DirtybirdGA wrote:Trae is stepping up on defense, I don't expect him to be the glove but he's finally in the top 5 in steals per game among rookies tied at 5 with Jackson at 0.9
I try to study him on defense but opposing teams don’t look at him like a liability anywhere near as much as I’d thought. He’s usually hid on a player “spacing” the floor but those players rarely cut off the ball nor set screens, bailing him out tremendously. His awareness doesn’t get taken advantage of because he communicates pretty well (always pointing early in transition) and keeps a swivel head between his man and ball. He has to keep the rebounds popping around 5: his vision and our runners with the defense unsettled is a highlight waiting to happen. He had a jumpshot block that was the highlight of his season for me. Any defensive play he can make energizes the team exponentially. Most people think Steph’s game is rooted in shooting but it’s all floor game unlocking the shooting.
I wished his first month numbers could be thrown out, they’ll weigh down his advanced sheet until the season’s over. Since then I’d say he’s been a .70 WS48 player. A 116 D Rating is pretty high, yet the same as Kevin who is a solid defender.
Like Pierce, I’ve also come off the ledge on Trae and support him, even more if he can get those turnovers below 3 before the season ends. Johnny being out had us f&@ked all the way up kid.