of playoffs games): 46.3 mpg, 14.0 rpg, 4.1 apg, 27.8 ppg on 49.9% FG, 72.3% FT, 53.6% TS (+2.34 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (26.60% of playoffs games): 44.1 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 33.3 ppg on 54.5% FG, 72.2% FT, 56.9% TS (+5.28 rTS%)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.0% of playoffs games): --

Moses Malone (1979-89):

RS: 37.7 mpg, 13.6 rpg,1.6 apg, 3.5 tov, 24.6 ppg on 49.5% FG, 77.2% FT and 57.3% TS (+3.62% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (3.90% of playoffs games): 37.3 mpg, 17.7 rpg,1.3 apg, -- tov, 27.0 ppg on 52.5% FG, 63.0% FT and 55.6% TS (+2.47% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (40.26% of playoffs games): 42.8 mpg, 14.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.8 tov, 25.0 ppg on 48.8% FG, 72.2% FT, 55.2% TS (+1.69 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (41.56% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 12.7 rpg,1.4 apg, 2.9 tov, 21.2 ppg on 46.5% FG, 82.6% FT and 53.9% TS (+0.27% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (14.29% of playoffs games): 40.5 mpg, 13.7 rpg,2.1 apg, 1.9 tov, 27.0 ppg on 48.7% FG, 81.9% FT and 55.5% TS (+1.79% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.0% of playoffs games): --

Shaquille O'Neal (1994-04):

RS: 37.7 mpg, 11.9 rpg,3.0 apg, 2.8 tov, 27.5 ppg on 57.9% FG, 53.2% FT and 58.4% TS (+5.85% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (2.53% of playoffs games): 35.5 mpg, 13.5 rpg,1.0 apg, 2.0 tov, 22.5 ppg on 53.7% FG, 58.2% FT and 57.6% TS (+3.24% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (25.32% of playoffs games): 41.2 mpg, 12.7 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.9 tov, 30.2 ppg on 57.3% FG, 50.8% FT, 57.4% TS (+4.84 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (41.77% of playoffs games): 39.7 mpg, 12.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.0 tov, 25.8 ppg on 55.8% FG, 50.8% FT and 56.2% TS (+3.63% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (20.89% of playoffs games): 41.0 mpg, 13.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 tov, 28.2 ppg on 54.6% FG, 56.5% FT and 56.6% TS (+3.89% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (9.49% of playoffs games): 41.3 mpg, 12.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.7 tov, 24.2 ppg on 59.3% FG, 46.6% FT and 57.7% TS (+6.28% rTS)

Hakeem Olajuwon (1986-96):

RS: 38.0 mpg, 12.3 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 24.6 ppg on 51.4% FG, 72.1% FT and 55.8% TS (+2.07% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (6.36% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.9 tov, 29.6 ppg on 50.9% FG, 61.4% FT and 52.7% TS (-1.59% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (54.55% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 12.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.8 tov, 28.8 ppg on 54.1% FG, 71.7% FT, 58.1% TS (+4.37 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (23.64% of playoffs games): 43.2 mpg, 11.7 rpg, 4.3 apg, 3.8 tov, 29.0 ppg on 54.3% FG, 77.1% FT and 58.7% TS (+4.94% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (9.09% of playoffs games): 41.2 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.3 tov, 22.1 ppg on 47.8% FG, 68.9% FT and 52.5% TS (-1.66% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (6.36% of playoffs games): 43.1 mpg, 9.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.6 tov, 26.9 ppg on 50.0% FG, 86.0% FT and 55.6% TS (+2.85% rTS)

David Robinson (1990-98):

RS: 37.4 mpg, 11.6 rpg,3.0 apg, 2.9 tov, 25.1 ppg on 52.4% FG, 74.5% FT and 59.1% TS (+5.61% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (12.90% of playoffs games): 38.8 mpg, 12.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 3.1 tov, 27.9 ppg on 60.6% FG, 85.1% FT and 67.8% TS (13.96% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (56.54% of playoffs games): 39.4 mpg, 11.6 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.1 tov, 23.6 ppg on 46.4% FG, 71.8% FT, 53.8% TS (-0.04% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (30.65% of playoffs games): 39.4 mpg, 12.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.4 tov, 21.0 ppg on 45.9% FG, 64.8% FT and 51.7% TS (-1.54% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Artis Gilmore (1972-83):

RS: 38.2 mpg, 14.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 3.5 tov, 20.9 ppg on 57.5% FG, 69.5% FT and 61.5% TS (+9.11% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (19.23% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 14.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 3.5 tov, 20.1 ppg on 54.8% FG, 76.4% FT and 61.0% TS (+8.67% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (61.54% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 15.0 rpg, 2.7 apg, 4.0 tov, 21.6 ppg on 57.4% FG, 71.0% FT, 61.5% TS (+9.32% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (14.10% of playoffs games): 43.9 mpg, 14.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, -- tov, 20.5 ppg on 55.8% FG, 62.4% FT and 58.8% TS (+7.67% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (5.13% of playoffs games): 45.3 mpg, 18.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 tov, 15.3 ppg on 44.3% FG, 36.8% FT and 44.0% TS (-6.93% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games):--

Patrick Ewing (1988-97):

RS: 36.8 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 3.3 tov, 24.0 ppg on 51.6% FG, 74.8% FT and 56.4% TS (+2.73% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (9.43% of playoffs games): 38.2 mpg, 10.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.8 tov, 20.9 ppg on 52.6% FG, 54.4% FT and 53.5% TS (-0.11% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (31.13% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 2.7 tov, 24.2 ppg on 50.6% FG, 69.8% FT, 54.6% TS (+0.98% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (37.74% of playoffs games): 39.1 mpg, 10.7 rpg, 2.5 apg, 2.8 tov, 21.2 ppg on 47.9% FG, 74.5% FT and 53.4% TS (+0.06% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (21.70% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 11.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 3.0 tov, 22.9 ppg on 43.7% FG, 80.0% FT and 49.0% TS (-4.48% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games):--

