OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NBA PLAYOFFS THREAD : VOL. MOST. ANTICIPATED. PLAYOFFS. EVER?
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Ellis, Curry & Lee killed Portland last night. One of the best overall efforts I have seen from Golden State this year.
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it sure was
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Something to keep an eye on;
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That's the thing with the Thunder I've always wondered, not many champions have succeeded with having two high usage ball dominant permiter players. It's like other than Scottie and Mike it's always a big and a small.
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Yeah, it by far the second highest on the Bulls.
You can see it's caused Miami problems trying to figure how to get these 2 to play together, Miami may be talented enough to overcome the problems that come from having your best players do the same things plus they have Bosh a post up threat that demands a double team. Russel and Durant are not that good and there post up players are non factors on offense.
Isiah and Dumars are the only other ones I can think of, but they at least had Bill Lambeer, not many champions who didn't have an a big offensive threat.
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That, for example, doesn't remind you of Manu? Or the strip of Kobe and finish on the other end, etc.?
His whole flow on the court screams Manu to me. Always has. And it should go without saying, but I am, in no way, insinuating that he will be as productive/successful.
His whole flow on the court screams Manu to me. Always has. And it should go without saying, but I am, in no way, insinuating that he will be as productive/successful.
Spoiler [+]
As we wrap up the fourth season of these rookie reports, this is a good time to evaluate the amazing talent that has entered the league these four years: the rookies, sophomores and upperclassmen.
In these four classes, we have MVP candidates, All-Stars, NBA champions and finalists, slam-dunk champs, gold-medal winners and superstars in the making. We've also seen more than our share of surprises and disappointments.
To assess the quality and depth of our rising frosh, sophs, juniors and seniors, I'm ranking the 20 best players to come into the league since the 2007 draft. I focused primarily on who they are this season.
We can't ignore the past and future in evaluating players, but if we've learned anything from our weekly rookie reports, it's that young players can fail yesterday and succeed today, or succeed yesterday and fail today -- and tomorrow is a book yet to be written.
[h3]The Magnificent Seven[/h3]
1. Kevin Durant, Thunder
Drafted in June 2007; 2nd overall pick
Although there are some very strong competitors for the top spot, my final two came down to Durant and Derrick Rose. Durant gets the edge simply because he's a little better as a scorer, which is what both of these guys are: pure scorers.
KD is a better shooter, is a better finisher inside (helped by his huge height advantage, of course), gets to the line far more than Rose and is just as much the focal point of opposing defenses as Rose.
Both players have become decent defenders and are fantastic teammates in every respect. Although Rose has more MVP juice this season (although I'd guess things would be different if they switched cities), Durant is the best player drafted into the NBA during the past four years.
2. Derrick Rose, Bulls
Drafted in June 2008; 1st overall pick
What's not to love about Rose? He's a top-level talent. He's a two-time All-Star. He's the best player on a title contender. He continues to work on his game. He stays humble. And he's arguably the most improved player in the NBA.
I give him the edge over Russell Westbrook because he's become a more polished offensive player, although the race is closer than most people think.
Rose now has a whole season's worth of destroying defenders to bolster his confidence and get him to believe that he's special. His running right-hand shot over the outstretched arm of a helping big has become one of the iconic shots in the NBA.
3. Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Drafted in June 2008; 4th overall pick
In my mind, Rose is the LeBron of his position -- quicker and more powerful than any other point guard. So what does that say about Westbrook, the most athletically gifted point guard I've seen play?
Westbrook has become one of the better game managers in the league while imposing his will on games. One way is rebounding, as he's the best offensive rebounder at his position. If he can learn to consistently make 3s, he has the talent to be an MVP contender alongside the top two guys on this list. Here's a promising sign: In March, Westbrook made 48 percent of his 3-point attempts, and his team went 14-2.
4. Al Horford, Hawks
Drafted in June 2007; 3rd overall pick
I doubt casual NBA fans or even some of the more focused fans realize just how good Horford has become. A two-time All-Star, he's one of the best passing, shooting and finishing big men in the NBA. He's also as good as any big in the league in defending the ball screen and guarding his man in the post.
All this adds up to his being a top-tier center, which is even more impressive when we consider that Horford is playing out of position most of the time. He has the goods to be the league's best power forward if and when he gets the chance.
Horford is the Hawks' quiet leader and the foundation of their future.
5. Joakim Noah, Bulls
Drafted in June 2007; 9th overall pick
Noah is the best defender on the league's best defense, capable of guarding almost any 4 or 5 in the league while holding his own when forced to defend guards or wings after a switch late in the shot clock. He alone gives the Bulls lots of defensive options, which is a big part of their success.
Chicago's offense is also at its best when he's in the game, thanks to his ability to pass from the pinch post, set great screens, finish inside and make better than 70 percent of his free throws. Plus, he's the best offensive rebounding center in the NBA and one of the top rebounders overall.
To top it off, Noah is possibly the best and most inspirational teammate under age 35 in the league.
6. Kevin Love, Timberwolves
Drafted in June 2008; 5th overall pick
Love probably already has the best combination of perimeter shooting and rebounding talent of any player in league history, and he can have a major impact on any game with either or both.
Love's defense is solid -- he does well taking away angles and is good at inviting players to attack areas where it's tough to score -- and he has a strong post game, making him one of the few NBA players who can command a double-team on offense but won't need one on defense.
He ranks below Noah only because he can't play defense off the ball like Noah yet and doesn't impact the game in the more subtle ways that make the difference between winning and losing.
7. Blake Griffin, Clippers
Drafted in June 2009; 1st overall pick
Griffin is a lot like Westbrook in that he uses his body and athleticism fully to dictate and dominate opponents and games. I rank Love higher because he has more tools to change a game, but there is no denying that Griffin gets the most out of what he has to offer right now.
Griffin has Noah-like energy and has become a good post-up player. So once he learns to make 75 percent of his shots from the line, he'll become a prolific scorer, even if he doesn't improve his perimeter shooting. And there's no reason he can't improve in that area, either, which is why he can be a legit MVP candidate going forward.
[h3]The rest[/h3]
8. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Drafted in June 2009; 7th overall pick
Guess how many point guards in the NBA have a true shooting percentage of 59 or better, have a rebound rate better than 10 and show an assist rate of 23 or better? Steve Nash is a given, and Chris Paul qualifies if we round up his 58.6 TS%. Besides those two superstars, the only other lead guard to meet those standards is Curry. That's it. Pretty special company.
The scariest part is that I see Curry improving a lot in the next few seasons -- he's just been an average passer this season, and he's a bit turnover-prone. Still, his ability as a shooter is special. He's a contender for "best shooter under 25" in the NBA.
9. Brook Lopez, Nets
Drafted in June 2008; 10th overall pick
Lopez should have been in the running for a top-five spot on this list, but he has slipped badly as a rebounder in his third season, an area of the game that is all about effort and determination. If he does not spend the offseason working on his body and conditioning while studying tape to find ways to rebound better, we'll soon know all we need to know about Lopez.
With that said, few other bigs can score with ease inside while having range out to 20 feet and being excellent free throw shooters.
10. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies
Drafted in June 2007; 48th overall pick
Put Gasol's head and heart into the body of Lopez, and Lopez would be a surefire All-Star. Gasol does little great, but he is the master of doing a lot of things well. That works well for him and his team.
He anchors a stingy defense with great position play, and he's supersmart and crafty on offense. The Grizzlies are capable of winning a playoff series against any opponent because of his overall play.
11. Serge Ibaka, Thunder
Drafted in June 2008; 24th overall pick
Most people wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Thunder are playing their best defense when Ibaka is in the game. But what if I told you the same was true about them on offense?
Yes, Westbrook and Durant need Ibaka on the floor to get the Thunder to play their best offensive basketball. He spaces the floor for them, drawing out shot-blockers, and rarely takes a bad shot, helping to ensure that the best possible shot is available for either star. That's pretty impressive for a guy who's such an impact player in the paint on defense with his shot-blocking. If he had started all season for the Thunder, he would be in this top 10.
12. Eric Gordon, Clippers
Drafted in June 2008; 7th overall pick
During his first summer league and rookie season, Gordon was too quick to show off his great shooting stroke. That meant defenders often didn't have to deal with Gordon, who is a superquick and strong ball handler, attacking the rim. That has changed in his third season, and Gordon has improved rapidly.
Teams now have to prepare for Gordon's side pick-and-roll, as he has become a threat to make the jumper or get to the paint. With better point guard play, he still could take one more step up.
13. Mike Conley, Grizzlies
Drafted in June 2007; 4th overall pick
Conley's stats aren't eye-popping, except for his 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and 1.74 steals per game. He's not a great shooter, either, just a good one. But when you consider how he manages his team on offense and sets the tone for his team on defense, Conley's overall effectiveness is unquestioned.
That the Grizzlies are streaking now despite Rudy Gay's season-ending injury shows that their quarterback is doing his job very well.
14. Danilo Gallinari, Nuggets
Drafted in June 2008; 6th overall pick
Gallo is emerging as a strong starting small forward before our eyes. He was good in New York, but he's been even better in Denver, especially as a shooter.
