Roy Hibbert: Elite Post Defense and Anthony Davis's Defensive Potential

[Eman5805]

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.

[NMThreeMVP]

So if we add another guy like Len via draft, or Jordan via trade, that has that same potential to be dominant defensively... It won't really matter if our PG is the greatest defender, because those guards that get to the rim really well will struggle finishing against our frontcourt.

Yep. I like where DellMonty could be taking this team...

[NemesisKING]

A purchased Rudy Gobert pick anyone?

[DefensiveMind]

So if we add another guy like Len via draft, or Jordan via trade, that has that same potential to be dominant defensively... It won't really matter if our PG is the greatest defender, because those guards that get to the rim really well will struggle finishing against our frontcourt.

Yep. I like where DellMonty could be taking this team...

Never understood this line of thinking.. If you HAD to play a weak defender there(because you had no other choice)...then yes. But you should not have to overlook the fact that someone is a weak perimeter defender just because you have a rim protector. The key is matchups. The more versatile your lineups can be the tougher you are to gameplan for. If I know you have to play Weak Perimeter Defender A with Rim Protector B, it becomes that much more easier to game plan for you and neutralize your advantage.

Memphis doesnt have to tether Mike Conley to Marc Gasol. Indiana doesn't have to tether George Hill to Roy Hibbert. They play their best lineups and try to dictate the action as much as possible.

I think Anthony Davis has the chance to be an excellent interior defender, maybe not in the Roy Hibbert or Gasol mode, but in the KG/Tyson Chandler mold. For the first couple years, he's going to be better as a weakside defender. He doesn't have the bulk necessary to where we can purposely funnel drives to him or allow guys to blow by the defender at the point of attack and challenge him straight up. We have to have solid guys defending the dribble who make it difficult...then AD comes and swats off balanced shots, challenges counter moves, etc. Either way he needs to come from the off the ball. So yeah, we still need strong defenders on the perimeter. Having AD doesnt change that.

[BallSoHard]

This makes me even more angry he wasn't on the floor in the final seconds the other night.

[Kurgan]

Pacers fan of heat hater?

[BallSoHard]

Basketball fan. I would love to see the heat challenged.

[AUSSIE_PELICAN]

A purchased Rudy Gobert pick anyone?

Love too.

[Blackout]

A purchased Rudy Gobert pick anyone?

thank you # teamgobert