Power Forwards

Spoiler:

Tim Duncan (1998-08):

RS: 37.2 mpg, 11.8 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.8 tov, 21.6 ppg on 50.8% FG, 68.4% FT and 55.3% TS (+2.77% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (6.45% of playoffs games): 39.5 mpg, 10.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.6 tov, 26.7 ppg on 48.1% FG, 75.9% FT and 56.6% TS (+4.38% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (64.52% of playoffs games): 39.7 mpg, 12.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 51.8% FG, 68.5% FT, 56.6% TS (+3.88 rTS%)
Against Good Defenses (12.26% of playoffs games): 39.7 mpg, 14.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.2 tov, 23.6 ppg on 45.8% FG, 69.0% FT and 51.1% TS (-1.77 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (16.77% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 13.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.6 ppg on 47.8% FG, 68.0% FT and 52.7% TS (+0.50% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games):--

Kevin Garnett (1999-08):

RS: 38.7 mpg, 12.2 rpg, 4.8 apg, 2.7 tov, 22.0 ppg on 49.4% FG, 78.9% FT and 55.0% TS (+2.47% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (15.38% of playoffs games): 44.1 mpg, 16.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 4.3 tov, 23.9 ppg on 43.7% FG, 78.1% FT and 51.3% TS (-0.45% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (47.59% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 12.5 rpg, 4.6 apg, 2.7 tov, 23.1 ppg on 49.3% FG, 75.2% FT, 53.5% TS (+0.76% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (15.38% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 12.1 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.7 tov, 18.4 ppg on 41.0% FG, 78.1% FT and 45.8% TS (-7.56 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (15.38% of playoffs games): 39.3 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.3 tov, 22.1 ppg on 50.3% FG, 82.2% FT and 57.8% TS (+4.70% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (6.15% of playoffs games): 42.5 mpg, 12.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.3 tov, 21.8 ppg on 44.3% FG, 73.9% FT and 48.8% TS (-2.29% rTS)

Charles Barkley (1987-96):

RS: 38.0 mpg, 11.8 rpg, 4.2 apg, 3.3 tov, 24.7 ppg on 54.8% FG, 27.1% 3FG, 74.3% FT and 62.2% TS (+8.52% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --
Against Average Defenses (58.11% of playoffs games): 41.9 mpg, 13.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.7 tov, 26.2 ppg on 50.8% FG, 27.2% 3FG, 69.2% FT, 57.1% TS (+3.45% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (27.03% of playoffs games): 41.6 mpg, 12.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.8 tov, 26.6 ppg on 56.2% FG, 17.0% 3FG 76.6% FT and 63.1% TS (+9.37% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (14.86% of playoffs games): 42.2 mpg, 13.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.3 tov, 24.2 ppg on 45.3% FG, 29.6% 3FG, 79.8% FT and 54.3% TS (+1.03% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Dirk Nowitzki (2001-11):

RS: 37.4 mpg, 8.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.0 tov, 24.3 ppg on 47.9% FG, 38.5% 3FG, 88.2% FT and 58.6% TS (+5.43% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (4.03% of playoffs games): 42.4 mpg, 11.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 tov, 26.6 ppg on 45.0% FG, 46.7% 3FG, 85.7% FT and 56.1% TS (+4.53% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (48.39% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 10.4 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.5 tov, 27.4 ppg on 46.7% FG, 39.1% 3FG, 88.4% FT, 59.4% TS (+6.08% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (19.35% of playoffs games): 40.6 mpg, 9.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.5 tov, 25.8 ppg on 46.8% FG, 45.9% 3FG 94.5% FT and 57.8% TS (+4.38% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (28.23% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 45.5% FG, 29.3% 3FG, 88.4% FT and 57.4% TS (+4.41% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Karl Malone (1989-01):

RS: 37.9 mpg, 10.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.0 tov, 26.9 ppg on 52.6% FG, 75.9% FT and 59.1% TS (+5.98% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (3.50% of playoffs games): 39.8 mpg, 12.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.8 tov, 26.6 ppg on 46.1% FG, 83.0% FT and 54.2% TS (+1.81% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (33.57% of playoffs games): 41.0 mpg, 11.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.0 tov, 28.6 ppg on 47.9% FG, 78.9% FT, 55.5% TS (+2.58% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (21.68% of playoffs games): 41.6 mpg, 11.5 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.9 tov, 26.5 ppg on 43.7% FG, 80.5% FT and 52.5% TS (-0.79 rTS%)
Against Elite Defenses (41.26% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.7 tov, 25.4 ppg on 46.8% FG, 67.0% FT and 51.5% TS (-1.56% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --


Bob Pettit (1956-64):

RS: 39.2 mpg, 16.8 rpg, 3.0 apg, -- tov, 27.3 ppg on 43.9% FG, 75.9% FT and 51.3% TS (+4.64% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (11.49% of playoffs games): -- mpg, -- rpg, -- apg, -- tov, 21.9 ppg on 39.6% FG, 75.0% FT and 46.8% TS (-0.26% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (51.72% of playoffs games): 40.2 mpg, 15.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, -- tov, 25.8 ppg on 42.0% FG, 77.3% FT, 50.5% TS (+3.77% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --
Against Elite Defenses (31.03% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 15.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, -- tov, 26.5 ppg on 42.4% FG, 76.0% FT and 50.3% TS (+4.08% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (5.75% of playoffs games): 41.6 mpg, 16.4 rpg, 3.0 apg, -- tov, 28.4 ppg on 39.5% FG, 80.0% FT and 48.8% TS (+1.93% rTS)