Gallinari gives the Nuggets hope that they received an All-Star in return for Carmelo Anthony. He's helped the Nuggets, one of the league's hottest teams, more than any of the other former Knicks who came over in the trade. His impact in all facets of the game is coming into focus.
15. Thaddeus Young, 76ers
Drafted in June 2007; 12th overall pick
Young is one of the best bench players in the NBA and would be higher on this list if he played more.
Although he still hasn't developed a more consistent perimeter game, he has become one of the league's best finishers inside, ranks in the top five in steals per 48 minutes among all forwards and is a big part of Philly's resurgence. As underrated players go, he's high on the list.
16. JaVale McGee, Wizards
Drafted in June 2008; 18th overall pick
McGee was a bit of a circus act to start the season -- all arms and legs, and all dunks, blocks and goaltends. Then, he strung together some strong games. He later put up a couple of electrifying ones, including a triple-double with 12 blocks.
McGee's silly mistakes are being replaced by smart plays and aggressive actions on the court, and he's become someone the Wizards want to pair with John Wall for the long haul.
17. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
Drafted in June 2009; 18th overall pick
Lawson also would've been in the top 10 on this list if he had been starting all season, proving that he does have the talent to be a starter for a playoff team.
His March numbers -- 16 ppg and almost a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio with the Nuggets going 10-3 -- give us a glimpse of what we'll see from him for a long time. Few point guards have his combination of perimeter shooting and blazing dribbling speed.
18. Jrue Holiday, 76ers
Drafted in June 2009; 17th overall pick
Holiday might not be the official captain on the team, but he is running the surprising 76ers at just 20 years old.
In addition to his on-the-court leadership, Holiday uses his excellent size to help on the defensive boards and has skill as a shooter from both the 3-point line and the free throw line. Lately, he's also figured out how to pound smaller guys in the paint for buckets -- something to watch for next season.
19. DeJuan Blair, Spurs
Drafted in June 2009; 37th overall pick
We all know Blair is a beast on the glass. But he also helps anchor a top-10 defense with his quick hands and feet as well as his willingness to challenge people. He provides a toughness intangible that rubs off on his teammates -- definitely a factor in the Spurs' overall success this season.
Even though Blair is undersized at 6-foot-8, he finishes more than 60 percent of his inside shots, which is exactly what he did last season. And never discount the importance of having a big man set strong screens for an offense that is top-five in the league.
20. John Wall, Wizards
Drafted in June 2010; 1st overall pick
No top draft pick in the past four seasons debuted for a more challenging team than Wall, but he's managed a successful debut season. His love for pushing and passing already has made him a feared leader of the break, and he has shown that he can be a serious chaos creator on defense.
Lately, Wall has improved on his driving finishes, too, making him an even more dangerous scorer. That will only help create shots for teammates as defenses adjust.
[h3]The next dozen[/h3]
Here are the 12 guys we expect to get in or make a strong run into this group next season as the class of 2007 moves on.
In alphabetical order:
Nicolas Batum, Trail Blazers
Michael Beasley, Timberwolves
Darren Collison, Pacers
DeMarcus Cousins, Kings
DeMar DeRozan, Raptors
Tyreke Evans, Kings
Derrick Favors, Jazz
Landry Fields, Knicks
Brandon Jennings, Bucks
Wesley Matthews, Trail Blazers
Greg Monroe, Pistons
Patrick Patterson, Rockets
In these four classes, we have MVP candidates, All-Stars, NBA champions and finalists, slam-dunk champs, gold-medal winners and superstars in the making. We've also seen more than our share of surprises and disappointments.
To assess the quality and depth of our rising frosh, sophs, juniors and seniors, I'm ranking the 20 best players to come into the league since the 2007 draft. I focused primarily on who they are this season.
We can't ignore the past and future in evaluating players, but if we've learned anything from our weekly rookie reports, it's that young players can fail yesterday and succeed today, or succeed yesterday and fail today -- and tomorrow is a book yet to be written.
[h3]The Magnificent Seven[/h3]
Durant
1. Kevin Durant, Thunder
Drafted in June 2007; 2nd overall pick
Although there are some very strong competitors for the top spot, my final two came down to Durant and Derrick Rose. Durant gets the edge simply because he's a little better as a scorer, which is what both of these guys are: pure scorers.
KD is a better shooter, is a better finisher inside (helped by his huge height advantage, of course), gets to the line far more than Rose and is just as much the focal point of opposing defenses as Rose.
Both players have become decent defenders and are fantastic teammates in every respect. Although Rose has more MVP juice this season (although I'd guess things would be different if they switched cities), Durant is the best player drafted into the NBA during the past four years.
Rose
2. Derrick Rose, Bulls
Drafted in June 2008; 1st overall pick
What's not to love about Rose? He's a top-level talent. He's a two-time All-Star. He's the best player on a title contender. He continues to work on his game. He stays humble. And he's arguably the most improved player in the NBA.
I give him the edge over Russell Westbrook because he's become a more polished offensive player, although the race is closer than most people think.
Rose now has a whole season's worth of destroying defenders to bolster his confidence and get him to believe that he's special. His running right-hand shot over the outstretched arm of a helping big has become one of the iconic shots in the NBA.
Westbrook
3. Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Drafted in June 2008; 4th overall pick
In my mind, Rose is the LeBron of his position -- quicker and more powerful than any other point guard. So what does that say about Westbrook, the most athletically gifted point guard I've seen play?
Westbrook has become one of the better game managers in the league while imposing his will on games. One way is rebounding, as he's the best offensive rebounder at his position. If he can learn to consistently make 3s, he has the talent to be an MVP contender alongside the top two guys on this list. Here's a promising sign: In March, Westbrook made 48 percent of his 3-point attempts, and his team went 14-2.
Horford
4. Al Horford, Hawks
Drafted in June 2007; 3rd overall pick
I doubt casual NBA fans or even some of the more focused fans realize just how good Horford has become. A two-time All-Star, he's one of the best passing, shooting and finishing big men in the NBA. He's also as good as any big in the league in defending the ball screen and guarding his man in the post.
All this adds up to his being a top-tier center, which is even more impressive when we consider that Horford is playing out of position most of the time. He has the goods to be the league's best power forward if and when he gets the chance.
Horford is the Hawks' quiet leader and the foundation of their future.
Noah
5. Joakim Noah, Bulls
Drafted in June 2007; 9th overall pick
Noah is the best defender on the league's best defense, capable of guarding almost any 4 or 5 in the league while holding his own when forced to defend guards or wings after a switch late in the shot clock. He alone gives the Bulls lots of defensive options, which is a big part of their success.
Chicago's offense is also at its best when he's in the game, thanks to his ability to pass from the pinch post, set great screens, finish inside and make better than 70 percent of his free throws. Plus, he's the best offensive rebounding center in the NBA and one of the top rebounders overall.
To top it off, Noah is possibly the best and most inspirational teammate under age 35 in the league.
Love
6. Kevin Love, Timberwolves
Drafted in June 2008; 5th overall pick
Love probably already has the best combination of perimeter shooting and rebounding talent of any player in league history, and he can have a major impact on any game with either or both.
Love's defense is solid -- he does well taking away angles and is good at inviting players to attack areas where it's tough to score -- and he has a strong post game, making him one of the few NBA players who can command a double-team on offense but won't need one on defense.
He ranks below Noah only because he can't play defense off the ball like Noah yet and doesn't impact the game in the more subtle ways that make the difference between winning and losing.
Griffin
7. Blake Griffin, Clippers
Drafted in June 2009; 1st overall pick
Griffin is a lot like Westbrook in that he uses his body and athleticism fully to dictate and dominate opponents and games. I rank Love higher because he has more tools to change a game, but there is no denying that Griffin gets the most out of what he has to offer right now.
Griffin has Noah-like energy and has become a good post-up player. So once he learns to make 75 percent of his shots from the line, he'll become a prolific scorer, even if he doesn't improve his perimeter shooting. And there's no reason he can't improve in that area, either, which is why he can be a legit MVP candidate going forward.
[h3]The rest[/h3]
Curry
8. Stephen Curry, Warriors
Drafted in June 2009; 7th overall pick
Guess how many point guards in the NBA have a true shooting percentage of 59 or better, have a rebound rate better than 10 and show an assist rate of 23 or better? Steve Nash is a given, and Chris Paul qualifies if we round up his 58.6 TS%. Besides those two superstars, the only other lead guard to meet those standards is Curry. That's it. Pretty special company.
The scariest part is that I see Curry improving a lot in the next few seasons -- he's just been an average passer this season, and he's a bit turnover-prone. Still, his ability as a shooter is special. He's a contender for "best shooter under 25" in the NBA.
Lopez
9. Brook Lopez, Nets
Drafted in June 2008; 10th overall pick
Lopez should have been in the running for a top-five spot on this list, but he has slipped badly as a rebounder in his third season, an area of the game that is all about effort and determination. If he does not spend the offseason working on his body and conditioning while studying tape to find ways to rebound better, we'll soon know all we need to know about Lopez.
