When people talk about defense, all they want to see are steals and blocks. DoMo is not going to give you any of that on the consistent basis. He will however goes straight up and down to challenge shots and box out every time.
let's not forget D-Mo is starting at CENTER now. He has way different responsibilities than he does when started next to Howard.
You never want your center to lead the league (in that position) in charges. That's not a good stats to have.
Wtf? Since when did a charge become a bad stat to have? Charges are better indicators of good defense than blocks or rebs, blocks often result in going out of bounds so the opponent just tries again and scores, and steals can be the result of gambles which can result in a botched defensive play, a charge indicates good defensive option and a willingness to take contact. Wtf!
Before December 13 GMO made 7 out 30 threes. That's 23.33% (garbage). Since 12/13 he made 24 out of 61. 39.34% - pretty good for a seven footer with great post up game. For a long time I thought that DMo and a threepointer is a lost case. Guy keeps surprising me. Very good defense for a natural PF (first year DMo's D was nonexistent, awful). This year - different story, and improved three point shot. I think DMo achieved just through hard work in practices. I hope that he can improve even more. He is agile, good bball IQ, works and plays hard - perfect recipe for a very solid PF.
To be fair, trying to take a charge can result in a blocking foul. Generally, it's a center's job to intimidate shots. Players don't avoid the paint against Dwight because they are afraid he will take a charge.
Chuck Hayes made a living out of taking charges. Was considered a premier defensive center. Couldn't block a shot to save his life!
Blocked shots are flashy thus blocked shots equal defense to some. Those people get their minds blown when they are told that some really good shot blockers are bad defensively. It's like how a guy who hits 25 homeruns a year can be a terrible hitter if his OBP is like 0.270
There is a difference between being intimidating when contesting shots and blocking shots. D-Mo is a good positional defender more often than not, meaning he gets in the right position to take away easy drives. He does not really dissuade player from driving however like Dwight does. When you see Dwight in the middle, you know if you take it at him, he is going to come at you so more often than not, players back off from driving against him. I don't expect D-Mo to be a shot blocker like Dwight, but I do expect him to develop aggression in defending the rim as well as on the offensive end.
Dirk doesn't play center and I would never expect him to for a long period of time. Height is one thing but certain positions have different skillsets. Durant is 6'10 but he only plays the four in a "small ball" line up.
He just need to make enough to draw out big centers like Jordan. Jordan took gambles and decided not to challenge DoMo's shots, and DoMo made 3 3pters. The only thing I'm asking from him right now is to bring his FT% up to at least 75%.