Small Forwards

Spoiler:

LeBron James (2008-18):

RS: 37.8 mpg, 7.6 rpg, 7.5 apg, 3.5 tov, 27.3 ppg on 52.1% FG, 35.0% 3FG, 74.2% FT and 60.4% TS (+6.30% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (2.91% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 9.5 rpg, 7.7 apg, 2.8 tov, 29.8 ppg on 48.3% FG, 29.0% 3FG, 70.1% FT and 58.2% TS (+4.16% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (34.95% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 9.1 rpg, 7.0 apg, 3.5 tov, 29.8 ppg on 52.5% FG, 31.0% 3FG, 75.6% FT, 60.8% TS (+6.55% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (24.76% of playoffs games): 41.2 mpg, 8.9 rpg, 7.7 apg, 3.4 tov, 27.3 ppg on 49.1% FG, 33.0% 3FG 74.8% FT and 58.2% TS (+4.16% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (26.21% of playoffs games): 42.6 mpg, 9.8 rpg, 6.9 apg, 3.8 tov, 31.5 ppg on 49.6% FG, 37.5% 3FG, 71.1% FT and 57.9% TS (+3.90% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (11.17% of playoffs games): 42.0 mpg, 7.1 rpg, 6.0 apg, 4.0 tov, 25.8 ppg on 44.4% FG, 32.7% 3FG, 77.0% FT and 54.7% TS (+0.64% rTS)

Larry Bird (1982-90):

RS: 38.7 mpg, 10.0 rpg, 6.6 apg, 3.1 tov, 25.9 ppg on 50.5% FG, 37.3% 3FG, 89.1% FT and 57.5% TS (+3.68% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (2.42% of playoffs games): 45.3 mpg, 8.0 rpg, 8.0 apg, 3.3 tov, 28.3 ppg on 52.8% FG, 40.0% 3FG, 83.3% FT and 64.2% TS (+10.10% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (56.45% of playoffs games): 42.5 mpg, 9.6 rpg, 6.7 apg, 2.9 tov, 25.6 ppg on 47.6% FG, 35.8% 3FG, 89.8% FT, 56.2% TS (+2.14% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (24.19% of playoffs games): 43.7 mpg, 11.6 rpg, 7.0 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 43.6% FG, 26.2% 3FG 86.9% FT and 51.5% TS (-2.25% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (16.94% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 10.1 rpg, 6.1 apg, 4.0 tov, 25.6 ppg on 53.1% FG, 42.9% 3FG, 91.4% FT and 61.6% TS (+7.39% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Julius Erving (1972-82):

RS: 37.6 mpg, 9.6 rpg, 4.5 apg, 3.7 tov, 25.9 ppg on 50.9% FG, 30.8% 3FG, 77.9% FT and 56.1% TS (+3.76% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (17.61% of playoffs games): 41.2 mpg, 10.5 rpg, 5.7 apg, 4.1 tov, 29.2 ppg on 53.5% FG, 25.0% 3FG, 80.1% FT and 58.5% TS (+7.14% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (46.48% of playoffs games): 39.6 mpg, 10.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 3.4 tov, 27.5 ppg on 51.2% FG, 23.8% 3FG, 76.9% FT, 56.8% TS (+4.70% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (27.46% of playoffs games): 37.6 mpg, 7.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, 3.2 tov, 23.1 ppg on 47.8% FG, 33.3% 3FG 79.7% FT and 53.8% TS (+0.62% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (8.45% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 8.3 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.7 tov, 26.0 ppg on 52.7% FG, 14.3% 3FG, 78.1% FT and 58.6% TS (+5.35% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Kevin Durant (2010-19):

RS: 36.9 mpg, 7.4 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.2 tov, 28.0 ppg on 50.1% FG, 38.4% 3FG, 88.5% FT and 62.6% TS (+8.27% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (4.35% of playoffs games): 36.8 mpg, 9.5 rpg, 5.7 apg, 2.5 tov, 26.2 ppg on 54.4% FG, 43.3% 3FG, 94.1% FT and 66.6% TS (+11.08% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (39.13% of playoffs games): 40.4 mpg, 7.2 rpg, 4.7 apg, 3.0 tov, 31.3 ppg on 49.1% FG, 37.4% 3FG, 87.9% FT, 62.1% TS (+7.71% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (37.68% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 8.2 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.1 tov, 27.9 ppg on 43.9% FG, 31.4% 3FG 85.9% FT and 56.1% TS (+1.73% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (14.49% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 7.9 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.9 tov, 28.2 ppg on 49.9% FG, 37.1% 3FG, 80.4% FT and 60.2% TS (+6.42% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (4.35% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 6.7 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.8 tov, 28.5 ppg on 50.0% FG, 29.6% 3FG, 89.1% FT and 60.1% TS (+6.01% rTS)

Shooting Guards

Spoiler:

Michael Jordan (1985-98):

RS: 38.6 mpg, 6.3 rpg, 5.4 apg, 2.8 tov, 31.5 ppg on 50.6% FG, 33.2% 3FG, 83.8% FT and 58.0% TS (+4.27% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (3.35% of playoffs games): 37.7 mpg, 8.2 rpg, 5.5 apg, 2.5 tov, 39.7 ppg on 57.0% FG, 46.2% 3FG, 89.8% FT and 63.8% TS (+10.44% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (36.31% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 6.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 2.9 tov, 34.6 ppg on 49.5% FG, 33.6% 3FG, 81.8% FT, 56.9% TS (+3.51% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (27.37% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 6.1 rpg, 5.9 apg, 3.1 tov, 32.1 ppg on 49.9% FG, 37.1% 3FG 81.3% FT and 57.9% TS (+4.40% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (29.61% of playoffs games): 42.5 mpg, 6.4 rpg, 5.5 apg, 3.3 tov, 32.7 ppg on 46.4% FG, 27.7% 3FG, 84.3% FT and 55.2% TS (+1.54% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (3.35% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 6.2 rpg, 7.0 apg, 2.3 tov, 32.2 ppg on 40.0% FG, 40.0% 3FG, 86.8% FT and 52.2% TS (-1.42% rTS)

