Al really isn't small for the C position in the NBA. There is a myth that most C's are 7'0 and it just isn't true. I believe the average height for NBA C's is right around 6'10, noting that that number is skewed by the number of 7'0 guys who are in the league mostly because they are 7'0, but because they have exceptional basketball talents.
Excited for the Defensive end?
- Thread starter Dwill4mvp
- Start date
//r00t 4 Jazz
Well-Known Member
Yep was going to post the same thing and Locke even made a point of it in his show yesterday and saying with the new players statically the offense could be worse but how much is hard to say.
I think the defensive ranking would be hard to improve much maybe 1 or 2 spots at most but I think it may be a tougher more consistent defense that will hopefully just wear on teams. I know last year the Jazz where pretty high in steals so I don't know if they can duplicate that part of the defense but hopefully with a little better blocking and just better position D that the new players bring it will overall make it a better defense.
Brewer and Price pulled the steals average up last year. Price had more per minute than Watson. I think Watson will play more mpg this year. Assuming Bell gets most of Brewers minutes, that's a huge downgrade in the steals column. Jefferson is an upgrade over Boozer in Steals + Blocks per game, but I think a defensive comparison between the two is moot at this point.
Team offense should lead to better team defense this year. Jazz have problems with fast breaks. Having Jefferson playing near the basket should allow wing players to hold better defensive prep positions compared to Boozer running high pick-n-roll's and high catch-and-shoots. Those plays see a lot of slashing and compression, which can put the offense behind a rebounding and outlet passing defense. In addition, Jefferson will make someone work on both ends. Boozer's faders weren't much of a threat at drawing fouls or tiring out the opposition. I think Jefferson will wear on guys and get them into foul trouble. That'll make defense easier. Maybe they get better without getting better.
Team offense should lead to better team defense this year. Jazz have problems with fast breaks. Having Jefferson playing near the basket should allow wing players to hold better defensive prep positions compared to Boozer running high pick-n-roll's and high catch-and-shoots. Those plays see a lot of slashing and compression, which can put the offense behind a rebounding and outlet passing defense. In addition, Jefferson will make someone work on both ends. Boozer's faders weren't much of a threat at drawing fouls or tiring out the opposition. I think Jefferson will wear on guys and get them into foul trouble. That'll make defense easier. Maybe they get better without getting better.
D
Deleted member 365
Guest
There's no such thing as defense in the NBA.
If we want to get better defensively, then we should pay the refs off so we don't get called for fouls every time down the court. Seriously, the NBA has become a league of whoever can flop their way to the free throw line wins. See Kobe, Durant, Roy, Pierce, Lebron, Dwade, Dirk, The Spurs, etc.... Even Deron 50% of the time just throws his body into a crowd of defenders with hopes of getting to the FT line.
If we want to get better defensively, then we should pay the refs off so we don't get called for fouls every time down the court. Seriously, the NBA has become a league of whoever can flop their way to the free throw line wins. See Kobe, Durant, Roy, Pierce, Lebron, Dwade, Dirk, The Spurs, etc.... Even Deron 50% of the time just throws his body into a crowd of defenders with hopes of getting to the FT line.
There is still defense, it has just changed.
It's all about getting a few more stops in a game. 5 more stops in a game could translate into 10-15 fewer points for the opposing team.
Defense is also about positioning, and playing clear defense the ref's can see to limit the flop damage. Flopping is part of the game now, and proper defense will limit the flop as much as possible, while at the same time maximizing the flop on the defensive side..... a la the charging calls. On most or all charging calls, the defender is in the right position and does a controlled fall "flop" to the ground to make it look like the offensive player initiated the contact and hit you hard enough to move you to the ground.
These players have to be talented actors, acrobats, athletes, and thesbians to get what they want from a ref. Sadly not all of a basketball game is about basketball.
bozmansblues
Well-Known Member
Is it time for video replay challenges for fouls?
Jeez - it would be a long game!!!
Not quite.
If the average height is 6'10, then there should be quite a few centers 6-9 or shorter. who are they? Lets look at only the starting centers if the talent issue bothers you.
6'10 is at the shorter end of the height range for centers(even if you take only the starters). If you take atleast the premier teams,
Shaq- 7'1 Perkins -6'11
Bynum - 7'2, Gasol-7'
Yao -7'6
Dwight -6'11
Oden - 7'2
Haywood -7'0
Bosh - 6'11
Hilario - 6'11
Noah - 7'0
Bogut - 7'0
No one on the above list is 6'10. And they are'nt pogo sticks either. They possess a good physique as well, atleast most of them.
There maybe one or two good teams at best(like Thunder) that have centers who are 6'10 or shorter
Both Millsap and Al are definitely undersized at their positions, maybe Millsap more so.
Some of those heights are certifiably exaggerated. Bynum, Oden, Perkins, and Nene. I get the feeling if you compare Nene and Perkins to Jefferson in terms of height, length, and weight they're comparable and I'd even expect that Jefferson might be bigger than either. But "official" NBA measurements are not where to check. DraftExpress.com should have accurate listings for comparison.
I'll do some comparison when I have the resources.
I'll do some comparison when I have the resources.
Karadrys30
Well-Known Member
What Al brings is more length with his long arms and a few more inches taller. He has also shown good quickness in man to man matchups. No data on this, but I think Al has a better vert than booz. Add the extra mass he has over boozer and it is a defensive upgrade with just the measurements.
Now you have his low post position style that wears on a defender. The defenders will have to push him out of the post on every possession or hussle around a pick so he doesnt get deep in the post. Al also has a very good first step that sets up much of his offensive bag of tricks. So you work the defenses legs and they either play less defense or dont hussle on offense.
Now we also have 2 7footers that we can use when the need arises. Fes for the really big guys who like to body in close (yao, hibbert, howard), and elson looks to be a quicker who can guard the drive/short jumper types of centers (gasol, Dirk,aldridge) . You even have Evens who showed some pretty good defense on bigs that should have completely destroyed him. Give him spot time on someone like bosh or murry (Pacers outside shooter, cant remember the name right now). Now Jefferson will get most of the time against teams starters, but if you get in a foul situation or Al is getting own, you have options.
Now you have his low post position style that wears on a defender. The defenders will have to push him out of the post on every possession or hussle around a pick so he doesnt get deep in the post. Al also has a very good first step that sets up much of his offensive bag of tricks. So you work the defenses legs and they either play less defense or dont hussle on offense.
Now we also have 2 7footers that we can use when the need arises. Fes for the really big guys who like to body in close (yao, hibbert, howard), and elson looks to be a quicker who can guard the drive/short jumper types of centers (gasol, Dirk,aldridge) . You even have Evens who showed some pretty good defense on bigs that should have completely destroyed him. Give him spot time on someone like bosh or murry (Pacers outside shooter, cant remember the name right now). Now Jefferson will get most of the time against teams starters, but if you get in a foul situation or Al is getting own, you have options.
Hopper
Banned
Yeah, exactly. I remember Al sayin the likes playin in the paint, because that's where men are tested, or sumthin like that.
Don't sound like Boozer, does it?