Analyzing the defense after 9 games

[LogGrad98]

So trying to get a grasp on our defensive schemes and ideas seems like a tall task. Any analysis I've tried to do based on tape is just all over the place in terms of what causes defensive meltdowns. So lets keep this analysis on stats.

The good (Jazz rank in top 15)

• Our defensive rebounding percentage is 5th highest (73.7%)
  • Related to that, we allow 8th fewest 2nd chance points (13.0)

The bad (Jazz rank in bottom 15)

• We allow 15.4 fastbreak points per game (18th in NBA)
• We have the 3rd worst DFG differential, meaning we allow our opponents 3rd highest FG%
  • In 3 pointers we are actually pretty good, but in 2 pointers we the absolute worst
• We are dead last in the league in team steals (5.3 per game)
• We foul and give free throws at the 3rd highest rate (!!!!)
• We allow the most points of turnovers (21.7 per game)
• We allow 5th most paint points (!!!!!)
• We have 8th fewest team blocks per game (!!!!!)

So if we combine some of that information it indicates that we dont play aggressive defense (being the worst STOCKS team), but then again we foul shooters a lot. To me that is strong proof that the defensive playmaking of our players is on a very low level. Usually aggressive defenses foul more and get more STOCKS, but we are passive and still foul. So it might not be about the scheme as much as we think. Also our paint defense has been abysmal, which is weird considering we hold size advantage against most opponents.

Looking at individual performers few things pop out:

• According to on/off impact, Lauri, THT and Kris Dunn are by far our 3 best defenders (all 3 are -10 or better in points allowed per 100 posessions when on the court), while KO, Keyonte and Sexton are our worst.
• KO leads the NBA in free throw rate allowed with a massive +18.0 FT per 100 possessions differential when he is on the court. He also has the most personal shooting fouls per 36 minutes by far. Sexton is also bad in both of these categories as is Collins.
• Walker Kessler struggles (injury related or not) are well reflected in his stats. His defensive on/off is +1.5 compared to -4.6 last year.

Great analysis. Thanks for putting this together. To me the clearly biggest issue is lack of perimeter defense in any way. Man that has plagued us for a freaking decade now. Why can't we get any decent wing defenders?

 

[HeatCheck]

Also additional note:
The 3&D guy Ochai looks bad in the on/off analysis (+5.0). So it could be that he isnt that great at 3 or D.

I dont want to give up my avatar cause the dude looks like a greek statue, but he cannot be in DA's witness protection program any longer.

I'm not changing mine either but at this rate Keyonte might be the only current guy on the roster who is still here as a foundation piece in 3 years. I didn't think Ainge at his age would consider the total rebuild route but it's starting to look more of a possibility. Missing out on Wemby, Ausur, and Black types in the last draft really cost this team. All 3 should be very good defenders for a long time too.

 

[//r00t 4 Jazz]

Hard to analyze the defense when the offense puts too much pressure on the defense

Yeah it's hard to find a stat or measure this but I was thinking the same. Along with finding an adjusted stat could reflect points off TO's and fast breaks, maybe the Jazz do a bit better on D when their offense isn't killing the defense.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

not sure if you read zach lowe, but that's pretty much exactly what he said.

Nah, ESPN hides his stuff behind the paywall now and there isn't enough ESPN content worth paying for

 

[Ferguson_Mellochill]

Our inept offense turns the ball over at a cosmic rate and undermines our defensive stats. Nothing like giving the other team 10 free fastbreaks every night. At least Keyonte tries to take care of the ball.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Our inept offense turns the ball over at a cosmic rate and undermines our defensive stats. Nothing like giving the other team 10 free fastbreaks every night. At least Keyonte tries to take care of the ball.

Its not just fastbreaks and turnovers. It the fact that we are out of games and the body language is dejected. We are essentially getting garbage time minutes earlier than expected

 

[LogGrad98]

Our inept offense turns the ball over at a cosmic rate and undermines our defensive stats. Nothing like giving the other team 10 free fastbreaks every night. At least Keyonte tries to take care of the ball.

For mentoring Keyonte I'm missing Mike Conley.

 

[SoberasHotRod]

For mentoring Keyonte I'm missing Mike Conley.

I think we could still get Lowry if we wanted to.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

I think we could still get Lowry if we wanted to.

He's playing 31 mpg for a team who thinks they can contend. I don't think he is that gettable unless we are offering something dumb

 

[SoberasHotRod]

He's playing 31 mpg for a team who thinks they can contend. I don't think he is that gettable unless we are offering something dumb

Isn't he playing that much because of injuries? We could trade them THT and Sexton to fill that time.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Isn't he playing that much because of injuries? We could trade them THT and Sexton to fill that time.

Miami isn't dumb. They probably know Lowry wins them more games.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Miami isn't dumb. They probably know Lowry wins them more games.

It's time to accept the fact that nobody wants Sexton and his bizarre $72 million contract.

He may have to go overseas or to the G-League when this deal runs out. I'm not kidding.