and what happens with the perimeter defence? Defending the ballhandler in the PnR? Defending the 3pointer? Did DMO turned into Kawhi Leonard while I wasn't looking?
Do you even understand what the graph says? It is not meaningless. The only caveat about it is it's small sample size.
Graph doesn't take into account injuries, changes in rotation, Harden's partying the night before, Howard's presence or lack thereof physically the game of, McHale's useage of Capella or Harrell or Thornton, and Lawson's mentality into the game. It also doesn't account for strength schedule given lack of sample size. It's not 41 games that's a true maka, it's facing the same opponent multiple times with the same variables. And guess how many times that happens? Predictive analytics is the basis behind all these analytics. What we fail to realize is that nothing of this **** is predictive. Trades, random injuries, Haslem's halftime speech,Kerr being out, **** like that plays a significant role too. Trying to reenact certain plays or set ups are just completely arbitrary(see Josh Smith YOLO 3s). All these analytics assume the the game is efficient and at a same-variable rate. It is ABSOLUTELY not and never will be. This is not a market, this is a ****ing basketball game with young men who are adults, have emotions, financial goals and motives, etc. that change the nature of EVERY single of one of these variables. I really think if you want to capture predictability, you need to monitor these guys from second to second.
And to add on to my rant, you'll learn evaluating analytics is the most about discipline and physchology. Those two variables are never taken into account but draw the biggest changes in how everything is played. BIGGEST CHANGES. Not no little tiny marker board milkhair draws on.
Yes, do you understand why this graph makes no sense? Please don't come at me all talking all this analytical bull**** and acting like you're understanding how it's derived, what it shows, the variables taken into account, and MOST OF ALL THE VARIABLES NOT INCLUDED.
While I agree D-Mo isn't our savior, it forces our true wing guys to stay on the wings and gives us a bigger presence while still emphasizing spacing. It's not linear, adding D-Mo's lack of defense doesn't make us worse defensively. Its more so adding him, and what it does to other players(namely Ariza, and Harden). Harden's no longer guarding PFs and giving up buckets even CLOSER to the rim. Now, when someone blows by Harden someone else is there albeit not too intimidating. And now, Ariza doesn't have to help focus on anyone with size if Harden is out. It also allows Harden to leak out more on the break, as opposed to staying home to crash the boards. (not that he was, but philosophically he should've).
Quotes from Morey this morning RE: DMo "He's so important to our team D, team overall and it's been tough not having him." "He is such a very good team defender, very underrated, very good at P n R defense. Just a high IQ player." I'm not saying DMo is Kawhi Leonard, and I'm not sure why anyone would think he needs to be. What this team lacks more than anything is a big next to Howard that will go to the right spot. That would push Ariza out to the perimeter, where he belongs, and allow Harden and Lawson to play the passing lanes.
NBA defense is difficult to understand. It is much more complex than offense. Those players do have a purpose on the court at all times I believe, and how good of a defender an NBA player is depends on how well he understands the offensive alignment and positioning so he can react accordingly. But honestly it is all black magic to me. So what is the difference between a blah NBA defender at a position, say TJones, and a good NBA defender at a position, say Motie? Perhaps awareness?
Exactly. The Rockets are thin up front to say the least. With Howard sitting some games it is either Motie or a loss at times.
It's not predictive analytics. It's descriptive. It describes the kind of shots the defences allow. But continue your old man yells at clouds rant. The problem is even when Harden or Ariza dont' have to guard pf the communication in perimeter defence is awful. There are countless examples I have already this year. If the perimeter defence is bad, it allows more penetration that even an elite defensive center like Dwight won't be able cover and worst it will lead to him quick fouling. How to defend the ball handler in the PnR with Lawson and Harden and Thornton? Also recovering fast to your man to avoid unguarded 3 point shots often falls to the perimeter players not the pf and the C. relax lol It's not like black magic. Fans, we may not be able to understand every little detail at complex defensive systems but the basics and more than the basics can be understood and analysed with careful watching. Well it's not like DMO is even a top defensive PF. The difference is first of all talking in defence to let your teammates know what's happening when the screen and the switch comes. Be able to both watch your man and where the ball is in offence and not just ballwatch. Recognize when your opponent cuts to deny him the ball. Then having good lateral movement(quickness) to be able to hedge (in most modern nba defences) and fast recover to your man. Be able to provide secondary defence if there is penetration, rotate fast and help the center. Technique to use your body in post defence without fouling and using your length to rim protect and block shots. Leak fast back when there is a steal to help in transition defence. Be willing to take charges. (sacrifice your body but also make quick and fast decisions and take position). In the modern NBA an elite defensive pf should be able to also guard pfs in the perimeter and also around the basket. A very smart high bball IQ player who communicates and trusts his teammates can become a good help defender even if they dont' have very nimble feet. However they can't become good rim protectors (something you require from an elite defensive pf). What IS difficult is able with the data that are publicly available to describe in stats individual help defence. It's certain that in the teams' FO there are tons of data that show who is a a good help defender tho. Rim protection individual stats as well team defence stats in all situations are on the other hand easy to find nowadays.