With that said, few other bigs can score with ease inside while having range out to 20 feet and being excellent free throw shooters.
Gasol
10. Marc Gasol, Grizzlies
Drafted in June 2007; 48th overall pick
Put Gasol's head and heart into the body of Lopez, and Lopez would be a surefire All-Star. Gasol does little great, but he is the master of doing a lot of things well. That works well for him and his team.
He anchors a stingy defense with great position play, and he's supersmart and crafty on offense. The Grizzlies are capable of winning a playoff series against any opponent because of his overall play.
Ibaka
11. Serge Ibaka, Thunder
Drafted in June 2008; 24th overall pick
Most people wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Thunder are playing their best defense when Ibaka is in the game. But what if I told you the same was true about them on offense?
Yes, Westbrook and Durant need Ibaka on the floor to get the Thunder to play their best offensive basketball. He spaces the floor for them, drawing out shot-blockers, and rarely takes a bad shot, helping to ensure that the best possible shot is available for either star. That's pretty impressive for a guy who's such an impact player in the paint on defense with his shot-blocking. If he had started all season for the Thunder, he would be in this top 10.
Gordon
12. Eric Gordon, Clippers
Drafted in June 2008; 7th overall pick
During his first summer league and rookie season, Gordon was too quick to show off his great shooting stroke. That meant defenders often didn't have to deal with Gordon, who is a superquick and strong ball handler, attacking the rim. That has changed in his third season, and Gordon has improved rapidly.
Teams now have to prepare for Gordon's side pick-and-roll, as he has become a threat to make the jumper or get to the paint. With better point guard play, he still could take one more step up.
Conley
13. Mike Conley, Grizzlies
Drafted in June 2007; 4th overall pick
Conley's stats aren't eye-popping, except for his 3-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and 1.74 steals per game. He's not a great shooter, either, just a good one. But when you consider how he manages his team on offense and sets the tone for his team on defense, Conley's overall effectiveness is unquestioned.
That the Grizzlies are streaking now despite Rudy Gay's season-ending injury shows that their quarterback is doing his job very well.
Gallinari
14. Danilo Gallinari, Nuggets
Drafted in June 2008; 6th overall pick
Gallo is emerging as a strong starting small forward before our eyes. He was good in New York, but he's been even better in Denver, especially as a shooter.
Gallinari gives the Nuggets hope that they received an All-Star in return for Carmelo Anthony. He's helped the Nuggets, one of the league's hottest teams, more than any of the other former Knicks who came over in the trade. His impact in all facets of the game is coming into focus.
Young
15. Thaddeus Young, 76ers
Drafted in June 2007; 12th overall pick
Young is one of the best bench players in the NBA and would be higher on this list if he played more.
Although he still hasn't developed a more consistent perimeter game, he has become one of the league's best finishers inside, ranks in the top five in steals per 48 minutes among all forwards and is a big part of Philly's resurgence. As underrated players go, he's high on the list.
McGee
16. JaVale McGee, Wizards
Drafted in June 2008; 18th overall pick
McGee was a bit of a circus act to start the season -- all arms and legs, and all dunks, blocks and goaltends. Then, he strung together some strong games. He later put up a couple of electrifying ones, including a triple-double with 12 blocks.
McGee's silly mistakes are being replaced by smart plays and aggressive actions on the court, and he's become someone the Wizards want to pair with John Wall for the long haul.
Lawson
17. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
Drafted in June 2009; 18th overall pick
Lawson also would've been in the top 10 on this list if he had been starting all season, proving that he does have the talent to be a starter for a playoff team.
His March numbers -- 16 ppg and almost a 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio with the Nuggets going 10-3 -- give us a glimpse of what we'll see from him for a long time. Few point guards have his combination of perimeter shooting and blazing dribbling speed.
Holiday
18. Jrue Holiday, 76ers
Drafted in June 2009; 17th overall pick
Holiday might not be the official captain on the team, but he is running the surprising 76ers at just 20 years old.
In addition to his on-the-court leadership, Holiday uses his excellent size to help on the defensive boards and has skill as a shooter from both the 3-point line and the free throw line. Lately, he's also figured out how to pound smaller guys in the paint for buckets -- something to watch for next season.
Blair
19. DeJuan Blair, Spurs
Drafted in June 2009; 37th overall pick
We all know Blair is a beast on the glass. But he also helps anchor a top-10 defense with his quick hands and feet as well as his willingness to challenge people. He provides a toughness intangible that rubs off on his teammates -- definitely a factor in the Spurs' overall success this season.
Even though Blair is undersized at 6-foot-8, he finishes more than 60 percent of his inside shots, which is exactly what he did last season. And never discount the importance of having a big man set strong screens for an offense that is top-five in the league.
Wall
20. John Wall, Wizards
Drafted in June 2010; 1st overall pick
No top draft pick in the past four seasons debuted for a more challenging team than Wall, but he's managed a successful debut season. His love for pushing and passing already has made him a feared leader of the break, and he has shown that he can be a serious chaos creator on defense.
Lately, Wall has improved on his driving finishes, too, making him an even more dangerous scorer. That will only help create shots for teammates as defenses adjust.
[h3]The next dozen[/h3]
Here are the 12 guys we expect to get in or make a strong run into this group next season as the class of 2007 moves on.
In alphabetical order:
Nicolas Batum, Trail Blazers
Michael Beasley, Timberwolves
Darren Collison, Pacers
DeMarcus Cousins, Kings
DeMar DeRozan, Raptors
Tyreke Evans, Kings
Derrick Favors, Jazz
Landry Fields, Knicks
Brandon Jennings, Bucks
Wesley Matthews, Trail Blazers
Greg Monroe, Pistons
Patrick Patterson, Rockets
Spoiler [+]
Every team has weaknesses, but only certain opponents have the personnel and ability to exploit them. Last week, we took a look at the Achilles heel of each playoff team (East | West) and this week we're going to take it a step further. Below is a list of each title contender (with sincere apologies to the Orlando and Portland fanbases -- your teams just aren't legitimate contenders this season) and the opponent they don't want to see on their path to the Finals.
Of course, surging teams like the Bulls and Lakers could be Kryptonite for just about any squad, but we're looking here at the teams who pose the biggest threats based on matchups and personnel.
[h3]EASTERN CONFERENCE[/h3][h3]Miami Heat[/h3]
Kryptonite: Boston Celtics
For the Heat, the Celtics are like that older brother who always seems to have the upper hand, no matter who holds the brighter future or the edge in talent. Sure, a case can be made that the Chicago Bulls wield a more potent Heat antidote (ahem, Derrick Rose), but the Heat's Big Three have maintained all season long that the Celtics are the team to beat in the East -- and with good reason. The Heat match up poorly against the Celtics because of that strongside defense, anchored by Kevin Garnett, which walls off penetration by perimeter players. The Heat flourish when LeBron James or Dwyane Wade are able to weave into the paint, but Boston's defense is predicated on preventing just that. There's a reason why LeBron and Wade have shot 38 percent against Boston this season and 51 percent against everybody else.
Much will be made about Kendrick Perkins' departure, but Boston's defense has been just as suffocating without him. Since dealing away their longtime center, Boston's defense has allowed just 98.6 points per 100 possessions, good for fourth-lowest in the NBA over that time period. There's also this precedence in Boston's corner: the Heat are already 0-2 this season against the sans-Perkins Celtics.
[h3]Chicago Bulls[/h3]
Kryptonite: Miami Heat
If there was ever a matchup that warranted throwing the regular season head-to-head record out the window, this is the one. Yes, the Heat have yet to beat the Bulls this season but also keep in mind that Chris Bosh dropped a historically foul stink bomb (1-for-18 shooting) in one of those losses, and LeBron James sat out in another. In the third meeting, the Bulls squeaked by the Heat as LeBron and Wade each missed game-winners on the final possession. The Heat are that trailing car in the passenger side mirror; they're a lot closer than it appears.
The big question will be whether the Heat can sufficiently hide Mike Bibby on the court and as long as the Bulls continue throwing Keith Bogans out there for 20 minutes a game, the answer is "yes." With the stakes raised in playoff time, the Heat will have no issues having Wade and LeBron take turns guarding Rose, letting Bibby pick up the slower perimeter player on the wing.
[h3]Boston Celtics[/h3]
Kryptonite: Orlando Magic
The Celtics had an answer for Dwight Howard but now he plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Perkins was pivotal in neutralizing Howard in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, but the Celtics don't have that weapon in their arsenal anymore. In the two games the Magic played the Celtics with Perkins in street clothes, the Howard and the Magic held the Celtics to 78 points in an 8-point win on Christmas Day and lost by just three on Boston's home court in January.
Luckily for the Celtics, the playoff seedings will likely keep Howard far, far away from TD Bank Garden, since the earliest the two teams could possibly meet is in the Eastern Conference finals, a would-be rematch of last season's East title bout. No one wants to face the Bulls with the way they're playing, but the Magic are the one team that has a center with the power to crush the Celtics' incredibly brittle backline.