Kobe Bryant (2001-12):

RS: 38.9 mpg, 5.7 rpg, 5.2 apg, 3.2 tov, 28.2 ppg on 45.4% FG, 33.7% 3FG, 84.2% FT and 55.6% TS (+2.44% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (3.53% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 7.2 rpg, 8.3 apg, 2.5 tov, 33.7 ppg on 52.1% FG, 43.2% 3FG, 88.1% FT and 63.7% TS (+9.43% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (33.53% of playoffs games): 41.8 mpg, 5.5 rpg, 5.6 apg, 3.3 tov, 30.5 ppg on 45.9% FG, 33.1% 3FG, 84.5% FT, 56.5% TS (+3.19% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (32.35% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 5.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.3 tov, 27.1 ppg on 43.1% FG, 32.8% 3FG 82.3% FT and 53.1% TS (+0.14% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (20.59% of playoffs games): 42.3 mpg, 5.9 rpg, 5.3 apg, 2.7 tov, 28.4 ppg on 46.9% FG, 35.2% 3FG, 79.4% FT and 54.1% TS (+1.06% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (10.00% of playoffs games): 44.3 mpg, 4.7 rpg, 5.1 apg, 3.6 tov, 25.0 ppg on 41.7% FG, 27.6% 3FG, 80.0% FT and 50.1% TS (-2.40% rTS)

Dwyane Wade (2005-12):

RS: 37.5 mpg, 5.2 rpg, 6.4 apg, 3.6 tov, 26.2 ppg on 48.7% FG, 29.1% 3FG, 77.2% FT and 56.9% TS (+3.16% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --
Against Average Defenses (28.87% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 5.8 rpg, 5.8 apg, 3.8 tov, 28.8 ppg on 46.5% FG, 33.3% 3FG, 77.7% FT, 55.9% TS (+2.53% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (43.30% of playoffs games): 40.1 mpg, 5.8 rpg, 6.1 apg, 3.7 tov, 26.0 ppg on 51.3% FG, 35.5% 3FG, 77.1% FT and 59.4% TS (+5.72% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (17.53% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 5.1 rpg, 5.0 apg, 3.7 tov, 23.5 ppg on 43.9% FG, 14.3% 3FG, 78.5% FT and 50.9% TS (-2.23% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (10.31% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 6.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 tov, 24.5 ppg on 47.2% FG, 26.3% 3FG, 79.6% FT and 56.5% TS (+2.37% rTS)

James Harden (2013-19):

RS: 37.1 mpg, 6.0 rpg, 7.7 apg, 4.4 tov, 29.1 ppg on 44.3% FG, 36.4% 3FG, 86.1% FT and 61.0% TS (+6.43% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (6.85% of playoffs games): 35.8 mpg, 4.8 rpg, 7.4 apg, 2.8 tov, 29.0 ppg on 41.1% FG, 38.5% 3FG, 86.8% FT and 56.3% TS (+0.72% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (49.32% of playoffs games): 38.8 mpg, 5.5 rpg, 6.7 apg, 4.4 tov, 29.4 ppg on 41.6% FG, 30.5% 3FG, 89.8% FT, 57.7% TS (+3.08% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (15.07% of playoffs games): 39.6 mpg, 6.0 rpg, 5.9 apg, 4.8 tov, 26.5 ppg on 40.0% FG, 32.6% 3FG 82.0% FT and 55.2% TS (+1.37% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (28.77% of playoffs games): 37.0 mpg, 6.1 rpg, 8.0 apg, 4.7 tov, 27.1 ppg on 41.2% FG, 33.5% 3FG, 86.9% FT and 56.6% TS (+1.52% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

George Gervin (1975-83):

RS: 35.2 mpg, 5.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 26.7 ppg on 50.8% FG, 27.4% 3FG, 83.9% FT and 56.8% TS (+4.38% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (11.11% of playoffs games): 39.5 mpg, 7.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 3.4 tov, 30.1 ppg on 55.9% FG, 0.0% 3FG, 88.4% FT and 63.0% TS (+9.87% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (52.78% of playoffs games): 40.2 mpg, 7.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.6 tov, 29.6 ppg on 49.0% FG, 16.7% 3FG, 80.5% FT, 54.5% TS (+1.77% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (29.17% of playoffs games): 35.8 mpg, 7.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.4 tov, 24.6 ppg on 52.4% FG, 25.0% 3FG 84.0% FT and 59.0% TS (+7.15% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (6.94% of playoffs games): 40.4 mpg, 6.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 27.2 ppg on 45.1% FG, 0.0% 3FG, 83.9% FT and 50.1% TS (-3.77% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Point Guards

Spoiler:

Magic Johnson (1980-91):

