Roy Hibbert: Elite Post Defense and Anthony Davis's Defensive Potential
Quote:
When Hibbert is protecting the basket, opponents’ close-range shots go in about as much as an average NBA midrange shot. This is incredible. If we’re not factoring in this kind of precipitous drop in opponents’ scoring efficiency when Hibbert is protecting the rim (which we're not), then we’re not doing a good job assessing his impact or value as an NBA player.
Hibbert told me that since entering the NBA he’s become more disciplined: “When I was a rookie, I tried to block everything. I led the league in fouls per minute. Since then I’ve learned verticality, and that’s one thing that helps me both protect the paint and stay in the game as well.”
Earlier in the season after a win at Chicago, Vogel explained: “He’s the biggest reason why we lead the league in field goal defense. He’s the best in the league at exercising the fundamental of verticality. Using his legs, getting off his feet and making a legal defensive play, and earning a no-call. You’re allowed to jump straight up, no matter where you are, and absorb contact. When he learned that and went away from trying to draw charges, like he was earlier in his career, he went from not being able to stay on the court to being one of the best defensive centers in the NBA.”
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-tr...-the-protector
Article also mentions how Larry Sanders is the only player allowing a lower amount at 32% of baskets within 8 feet.
When Anthony Davis grasps this, he'll be in the same conversation. Go straight up. Stop trying to draw charges.