Marc Gasol Wins Defensive Player of the Year

[Nuntius]

I'm not saying he is a bad defender at all.

I probably misunderstood this quote then:

Hibbert is not good defensively especially his pathetic pick and roll defense.

He is a good defender with some flaws especially the pick and roll. My point was that I don't think he is a better defender than George and he wasn't more worthy than George as the DPOY. He is obviously an positive defender though but there are some instances where they could be better without him such as a dominant pick and roll team.

As I said, Paul George is the more complete individual defender. But Hibbert's defense has a much more significant impact for Indiana. Of course, Indiana's D is based on teamwork so comparing Roy and Paul is kind of a moot point.

I'm not really sure if Hibbert is any better of a defender than Ibaka truthfully. Both are great shot blockers but lack other skills, but I do think Ibaka gets underrated defensively.

He is. Significantly. Roy Hibbert possess every skill that you demand from a defender apart from the mobility to guard the PnR. He is excellent in every other aspect:

Anticipation? Check.

Positioning? Check.

Post defense? Check.

Rim protection? Check.

Help defense and understanding defensive schemes? Check.

Not biting on pump fakes often? Check.

Being a huge wall in front of the rim? Check.

Indiana is forcing the lowest opponent FG% percentage at the rim and inside 9 feet and that's mostly due to Hibbert's impact.

Check it out -> http://hoopdata.com/oteamshotlocs.aspx

[TheChosen618]

I probably misunderstood this quote then:

I should have said Hibbert is not great defensively. He is good, but not great is how I would evluate him. He probably is the best rim protector other than Dwight Howard, but this season he has been better than Dwight since Dwight has not been healthy.

I think Asik is better defensively though but Asik has terrible defensive players around him which is why Houston's defense sucks. Asik is the only reason why they aren't by far the worst defensive team in the league.

He is. Significantly. Roy Hibbert possess every skill that you demand from a defender apart from the mobility to guard the PnR. He is excellent in every other aspect:

You know and watch more Pacers than I do, so I trust your analysis on a game by game basis more than mine. I still think George is better though and more worthy of DPOY because of the minutes he logs. I also like George's versatility and being able to guard multiple positions while Hibbert can only guard Centers and nothing more.

If Hibbert played as many minutes, it would be hard not go with him over George, but their defense would probably be better if Hibbert played more too.

[Jay10]

I wonder what the All-D team is gonna be.

Marc
?
Lebron
T.Allen
?

I'm pretty sure those 3 are gonna make it. The other 2, I'm not sure about. Is Duncan considered a forward? Is George considered a guard?

marc isn't a lock for all-d team.

[Nuntius]

I should have said Hibbert is not great defensively. He is good, but not great is how I would evluate him. He probably is the best rim protector other than Dwight Howard, but this season he has been better than Dwight since Dwight has not been healthy.

I think Asik is better defensively though but Asik has terrible defensive players around him which is why Houston's defense sucks. Asik is the only reason why they aren't by far the worst defensive team in the league.

Asik is a very good defender indeed. I prefer Hibbert, though. I'd consider him a great defender but you have the right to have a different opinion, of course.

You know and watch more Pacers than I do, so I trust your analysis on a game by game basis more than mine. I still think George is better though and more worthy of DPOY because of the minutes he logs. I also like George's versatility and being able to guard multiple positions while Hibbert can only guard Centers and nothing more.

If Hibbert played as many minutes, it would be hard not go with him over George, but their defense would probably be better if Hibbert played more too.

Saying that Paul George is a better defender is not wrong. George is indeed an amazing defender. He has a more complete defensive skill set and is a lot more versatile due to being a wing and an amazing athlete. He suffers a bit in post defense against big 3s and 4s but that's to be expected as he is still a bit thin. I have no doubt that he can improve even more in the future.

What I'm trying to say is that Hibbert's impact on defense is bigger. That's all. Of course, Paul and Roy have each other's backs and that's why it works so well.

As far as the minutes are concerned. Hibbert has athlete-induced asthma so he's not able to play huge minutes like Paul George.

[The4thHorseman]

Gasol using his shoe on defense > Hibbert

[LikeABosh]

I wish Timmy would have gotten it, but oh well. Hibbert didn't deserve it. If anyone on the Pacers deserved it it was George

[22haytham22]

This should have belonged to Andrea Bargnani said nobody

[UnderdogRaptors]

well deserved Marc congrats, but I would have went with Duncan but you can't go wrong with either one.

[EddieJonesFan]

Is this a **** joke?

[blackjays1]

People been sayin Noah shoulda won, he's a better rebounder and blocker but as a straight up defender Gasol deserves it. Im not quite sure but i believe he's had THREE game winning blocks this year. Pretty impressive.

[SideshowBob]

Top 10 defensive players by defensive contribution (Defensive RAPM weighted by minutes).

Code: Select all

Rk  Player             Team    MP       D-RAPM     MP x D-RAPM

1   Paul George        IND     2972     3.8        11421
2   Marc Gasol         MEM     2896     3.9        11000
3   Andre Iguodala     DEN     2799     3.5        9918
4   Tony Allen         MEM     2109     4.7        9875
5   Thabo Sefolosha    OKC     2229     4.4        9744     
6   Kevin Garnett      BOS     2022     4.7        9458
7   Dwight Howard      LAL     2722     3.3        9086
8   Luol Deng          CHI     2903     2.7        7883
9   Tim Duncan         SAS     2078     3.6        7470
10  Taj Gibson         CHI     1459     5.0        7301

[Michael Lucky]

I'm ok with it I guess. Would have preferred George or Duncan to get it though.

[ItsDaBrush]

Malone/Kobe's MVP is glass because it's a lifetime achievement award but Duncan deserves DPOY for his career achievements

[dballislife]

hes man d/back down d is great but his perimeter and help defense is rather poor, mostly due to size and limited agility...also doesn't rebound or block shots at elite level...i dont no

[Spurtatcus]

As a advocate for Timmy this season, I have no problems with Gasol winning it.

[Woodsanity]

Eh don't like it. Gasol has Tony Allen, Conley and Prince on his team. Tony Allen was a legit DPOY candidate this season.

[jefe]

hes man d/back down d is great but his perimeter and help defense is rather poor, mostly due to size and limited agility...also doesn't rebound or block shots at elite level...i dont no

His understanding of angles, positioning, and timing for help defense is phenomenal; I don't know which Marc Gasol you've been watching this year if that's your conclusion. Sure, his athleticism and agility is somewhat lacking - but if he had Howard's athleticism and agility, it wouldn't be fair to the rest of the league.

[waya]

Congrats to Marc "Cheeseburgers" Gasol but I was hoping Duncan would get his life-time achievement DPOY.

[Heat fan06]

Can't believe Tim Duncan has never won one of these.

[GeneralNbaFan]

Lol at Duncan! He was never an option....
I would have no problems with George,Hibbert or Lebron. And I cant say Tony Allen because playing defense for 27min is not the same like playing +35mins.