RS: 36.9 mpg, 7.3 rpg, 11.4 apg, 3.9 tov, 19.7 ppg on 52.1% FG, 29.8% 3FG, 84.8% FT and 61.0% TS (+7.23% rTS)
Against Bad Defenses (14.97% of playoffs games): 38.5 mpg, 7.5 rpg, 12.7 apg, 3.2 tov, 21.2 ppg on 49.3% FG, 18.5% 3FG, 82.5% FT and 58.6% TS (+4.73% rTS)
Against Average Defenses (44.39% of playoffs games): 38.7 mpg, 7.4 rpg, 13.3 apg, 3.5 tov, 19.5 ppg on 51.9% FG, 20.5% 3FG, 83.4% FT, 59.3% TS (+5.57% rTS)
Against Good Defenses (25.13% of playoffs games): 41.3 mpg, 7.8 rpg, 11.6 apg, 4.1 tov, 18.2 ppg on 48.8% FG, 29.7% 3FG 85.5% FT and 60.5% TS (+6.82% rTS)
Against Elite Defenses (15.51% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 8.2 rpg, 10.5 apg, 3.9 tov, 19.7 ppg on 51.9% FG, 19.2% 3FG, 83.3% FT and 59.5% TS (+5.96% rTS)
Against All-Time Great Defenses (0.00% of playoffs games): --

Here are culminative stats against -2.0 rDRtg defenses or better:

Centers

Spoiler:

Bill Russell (21.0% of playoffs games): -- mpg, 26.8 rpg, 4.4 apg, 16.1 ppg on 42.7% FG, 54.7% FT, 45.6% TS (-1.90 rTS%)
Wilt Chamberlain (66.25% of playoffs games): 47.6 mpg, 28.3 rpg, 4.5 apg, 27.7 ppg on 50.6% FG, 49.5% FT, 51.7% TS (+3.30 rTS%)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (59.57% of playoffs games): 45.3 mpg, 14.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 30.3 ppg on 52.1% FG, 72.3% FT, 55.1% TS (+3.75 rTS%)
Moses Malone (55.84% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 13.7 rpg,1.5 apg, 2.4 tov, 22.7 ppg on 47.2% FG, 82.4% FT and 54.4% TS (+0.73% rTS)
Shaquille O'Neal (72.15% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 13.0 rpg, 3.0 apg, 3.1 tov, 26.3 ppg on 55.8% FG, 51.9% FT and 56.5% TS (+4.04% rTS)
Hakeem Olajuwon (39.09% of playoffs games): 42.7 mpg, 11.1 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.6 tov, 27.1 ppg on 52.3% FG, 76.4% FT and 56.9% TS (+3.22% rTS)
David Robinson (30.65% of playoffs games): 39.4 mpg, 12.8 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.4 tov, 21.0 ppg on 45.9% FG, 64.8% FT and 51.7% TS (-1.54% rTS)
Artis Gilmore (19.23% of playoffs games): 44.3 mpg, 15.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, -- tov, 19.1 ppg on 52.6% FG, 57.7% FT and 54.8% TS (3.79% rTS)
Patrick Ewing (59.43% of playoffs games): 39.7 mpg, 10.9 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.9 tov, 21.8 ppg on 46.2% FG, 76.4% FT and 51.6% TS (-1.77% rTS)

Power Forwards

Spoiler:

Tim Duncan (29.09% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 13.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.1 tov, 22.5 ppg on 46.9% FG, 68.4% FT and 52.0% TS (-0.50% rTS)
Kevin Garnett (36.92% of playoffs games): 40.1 mpg, 11.5 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.6 tov, 20.5 ppg on 45.1% FG, 79.6% FT and 51.1% TS (-1.75% rTS)
Charles Barkley:(41.89% of playoffs games): 41.8 mpg, 12.8 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.6 tov, 25.7 ppg on 52.0% FG, 23.1% 3FG, 77.6% FT and 59.9% TS (+6.30% rTS)
Dirk Nowitzki: (47.58% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 10.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.2 tov, 24.4 ppg on 46.1% FG, 36.7% 3FG, 90.5% FT and 57.6% TS (+4.41% rTS)
Karl Malone (62.94% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 11.2 rpg, 3.5 apg, 2.8 tov, 25.8 ppg on 45.7% FG, 72.1% FT and 51.9% TS (-1.29% rTS)
Bob Pettit (36.78% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, -- tov, 26.8 ppg on 41.9% FG, 76.6% FT and 50.0% TS (+3.75% rTS)

Small Forwards

Spoiler:

LeBron James (62.14% of playoffs games): 41.9 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 7.1 apg, 3.7 tov, 28.8 ppg on 48.5% FG, 35.1% 3FG, 73.6% FT and 57.5% TS (+3.42% rTS)
Larry Bird (41.13% of playoffs games): 42.1 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 6.7 apg, 3.4 tov, 24.3 ppg on 47.3% FG, 32.9% 3FG, 88.8% FT and 55.4% TS (+1.72% rTS)
Julius Erving (35.92% of playoffs games): 38.3 mpg, 7.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.3 tov, 23.8 ppg on 49.0% FG, 26.3% 3FG, 79.3% FT and 54.9% TS (+1.73% rTS)
Kevin Durant (56.52% of playoffs games): 40.8 mpg, 8.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 3.4 tov, 28.0 ppg on 45.8% FG, 32.7% 3FG 84.9% FT and 57.4% TS (+3.27% rTS)

Shooting Guards

Spoiler:

Michael Jordan (60.34% of playoffs games): 42.0 mpg, 6.2 rpg, 5.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 32.4 ppg on 47.6% FG, 32.4% 3FG, 83.1% FT and 56.2% TS (+2.67% rTS)
Kobe Bryant (62.94% of playoffs games): 41.9 mpg, 5.4 rpg, 4.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 27.2 ppg on 44.2% FG, 32.6% 3FG, 81.1% FT and 53.0% TS (+0.04% rTS)
Dwyane Wade (71.13% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 5.7 rpg, 5.4 apg, 3.7 tov, 25.2 ppg on 48.8% FG, 31.3% 3FG, 77.8% FT and 56.8% TS (+3.28% rTS)
James Harden (43.84% of playoffs games): 37.9 mpg, 6.0 rpg, 7.3 apg, 4.8 tov, 26.8 ppg on 41.2% FG, 33.5% 3FG, 86.9% FT and 56.6% TS (+1.52% rTS)
George Gervin (36.11% of playoffs games): 36.7 mpg, 7.2 rpg, 2.9 apg, 2.6 tov, 25.1 ppg on 50.6% FG, 20.0% 3FG, 84.0% FT and 56.9% TS (+5.05% rTS)
)