[h3]WESTERN CONFERENCE[/h3][h3]San Antonio Spurs[/h3]
Kryptonite: Los Angeles Lakers
Andrew Bynum is a game-changer and as fellow ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton points out, the Lakers' big man is playing some MVP-caliber ball over the past month. But against the Spurs, Bynum is a series-changer. Amid the Lakers' recent steamroll through the league, Bynum and company made a stop in San Antonio, promptly routing the first-place team by 16 points on their home floor -- a final deficit that was actually kind to the Spurs. In that game, Bynum pulled down 17 rebounds in 27 minutes while Tim Duncan was held to two points on 1-for-7 shooting, struggling to puncture the Lakers' formidable frontline.
Making matters worse for the Spurs is the fact that the Lakers have switched up their pick-and-roll defense with Bynum healthy, making it much harder for opposing teams to knock down 3s -- a forte of the Spurs. Since the All-Star break, the Lakers have limited opposing shooters to 31.5 percent from downtown. That doesn't bode well for the Spurs who love wheeling it from beyond the arc. Ultimately, the Lakers and the Spurs find themselves on two completely different trajectories at the moment, and if momentum continues, the Spurs may not even survive long enough to see the Lakers.
[h3]Los Angeles Lakers[/h3]
Kryptonite: Denver Nuggets
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Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty ImagesRaymond Felton (and fellow point guard Ty Lawson) could give the Lakers problems in the postseason.
Hop on the Nuggets bandwagon now, folks, because only a couple open seats remain. The Nuggets are legitimate contenders and the Lakers found out the hard way on Sunday when the red-hot Lakers were extinguished on national television by the new Nuggets.
While injuries to Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum left the Lakers battered down the stretch on Sunday, the Nuggets went toe-to-toe with the Lakers the entire game, a rare sight against the purple-and-gold lately. With their endless depth, the Nuggets can attack from a hundred different directions and match any lineup like a chameleon, leaving the Lakers unable to flex their versatility. Furthermore, the presence of two penetrating guards, Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton, means the Lakers can't mask defensive traffic cone Derek Fisher on the court anymore. The Nuggets will pose an adjustments nightmare for any opponent, and the Lakers need not take them lightly should they meet in the postseason.
[h3]Dallas Mavericks[/h3]
Kryptonite: Portland Trail Blazers
You could put a number of teams in this slot but the Mavericks' likely first-round foe could be just as dangerous, the piping-hot Blazers. No, this isn't an overreaction to Sunday's outcome when the Blazers beat the Mavericks 104-96; the Blazers have beaten the Mavericks twice since they acquired Gerald Wallace and that's not a coincidence.
The Blazers are deep and versatile, allowing them to matchup well with any of the Mavericks' lineups. More specifically, Portland wields elite defenders at the positions where the Mavericks like to attack. Between Wallace, Nic Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby, the Blazers can throw four above-average defenders at Dirk Nowitzki, each offering a different look depending on the matchups. Furthermore, the Blazers boast another lockdown defender in Wesley Matthews, who can keep supersub Jason Terry in check alongside Nowitzki in crunch-time. If Dallas doesn't get production outside their two best scorers, the Blazers could reach the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in over a decade.
[h3]Oklahoma City Thunder[/h3]
Kryptonite: San Antonio Spurs
If the Thunder come out of their first-round matchup alive, chances are they'll face San Antonio, the only West team to sweep the Thunder in the regular-season series (the Lakers could sweep if they beat the Thunder in Los Angeles on Sunday). The elder statesman Spurs have beaten up on the baby Thunder three times by an average of 18 points. The big separator between these two teams? Execution -- especially in late-game situations. The Thunder have shown their youth when the game is on the line this season with players and coaches each being a guilty party. With perhaps the best in-series adjuster, Gregg Popovich, pacing the opposite sideline, the Thunder probably won't outsmart the senior Spurs, so they'll have to rely on their athleticism and energy to compensate.
Fortunately for the Thunder, Jeff Green, the guy who airballed the potential game-tying three pointer in the last matchup between these two teams, is now Boston's problem. In the event that these two teams meet, the Thunder will hope the three losses were an aberration. And they may have a case considering all three defeats were before Perkins and Nazr Mohammed entered the picture.
[h3]Denver Nuggets[/h3]
Kryptonite: Oklahoma City Thunder
For all the talented bodies the Nuggets acquired in the Carmelo trade, they still don't have someone who can consistently cover Kevin Durant. And considering these two teams are all but locked into a first-round matchup, that's a problem for Denver. In Tuesday's loss in the Mile High City, Danilo Gallinari, Kenyon Martin and Wilson Chandler each tried their hand at stopping the NBA's leading scorer, but Durant penetrated easily and registered all 12 of his free throw attempts in the second half while the Thunder pulled away.
Defensively, the Thunder are extremely long and far more formidable with Perkins and Serge Ibaka manning the frontline, making it difficult for Nene and the rest of the Nuggets team to do damage inside. Of all the teams in the West, the young Thunder squad may be the only ones who can match Denver's sparkplug energy and incredible versatility. What's also not encouraging for Denver is that Russell Westbrook played terribly and the Thunder still beat them up in Denver. These two teams will meet again on Friday for the last preview ahead of what should be one of the most exciting first-round matchups in recent history. Denver can't be happy about the draw.
Of course, surging teams like the Bulls and Lakers could be Kryptonite for just about any squad, but we're looking here at the teams who pose the biggest threats based on matchups and personnel.
[h3]EASTERN CONFERENCE[/h3][h3]Miami Heat[/h3]
Kryptonite: Boston Celtics
For the Heat, the Celtics are like that older brother who always seems to have the upper hand, no matter who holds the brighter future or the edge in talent. Sure, a case can be made that the Chicago Bulls wield a more potent Heat antidote (ahem, Derrick Rose), but the Heat's Big Three have maintained all season long that the Celtics are the team to beat in the East -- and with good reason. The Heat match up poorly against the Celtics because of that strongside defense, anchored by Kevin Garnett, which walls off penetration by perimeter players. The Heat flourish when LeBron James or Dwyane Wade are able to weave into the paint, but Boston's defense is predicated on preventing just that. There's a reason why LeBron and Wade have shot 38 percent against Boston this season and 51 percent against everybody else.
Much will be made about Kendrick Perkins' departure, but Boston's defense has been just as suffocating without him. Since dealing away their longtime center, Boston's defense has allowed just 98.6 points per 100 possessions, good for fourth-lowest in the NBA over that time period. There's also this precedence in Boston's corner: the Heat are already 0-2 this season against the sans-Perkins Celtics.
[h3]Chicago Bulls[/h3]
Kryptonite: Miami Heat
If there was ever a matchup that warranted throwing the regular season head-to-head record out the window, this is the one. Yes, the Heat have yet to beat the Bulls this season but also keep in mind that Chris Bosh dropped a historically foul stink bomb (1-for-18 shooting) in one of those losses, and LeBron James sat out in another. In the third meeting, the Bulls squeaked by the Heat as LeBron and Wade each missed game-winners on the final possession. The Heat are that trailing car in the passenger side mirror; they're a lot closer than it appears.
The big question will be whether the Heat can sufficiently hide Mike Bibby on the court and as long as the Bulls continue throwing Keith Bogans out there for 20 minutes a game, the answer is "yes." With the stakes raised in playoff time, the Heat will have no issues having Wade and LeBron take turns guarding Rose, letting Bibby pick up the slower perimeter player on the wing.
[h3]Boston Celtics[/h3]
Kryptonite: Orlando Magic
The Celtics had an answer for Dwight Howard but now he plays for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Perkins was pivotal in neutralizing Howard in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, but the Celtics don't have that weapon in their arsenal anymore. In the two games the Magic played the Celtics with Perkins in street clothes, the Howard and the Magic held the Celtics to 78 points in an 8-point win on Christmas Day and lost by just three on Boston's home court in January.
Luckily for the Celtics, the playoff seedings will likely keep Howard far, far away from TD Bank Garden, since the earliest the two teams could possibly meet is in the Eastern Conference finals, a would-be rematch of last season's East title bout. No one wants to face the Bulls with the way they're playing, but the Magic are the one team that has a center with the power to crush the Celtics' incredibly brittle backline.
[h3]WESTERN CONFERENCE[/h3][h3]San Antonio Spurs[/h3]
Kryptonite: Los Angeles Lakers
Andrew Bynum is a game-changer and as fellow ESPN Insider Kevin Pelton points out, the Lakers' big man is playing some MVP-caliber ball over the past month. But against the Spurs, Bynum is a series-changer. Amid the Lakers' recent steamroll through the league, Bynum and company made a stop in San Antonio, promptly routing the first-place team by 16 points on their home floor -- a final deficit that was actually kind to the Spurs. In that game, Bynum pulled down 17 rebounds in 27 minutes while Tim Duncan was held to two points on 1-for-7 shooting, struggling to puncture the Lakers' formidable frontline.
