Oklahoma City Thunder Regular Season 2015-2016 Part 2

[bondom34]

Also gonna say this now, but tonight I'm going to really try to just not worry about the game and enjoy it, or watch another game. I'm finding them too stressful right now, and it kills the joy of it.

[Bergmaniac]

I think Russ started poorly on D this season, but improved a lot after the first 8-9 games. Just my impression from watching, I don't know if the stats support it. He still gambles a lot, but it seems that he picks his spots better this year and it doesn't leave to him being completely out of position if the gamble fails nearly as often as last season.

His defence tracking stats on nba.com are pretty bad though, though I am not sure how reliable they are. It claims that the players he's defending are shooting a FG of 47.5% on average against him, while their usual FG% is 43.8 %. The difference in the same stat for Kanter is a negative figure, which makes him a good defender by that metric. Which goes to show that with pick and roll being used so much this is not really a good stat for evaluating centers and PG, especially if the team's defensive scheme uses a lot switching as the Thunder's do.

[bondom34]

I think Russ started poorly on D this season, but improved a lot after the first 8-9 games. Just my impression from watching, I don't know if the stats support it. he still gambles a lot, but it seems that he picks his spots better this year and it doesn't leave to him being completely out of position if the gamble fails nearly as often as last season.

His defence tracking stats on nba.com are pretty bad though, though I am not sure how reliable they are. It claims that the players he's defending are shooting a FG of 47.5% on average against him, while their usual FG% is 43.8 %. The difference in the same stat for Kanter is a negative figure, which makes him a good defender by that metric. Which goes to show that with pick and roll being used so much this is not really a good stat for evaluating centers and PG, especially if the team's defensive scheme uses a lot switching as the Thunder's do.

Yeah, I don't buy them. I keep spamming this article, but its a great read on why:

http://www1.vantagesports.com/Articles/archive_article_view/Vg1ZYyMAALIAoMzK

[KD35Brah]

We're the 3rd worst team in the NBA at defending spot up 3s.

[Pillendreher]

Yeah, but I'm already regretting it since I'm not getting the answers I wanted. Y'all just haters cause I see the truth and you don't!

Actually wouldn't you be the hater in this case .

No you're hating on my knowdlege

[bondom34]

Yeah, but I'm already regretting it since I'm not getting the answers I wanted. Y'all just haters cause I see the truth and you don't!

Actually wouldn't you be the hater in this case .

No you're hating on my knowdlege

Seriously I give you props for asking it. Usually people dodge the question and don't ask around for a second opinion and just won't believe differently. I've changed my opinion from people on here a few times as well.

Also, completely a different topic but I'm being told on the trade board Dion's a better defender than Lamb and a better player. Whew.

[Pillendreher]

Also, completely a different topic but I'm being told on the trade board Dion's a better defender than Lamb and a better player. Whew.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMDiy8g3HDs

[QPR]

Pachulia the only Dallas starter playing tonight. Dirk, Deron, Matthews and Chandler all being rested.

[bondom34]

Zaza hits at least 6 3s tonight.

[Cuban_Linx]

I think Russ started poorly on D this season, but improved a lot after the first 8-9 games. Just my impression from watching, I don't know if the stats support it. He still gambles a lot, but it seems that he picks his spots better this year and it doesn't leave to him being completely out of position if the gamble fails nearly as often as last season.

Yeah, I'm with this. I thought he started the season playing some incredibly stupid D, but after KD went down and came back again they both seemed to turn it up and play great defense for a long stretch. Russ is still very good in my book, but KD is just trash right now. I was kinda cool with KD halfassing it on the scoring because it seemed like he wanted to set an example with his passing and defending, but right now he's doing neither and his scoring is just disappointing right now (I mean he's gonna give you 25 pts on great efficiency in his sleep, but he's nowhere near the hyperefficient KD that took over games whenever he felt it).

And yeah back to Russ. He's a great defender right now. He's really made the leap on both ends this season.

[getrichordie]

Single season RAPM:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_JkGXDXtu3cSLzplkQo4mDYOMLi-Sh2YfIb9nKeMNZI/edit#gid=0

Kanter 33rd worst defense

Teammates and team defense must have an impact on this statistic as well.

I'm seeing Steph Curry has better defense than Russell Westbrook. Am I reading that right?

