Nuggets' Defensive POY

[NuggetsWY]

I'm a big fan of Chandler's defense but I have to vote for Harris. I think his defense is underrated by many.

[SoCalNuggsFan]

Other: N/A

[NuggetsWY]

Other: N/A

Now that's funny! And I can relate!!!

[skywalker33]

Did DEN have a DPOY ??? Didn't see Chandler playing a lot of defense this year, saw him whining more than playing D. Have to go with Harris

[Powder Blue]

I'm going Chandler, Harris's D was down this year...we got eaten alive by opposing front courts night after night.

[NuggetsWY]

I'm going Chandler, Harris's D was down this year...we got eaten alive by opposing front courts night after night.

Uh, you meant "back courts" right?

[Powder Blue]

I'm going Chandler, Harris's D was down this year...we got eaten alive by opposing front courts night after night.

Uh, you meant "back courts" right?

Yep I slipped "back courts"....let's not forget that Portland game

[NuggetsWY]

I'm going Chandler, Harris's D was down this year...we got eaten alive by opposing front courts night after night.

Uh, you meant "back courts" right?

Yep I slipped "back courts"....let's not forget that Portland game

Believe me, I haven't forgotten the numerous times our defense has failed in both the front court and the back court.
Malone was introduced to us a "Defensive Oriented Coach". However, from what this amateur can tell, the Nuggets' defensive scheme is most closely related to an NBA All-Star game and NBA All-Star games involve no defense because "somebody might get hurt".

[The Rebel]

I am going with Faried, call me crazy but he or Jokic were arguably our best defenders throughout the entirety of this season, and advanced stats agree as scary as that is. Now the question is was everybody else just that bad or did Faried really improve as much as it appeared some nights?

[NuggetsWY]

I am going with Faried, call me crazy but he or Jokic were arguably our best defenders throughout the entirety of this season, and advanced stats agree as scary as that is. Now the question is was everybody else just that bad or did Faried really improve as much as it appeared some nights?

My first response was to think you left your signon open and someone else was typing but, there's some truth in what you are saying. I don't look at advanced stats much, and when I do, I'm not an expert. The eye-test told me this might have been Faried's best year defensively, at least since Karl left. He's usually aware of what's going on around him. He's not quick enough for a few forwards on switches and he's not big enough for some PFs much less the centers Malone puts him up against. I'd say he's good "help defense" and adequate "man defense" but it's been 4 years since the Nuggets have had any semblance of team defense, at least that I can identify.

The thing that favored Jokic & Faried on advanced statistics is probably the Malone standard of having guards trail over the top of pick-n-rolls leaving the bigs to cover two men. Jokic & Faried are both good at getting in the way of the other team. They are not great at one-on-one, depending on who they cover. IMO they range from fair-good depending on who they cover. But as I said, they get in the way of players driving to the basket. I don't think any of the other Nuggets are very good, or at least not as effective at that.

I'll stick with Harris, even though Malone's scheme makes our guards look bad IMO. But I can actually see the sense in what you said. Made me think for sure.

[The Rebel]

I am going with Faried, call me crazy but he or Jokic were arguably our best defenders throughout the entirety of this season, and advanced stats agree as scary as that is. Now the question is was everybody else just that bad or did Faried really improve as much as it appeared some nights?

My first response was to think you left your signon open and someone else was typing but, there's some truth in what you are saying. I don't look at advanced stats much, and when I do, I'm not an expert. The eye-test told me this might have been Faried's best year defensively, at least since Karl left. He's usually aware of what's going on around him. He's not quick enough for a few forwards on switches and he's not big enough for some PFs much less the centers Malone puts him up against. I'd say he's good "help defense" and adequate "man defense" but it's been 4 years since the Nuggets have had any semblance of team defense, at least that I can identify.

The thing that favored Jokic & Faried on advanced statistics is probably the Malone standard of having guards trail over the top of pick-n-rolls leaving the bigs to cover two men. Jokic & Faried are both good at getting in the way of the other team. They are not great at one-on-one, depending on who they cover. IMO they range from fair-good depending on who they cover. But as I said, they get in the way of players driving to the basket. I don't think any of the other Nuggets are very good, or at least not as effective at that.

I'll stick with Harris, even though Malone's scheme makes our guards look bad IMO. But I can actually see the sense in what you said. Made me think for sure.

LOL, nope I was not hacked, I posted it. I will agree that there are some guys that destroyed Faried especially in the low post, but he does much better on the perimeter than many will give him credit for, and he finds a way to get under a lot of guy's skin and throw them off their game. He was far from a great defender but he was among the top 2 or 3 on the team last year.

I agree that the scheme hurts the backcourt, which is terrible considering how many minutes Nelson played. Nelson was already terrible on defense no need to bring in a scheme that makes it worse. However I think Harris regressed a little on his defense with the increased offensive load. Chandler and Gallo both spent to much time ignoring the defensive end. Murray, Mudiay, and Hernangomez all tried but still have work to do on that end, and Plumlee did well against the reserves but got tore up against starters. To me that leave Arthur who missed too many games with injuries, Jokic who was by far the team MVP and offensive MVP, and Faried who the average basketball fan believes cannot play defense but was among the best on the team so I gave it to him.

