I think my list will have Rudy, AD, Bam Adebayo, Brook Lopez, Mitchell Robinson as the top 5 defenders in my DPOY race so far.
Other Notable defenders: OG, Dillon Brooks, Herb Jones, Alex Caruso all deserve some appreciation
Alperen Sengun anchors the number 1 defence in the league
it aint anyone on our team ill tell you that
It aint our team either, that’s for sure
80s Nuggets vibes in Indiana. Which is weird because Carlisle isn’t a defensive savant but I never thought he was a coach that just didn’t give a shit about defense.
Well, you know, a veteran coach fits the gameplan to the roster and ticket sales, sometimes even in that order.
I think it’s gotta be my Hornets by process of elimination
Hasn’t Ant been really good on defense this season?
Yeah he’s improved and has gotten through screens better too (except in the Suns game when he was atrocious at screen navigation, prob tired legs from the road road b2b). Rudy and Jaden are better though.
Yes but 3rd best on the wolves after Rudy and Jaden (in that order IMO). Ant has been great, but still isn’t always locked in, whereas Rudy is my DPOY so far and Jaden is at least all defense second team (lots of great wing defenders in the NBA). Great article from the Star Tribune just came out today (twin cities flagship paper) on how the wolves have given Rudy the keys to the kingdom on defense just like teams do with superstars on offense:
Finch said that during his time as an assistant in New Orleans coaching Jrue Holiday, he realized that a team should collaborate with its best defensive player the way it might with its best offensive player. He has applied that philosophy in having Gobert play a significant role in outlining the themes of the Wolves defense.
“I’ve always had the approach with offensive players that you’ve got to give them great freedom, and several years ago it struck me before I became coach here, why don’t we do the same with defensive players?” Finch said. “You have to give those players an incredible amount of freedom to be able to navigate a lot of situations in the league that they have to face against these guys every night.”
Highly recommend the article if you are interested either in some NBA defensive scheming talk in general or specifically how the wolves transformed their approach to become one of the best in the league this year! Well written by one of our best beats, Chris Hine.
wolves fan nope NAW has 100% been better than ANT on def
You’re right. I feel like ANT goes an extra level when he really wants but in general NAW is a better defender— excited to see him keep it up with Jaden out
I probably wouldn’t have him first team but KCP should be in strong contention for an all defensive team. Kawhi’s defense has been good, and McDaniels has probably been the best wing defender in basketball this season.
As a twolves fan you cant say mcdaniels cuz hes only play like 6 games do far due to injury
Wemby, Toumani Camara, Chet, and Derrick Lively II are holding it down for the rookies. Cason Wallace ain’t no slouch neither.
Top 4 in blocks:
AD, Brook, Wemby and Chet, amazingly. NOT the TWO most recent MVP centers, though Embiid isn’t far down the list.
I feel like Wemby, AD and the Giannis/Brook combo have a chilling effect on drives more than their blocks, even.
Rudy Gobert. He will lead Wolves to finals this season
Not naming Rudy Gobert or Jaden McDaniels makes me skeptical of your list OP. The Wolves are 3rd in DRTG despite having played the Hawks (2nd in ORTG) Suns (7th, and they dropped like 135 on us on our SEGABABA which skews our stats) Celtics (8th) Nuggets with Murray (10th) Kings (11th) and Warriors (12th, twice actually but one game without their top 3). Anyways. Wolves defense.
What is SEGABABA?
I’m assuming something with back to back but what does the acronym mean? haha it’s fun to say lol
It IS fun to say - it stands for Second Game of a Back to Back
jaden hasnt played enough this year yet due to injury but i hope hell be there end of year
rudy is literally the first person on his list
Gobert is the first one named in this post. Also the way the game has evolved, he’s definitely overrated as a defender overall. Rim protection and post defense is great but with other players in the rankings that do that and can either guard perimeter or 1-5, I just don’t see case being made for Rudy being a front runner just because he is not trash like last year.
We’re 1-3 without Jaden, he changes the game almost as much as Rudy does.
Yeah I really thought people had caught on to him being one of if not the best on D.
So none of the players on the league’s best defense are among the league’s best defenders? That’s weird…
I’m gonna say Dillon brooks just to piss off the haters. Real talk though Bam and Brook have been absolutely killing it. Gobert stands out less to me but maybe that’s just because I expect top tier rim protection from him anyway.
Jalen Suggs, Jaden McDaniels and Ausar Thompson
I would also mention Wemby, Chet, Ausar, Thybulle, Ant
dillon brooks is not getting enough love here. from the second worst defense to top 3 is unheard of. obviously udoka is the main cause of this but DB is the best defender on a top 3 defense where the other starting defense is meh
Not having Jrue anywhere on the list renders it null and void
Suggs. Herb jones.
Wildcard pick toumani camera.