Point Guards

Spoiler:

Magic Johnson (40.64% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 8.0 rpg, 11.2 apg, 4.0 tov, 18.8 ppg on 50.1% FG, 27.0% 3FG, 84.8% FT and 60.1% TS (+6.49% rTS)

Here are culminative stats against -4.0 rDRtg defenses or better:

Centers

Spoiler:

Bill Russell (11.0% of playoffs games): 42.8 mpg, 26.2 rpg, 3.8 apg, 16.4 ppg on 42.7% FG, 60.9% FT, 45.4% TS (-1.90 rTS%)
Wilt Chamberlain (52.50% of playoffs games): 47.5 mpg, 28.5 rpg, 4.3 apg, 28.1 ppg on 50.8% FG, 50.6% FT, 52.2% TS (+3.84 rTS%)
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (26.60% of playoffs games): 44.1 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 33.3 ppg on 54.5% FG, 72.2% FT, 56.9% TS (+5.28 rTS%)
Moses Malone (14.29% of playoffs games): 40.5 mpg, 13.7 rpg,2.1 apg, 1.9 tov, 27.0 ppg on 48.7% FG, 81.9% FT and 55.5% TS (+1.79% rTS)
Shaquille O'Neal (30.38% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 13.3 rpg, 2.9 apg, 3.3 tov, 26.9 ppg on 55.8% FG, 53.5% FT and 56.9% TS (+4.59% rTS)
Hakeem Olajuwon (15.45% of playoffs games): 42.0 mpg, 10.2 rpg, 3.1 apg, 3.4 tov, 24.1 ppg on 48.9% FG, 75.2% FT and 53.9% TS (+0.30% rTS)
David Robinson (0.00% of playoffs games):--
Artis Gilmore (5.13% of playoffs games): 45.3 mpg, 18.8 rpg, 3.5 apg, 3.5 tov, 15.3 ppg on 44.3% FG, 36.8% FT and 44.0% TS (-6.93% rTS)
Patrick Ewing (21.70% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 11.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 3.0 tov, 22.9 ppg on 43.7% FG, 80.0% FT and 49.0% TS (-4.48% rTS)

Power Forwards

Spoiler:

Tim Duncan (16.77% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 13.7 rpg, 3.2 apg, 3.0 tov, 23.6 ppg on 47.8% FG, 68.0% FT and 52.7% TS (+0.50% rTS)
Kevin Garnett (21.54% of playoffs games): 40.2 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.6 tov, 22.0 ppg on 48.3% FG, 80.2% FT and 55.0% TS (+2.41% rTS)
Charles Barkley:(14.86% of playoffs games): 42.2 mpg, 13.1 rpg, 4.0 apg, 2.3 tov, 24.2 ppg on 45.3% FG, 29.6% 3FG, 79.8% FT and 54.3% TS (+1.03% rTS)
Dirk Nowitzki (28.23% of playoffs games): 41.1 mpg, 10.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 2.0 tov, 23.4 ppg on 45.5% FG, 29.3% 3FG, 88.4% FT and 57.4% TS (+4.41% rTS)
Karl Malone (41.26% of playoffs games): 41.7 mpg, 11.0 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.7 tov, 25.4 ppg on 46.8% FG, 67.0% FT and 51.5% TS (-1.56% rTS)
Bob Pettit (36.78% of playoffs games): 41.5 mpg, 15.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, -- tov, 26.8 ppg on 41.9% FG, 76.6% FT and 50.0% TS (+3.75% rTS)

Small Forwards

Spoiler:

LeBron James (37.38% of playoffs games): 42.4 mpg, 9.0 rpg, 6.6 apg, 3.9 tov, 29.8 ppg on 48.2% FG, 36.3% 3FG, 72.8% FT and 57.1% TS (+2.93% rTS)
Larry Bird (16.94% of playoffs games): 39.9 mpg, 10.1 rpg, 6.1 apg, 4.0 tov, 25.6 ppg on 53.1% FG, 42.9% 3FG, 91.4% FT and 61.6% TS (+7.39% rTS)
Julius Erving (8.45% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 8.3 rpg, 5.3 apg, 3.7 tov, 26.0 ppg on 52.7% FG, 14.3% 3FG, 78.1% FT and 58.6% TS (+5.35% rTS)
Kevin Durant (18.84% of playoffs games): 40.9 mpg, 7.6 rpg, 3.9 apg, 3.9 tov, 28.3 ppg on 49.9% FG, 35.7% 3FG 82.5% FT and 60.2% TS (+6.33% rTS)

Shooting Guards

Spoiler:

Michael Jordan (32.96% of playoffs games): 42.4 mpg, 6.3 rpg, 5.6 apg, 3.2 tov, 32.6 ppg on 45.8% FG, 29.5% 3FG, 84.6% FT and 54.9% TS (+1.24% rTS)
Kobe Bryant (30.59% of playoffs games): 42.9 mpg, 5.5 rpg, 5.2 apg, 3.0 tov, 27.3 ppg on 45.3% FG, 32.4% 3FG, 79.6% FT and 52.8% TS (-0.07% rTS)
Dwyane Wade (27.84% of playoffs games): 40.7 mpg, 5.6 rpg, 4.4 apg, 3.6 tov, 23.9 ppg on 45.0% FG, 20.0% 3FG, 78.9% FT and 52.9% TS (-0.53% rTS)
James Harden (28.77% of playoffs games): 37.0 mpg, 6.1 rpg, 8.0 apg, 4.7 tov, 27.1 ppg on 41.2% FG, 33.5% 3FG, 86.9% FT and 56.6% TS (+1.52% rTS)
George Gervin (6.94% of playoffs games): 40.4 mpg, 6.8 rpg, 3.8 apg, 3.2 tov, 27.2 ppg on 45.1% FG, 0.0% 3FG, 83.9% FT and 50.1% TS (-3.77% rTS)