Making matters worse for the Spurs is the fact that the Lakers have switched up their pick-and-roll defense with Bynum healthy, making it much harder for opposing teams to knock down 3s -- a forte of the Spurs. Since the All-Star break, the Lakers have limited opposing shooters to 31.5 percent from downtown. That doesn't bode well for the Spurs who love wheeling it from beyond the arc. Ultimately, the Lakers and the Spurs find themselves on two completely different trajectories at the moment, and if momentum continues, the Spurs may not even survive long enough to see the Lakers.
[h3]Los Angeles Lakers[/h3]
Kryptonite: Denver Nuggets
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Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty ImagesRaymond Felton (and fellow point guard Ty Lawson) could give the Lakers problems in the postseason.
Hop on the Nuggets bandwagon now, folks, because only a couple open seats remain. The Nuggets are legitimate contenders and the Lakers found out the hard way on Sunday when the red-hot Lakers were extinguished on national television by the new Nuggets.
While injuries to Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum left the Lakers battered down the stretch on Sunday, the Nuggets went toe-to-toe with the Lakers the entire game, a rare sight against the purple-and-gold lately. With their endless depth, the Nuggets can attack from a hundred different directions and match any lineup like a chameleon, leaving the Lakers unable to flex their versatility. Furthermore, the presence of two penetrating guards, Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton, means the Lakers can't mask defensive traffic cone Derek Fisher on the court anymore. The Nuggets will pose an adjustments nightmare for any opponent, and the Lakers need not take them lightly should they meet in the postseason.
[h3]Dallas Mavericks[/h3]
Kryptonite: Portland Trail Blazers
You could put a number of teams in this slot but the Mavericks' likely first-round foe could be just as dangerous, the piping-hot Blazers. No, this isn't an overreaction to Sunday's outcome when the Blazers beat the Mavericks 104-96; the Blazers have beaten the Mavericks twice since they acquired Gerald Wallace and that's not a coincidence.
The Blazers are deep and versatile, allowing them to matchup well with any of the Mavericks' lineups. More specifically, Portland wields elite defenders at the positions where the Mavericks like to attack. Between Wallace, Nic Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby, the Blazers can throw four above-average defenders at Dirk Nowitzki, each offering a different look depending on the matchups. Furthermore, the Blazers boast another lockdown defender in Wesley Matthews, who can keep supersub Jason Terry in check alongside Nowitzki in crunch-time. If Dallas doesn't get production outside their two best scorers, the Blazers could reach the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in over a decade.
[h3]Oklahoma City Thunder[/h3]
Kryptonite: San Antonio Spurs
If the Thunder come out of their first-round matchup alive, chances are they'll face San Antonio, the only West team to sweep the Thunder in the regular-season series (the Lakers could sweep if they beat the Thunder in Los Angeles on Sunday). The elder statesman Spurs have beaten up on the baby Thunder three times by an average of 18 points. The big separator between these two teams? Execution -- especially in late-game situations. The Thunder have shown their youth when the game is on the line this season with players and coaches each being a guilty party. With perhaps the best in-series adjuster, Gregg Popovich, pacing the opposite sideline, the Thunder probably won't outsmart the senior Spurs, so they'll have to rely on their athleticism and energy to compensate.
Fortunately for the Thunder, Jeff Green, the guy who airballed the potential game-tying three pointer in the last matchup between these two teams, is now Boston's problem. In the event that these two teams meet, the Thunder will hope the three losses were an aberration. And they may have a case considering all three defeats were before Perkins and Nazr Mohammed entered the picture.
[h3]Denver Nuggets[/h3]
Kryptonite: Oklahoma City Thunder
For all the talented bodies the Nuggets acquired in the Carmelo trade, they still don't have someone who can consistently cover Kevin Durant. And considering these two teams are all but locked into a first-round matchup, that's a problem for Denver. In Tuesday's loss in the Mile High City, Danilo Gallinari, Kenyon Martin and Wilson Chandler each tried their hand at stopping the NBA's leading scorer, but Durant penetrated easily and registered all 12 of his free throw attempts in the second half while the Thunder pulled away.
Defensively, the Thunder are extremely long and far more formidable with Perkins and Serge Ibaka manning the frontline, making it difficult for Nene and the rest of the Nuggets team to do damage inside. Of all the teams in the West, the young Thunder squad may be the only ones who can match Denver's sparkplug energy and incredible versatility. What's also not encouraging for Denver is that Russell Westbrook played terribly and the Thunder still beat them up in Denver. These two teams will meet again on Friday for the last preview ahead of what should be one of the most exciting first-round matchups in recent history. Denver can't be happy about the draw.
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I see him doing more with less, in term of how Manu is able to have elusive quickness without being necessarily athletic. But other than that I don't really see it. I see him being like a poor man's Chase Budinger but knows what to do with the ball
Top defensive players:
Spoiler [+]
So many players, so few spots.
The temptation is to think that there are few good defenders in the league these days, and thus that it's tough to come up with enough reasonable candidates for the All-Defensive team. Then I started filling in names at each position. Suffice it to say that's not the case. Even culling names for my honorable mention list proved to be a difficult proposition.
As longtime readers know, I've been doing my All-Defensive team at this time of the season for the past several years, and it's again time for the nominations. Note that in the real world, the writers don't decide who makes it. Instead, the league's coaches cast the ballots (allegedly, anyway -- looking at recent votes, it's pretty easy to conclude at least a few coaches were "outsourcing") after the season.
As usual, I'm doing three teams and then honorable mentions. Additionally, I've included the players' defensive on-off differential from basketballvalue.com; I used this information as an aid, but relied more on my subjective estimation from watching all these teams this season. I saw nearly all these players in person on multiple occasions, with just a couple of exceptions, and of course have seen all of them on the tube countless times. (Actually, I do count -- I've seen every team play start to finish at least 10 times).
Finally, another note: Defense is hazy. We don't have as many facts to work with and the ones we do have aren't as clear-cut. Opinions can and will vary widely, and I expect you'll disagree with at least one or two choices below. Someday, hopefully, we can talk about this end of the floor with a bit more clarity.
For now, it's mostly subjective. And subjectively, here are my envelopes:
[h3]Point guard[/h3]
Honorable mention: A few younger guys caught my attention this year and could move up the list in the future. New Jersey's Ben Uzoh (minus-5.10) hardly played, but when he did his ball pressure and intensity were a welcome change from the more laissez-faire D we're used to seeing from the Nets. Across the Hudson, one similarly got the feeling that Toney Douglas (minus-5.10) was the only guy on the team who worried much about stopping the opponent, although his ball pressure was too aggressive at times and opened him up to drives. The Clippers' Eric Bledsoe (minus-0.64) is another one to watch due to his quickness, size and toughness.
Among the older crowd, San Antonio's George Hill (minus-0.63) and Tony Parker (minus-3.3
remained a solid duo, especially given Hill's ability to check many 2s. But two veteran backups were even stronger revelations this year. In Utah, Earl Watson (minus-4.05) was the key to the defensive might of the Jazz's second unit in the first half of the season, continuing a career-long string of spectacular plus-minus numbers. And in Charlotte, Shaun Livingston's (minus-7.51) quiet comeback season was most notable for the way his length and hoops IQ shut off lanes for opponents.
Third team: Rajon Rondo, Boston (plus-3.24). It's hard leaving him out of the top two when he's the unquestioned top dog at this position when he's at the top of his game. Rondo made it easier this year with some uneven, distracted performances, however, and he still gambles too much. Nonetheless, he's an incredible force with his length, nose for the ball and instincts.
Second team: Chris Paul, New Orleans (minus-1.54). The amazing thing is not that Paul will lead the league in steals, but that he'll do it while hardly ever gambling. Throw in a sky-high hoops IQ and a toughness that allows him to hold his own when bigger guards try to back him down, and the only missing bullet point in Paul's rÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]sumÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] is the length to challenge shots.
First team: Kyle Lowry, Houston (minus-7.79). Lowry may be the single most underrated player in basketball right now, and unfortunately we're only going to get to see him for seven more days since it appears the Rockets will miss the playoffs. Quick, tough as nails, with a great nose for the ball and impressive strength against bigger players, Lowry's enormous differential came with a wide variety of different lineup combos throughout the year, making it about as pure a rating as you could hope for.
[h3]Shooting guard[/h3]
Honorable mention: I can come up with three young guys to watch closely at this position, too. Portland's Wesley Matthews (plus-0.43) is as tough as they come and played much of the year on a bad wheel, making his solid defensive work even more impressive. Charlotte's Gerald Henderson (minus-1.12) is another who could crack the top three at this position in another year or two; he's on the short side, but athletic, strong and has a defensive mentality. And I'm not sure why New York and Minnesota were so quick to give up on him, but Corey Brewer (minus-1.31) was third in the league in steals per minute and competently handles his business in one-on-one situations.
Among the older crowd, Kobe Bryant (plus-2.46) picks his spots these days, but knows when to turn up the juice and can be positively suffocating in high-leverage situations. And Manu Ginobili (minus-5.73) does much more than just creatively embellish contact; he has some of the league's quickest hands and goes as hard on defense as offense.