[NuggetsWY]

I agree that the scheme hurts the backcourt, which is terrible considering how many minutes Nelson played. Nelson was already terrible on defense no need to bring in a scheme that makes it worse. However I think Harris regressed a little on his defense with the increased offensive load. Chandler and Gallo both spent to much time ignoring the defensive end. Murray, Mudiay, and Hernangomez all tried but still have work to do on that end, and Plumlee did well against the reserves but got tore up against starters. To me that leave Arthur who missed too many games with injuries, Jokic who was by far the team MVP and offensive MVP, and Faried who the average basketball fan believes cannot play defense but was among the best on the team so I gave it to him.

Won't argue with you about Nelson, that's for sure.
I wonder if Harris is learning the "Nugget's veteran attitude toward defense"?
I think Plumlee is a great bench player but I think he's a terrible fit as a starter. I also think he's a center, not a PF.
Our young players aren't going to learn much defense here, so we'll have to live with that IMO.
Faried's defense is like his offense, based on energy. I love him off the bench. Against other teams' benches? Wow!
Arthur's reputation is that he's probably our best defensive PF. On the other hand, Chandler used to have a great defensive reputation too. What do you think? 4 years as a Nugget and no defense left?

[The Rebel]

I agree that the scheme hurts the backcourt, which is terrible considering how many minutes Nelson played. Nelson was already terrible on defense no need to bring in a scheme that makes it worse. However I think Harris regressed a little on his defense with the increased offensive load. Chandler and Gallo both spent to much time ignoring the defensive end. Murray, Mudiay, and Hernangomez all tried but still have work to do on that end, and Plumlee did well against the reserves but got tore up against starters. To me that leave Arthur who missed too many games with injuries, Jokic who was by far the team MVP and offensive MVP, and Faried who the average basketball fan believes cannot play defense but was among the best on the team so I gave it to him.

Won't argue with you about Nelson, that's for sure.
I wonder if Harris is learning the "Nugget's veteran attitude toward defense"?
I think Plumlee is a great bench player but I think he's a terrible fit as a starter. I also think he's a center, not a PF.
Our young players aren't going to learn much defense here, so we'll have to live with that IMO.
Faried's defense is like his offense, based on energy. I love him off the bench. Against other teams' benches? Wow!
Arthur's reputation is that he's probably our best defensive PF. On the other hand, Chandler used to have a great defensive reputation too. What do you think? 4 years as a Nugget and no defense left?

As I have posted before Chandler and Gallo was who the front office was building around until December 15th, I believe it and think that was the problem with them on the defensive end and with them bitching to the media and on twitter. They came into the season planning to be the top 2 scorers and having the offense run through them. I think they were pouting and it was showing on the defensive end from both of them the minute they realized that Jokic was going to be the franchise player long term. Gallo seemed to accept it by the end of the season and the last couple of weeks that he played he really gave maximum effort on both ends, but I do not think that Chandler has accepted it even today, which is why I think he has to go.

Harris I think just had a problem being asked to constantly moving on offense and carrying so much of the load to make it work and being asked to guard the best perimeter player on the opposition every night fighting through every screen and all over the court. It was a lot to ask of a 3rd year player that is not a superstar. A change at PG and a better defensive would do a ton of good for him.

I agree that Plumlee is a good defensive backup Center that should not be playing PF especially as a starter, which is why I would hate to see the Nuggets sign him to a big contract this summer.

I see so many people talk about Faried coming off the bench and being more effective, but that is just not true. His per minutes stats are remarkably similar regardless of whether he is coming off the bench or is a starter, he is actually more effective as a starter as his usage is slightly lower meaning he is putting up the same stats with less touches. With Jokic and Faried starting together they were something like 8-4, which is a small sample size but large enough to see a trend. Faried's athleticism and off the ball movement is needed with Jokic on the court, especially with Gallo not being as athletic as he once was, and Nelson being so terrible. While I would love to trade for a guy like Favors, the truth is unless we get a clear upgrade at PF than I want Faried starting next year.

[NuggetsWY]

I see so many people talk about Faried coming off the bench and being more effective, but that is just not true. His per minutes stats are remarkably similar regardless of whether he is coming off the bench or is a starter, he is actually more effective as a starter as his usage is slightly lower meaning he is putting up the same stats with less touches. With Jokic and Faried starting together they were something like 8-4, which is a small sample size but large enough to see a trend. Faried's athleticism and off the ball movement is needed with Jokic on the court, especially with Gallo not being as athletic as he once was, and Nelson being so terrible. While I would love to trade for a guy like Favors, the truth is unless we get a clear upgrade at PF than I want Faried starting next year.

I can somewhat see what you're saying. I did not realize his statistics were slanted in favor of his starting. I am a Faried fan, but he seemed less than happy this year and it would seem he'd be more valuable to some other teams. The Nuggets didn't use him enough to make it significant. I realize he's not "the man" but I think he deserves better than he got this year. So why not trade him and receive some young player that may or may not be as good or better. With all of our youth, it's time to gamble on a few more IMO.

What I do love about Faried paired with Jokic is what you mention, "ball movement". The more the guys around Jokic cut and drive, the better Jokic becomes and the better they become.