One area of discussion and debate has been around Sengun's paint defense. Below is data on his paint numbers relative to some of the notable starting Centers around the league. (List too extensive to include all players here) Methodology: Data cutoff date 02MAR Paint Defense Starting Centers 40 Games or greater played 28 min a game or greater (where applicable; NBA.com does not allow this filter for all stats) Did not include 10-14 ft Summary: Good: Top 3rd of league in Def FG% less 5 ft Top 5 in DFG% 5-9 ft Med: Middle of Pack: points in paint per game Bad: Bottom 3rd Blk% Bottom 3rd Def Reb% Sengun 31.3 points in paint per game Blk% 26.2 Def reb% 22.1 Less 5 ft DFG% 62.4 5-9 ft 39% Less 5 ft FGA 18.6 5-9 ft FGA 7.4 PORZINGIS 26.6 Points in paint per game BLK% 44.3 Def Reb% 16. Less 5 ft DFG% 57.3 5-9 ft 50% Less 5 ft FGA: 16.6 5-9 ft FGA 6.7 ALLEN 29.2 Points in Paint Per Game BLK 36.8% DEF REB 24.9% Less than 5 ft FG% 61.3 5-9 ft FG% 46.8 Less than 5 ft FGA 16.8 5-9 ft FGA 7.4 Gobert 30.4 points in paint per game Blk% 43.4 Def reb 20% Less 5 ft DFG% 59.8 5-9 ft DFG% 42% less 5 ft FGA 17.5 5-9 ft FGA 8 Lopez 31 points in paint per game blk% 56.7 Def Reb% 15 Less 5 ft FG% 62.1 5-9 ft FG% 40.9 less 5 ft FGA 18.4 5-9 ft FGA 6.6 Victor 31.4 points in paint per game Blk% 74.9% Def Reb% 25.5 Less 5 ft FG% 60 5-9 ft FG% 38.9 less 5 FGA 20.2 5-9 FGA 6.4 CLAXTON 27.5 Points in paint per game BLK 54.7% DEF REB 19.8% Less 5ft DFG% 64.4 5-9 ft: 48.4 Less 5 ft FGA: 17.2 5-9 ft: FGA 5.7 Turner 32.3 Opp Points in Paint per Game Blk% 52 Def Reb% 16.8 Less 5 ft FG% 62.7 5-9 ft FG% 44.6 less 5 ft FGA 18.8 5-9 ft FGA 7.5 Hartenstein 25.7 Points in Paint per game Sabonis 34..6 Opp Points in Paint per game Blk% 13.1 Def Reb% 28.4 Less 5 ft FG% 63.5 5-9 ft FG% 49.1 less 5 ft FGA: 18.2 5-9 ft FGA: 9.9 BAM 33.3 Opp Points in Paint Per Game Blk% 30 Def Reb% 21.9 Less 5 ft FG% 64.9 5-9 ft FG% 47.9 Less 5 ft FGA 17.7 5-9 ft FGA 8.4 ZUBAC 30 Opp Points in Paint Per Game BLK% 42.8 Def REB 27.2% less 5 ft FG% 65.5 5-9 ft FG% 41.7 less 5 ft FGA 16.6 5-9 ft FGA 7.1
Some of Sengun's latest defensive performances and notable series this year against teams he has struggled with in terms of paint defense: 3 games vs Kings 64.5 FG% less 6 ft 61 FG% less 10 ft 42.6 Points in Paint Per Game 4 games vs MINN 68.6 FG% less 6 ft 65 FG% less 10 ft 39.5 Points in Paint per game 6 game losing streak (3 games played 4FEB-8FEB) 66.7 FG% less 6 ft 61.8% less than 10 ft 35.3 Points in Paint Per game MAR 1 Kings 64 FG% less 6 ft 56 FG% less than 10 ft 52 Points in Paint MAR 4 Pacers 30 Points in Paint 41 Points in Paint Per Game MAR 1 & 4
Here in a recent game against Kings Monk came off a simple high screen. Sengun dropped too deep and kept back peddling allowing an easy 12 ft jumper.
Not committing to trapping Monk. He has Amen guarding the cut and that's a difficult pass for Monk. Instead because of the loose trap, Monk easily laid it up.
After Haliburton came off the pick, Sengun kept drifting back into the center paint allowing a lane on the right into an easy layup instead of cuitting off the lane and forcing Haliburton to come to the middle with Amen helping.
That's your own bias and judgement not based on any facts. I simply present what the film and data shows. If you are offended and in denial due to a strong emotional attachment to Sengun in light of evidence and analysis then that's on you.
My new favorite ClutchFans thread. I don't remember what my old favorite was but it doesn't matter because this one completely overshadows it.
Now that I highlighted the bad here's some good defense. He squares up and sets ready for Wiggins off the screen
Sengun gets in trouble when: -he back peddles too deep on drop coverage -doesn't move feet and uses arms and hands to stop driving players -gets out of position not squaring up right in defensive stance -doesn't seal players on help defense/double team but gives a very loose soft trap Good when: -sets feet and squares up on defensive stance after an initial high screen -forces the player out the paint towards one side -goes vertical both arms up with little air space for opponents He has a tendency to not move his feet or in proper position to meet and defend a driving player off a screen. The numbers show he is effective in some areas while mediocre or weak in others. He has struggled against more proficient PNR teams like Kings and Wolves and we saw the Nets and Jazz similarly attacked him with simple high screen and rolls. He has made and effort and put in work since rookie year. There has been much improvement. He is middle of the pack right now compared to starting centers playing similar minutes. What's encouraging is his high DEF WS (0.132) Hopefully his paint defense continues to improve.
.... so, a thread in defense of the best player on the roster? Next can we get an in defense of Jokic or Olajuwon? So weird.
I get that this picture is out of context and may look different in real time: I get that you don't want to help too much off a ref one pass away, but it seems like Green should have been closer to the nail instead of denying the pass to the ref.
Nice balanced analysis @Stephen_A . Shows there's still plenty of room for defensive improvement from Sengun, but also that he's made some progress and has the potential to maybe get there. I think we all may be guilty of expecting a little too much consistency from Alpi and JG when they're still only the age of a college senior. If we had drafted them last year I think we'd all be ecstatic with what we're getting. The fact that it's their 4th years in the league does rightfully dampen the enthusiasm somewhat, but I also do think there is still room for improvement from both of them on both ends in the areas of consistency and reliability and just making fewer mistakes less often. Hopefully they'll get there!