Third team: Dwyane Wade, Miami (plus-1.99). Wade's differential isn't as good as LeBron's, but he more often had to play the stopper role, and the Heat's team results testify to the quality of his work. Miami ranked fifth in defensive efficiency despite not getting much help from the frontcourt or bench, because its two superstar wings committed as much to getting stops as getting buckets.
Second team: Ronnie Brewer, Chicago (minus-8.04). He's still not a shutdown one-on-one defender in the classic sense, but he improved drastically in this area with the Bulls after largely failing as a defensive stopper in Utah. The real asset Brewer brings, however, is his spectacular nose for the ball; Brewer is fourth in the league in steals per minute despite playing in a heavily structured defensive system that discourages gambling. Combining the two, he was one of the major reasons the Bulls' bench had such a monstrous defensive impact this year.
First team: Tony Allen, Memphis (minus-7.2). The unofficial League Pass Player of the Year, Allen is a rarity -- a player who is a must-watch strictly for his defense. Individually, obviously, he was a total monster, including the single best defensive possession I saw all season in a game against Oklahoma City -- he had two deflections and a blocked shot at the rim on one trip, and the amazing part is that he'd rotated outside the 3-point line between each.
But the most incredible part has been Allen's contagious impact on the Grizzlies, a team that didn't give a hoot about defense a year ago but has emerged as a top-10 club in 2010-11. Shockingly, Allen has started only 29 games; if his coach hadn't forgotten he was on the team for half the season, Allen would have a very strong case for Defensive Player of the Year.
[Note: Allen's differential is from 82games.com, since basketballvalue.com doesn't provide Grizzlies data.]
[h3]Small forward[/h3]
We had an abundance of riches to choose from at small forward, but let me start quickly with the kids. Dominic McGuire (minus-3.77) of Charlotte is a good enough defender that he might be able to stick as a rotation player in spite of his consistently dreadful offense. Wilson Chandler (minus-4.04) was solid in New York, and good enough after the trade to Denver that you wondered why the Knicks didn't get more out of his skills.
Nonetheless, this is one spot where vets dominated. Boston's Marquis Daniels (plus-1.10) did vastly underrated work before an unfortunate season-ending injury. Memphis' Rudy Gay (minus-2.6) never seemed to care much for defense before, but he surprised me with his intensity and general competence this year; certainly, the physical skills are there to be an elite defender.
The numbers for Portland's Gerald Wallace (minus-1.77) are even more impressive when you consider that the other starters in Charlotte, where he spent most of the year, all had badly negative adjusted plus-minus at the defensive end. Phoenix is pushing Grant Hill (minus-0.66) for All-Defensive honors, and certainly what he's done at 38 has been amazing. But at this end of the floor, there's a huge difference between "really good for a Sun" and "really good."
I'm sort of amazed that I don't have room for Chicago's Luol Deng (minus-1.07), who was very strong both as an individual and a team defender, or for the Lakers' Ron Artest (minus-2.13), who may have lost a step but remains impossible to post up and a ball hawking bulldog, or for the Hornets' Trevor Ariza (plus-2.3, whose infusion of athleticism played a major role in upgrading the D in Nawlins. Yet I can't put them ahead of these three players:
Third team: Paul Pierce, Boston (minus-3.43). Pierce's offense gets all the press, but he may be the league's most underrated defender. Strong, tough, surprisingly quick laterally and totally dialed in at all times, it's rare to see such a high scorer so consistently committed to this end of the floor, and it shows in Boston's elite defensive results.
Second team: LeBron James, Miami (minus-4.93). James isn't as consistently intense as Pierce is, but because of his obscenely high talent level he doesn't need to be. Certainly, he's shown a high level of commitment to the D; we saw fewer spectacular chasedown blocks this year but healthy doses of consistent, focused half-court defending. Throw in his rebounding, his transition speed and the fact no opponent even thinks about posting him up, and it's another elite-level category for James.
First team: Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia (minus-4.12). The stopper on a Philly team that isn't exactly flooded with great defenders at the moment, Iguodala kept up the defensive focus that made him such a valued performer for Team USA this past summer. The Sixers have made dramatic improvement overall, from 23rd a year ago to eighth this season, and while Doug Collins' schemes get much of the credit, that stuff all works much better when there's an Iguodala to check the opposition's top scorer every night.
[h3]Power forward[/h3]
Let's start with the up-and-comers again. Ekpe Udoh (minus-9.10) of Golden State can't score, or rebound, or even catch the ball, but one thing he absolutely can do is stay in front of people. The adjusted plus-minus numbers probably overstate his impact because he's being compared to a series of dreadful defenders, but his length and mobility for a player of his size will keep him in the league a long time. Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka (plus-0.17) is starting to get it, but at the moment he still relies too much on his freakish athleticism and not enough on fundamentals to crack the top three.
Now, the vets. The way teams play these days mobility at the 4 is more important than might. In a related story, Dirk Nowitzki (minus-5.33) may have had his best defensive season. With the Tyson Chandler-Erick Dampier combo saving him from physically overwhelming stints at the 5, Dirk showed his other skills -- length, decent feet, smarts and a great strip move against post players.
Atlanta's Josh Smith (minus-5.36) can still fade in and out with his intensity, but his shot-blocking and mobility in switches make him an indispensable defender for the Hawks. Boston's Glen Davis (plus-1.82) revels in the joys of taking charges and has surprisingly nimble feet for a man so large, but a short reach inhibits his overall impact. And while Milwaukee's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (minus-0.71) is a shutdown defender at any position, I find his work much more impactful at the 3; sadly, his limited offensive skills prevent his playing there much.
Third team: Kenyon Martin, Denver (minus-2.89). It's no surprise that the Nuggets' defensive results started improving dramatically once K-Mart got healthy; it's easy to forget that the Melo trade came just as Martin was rounding into peak form. He's retained a surprising chunk of his athleticism for a player with so many knee problems, and his warrior mentality enables him to successfully guard much bigger players at the power forward spot. He's nimble enough to check wing players, and I don't mean on switches either -- Denver sometimes matches up that way intentionally. While I can't put him higher than third given the time he missed, his impact has been underrated.
Second team: Taj Gibson, Chicago (minus-1.59). It's rare for a second-year player to move this far up the list in the frontcourt, but Gibson has shown as both a starter and a reserve that he can impact games with his length and mobility. I'm particularly fond of the Gibson-Omer Asik pairing off Chicago's bench; opponents simply don't score any points when those two are manning the frontcourt together. Gibson is the prototype 4 for the way the game is played today -- he can pick up guards on switches, he can challenge shots on the perimeter, but he has just enough size to defend the rim and hold his own against post-ups.
First team: Kevin Garnett, Boston (minus-5.83). The power forward crop doesn't overwhelm with top-tier candidates this year, but Garnett is a glaring exception. Even if his own numbers weren't off the charts -- for a team that's already great defensively -- one would have to consider KG for the way his manic intensity rubs off on the rest of the team. Throw in his renewed vigor after struggling with bad knees a year ago, and he's a no-brainer first-team pick.
[h3]Center[/h3]
Honorable mention: As always, this position overwhelms with qualified candidates. Oklahoma City's Kendrick Perkins (minus-4.37) might be the best low-post defender in basketball, but misses the cut because his shot-blocking and rotating aren't quite on par with some of his insanely talented colleagues at the 5. Indiana's Jeff Foster (minus-2.84) can't do it for long anymore, but few players of his size are quicker laterally. One who might be is Denver's Nene (minus-2.20). His quickness for his size makes him an elite pick-and-roll defender, but he can't jump and picks up too many touch fouls.
And the list goes on. Houston's Chuck Hayes (minus-2.26) is great for 6-foot-6, but as with Grant Hill we can't grade on a curve. Cleveland's Anderson Varejao (minus-3.64) is awesome but played only 31 games. The plus-minus stats of the Thunder's Nick Collison (minus-5.70) are once again too dramatic to ignore, as is his penchant for drawing charges.
More snubs? We got 'em. Sacramento's Samuel Dalembert (minus-1.40) had some spectacular games defending scorers in the low post. Chicago's Joakim Noah (plus-4.57) has a bad plus-minus because equally great defenders came in the game behind him.
Tyson Chandler (minus-3.67)? No, didn't even have room for him, despite the undeniable impact he's made in the middle for this Dallas team. And you know it's crowded when I can't even find room for my guy, my favorite defender to watch in the whole league -- unheralded Bulls rookie Omer Asik (minus-10.49), and yes, that says minus 10. Watch this kid play D during the postseason. He's going to be in the top two at this position before long.
Third team: Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee (minus-2.86). His elbow woes stopped Bogut from achieving as much as he hoped offensively, but he's still solid gold on D. Milwaukee landed fourth in defensive efficiency largely because of his work as a backstop, with Bogut both leading the league in blocks and supplementing it with a ton of charges and strong work controlling the glass.
Second team: Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers (minus-3.71). I'm a little skittish about ranking him so highly for what is basically half a season of work, but Bynum has been so good in the second half of the season that it's hard to put him any lower. He moves surprisingly well for a player of such immense size and has great timing for blocks, but it's the shots he doesn't block that have just as much impact -- so much that J.A. Adande is tracking them during Lakers games. His injuries actually make it easier to see his impact, because the Lakers immediately morph into a Phoenixy, offense-first type of team any time he checks out -- and revert to playing championship-caliber D when he comes back.