Point Guards

Spoiler:

Magic Johnson (15.51% of playoffs games): 40.3 mpg, 8.2 rpg, 10.5 apg, 3.9 tov, 19.7 ppg on 51.9% FG, 19.2% 3FG, 83.3% FT and 59.5% TS (+5.96% rTS)

Tell me what you think about it. I expect good discussion

[eminence]

Nice to see Wilt/KAJ hold up so well against good defenses. Will have more to say when more modern players get added as I've seen them more often and am more comfortable with them.

I would be interested in how their team offenses tracked against different competition as well if easily addable.

[70sFan]

Nice to see Wilt/KAJ hold up so well against good defenses. Will have more to say when more modern players get added as I've seen them more often and am more comfortable with them.

I would be interested in how their team offenses tracked against different competition as well if easily addable.

I can include team ORtg and rORtg for more modern players of you wish. Sounds like a good idea.

[eminence]

Also a good reminder how ridiculously good the Celtics were on defense and how that's sometimes forgotten when evaluating guys like Wilt and what they had to go up against (Oscar I think is the main other victim of this).

[Bidofo]

Awesome work! I’m assuming you’ll go from big to small, so point guards last? Can’t wait to see all the results.

[Owly]

Would it be worth doing some numbers with an average FT% as well? Not sure which average to pick (probably player's RS for year, but could do RS career, or playoff career if psychology is thought to be a factor). But FT% fluctuations shouldn't be a consequences of D (unlike volume of FT) - likely more about more random noise, I would think. So in addition to the TS% and rTS% maybe a version of those based on more typical performance from the line? That might help further inform how defense influences things.

Just an idea.

[mysticOscar]

I think using rDRtg is sufficient from a team level comparison.

Ppl run into trouble using DRtg by individuals across eras when no one really goes for ORebs now and today it's common for ball handlers going for defensive rebs

[70sFan]

Awesome work! I’m assuming you’ll go from big to small, so point guards last? Can’t wait to see all the results.

Yeah, I will do it in that orded.

[70sFan]

Would it be worth doing some numbers with an average FT% as well? Not sure which average to pick (probably player's RS for year, but could do RS career, or playoff career if psychology is thought to be a factor). But FT% fluctuations shouldn't be a consequences of D (unlike volume of FT) - likely more about more random noise, I would think. So in addition to the TS% and rTS% maybe a version of those based on more typical performance from the line? That might help further inform how defense influences things.

Just an idea.

Interesting idea, I may try doing something like that.

[E-Balla]

Would it be worth doing some numbers with an average FT% as well? Not sure which average to pick (probably player's RS for year, but could do RS career, or playoff career if psychology is thought to be a factor). But FT% fluctuations shouldn't be a consequences of D (unlike volume of FT) - likely more about more random noise, I would think. So in addition to the TS% and rTS% maybe a version of those based on more typical performance from the line? That might help further inform how defense influences things.

Just an idea.

Interesting idea, I may try doing something like that.

I don't think it's worth it. Especially for Cs that go cold on FTs often. If you lose because you consistently miss your FTs in a series that's an indictment against your performance.

[Owly]

Would it be worth doing some numbers with an average FT% as well? Not sure which average to pick (probably player's RS for year, but could do RS career, or playoff career if psychology is thought to be a factor). But FT% fluctuations shouldn't be a consequences of D (unlike volume of FT) - likely more about more random noise, I would think. So in addition to the TS% and rTS% maybe a version of those based on more typical performance from the line? That might help further inform how defense influences things.

Just an idea.

Interesting idea, I may try doing something like that.

I don't think it's worth it. Especially for Cs that go cold on FTs often. If you lose because you consistently miss your FTs in a series that's an indictment against your performance.

1) The above is a case for not replacing (rather than in addition to) the actual numbers which hasn't been advocated for. (i.e. your poor FT% performance will still be shown - though in reality we don't get a useful total picture of free throw shooting, or within a series, so much s that, say, Wilt shot relatively well from the line against bad and All time great defenses, and worse against average to elite ones - which brings us to ...).

2) This doesn't address the case for, which is that you're trying to measure how defense affects the player and at the line it shouldn't (though perhaps you know better here?) so it makes sense to eliminate noise.

[70sFan]

I added Moses and Shaq.

[E-Balla]

I added Moses and Shaq.

Why include 94 and not 04? I think 04 Shaq is clearly way better than 94 Shaq despite the gaudy numbers.

Edit:

He also played and performed admirably against 2 of the best defenses ever in the 04 Pistons and 04 Spurs which would raise his samples of games against ATG defenses tremendously.

His 24.4/12.8/1.8 on 60.8 (+12.6 TS%) over 11 games vs over +7 defenses that postseason would bump his numbers vs elite defenses while giving a more accurate representation of his play during his prime.

[70sFan]

I added Moses and Shaq.

Why include 94 and not 04? I think 04 Shaq is clearly way better than 94 Shaq despite the gaudy numbers.

1994 is one of the best RS from Shaq. I don't consider 2004 Shaq as his prime anymore, he scored less and became more turnover prone. Of course it's all arbitrary, you can disagree with me but I doubt this change will make things look much different honestly.

[E-Balla]

I added Moses and Shaq.

Why include 94 and not 04? I think 04 Shaq is clearly way better than 94 Shaq despite the gaudy numbers.

