Ruzious wrote:I think Sanders will eventually become a better defender than Asik, but Asik's physical strength gives him the advantage right now, imo. Sanders relies on his great shot-blocking ability for his D, while Asik is the better positional player. If Asik just played for blocks, he could get almost as many as Sanders.
Sanders really came into his own last season as a defender, and I think he surpassed Asik. Meanwhile, Asik took a step back as a defender IMO, playing starters minutes for the first time, and playing in an up and down system that doesn't really suit him. You're right in identifying them as very different players defensively. I agree Asik is much stronger and better at bodying up opposing bigs. But where I think Sanders outshines him is in his range and his ability to alter more shots in the lane.
I agree that Sanders's lack of strength is an issue, but I think the issue would be minor if the Bucks hadn't built their front court with a large flaw in it. You'd be perfectly fine with Sanders's lack of strength & lack of big body if you'd found a big goon that could start next to him at either C or PF. A Pekovic or something. Or maybe not even someone that good. But the Bucks have guys who are even skinnier and weaker next to Sanders in Henson and Ilyasova so now they've got a systemic issue.
But mitigating that flaw is the fact there aren't as many teams with powerful, offensive minded bigs capable of fully exploiting their weakness as there used to be. Unfortunately, most of those teams are in their division. They do have Detroit. And Cleveland if Bynum pans out. Chicago still has Boozer (though he's declining). And Indy is a load. And I guess Brooklyn has Brook Lopez. But other than that, there isn't a lot to fear in the East and even less in the West.
I'm not sure Asik could block and alter as many shots as Sanders even if he completely sold out for them because Sanders has genetic gifts that are crazy. His arm length is absurd, 7'6 wingspan and 9'4 standing reach. That's something you just can't replicate. Asik is a legit seven footer and Sanders still has 4 more inches of wingspan on him, plus he's a much springier and faster athlete. He's an Ibaka-like rim protector. When those kinds of players come with a brain, I think they are the most valuable defenders in the league now. They help shrink the court by covering lots of space, which has become more essential than having a powerful man defender on the blocks.
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