Jazz graded on D

[Sloanfeld]

Good article from the Trib:

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13890357?source=most_viewed

Funny they only mention the top three players though. We don't really need to see those rankings to know any better.

Maybe one reason that Boozer is more active on defense is due to this.

[Racer X]

Its almost like the coaching staff has started to coach. Nah . . .

[schneiderjazz]

If Deron is our 2nd best defender according to this grade system, then either it has some serious problems or the defense of the rest of our roster has been worse than I thought.

[maccca32]

If Deron is our 2nd best defender according to this grade system, then either it has some serious problems or the defense of the rest of our roster has been worse than I thought.

It appear they are grading on "effort" as opposed to "results"

As an example while we might be a better defensive team with Kirilenko on the floor he may not give as much effort every play as another player and therefore while we win more games with him on the floor he will not be ranked as high as other players on the team.

Ronnie Price is ranked third because he is always doing the right things and giving great "effort" but obviously no matter how much "effort" he gives he is never gonna provide us with the same "results" as others becuase he just isnt as talented as other players on the team.

It is intended to motivate players to improve their game, so if it works I dont care who is ranked 1st.

[carrottop12]

If Deron is our 2nd best defender according to this grade system, then either it has some serious problems or the defense of the rest of our roster has been worse than I thought.

It seems like an accurate system. What it takes into account is whether the player is playing perfect defense with in the Jazz scheme. That means making the correct switches, rotations, double downs etc. etc.

If you watch those things Deron always does the right thing, he is rarely out of place on defense. His foot speed and wingspan are what prevent him from being a better defender, and you can't really blame him for that.

[HammerDunk]

If Deron is our 2nd best defender according to this grade system, then either it has some serious problems or the defense of the rest of our roster has been worse than I thought.

It seems like an accurate system. What it takes into account is whether the player is playing perfect defense with in the Jazz scheme. That means making the correct switches, rotations, double downs etc. etc.

If you watch those things Deron always does the right thing, he is rarely out of place on defense. His foot speed and wingspan are what prevent him from being a better defender, and you can't really blame him for that.

This is true, he is pretty assignment sound in that regard. His one on one defense isn't very good, but he plays good defense within the Jazz system.

Matthews has been an excellent defender this year. The vets on the team have a few things to learn from this kid. He also had one of the sickest layups I have ever seen tonight.

[schneiderjazz]

If Deron is our 2nd best defender according to this grade system, then either it has some serious problems or the defense of the rest of our roster has been worse than I thought.

It appear they are grading on "effort" as opposed to "results"

As an example while we might be a better defensive team with Kirilenko on the floor he may not give as much effort every play as another player and therefore while we win more games with him on the floor he will not be ranked as high as other players on the team.

Ronnie Price is ranked third because he is always doing the right things and giving great "effort" but obviously no matter how much "effort" he gives he is never gonna provide us with the same "results" as others becuase he just isnt as talented as other players on the team.

It is intended to motivate players to improve their game, so if it works I dont care who is ranked 1st.

Looking at it this way, it makes a lot of sense. And it also seems to be working. Our defense looks improved from last season. The only thing that is still terrible IMO is our transition defense.

[StocktonShorts]

I think this is a great move by the coaching staff. They're tapping into the players' competitive drive to make them better defensively.

Deron's ranking is impressive considering he's been playing at the 1 and the 2.

On the other hand I think Brewer has been slower to adjust to playing the 3 and knowing where to be all the time.

[jazzfan1971]

How does a rookie, an undrafted one no less, know where to be on the floor better than say, a guy like AK who's been in this system for years?