1994 is one of the best RS from Shaq. I don't consider 2004 Shaq as his prime anymore, he scored less and became more turnover prone. Of course it's all arbitrary, you can disagree with me but I doubt this change will make things look much different honestly.

I just think 94 Shaq was clearly too young to be as great as he was later. All those numbers got Orlando 50 wins and a meh defense meanwhile even with the fallen box score numbers 04 Shaq kept his extremely high impact numbers ranking 2nd in RAPM to KG and then like I mentioned before absolutely killed the postseason.

Plus I think bumping his series vs ATG defenses from 1 to 3 more accurately allows us to represent his true level of play vs ATG defenses.

[Owly]

Why include 94 and not 04? I think 04 Shaq is clearly way better than 94 Shaq despite the gaudy numbers.

1994 is one of the best RS from Shaq. I don't consider 2004 Shaq as his prime anymore, he scored less and became more turnover prone. Of course it's all arbitrary, you can disagree with me but I doubt this change will make things look much different honestly.

I just think 94 Shaq was clearly too young to be as great as he was later. All those numbers got Orlando 50 wins and a meh defense meanwhile even with the fallen box score numbers 04 Shaq kept his extremely high impact numbers ranking 2nd in RAPM to KG and then like I mentioned before absolutely killed the postseason.

Plus I think bumping his series vs ATG defenses from 1 to 3 more accurately allows us to represent his true level of play vs ATG defenses.

Decided to check that strong priors weren't lifting him here (where the focus is specifically on the one season). On the contrary NPI has him first (https://sites.google.com/site/rapmstats/2004-npi-rapm). I'd be inclined to include 2004 (though I'd tend towards larger bands in general and include 2005 and 2006).

That said as 70sFan says cutoffs (and bands) are going to be arbitrary. This seems more like a starting point than definitive conclusions about players.

[E-Balla]

1994 is one of the best RS from Shaq. I don't consider 2004 Shaq as his prime anymore, he scored less and became more turnover prone. Of course it's all arbitrary, you can disagree with me but I doubt this change will make things look much different honestly.

I just think 94 Shaq was clearly too young to be as great as he was later. All those numbers got Orlando 50 wins and a meh defense meanwhile even with the fallen box score numbers 04 Shaq kept his extremely high impact numbers ranking 2nd in RAPM to KG and then like I mentioned before absolutely killed the postseason.

Plus I think bumping his series vs ATG defenses from 1 to 3 more accurately allows us to represent his true level of play vs ATG defenses.

Decided to check that strong priors weren't lifting him here (where the focus is specifically on the one season). On the contrary NPI has him first (https://sites.google.com/site/rapmstats/2004-npi-rapm). I'd be inclined to include 2004 (though I'd tend towards larger bands in general and include 2005 and 2006).

That said as 70sFan says cutoffs (and bands) are going to be arbitrary. This seems more like a starting point than definitive conclusions about players.

Oh yeah of course they won't be perfect and usually I'd just leave it alone but excluding 04 Shaq is a HUGE omission. I get the box score production argument but no matter what the boxscore was Shaq clearly was a top 2-3 player in 04. Both impact numbers and postseason production says so. And honestly production was down so much that year Shaq was still 4th in PER with a 24.4. I'd probably say 05 Shaq (2nd in MVP voting) deserved to be included too but I didn't want to be too critical and push it. 06 was a clear step back to me as unlike 04 and 05 I don't think he had an argument for best player in the league in 06 and he was clearly worse than Wade.

Respect to 70sFan for doing this though because once he finishes it'll be a good starting point to reference.

[70sFan]

I added Hakeem and interestingly, he didn't play better against elite teams than Shaq, Kareem or Wilt. He completely dominated good and average teams but he wasn't that unstoppable against better ones. Another interesting thing is that Hakeem is regulary praised for playing better in postseason (rightfully so) but he faced good defensive teams almost 2 times less often than Shaq and elite teams over three times less often than Wilt. Competition may make you look better or worse, but so far I'm not sure I'd call Hakeem superior PS performer than Wilt.

...

I added 2004 Shaq to my calculations. Next one will be Admiral, be ready for this

[E-Balla]

I added Hakeem and interestingly, he didn't play better against elite teams than Shaq, Kareem or Wilt. He completely dominated good and average teams but he wasn't that unstoppable against better ones. Another interesting thing is that Hakeem is regulary praised for playing better in postseason (rightfully so) but he faced good defensive teams almost 2 times less often than Shaq and elite teams over three times less often than Wilt. Competition may make you look better or worse, but so far I'm not sure I'd call Hakeem superior PS performer than Wilt.

...

I added 2004 Shaq to my calculations. Next one will be Admiral, be ready for this

lmao on Admiral you know I got my popcorn ready.

I wouldn't say Hakeem being under Shaq and Kareem is surprising. Shaq and Kareem are easily the top 2 offensive bigs ever IMO when it comes to their dominance. The biggest deal with Hakeem was that he played close to that level in the playoffs but far from it in the regular season. Wilt being on par with all of them outside of series against the Celtics IS surprising though. I might need to reevaluate his postseason performances and overall career now.

[Senior]

I added Hakeem and interestingly, he didn't play better against elite teams than Shaq, Kareem or Wilt. He completely dominated good and average teams but he wasn't that unstoppable against better ones. Another interesting thing is that Hakeem is regulary praised for playing better in postseason (rightfully so) but he faced good defensive teams almost 2 times less often than Shaq and elite teams over three times less often than Wilt. Competition may make you look better or worse, but so far I'm not sure I'd call Hakeem superior PS performer than Wilt.)

Can't say I was too surprised with Hakeem's numbers when I saw which two teams fell within the "elite defense" tier. 1986 Celtics + 1996 Sonics.