Godymas wrote:It doesn't make any sense at all.
Embiid is averaging 10.2 rebounds (8.4 defensive), 1.1 steals, 1.7 blocks. The 6ers as a whole have the 9th best defensive rating in the league at about 113.2 points allowed per 100 possessions. Their defensive rebounding is 7th in the league in terms of %.
Jokic is averaging 11.9 rebounds (9.5 defensive) 1.2 steals, .7 blocks. The Nuggets as a whole have the 16th best defensive rating in the league at about 114.4 points allowed per 100 possessions. Their defensive rebounding is 9th in the league in terms of %.
By purely WATCHING the game, no one would pick Jokic as a better player than Embiid and yet all the metrics paint Jokic as this elite defensive presence. I watched Embiid have 4 incredible blocks last night and watched Jokic be a revolving door in the paint vs. the Raptors not too long ago.
I think this has to be related to the team composition both deal with. Jokic plays with a team that is worse overall defensively but does so much rebounding and improves them so much in the on/off numbers that the elite offense and scoring that he is delivering is making their defense look better because his team is out pacing an opponent.
I can't think of any other reason why. Outside of maybe Bruce Brown and KCP who are solid, the guys that Jokic has are not good defenders at all, but with Jokic they win off of offense.
Who ??? Your buddies in Philadelphia???