Re: PP raving responses...

["Lance Jacobson" <lancejacob@xxxxxxxxx>]

Now I will grant you that it is conceivable that a player could actually play
poor defense and wrack up tons of steals and blocks. Possibly...but such a
player would have to play exceptionally poor defense with regards to other
aspects of the game. >>guyclinch



You can mention 50 NBA players who were top defenders and point out their
steals and blocks.  A good defender picks up reasonable amounts of both.  A
guy who gets both or either doesn't necessarily make a good defender.

A good defender prevents scoring ALL game.  A block and steal are just a part
of defense, but if a top scorer is shut down it's certainly more valuable than
a defender allowing 25 points while causing 3 turnovers.

Strick didn't flop.  Strick got in front of guys out of control and took some
HUGE hits.  He defended with his FEET, not his hands, which is what coaches
like.  Get to the spot first.  Strick had lousy stats on defense, but the
coaches used him to stop guys all the time.  Iverson is the quickest at
changing direction in the league, and it took three guys to stop him, but
Strick did OK.  That's one tough matchup, and very few guys can cover him at
all.  Look how he scores--more per minute played than anyone.

Paul CAN defend, but if you watch the games, he takes a lot of time off.   The
true stat is how many points and assists the guy has who Paul covers and you
have to watch film to tally this because of substitutions.  You'd also have to
compare the guy's scoring and assist averages.  Not only that, but Obie's
always had EWill and Walter cover the better shooter at the SG/SF position so
Paul is freed up to score.  Saves his energy covering the lesser guy.


Didn't happen in the USA games because all of the 2/3 guys can shoot.  George
Karl's commentary on Paul's game FROM DAY ONE was on his SCORING and OFFENSE.
Never said a kind word on his defense that was printed.  The fact that he
pulled PP from the ENTIRE FOURTH QUARTER of the game against Spain last night
just proves that the guy absolutely ticked off the coach.

I'm sure we'll read more about it.