This is obviously a skewed statistic as well.

Green - #3
Curry - #5
Thompson - #21
Iguodala - #70??

So, tell me, why is this statistic so good and so telling about a players defensive impact?

[bondom34]

Single season RAPM:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_JkGXDXtu3cSLzplkQo4mDYOMLi-Sh2YfIb9nKeMNZI/edit#gid=0

Kanter 33rd worst defense

Teammates and team defense must have an impact on this statistic as well.

I'm seeing Steph Curry has better defense than Russell Westbrook. Am I reading that right?

This is obviously a skewed statistic as well.

Green - #3
Curry - #5
Thompson - #21
Iguodala - #70??

So, tell me, why is this statistic so good and so telling about a players defensive impact?

They don't. RAPM is a form of adjusted plus minus, it takes into account teammates and opponents and how good they are. It basically tells you Player X is Y points above/below average per 100 possessions in their given role.

Curry is a solid/average defender. The Curry is a bad defender meme is almost as bad as the Russ is a bad defender one. Team defense does not effect this, but good defenders are usually shown quickly. Green is the cog in that defense btw, no doubt about it.

For reading:

http://godismyjudgeok.com/DStats/2011/nba-stats/a-review-of-adjusted-plusminus-and-stabilization/

[getrichordie]

Single season RAPM:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_JkGXDXtu3cSLzplkQo4mDYOMLi-Sh2YfIb9nKeMNZI/edit#gid=0

Kanter 33rd worst defense

Teammates and team defense must have an impact on this statistic as well.

I'm seeing Steph Curry has better defense than Russell Westbrook. Am I reading that right?

This is obviously a skewed statistic as well.

Green - #3
Curry - #5
Thompson - #21
Iguodala - #70??

So, tell me, why is this statistic so good and so telling about a players defensive impact?

They don't. RAPM is a form of adjusted plus minus, it takes into account teammates and opponents and how good they are. It basically tells you Player X is Y points above/below average per 100 possessions in their given role.

Curry is a solid/average defender. The Curry is a bad defender meme is almost as bad as the Russ is a bad defender one. Team defense does not effect this, but good defenders are usually shown quickly. Green is the cog in that defense btw, no doubt about it.

For reading:

http://godismyjudgeok.com/DStats/2011/nba-stats/a-review-of-adjusted-plusminus-and-stabilization/

Curry is in between Westbrook and Augustin on the defensive end. He's small but he gets steals and can position himself right, but other PGs and SGs can switch on him and take advantage of his littleness. He will always need great defenders around him to hide his defensive weaknesses.

[bondom34]

Teammates and team defense must have an impact on this statistic as well.

I'm seeing Steph Curry has better defense than Russell Westbrook. Am I reading that right?

This is obviously a skewed statistic as well.

Green - #3
Curry - #5
Thompson - #21
Iguodala - #70??

So, tell me, why is this statistic so good and so telling about a players defensive impact?

They don't. RAPM is a form of adjusted plus minus, it takes into account teammates and opponents and how good they are. It basically tells you Player X is Y points above/below average per 100 possessions in their given role.

Curry is a solid/average defender. The Curry is a bad defender meme is almost as bad as the Russ is a bad defender one. Team defense does not effect this, but good defenders are usually shown quickly. Green is the cog in that defense btw, no doubt about it.

For reading:

http://godismyjudgeok.com/DStats/2011/nba-stats/a-review-of-adjusted-plusminus-and-stabilization/

Curry is in between Westbrook and Augustin on the defensive end. He's small but he gets steals and can position himself right, but other PGs and SGs can switch on him and take advantage of his littleness. He will always need great defenders around him to hide his defensive weaknesses.

I mean, you're free to have a completely unsubstantiated opinion with no backing, but that's all it is. I agree that's where he'd rank defensively, but that's like saying he's somewhere between the size of a toddler and Shaq.

[getrichordie]

They don't. RAPM is a form of adjusted plus minus, it takes into account teammates and opponents and how good they are. It basically tells you Player X is Y points above/below average per 100 possessions in their given role.

Curry is a solid/average defender. The Curry is a bad defender meme is almost as bad as the Russ is a bad defender one. Team defense does not effect this, but good defenders are usually shown quickly. Green is the cog in that defense btw, no doubt about it.

