Steals per Defensive Play

[framer]

So the Utah Jazz raked #29 in steals per game, just above (and only above) Cleveland.

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/steals-per-game

Obviously, game pace had something to do with this (although it could be argued that not getting steals could lead to our slow pace.) If you look at Steals per Possession, we ranked 23rd.

https://www.teamrankings.com/nba/stat/steal-pct

If you look at the list, the people floating right around and below us blow chunks defensively. If you look at the people at the top of this list, they play some of the best offense in the league (outside of Cleveland, who enjoys the Lebron effect.)

To what degree will the new emphasis on theft have in improving the Jazz offense? Obviously I do not expect Mitchell to come in and average 6 steals a game like he did in summer league. You can't, however, look at the additions to the roster and not think the Jazz want to get more steals. Even when the Jazz got steals last year they weren't often early in the front court which led to fast break points. Generally they were from players doing something stupid to avoid directly challenging Gobert.

Will a few more steals a game ignite the offense, or will any increases be subsumed by our perceived drop in shooting accuracy?

 

[framer]

For discussion's sake, here are all of Rubio's steals last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXJakiSRxnY

 

[vegas]

Snyder is turning wheels like crazy making adjustments to defensive and offensive schemes.

It will be fun to see what he comes up with. I really couldn't guess though.

Sent from my SM-G930P using JazzFanz mobile app

 

[Jack Strop]

Is there a new emphasis on theft?
Two more steals per game would put them 2nd in the league. At 50% FG, that would equate to a couple of points?

I think more than increasing actual steals would be increasing deflections, creating smaller passing lanes, playing tighter defense on the perimeter leading to more contested 3's, etc. Just as you can't really measure Rudy's effectiveness by only looking at number of blocked shots.

I think the steal rate WILL go up. But will there be an emphasis on it or will it just naturally occur because of personnel vs. a change of scheme?

 

[framer]

Is there a new emphasis on theft?
Two more steals per game would put them 2nd in the league. At 50% FG, that would equate to a couple of points?

I think more than increasing actual steals would be increasing deflections, creating smaller passing lanes, playing tighter defense on the perimeter leading to more contested 3's, etc. Just as you can't really measure Rudy's effectiveness by only looking at number of blocked shots.

I think the steal rate WILL go up. But will there be an emphasis on it or will it just naturally occur because of personnel vs. a change of scheme?

I would hope that the change in personnel would lead to a change in scheme. I mean having Rubio rather than Hill would require a different approach as Hill played position defense rather than jumped passing lanes.

 

[Jack Strop]

I would hope that the change in personnel would lead to a change in scheme. I mean having Rubio rather than Hill would require a different approach as Hill played position defense rather than jumped passing lanes.

I still see Utah switching everything and not gambling a lot. Steals will come within the defensive scheme. Gambling leads to far more open opportunities for the opposition as opposed to just 2-3 more actual steals.

 

[Miggs]

Rubio had 2.6 steals per 100 possessions last season. Typically, in previous seasons, he had more, much more even, but I think last year under Thibs is more indicative of what we'll see here. I'd guess perhaps even less a about 2.4. Comparatively, Hill had 1.7 last year. So Rubio would be a +0.7 in that department and I expect Mitchell to obviously help out that figure as well.

But more minutes from Exum, based purely on stats, means less steals. He has averaged just 1.1 steals per 100 possessions for his career while Mack, as one example, hasn't had less than 1.6 in any season he's played. He had 1.8 last year.

In short, I'd guess we improve about 0.75 steals per 100. Not sure where that would put us.

 

[Miggs]

Rubio had 2.6 steals per 100 possessions last season. Typically, in previous seasons, he had more, much more even, but I think last year under Thibs is more indicative of what we'll see here. I'd guess perhaps even less at about 2.4. Comparatively, Hill had 1.7 last year. So Rubio would be a +0.7 in that department and I expect Mitchell to obviously help out that figure as well.

But more minutes from Exum, based purely on stats, means less steals. He has averaged just 1.1 steals per 100 possessions for his career while Mack, as one example, hasn't had less than 1.6 in any season he's played. He had 1.8 last year.

In short, I'd guess we'll improve about 0.75 steals per 100. Not sure where that would put us.

 

[Jazz Spazz]

Without doing the research... I believe perimeter steals lead to points and breaks. There is a difference between steals down low that stop a possession defensively and give a possession to the offense and a steal up top that leads to a layup or dunk not only leads to points, but it can change the flow of a game and be demoralizing to the other team.

As long as our on ball defense does not take a hit, I would love to see more steals that lead to a break. I don't know if Rubio's steals will do this, but I would guess if he got a steal and the other wings took off there's a good chance of points. Also if DM gets a steal and is on the move there is a decent chance points are coming.

It's a tough balance to not ruin on ball defense, but with the perimeter defense skills we have this year combined with Gobert and Favors, I think the wings can take more chances.

 

[BabyPeterzz]

The obvious, gaping hole in offense leads me to believe the Jazz are trying to focus on creating more transition opportunities. Hence the signing of long, defensive, athletic players. And because that's what DL and the coaching staff has said during SL.

 

[Stoked]

Tony Jones has been saying on twitter that they Jazz are going to play at a faster pace this year. plus the addition of Mitchell to the team.

I expect this to improve for the Jazz. maybe around 20th?

 

[NUMBERICA]

I'm not generally a fan of a defensive philosophy that stresses the importance of forcing turnovers because that usually comes at the expense of good, fundamental, stonewalling (because it requires gambling through ceding defensive position or committing unnecessary fouls). However, given the right defensive personnel (rim-protection, perimeter players that are gifted at stealing the ball), and necessity (needing to create more easy baskets for themselves because of issues with their offense [i.e. spacing and/or lack of offensive hubs]), then I think it makes sense.

I think this Jazz team is a case-study for when a team should implement an emphasis on forcing turnovers.

 

[Handlogten's Heros]

I'm not generally a fan of a defensive philosophy that stresses the importance of forcing turnovers because that usually comes at the expense of good, fundamental, stonewalling (because it requires gambling through ceding defensive position or committing unnecessary fouls). However, given the right defensive personnel (rim-protection, perimeter players that are gifted at stealing the ball), and necessity (needing to create more easy baskets for themselves because of issues with their offense [i.e. spacing and/or lack of offensive hubs]), then I think it makes sense.

I think this Jazz team is a case-study for when a team should implement an emphasis on forcing turnovers.

This is correct. If you play basketball you know that guys that gamble are the best to play against... they get you every now and again but them chasing stuff will cause serious breakdowns.

I think we can experiment with this philosophy and gamble more on the perimeter because we have rudy to erase some mistakes. It will still have to be measured but with Ricky pressuring the ball, Rudy underneath, guys like DM, Exum, and Ingles can jump passing lanes with more confidence.

If it leads to offense that is great because half court offense is gonna be rough. It makes sense in the same way we close out to shooters hard and give up mid range shots.