First team and Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando (minus-1.22). Orland is third in the NBA in defensive efficiency. Think about this for a second. They have one good defensive player in their top eight. One. Of the top eight players for Orlando by minutes, the other seven are Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, Brandon Bass, J.J. Redick, Ryan Anderson and Gilbert Arenas; two of them are average, two aspire to be average on their good days and the other three are just flat-out awful.
For that group, somehow, to be better defensively than the Lakers, Heat, Spurs and Mavs, among others, defies all common sense. Yet it's happening, partly because Stan Van Gundy has a strong team concept, but mostly because they have a flyswatter in the middle who is the first guy back in transition, totally dominates the glass and lets everyone else on his team play half a step closer to their man.
Howard backs up his case with more traditional stats -- the blocks and rebounds, the solid differential -- but the greatest case he has comes from scrolling through the other names on the roster, and pondering how on earth that adds up to an elite defensive team.
The temptation is to think that there are few good defenders in the league these days, and thus that it's tough to come up with enough reasonable candidates for the All-Defensive team. Then I started filling in names at each position. Suffice it to say that's not the case. Even culling names for my honorable mention list proved to be a difficult proposition.
As longtime readers know, I've been doing my All-Defensive team at this time of the season for the past several years, and it's again time for the nominations. Note that in the real world, the writers don't decide who makes it. Instead, the league's coaches cast the ballots (allegedly, anyway -- looking at recent votes, it's pretty easy to conclude at least a few coaches were "outsourcing") after the season.
As usual, I'm doing three teams and then honorable mentions. Additionally, I've included the players' defensive on-off differential from basketballvalue.com; I used this information as an aid, but relied more on my subjective estimation from watching all these teams this season. I saw nearly all these players in person on multiple occasions, with just a couple of exceptions, and of course have seen all of them on the tube countless times. (Actually, I do count -- I've seen every team play start to finish at least 10 times).
Finally, another note: Defense is hazy. We don't have as many facts to work with and the ones we do have aren't as clear-cut. Opinions can and will vary widely, and I expect you'll disagree with at least one or two choices below. Someday, hopefully, we can talk about this end of the floor with a bit more clarity.
For now, it's mostly subjective. And subjectively, here are my envelopes:
[h3]Point guard[/h3]
Honorable mention: A few younger guys caught my attention this year and could move up the list in the future. New Jersey's Ben Uzoh (minus-5.10) hardly played, but when he did his ball pressure and intensity were a welcome change from the more laissez-faire D we're used to seeing from the Nets. Across the Hudson, one similarly got the feeling that Toney Douglas (minus-5.10) was the only guy on the team who worried much about stopping the opponent, although his ball pressure was too aggressive at times and opened him up to drives. The Clippers' Eric Bledsoe (minus-0.64) is another one to watch due to his quickness, size and toughness.
Among the older crowd, San Antonio's George Hill (minus-0.63) and Tony Parker (minus-3.3
remained a solid duo, especially given Hill's ability to check many 2s. But two veteran backups were even stronger revelations this year. In Utah, Earl Watson (minus-4.05) was the key to the defensive might of the Jazz's second unit in the first half of the season, continuing a career-long string of spectacular plus-minus numbers. And in Charlotte, Shaun Livingston's (minus-7.51) quiet comeback season was most notable for the way his length and hoops IQ shut off lanes for opponents.Third team: Rajon Rondo, Boston (plus-3.24). It's hard leaving him out of the top two when he's the unquestioned top dog at this position when he's at the top of his game. Rondo made it easier this year with some uneven, distracted performances, however, and he still gambles too much. Nonetheless, he's an incredible force with his length, nose for the ball and instincts.
Second team: Chris Paul, New Orleans (minus-1.54). The amazing thing is not that Paul will lead the league in steals, but that he'll do it while hardly ever gambling. Throw in a sky-high hoops IQ and a toughness that allows him to hold his own when bigger guards try to back him down, and the only missing bullet point in Paul's rÃ[emoji]169[/emoji]sumÃ[emoji]169[/emoji] is the length to challenge shots.
Lowry
First team: Kyle Lowry, Houston (minus-7.79). Lowry may be the single most underrated player in basketball right now, and unfortunately we're only going to get to see him for seven more days since it appears the Rockets will miss the playoffs. Quick, tough as nails, with a great nose for the ball and impressive strength against bigger players, Lowry's enormous differential came with a wide variety of different lineup combos throughout the year, making it about as pure a rating as you could hope for.
[h3]Shooting guard[/h3]
Honorable mention: I can come up with three young guys to watch closely at this position, too. Portland's Wesley Matthews (plus-0.43) is as tough as they come and played much of the year on a bad wheel, making his solid defensive work even more impressive. Charlotte's Gerald Henderson (minus-1.12) is another who could crack the top three at this position in another year or two; he's on the short side, but athletic, strong and has a defensive mentality. And I'm not sure why New York and Minnesota were so quick to give up on him, but Corey Brewer (minus-1.31) was third in the league in steals per minute and competently handles his business in one-on-one situations.
Among the older crowd, Kobe Bryant (plus-2.46) picks his spots these days, but knows when to turn up the juice and can be positively suffocating in high-leverage situations. And Manu Ginobili (minus-5.73) does much more than just creatively embellish contact; he has some of the league's quickest hands and goes as hard on defense as offense.
Third team: Dwyane Wade, Miami (plus-1.99). Wade's differential isn't as good as LeBron's, but he more often had to play the stopper role, and the Heat's team results testify to the quality of his work. Miami ranked fifth in defensive efficiency despite not getting much help from the frontcourt or bench, because its two superstar wings committed as much to getting stops as getting buckets.
Second team: Ronnie Brewer, Chicago (minus-8.04). He's still not a shutdown one-on-one defender in the classic sense, but he improved drastically in this area with the Bulls after largely failing as a defensive stopper in Utah. The real asset Brewer brings, however, is his spectacular nose for the ball; Brewer is fourth in the league in steals per minute despite playing in a heavily structured defensive system that discourages gambling. Combining the two, he was one of the major reasons the Bulls' bench had such a monstrous defensive impact this year.
Allen
First team: Tony Allen, Memphis (minus-7.2). The unofficial League Pass Player of the Year, Allen is a rarity -- a player who is a must-watch strictly for his defense. Individually, obviously, he was a total monster, including the single best defensive possession I saw all season in a game against Oklahoma City -- he had two deflections and a blocked shot at the rim on one trip, and the amazing part is that he'd rotated outside the 3-point line between each.
But the most incredible part has been Allen's contagious impact on the Grizzlies, a team that didn't give a hoot about defense a year ago but has emerged as a top-10 club in 2010-11. Shockingly, Allen has started only 29 games; if his coach hadn't forgotten he was on the team for half the season, Allen would have a very strong case for Defensive Player of the Year.
[Note: Allen's differential is from 82games.com, since basketballvalue.com doesn't provide Grizzlies data.]
[h3]Small forward[/h3]
We had an abundance of riches to choose from at small forward, but let me start quickly with the kids. Dominic McGuire (minus-3.77) of Charlotte is a good enough defender that he might be able to stick as a rotation player in spite of his consistently dreadful offense. Wilson Chandler (minus-4.04) was solid in New York, and good enough after the trade to Denver that you wondered why the Knicks didn't get more out of his skills.
Nonetheless, this is one spot where vets dominated. Boston's Marquis Daniels (plus-1.10) did vastly underrated work before an unfortunate season-ending injury. Memphis' Rudy Gay (minus-2.6) never seemed to care much for defense before, but he surprised me with his intensity and general competence this year; certainly, the physical skills are there to be an elite defender.
The numbers for Portland's Gerald Wallace (minus-1.77) are even more impressive when you consider that the other starters in Charlotte, where he spent most of the year, all had badly negative adjusted plus-minus at the defensive end. Phoenix is pushing Grant Hill (minus-0.66) for All-Defensive honors, and certainly what he's done at 38 has been amazing. But at this end of the floor, there's a huge difference between "really good for a Sun" and "really good."
I'm sort of amazed that I don't have room for Chicago's Luol Deng (minus-1.07), who was very strong both as an individual and a team defender, or for the Lakers' Ron Artest (minus-2.13), who may have lost a step but remains impossible to post up and a ball hawking bulldog, or for the Hornets' Trevor Ariza (plus-2.3
, whose infusion of athleticism played a major role in upgrading the D in Nawlins. Yet I can't put them ahead of these three players:Third team: Paul Pierce, Boston (minus-3.43). Pierce's offense gets all the press, but he may be the league's most underrated defender. Strong, tough, surprisingly quick laterally and totally dialed in at all times, it's rare to see such a high scorer so consistently committed to this end of the floor, and it shows in Boston's elite defensive results.