For reading:

http://godismyjudgeok.com/DStats/2011/nba-stats/a-review-of-adjusted-plusminus-and-stabilization/

Curry is in between Westbrook and Augustin on the defensive end. He's small but he gets steals and can position himself right, but other PGs and SGs can switch on him and take advantage of his littleness. He will always need great defenders around him to hide his defensive weaknesses.

I mean, you're free to have a completely unsubstantiated opinion with no backing, but that's all it is. I agree that's where he'd rank defensively, but that's like saying he's somewhere between the size of a toddler and Shaq.

Unsubstantiated? Just watch the next GSW game and see how Curry matches up with his man and watch his guys provide great help defense to bail him out.

[spearsy23]

Teammates and team defense must have an impact on this statistic as well.

I'm seeing Steph Curry has better defense than Russell Westbrook. Am I reading that right?

This is obviously a skewed statistic as well.

Green - #3
Curry - #5
Thompson - #21
Iguodala - #70??

So, tell me, why is this statistic so good and so telling about a players defensive impact?

They don't. RAPM is a form of adjusted plus minus, it takes into account teammates and opponents and how good they are. It basically tells you Player X is Y points above/below average per 100 possessions in their given role.

Curry is a solid/average defender. The Curry is a bad defender meme is almost as bad as the Russ is a bad defender one. Team defense does not effect this, but good defenders are usually shown quickly. Green is the cog in that defense btw, no doubt about it.

For reading:

http://godismyjudgeok.com/DStats/2011/nba-stats/a-review-of-adjusted-plusminus-and-stabilization/

Curry is in between Westbrook and Augustin on the defensive end. He's small but he gets steals and can position himself right, but other PGs and SGs can switch on him and take advantage of his littleness. He will always need great defenders around him to hide his defensive weaknesses.

Curry is 6'3" 185 lbs. He isn't little at all and He's a very solid defender.

[spearsy23]

Single season RAPM:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_JkGXDXtu3cSLzplkQo4mDYOMLi-Sh2YfIb9nKeMNZI/edit#gid=0

Kanter 33rd worst defense

Teammates and team defense must have an impact on this statistic as well.

I'm seeing Steph Curry has better defense than Russell Westbrook. Am I reading that right?

This is obviously a skewed statistic as well.

Green - #3
Curry - #5
Thompson - #21
Iguodala - #70??

So, tell me, why is this statistic so good and so telling about a players defensive impact?

They don't. RAPM is a form of adjusted plus minus, it takes into account teammates and opponents and how good they are. It basically tells you Player X is Y points above/below average per 100 possessions in their given role.

Curry is a solid/average defender. The Curry is a bad defender meme is almost as bad as the Russ is a bad defender one. Team defense does not effect this, but good defenders are usually shown quickly. Green is the cog in that defense btw, no doubt about it.

For reading:

http://godismyjudgeok.com/DStats/2011/nba-stats/a-review-of-adjusted-plusminus-and-stabilization/

I think it's important to note that team defense isn't supposed to effect RAPM. IMO there are demonstrable collinearity effects. It's not enough to discredit the stat, but it does need to be used in conjunction with other stats too. Fortunately for Curry, everything paints the same picture, he is a very solid team defender.

[spearsy23]

Half the fanbase wants more Kanter.

Half the fanbase wanted more Dion. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess it's the same half.

[bondom34]

Curry is in between Westbrook and Augustin on the defensive end. He's small but he gets steals and can position himself right, but other PGs and SGs can switch on him and take advantage of his littleness. He will always need great defenders around him to hide his defensive weaknesses.

I mean, you're free to have a completely unsubstantiated opinion with no backing, but that's all it is. I agree that's where he'd rank defensively, but that's like saying he's somewhere between the size of a toddler and Shaq.

Unsubstantiated? Just watch the next GSW game and see how Curry matches up with his man and watch his guys provide great help defense to bail him out.

Unsubstantiated as in there isn't actual evidence of it. I could say "well watch how X does Y" for any player. Its how KD got the "jump shooter" label, unsubstantiated.

You don't take these as absolutes, but you don't do that with anything. Curry isn't the 5th best defender, but he's a good one.

[NaturalThunder]

Mavs commentator said Charile Villanueva has really been struggling lately = Villanueva will score 30 points tonight and make at least 5 threes.