Okur 4th in post defense, Jefferon ranked 35th

[default]

How many centers in the NBA are good at transition defense?

Camby? Trying to think of long thin shot blockers despite age.

 

[vslice02]

Utah's defensive strategy has always been to dig (go down and help on the dribble) regardless of the player. That doesn't always result in a kickout but it is tougher scoring in the post when you've got guards swiping down around your ankles. Also as prevsiously mentioned, Okur's a good individual post defender, just not a good help defender.

 

[write4u]

intangibles not accounted for

Protecting the paint, probably single most important defensive ability of a post player, is not accounted for in these stats. This is where Memo is at his weakest, which explains why he is ranked so highly.

 

[gregbroncs]

Okur is a very good post defender. As mentioned he sucks at help defense, penetration defense, and most other aspects of defense. But as a post defender he's quite good.

 

[r_u_s_t_b_u_c_k_e_t]

Protecting the paint, probably single most important defensive ability of a post player, is not accounted for in these stats. This is where Memo is at his weakest, which explains why he is ranked so highly.

so this statistical formula, specifically created to evaluate post defense, includes math that rewards a player for not "protecting the paint"? that would seem to be at odds with the point of the whole thing... or maybe you're just a moran.

 

[prodigy]

How could Andrew Bogut be 30th he had the 2nd best defensive rating last year after Howard.

 

[Kyoto]

How could Andrew Bogut be 30th he had the 2nd best defensive rating last year after Howard.

Stats don't always translate

 

[NotDeadYet]

To be more specific, Memo is strong protecting the paint against big players trying to post him up. His weakness is against players in motion, i.e., DRIVING to the basket, as he is a below-average shot-blocker. Also his rotations for help defense are not that great.
I'd say Dwight Howard is far and away the best defensive Center in the NBA despite these stats. His transition defense is great, and I can't honestly criticize him much at all defensively. Now offensively it's a whole 'nother story...

 

[InGameStrategy]

... The best thing about Okur's defense is that he draws the other team's bigs away from the middle on the opposite side of the ball so they seem to have less energy on offense.

So the best thing about Okur's defense is his offense
(making an opposing big schlep out to the perimeter)?

Sounds about right.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

That list is awful because Okur sucks on defense and Serge Ibaka, Birdman, Biedrins, and Chris Kaman are all great post defenders. At least that's what I read on jazzfanz.

Birdman is a horrible post defender.