Second team: LeBron James, Miami (minus-4.93). James isn't as consistently intense as Pierce is, but because of his obscenely high talent level he doesn't need to be. Certainly, he's shown a high level of commitment to the D; we saw fewer spectacular chasedown blocks this year but healthy doses of consistent, focused half-court defending. Throw in his rebounding, his transition speed and the fact no opponent even thinks about posting him up, and it's another elite-level category for James.
Iguodala
First team: Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia (minus-4.12). The stopper on a Philly team that isn't exactly flooded with great defenders at the moment, Iguodala kept up the defensive focus that made him such a valued performer for Team USA this past summer. The Sixers have made dramatic improvement overall, from 23rd a year ago to eighth this season, and while Doug Collins' schemes get much of the credit, that stuff all works much better when there's an Iguodala to check the opposition's top scorer every night.
[h3]Power forward[/h3]
Let's start with the up-and-comers again. Ekpe Udoh (minus-9.10) of Golden State can't score, or rebound, or even catch the ball, but one thing he absolutely can do is stay in front of people. The adjusted plus-minus numbers probably overstate his impact because he's being compared to a series of dreadful defenders, but his length and mobility for a player of his size will keep him in the league a long time. Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka (plus-0.17) is starting to get it, but at the moment he still relies too much on his freakish athleticism and not enough on fundamentals to crack the top three.
Now, the vets. The way teams play these days mobility at the 4 is more important than might. In a related story, Dirk Nowitzki (minus-5.33) may have had his best defensive season. With the Tyson Chandler-Erick Dampier combo saving him from physically overwhelming stints at the 5, Dirk showed his other skills -- length, decent feet, smarts and a great strip move against post players.
Atlanta's Josh Smith (minus-5.36) can still fade in and out with his intensity, but his shot-blocking and mobility in switches make him an indispensable defender for the Hawks. Boston's Glen Davis (plus-1.82) revels in the joys of taking charges and has surprisingly nimble feet for a man so large, but a short reach inhibits his overall impact. And while Milwaukee's Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (minus-0.71) is a shutdown defender at any position, I find his work much more impactful at the 3; sadly, his limited offensive skills prevent his playing there much.
Third team: Kenyon Martin, Denver (minus-2.89). It's no surprise that the Nuggets' defensive results started improving dramatically once K-Mart got healthy; it's easy to forget that the Melo trade came just as Martin was rounding into peak form. He's retained a surprising chunk of his athleticism for a player with so many knee problems, and his warrior mentality enables him to successfully guard much bigger players at the power forward spot. He's nimble enough to check wing players, and I don't mean on switches either -- Denver sometimes matches up that way intentionally. While I can't put him higher than third given the time he missed, his impact has been underrated.
Second team: Taj Gibson, Chicago (minus-1.59). It's rare for a second-year player to move this far up the list in the frontcourt, but Gibson has shown as both a starter and a reserve that he can impact games with his length and mobility. I'm particularly fond of the Gibson-Omer Asik pairing off Chicago's bench; opponents simply don't score any points when those two are manning the frontcourt together. Gibson is the prototype 4 for the way the game is played today -- he can pick up guards on switches, he can challenge shots on the perimeter, but he has just enough size to defend the rim and hold his own against post-ups.
Garnett
First team: Kevin Garnett, Boston (minus-5.83). The power forward crop doesn't overwhelm with top-tier candidates this year, but Garnett is a glaring exception. Even if his own numbers weren't off the charts -- for a team that's already great defensively -- one would have to consider KG for the way his manic intensity rubs off on the rest of the team. Throw in his renewed vigor after struggling with bad knees a year ago, and he's a no-brainer first-team pick.
[h3]Center[/h3]
Honorable mention: As always, this position overwhelms with qualified candidates. Oklahoma City's Kendrick Perkins (minus-4.37) might be the best low-post defender in basketball, but misses the cut because his shot-blocking and rotating aren't quite on par with some of his insanely talented colleagues at the 5. Indiana's Jeff Foster (minus-2.84) can't do it for long anymore, but few players of his size are quicker laterally. One who might be is Denver's Nene (minus-2.20). His quickness for his size makes him an elite pick-and-roll defender, but he can't jump and picks up too many touch fouls.
And the list goes on. Houston's Chuck Hayes (minus-2.26) is great for 6-foot-6, but as with Grant Hill we can't grade on a curve. Cleveland's Anderson Varejao (minus-3.64) is awesome but played only 31 games. The plus-minus stats of the Thunder's Nick Collison (minus-5.70) are once again too dramatic to ignore, as is his penchant for drawing charges.
More snubs? We got 'em. Sacramento's Samuel Dalembert (minus-1.40) had some spectacular games defending scorers in the low post. Chicago's Joakim Noah (plus-4.57) has a bad plus-minus because equally great defenders came in the game behind him.
Tyson Chandler (minus-3.67)? No, didn't even have room for him, despite the undeniable impact he's made in the middle for this Dallas team. And you know it's crowded when I can't even find room for my guy, my favorite defender to watch in the whole league -- unheralded Bulls rookie Omer Asik (minus-10.49), and yes, that says minus 10. Watch this kid play D during the postseason. He's going to be in the top two at this position before long.
Third team: Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee (minus-2.86). His elbow woes stopped Bogut from achieving as much as he hoped offensively, but he's still solid gold on D. Milwaukee landed fourth in defensive efficiency largely because of his work as a backstop, with Bogut both leading the league in blocks and supplementing it with a ton of charges and strong work controlling the glass.
Second team: Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers (minus-3.71). I'm a little skittish about ranking him so highly for what is basically half a season of work, but Bynum has been so good in the second half of the season that it's hard to put him any lower. He moves surprisingly well for a player of such immense size and has great timing for blocks, but it's the shots he doesn't block that have just as much impact -- so much that J.A. Adande is tracking them during Lakers games. His injuries actually make it easier to see his impact, because the Lakers immediately morph into a Phoenixy, offense-first type of team any time he checks out -- and revert to playing championship-caliber D when he comes back.
Howard
First team and Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando (minus-1.22). Orland is third in the NBA in defensive efficiency. Think about this for a second. They have one good defensive player in their top eight. One. Of the top eight players for Orlando by minutes, the other seven are Jameer Nelson, Hedo Turkoglu, Jason Richardson, Brandon Bass, J.J. Redick, Ryan Anderson and Gilbert Arenas; two of them are average, two aspire to be average on their good days and the other three are just flat-out awful.
For that group, somehow, to be better defensively than the Lakers, Heat, Spurs and Mavs, among others, defies all common sense. Yet it's happening, partly because Stan Van Gundy has a strong team concept, but mostly because they have a flyswatter in the middle who is the first guy back in transition, totally dominates the glass and lets everyone else on his team play half a step closer to their man.
Howard backs up his case with more traditional stats -- the blocks and rebounds, the solid differential -- but the greatest case he has comes from scrolling through the other names on the roster, and pondering how on earth that adds up to an elite defensive team.
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our problem is westbrook goes into hero mode during times of the game when he should be looking to get the other guys involved..
now i don't want to take his driving to the basket away from him.. but way too often he goes charging in without looking to pass AND teams know this so they look to draw the charge
now i don't want to take his driving to the basket away from him.. but way too often he goes charging in without looking to pass AND teams know this so they look to draw the charge
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Can't argue too much with that. Though I think Grant Hill deserves some praise, regardless of his age, what he has done for them is impressive.
D
Deleted member 38182
Guest
I'll post this little tidbit for JPZ since he is probably in AP Econ or ASB right now
but I have a feeling this is old news. If I were Rubio I would just hold Kaaaaahn hostage till he turns the team from "very salvageable" to "mediocre-ly competitive". No point in wasting time on a cruddy team, plus I view him as kind of a Rondo-esque player. He will need to have good teammates/team to be able to showcase his full talent and potential, otherwise playing on this current T'Wolves will just expose him.
but I have a feeling this is old news. If I were Rubio I would just hold Kaaaaahn hostage till he turns the team from "very salvageable" to "mediocre-ly competitive". No point in wasting time on a cruddy team, plus I view him as kind of a Rondo-esque player. He will need to have good teammates/team to be able to showcase his full talent and potential, otherwise playing on this current T'Wolves will just expose him.
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Which is why I have beef with people saying he's a top-tier PG, and that this whole thing is going to work out in OKC with those two.
Scottie and Pippen worked because they were both EXCELLENT on both ends of the floor, and could virtually guard anyone 1-4 the same person.
Bron and Wade hope to work for the same reason, but I don't know about OKC.
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Rubio banking on that lockout.
"Lockout? Off to Spain then; bye Minnesota forever!"
"Lockout? Off to Spain then; bye Minnesota forever!"
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I think Rubio can negotiate for any amount he wants if he waits another season.
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You can never complain about more ping pong balls.
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Which is why I have beef with people saying he's a top-tier PG, and that this whole thing is going to work out in OKC with those two.
Scottie and Pippen worked because they were both EXCELLENT on both ends of the floor, and could virtually guard anyone 1-4.
Bron and Wade hope to work for the same reason, but I don't know about OKC.
(edit- someone already brought it up...nvm
But I agree.
And
