Advanced Analytics shows Asik not such a great defender?

Asik is a good defender, but check the roster of every other team and you'll be surprised how many of them have a similar or better bigman. Some maybe better now, and some may have more potential.

 

Define "defender"?

If all a defender encompasses is opponent FG%, then the eye test could have told you that Asik is not quite the rim protector we had hoped him to be.

Luckily, defense in the NBA is not quite so one dimensional. Defense is about not allowing the opponent team to score. And while rim protection and opponent FG% is a part of that, defensive rebounding is also crucial. That is where Asik shines. The team is #2 in defensive rebounding in the entire league. As noted by Jason Friedman recently, defensive rebounding is this team's biggest strength, even more so than it's offense. Omer Asik is the primary catalyst for that.

So as a shot blocker, rim protector, even 1on1 defender, Asik has been average. But as an overall defender, he has been elite due to his defensive rebounding prowess.

 

It blows my mind to see Bargnani ranked so favorably on those lists.

 

One thing I have noticed about Asik is that he is really poor at contesting shots. Players seem to always be able to shoot well quite easily in his face.

 

Having guys like jermaine oneal ahead of him makes this one tool for evaluation, not the only tool for evaluation.

 

He also doesn't seem to block shots close to the basket that would seem easy enough for him. I always thought it was because he knows we don't have a backup center so he's more careful about contesting certain plays to stay out of foul trouble.

I seriously thought he would average at least 1.5 - 2 blocks with his time increased.

 

The analytics in the OP are not advanced enough.

 

But people also seriously thought Asik would constantly be in foul trouble.

So I think there's some merit to the thought that he's being careful about contesting shots.

 

I just don't feel like blocking shots is super important,i think contesting shots and alerting the players release is much more important. Is there a start for this?

 

Fixed....

 

Quite obvious from those lists that overall team defense considerably affects the rankings of each individual player. Asik is playing with a squad that is porous on perimeter defense which is probably why he's not ranked higher.

 

Just look at Yao's career. He showed us that you do not need to block shots to be a good/great defender. Sometimes just having a 7 footer in the paint that tries to block shots is enough.

 

Oh i know this, that is what I'm trying to say... I don't think we need a shot blocker, just another good to great defender...

I an asking if there is a start for altering a players shot or release. Something similar to a quarterback hurry in football...

 

Well, Asik's shot-blocking is down. Maybe he's not contesting as many shots as he should.

And the fact that there is very little resistance from the other 4 Rockets near the basket also hurts him.

 

I suspect the Rockets have this stat with the video system they use, but think it will be years before it is available for casual fan.

 

Wait, now ppl are trying to say Asik isnt a good defender? Watch the games and you'll know weather he is a good defender or not. The only reason we have any sort of defense is because of Asik.

 

Asik's primary focus is rebounding. He can't contest shots as well because he can't leave himself out of rebounding position. If Asik played like Serge Ibaka, we'd probably give up 20 offensive rebounds a game.

 

I also believe they have some sort of stat for this. Like in the nfl, sacks (blocks) are very important, but more likely its the sexy play. Nfl records hits and pressures, which account for a players value much more...

I would like to see some stats that represent this...

Pressure percentage in football is more important than just sacks, with sacks being the most beneficial... Similarly, blocks are the most beneficial but the percentage of altering shots is more important...

If i was smart , rich or had the time, i would make this start and become significantly richer...