If anyone listens to thinking basketball (one of my favorites), at the end of the season they do a massive podcast about defense. They break down who is elite at different aspects of defense and stuff like that. Should see a lot of Amen mentions for this season.
Daniels was ridiculous for a stretch earlier in the season where he had 6, 6, 6, and 7 steals in a game. That's when I first realized how his game became so revolved around defense. Coming into the draft, he was similar to what Amen is now ... big "guard" who can defend, pass, and sucked at shooting. But just like Amen, I don't think anybody thought he could defend like this. He's been really good so far.
I despise the Warriors, but you are right. Draymond is so impactful and can guard and frustrate so many different types of players. He's the prototype guard 1–5 player. However, in his prime, Hakeem dominated on the defensive end of the floor D. He could shut down the paint and was the best weakside help defender ever. If his teammates had trusted his work and avoided fouls, Hakeem could have blocked at least 150 more shots.
Hmm. I'm not so sure about that. As the league has become almost entirely guard and wing dominant, a guy like Amen, correctly deployed, absolutely can wreck a team's offense. This isn't the old school big man dominant NBA where centers could just lock down offense by controlling and patrolling the paint. This is pace and space and a jillion 3s per game. You give me a guy who can disrupt that single handedly and I put his value as equal to those old school bigs.
Building on this, I think an aspect of Amen's defense that is under appreciated is his help defense. If you watch the film you see Amen not only impacts his man but also has the IQ to know when to rotate to help stop ongoing plays involving other players. Also I just wanted to ask one question for the forum. I saw on the table posted a few days ago that Jalen Green and Jabari are both top 40 in defense net rating or win shares. I was curious is Udoka running defense 101 during the offseason to teach these players how to improve their defensive mechanics or is it all defensive schemes? Under Sylas we were like 28/29th in defense and no way in hell you could convince me that Jalen Green could become this level of defender.
Amen is better than Tari. I don't think they're particularly close. Tari was getting roasted by Maxey and Amen just....wasn't.
Yep, this is why I believe nobody will break Hakeem's record. The blocked shot is becoming more and more rare, aside from Wemby's. Still, the days of seeing players average 4.5 or 5 blocks a game are gone for a while. Aside from Wemby, everyone in the league is getting half of that.
Eye test, Amen is elite top 5 wing defender on all-around versatility. Tari Eason is more a "crasher" Gerald Wallace type player on 3's & 4's. Amen stays at home in positon more. Its impressive that Amen still gets the stocks & disruptive highlights playing a more disciplined style. I guess you're too young to have seen who the actual DPOY trophy is named after, Hakeem Olajuwon
Wouldnt discount Eason too much. They have really earned the Terror Twins nickname. Statistically, depending on stat used, Eason has a much if not a little more defense effect. Eason can be 1st player in NBA history with 4% rate on BOTH blocks rate & steals rate. Eason's style is more frenetic, but historic is historic Want to add, it all means giving Dillon Brooks some more credit. He plays a blander style of defense with positioning & shot affecting that doesnt look springy. Similar to Sengun, it doesnt "look" like he's getting stops but the alterations add up. Brooks isnt as good on overall D as Amen & Tari. Brooks uses psychological games and pushy hacking to compensate. But he does it all game against starters & primary scorers, while Amen & Tari face more 2nd teamers
Yep and the Pelicans made a huge mistake with letting him go but probably the best move for Daniels since he is not getting fully utilized NOLA
I don't watch as much non-Rockets NBA as I used to, but I find it hard to believe there'd be any better wing defenders than Amen in the league. Obviously Defensive Player of the Year award is going to go to the 7 foot freaks. But who else guards 1-4 with ease? He has put clamps on everyone when he's needed to. Watching Amen play defense is just as enjoyable as watching Sengun masterclasses.
They really are the Terror Trio. It's just that one starts and the others rotate in. They all have their strengths. Amen is probably the best on ball/poa. Dillon is the most physical and best at guarding up the tree. Tari is the most chaotic team defender with the best hands. Not sure if we've yet seen an Amen/Tari/Dillon/Jabari/Sengun lineup but seems like a nightmare for a team built around a wing or a big guard.
Different defensive positions. I think Tari is more of a forward, Amen is more of a guard, but both can guard 1-5 in a pinch. I'd definitely take Amen against a player like Maxey, or any really good backcourt player, but maybe Tari does a better job against, for example, Giannis or Zion. I think overall Amen projects to be the much better player, but that's because his offensive upside is much greater due to his IQ, passing ability, and higher levels of athleticism. They're both defensive beasts. Maybe Amen has the edge but it's not a massive difference.
Am I the only one who notices that Dillon Brooks is fantastic at defense and threes when rested at beginning of season, but gradually gets worse at both when worn down as the season goes on (particularly late season). It shows on back to backs when he’s almost always awful in the second game. The Rockets should consider giving Brooks time off as the season progresses (aka Steven Adams) so that he can be an asset in our late season playoff run.
