nate33 wrote:Myth wrote:Wizenheimer wrote:
wut?
Giddey was tied for 2nd on the Bulls in defensive rating with a mark 2.6 points better than his team. And he was 2nd on the Bulls in DBPM and defensive winshares. Giddey's DBPM was +1.1; Scoot's was -0.8. That's not an 'anemic' defensive resume, at least not for last season
Genuine question: is this one of those times where stats are misleading or did he become a legit defender? That determines how on board I am.
Giddey doesn't blow you away as an on-ball defender, but he is big and smart and switchable. It's a real defensive advantage to have a big PG like that because there is no short guy to attack and force into switches. You may still see Giddey getting beat from time to time, but it will go unnoticed that the team rarely blows pick-and-roll coverage because switching is easier than hedging and fighting over the top. So Giddey may occasionally look bad in highlights, but the stats will show an effective team defense when he is on the floor.
Portland could put together some real good defensive lineups with Giddey, Avdija, Camara and Sharpe switching everything on the perimeter.
Sharpe and defense don't belong in the same sentence.