Zach Lowe: NBA Awards

[SpursFan86]

But I already pointed out how their defense remains elite even when Bogut isn't playing (which is a majority of the time).

Which two wing players have better defensive metrics than Green? He's 4th in the league in DRPM, and the only wing player ahead of him is Kawhi.

Also, being one of the best PnR defenders in the league isn't something you just toss aside PnR is such a huge part of today's game...having someone who can switch on to any player at any moment and guard them at an elite level is a huge deal.

[Richie]

What do you think about Tim's chances for All-NBA 3rd Team? Gasol and Cousins have 1st and 2nd Team locked up. 3rd will either go to DeAndre, Tim, or Horford.

I see Timmy making it as he'll get a bunch of votes as a forward too.

[Raven]

But I already pointed out how their defense remains elite even when Bogut isn't playing (which is a majority of the time).

Which two wing players have better defensive metrics than Green? He's 4th in the league in DRPM, and the only wing player ahead of him is Kawhi.

Also, being one of the best PnR defenders in the league isn't something you just toss aside PnR is such a huge part of today's game...having someone who can switch on to any player at any moment and guard them at an elite level is a huge deal.

igoudala and klay thompson allow less production to their opposing player. And yeah, it's a big deal, but that doesn't make him necessarily a great defender, you can always isolate or try something else if needed.

[SpursFan86]

But Draymond is a great isolation defender too...he gives up just .57 ppp in isolation situations, which is in the 93rd percentile and is the best on Golden State.

[MI21]

Gaymond Dreen I trust he will be exposed in the playoffs.

Can't hate on Lowe's rationale, as noted, the extra minutes is a pretty big deal and he noted he believes Leonard is actually the best defender. Solid decision from him.

It is a little weird to me that he would put Leonard 2nd following that rationale though and then Bogut 3rd who barely plays half a game, which is equivalent to him playing 35MPG for about 55-60 regular season games.

[RD2191]

Call me crazy but imo it's alot more difficult to shut down a talented guard/small forward than a center/pf. In today's NBA anyways. imo.

[SpursFan86]

And tbh, it's funny you choose to focus on isolation and 1-on-1 defense when you're arguing for Kawhi. One of Kawhi's biggest strengths, and the thing that separates him from other perimeter defenders IMO, is how great he is at help defense. His length and IQ allows him to make plays the vast majority of defenders aren't able to make. He can help off guys in situations where normal defenders wouldn't be able to, and he still recovers because of that length.

Kawhi isn't the best 1-on-1 isolation defender in the league (he actually ranks in the bottom half of the league in ppp allowed in isolation situations, but he hasn't had had too many iso possessions on defense). That probably goes to Tony Allen. But Kawhi is still the best perimeter defender because of all the other ways he impacts the game on the defensive end. His help defense in particular is otherworldly.

[SpursFan86]

It is a little weird to me that he would put Leonard 2nd following that rationale though and then Bogut 3rd who barely plays half a game, which is equivalent to him playing 35MPG for about 55-60 regular season games.

Who else would he choose? Tony Allen is a possibility, but he's only played 63 games this year, and he doesn't play many minutes either (26 per game). DeAndre Jordan should be nowhere near the conversation even if he has played 35 mpg for 80 games. Gobert is a possibility I guess, but he doesn't play many minutes either (26 per game).

There aren't too many options once you get past the obvious candidates. Bogut makes up for his lack of minutes by being arguably the best defender in the league while on the court.

[MI21]

Who else would he choose? Tony Allen is a possibility, but he's only played 63 games this year, and he doesn't play many minutes either (26 per game). DeAndre Jordan should be nowhere near the conversation even if he has played 35 mpg for 80 games. Gobert is a possibility I guess, but he doesn't play many minutes either (26 per game).

There aren't too many options once you get past the obvious candidates. Bogut makes up for his lack of minutes by being arguably the best defender in the league while on the court.

I agree with your analysis of all the players you mentioned. Just seems weird that there is a different rationale from him for first place compared to second and third.

In his mind Green isn't as good as Leonard, but played significantly more minutes so he gets the nod. Obviously DeAndre Jordan isn't as good Andrew Bogut, but he has played significantly more minutes, so why isn't the same rationale applied? Nitpicking really, I like Lowe.

[apalisoc_9]

I'd rather kawhi get an ALL-NBA award than DPOY though.

[SpursFan86]

In his mind Green isn't as good as Leonard, but played significantly more minutes so he gets the nod. Obviously DeAndre Jordan isn't as good Andrew Bogut, but he has played significantly more minutes, so why isn't the same rationale applied? Nitpicking really, I like Lowe.

Because the gap in Green vs. Leonard isn't as big as the gap between Bogut vs. DeAndre.

Draymond isn't THAT much worse of a defender compared to Kawhi. Kawhi might be better, but Draymond is relatively close to him. DeAndre Jordan is nowhere near as good as Bogut defensively. DJ is really overrated on that end...he's a good defender, but nothing special. Certainly not worthy of any DPOTY consideration.

[Godbama]

[SpursFan86]

I'd rather kawhi get an ALL-NBA award than DPOY though.

I think he's a lock for 1st team All-Defense and, at the least, 3rd team All-NBA. He could maybe get 2nd team All-NBA, but I wouldn't bet on it.

[cjw]

I think Lowe might have gone Kawhi if he had not gone Pop for COY. Hard to pick two Spurs and one Warrior this year.

[Raven]

But Draymond is a great isolation defender too...he gives up just .57 ppp in isolation situations, which is in the 93rd percentile and is the best on Golden State.

he never guards the teams best player, i haven't looked up but if he gets isolated, that happens with a ty pf or a center.. doesn't really count. Will get exposed in the play offs, you can bet on it. If you isolate a player from defending the teams best players he looks better than he actually is.

[Raven]

I think Lowe might have gone Kawhi if he had not gone Pop for COY. Hard to pick two Spurs and one Warrior this year.

which is obviously just him trying to justify his ty pick, by choosing pop in what has probably been his worst year.

[cjw]

which is obviously just him trying to justify his ty pick, by choosing pop in what has probably been his worst year.

Not picking Kerr might be a jab at a certain ESPN colleague (i.e., any competent coach could have won at least mid-50s with that roster)

[Expert]

None of this ever matters until a Spurs player is in the running, then suddenly it's a grand honor.

[Seventyniner]

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nb...a-team-effort/

Part 2 is up. Spurs mentioned: Kawhi Leonard 3rd team All-NBA and 1st team All-Defense, Tim Duncan 3rd team All-NBA, Danny Green 2nd team All-Defense.

Lowe also advocates for a 1 point guard, 2 wing, 2 big ballot system instead of the antiquated 2 guard, 2 forward, 1 center approach.

Why is there no All-Offense team? Is it because All-NBA teams and MVP votes heavily skew towards offense already?

[mingus]

Wings don't ever seem to win it. Will probably be the case still, even though I think he's at lleast as impact full as anyone.

What I think is perfectly reasonable and would be a true travesty if it didnt happen, is to see both Danny Green & KL with defensive team honors. Green should be on either the first or second team all defense. Dude doesn't get enough love for his defense when there's maybe 3 or 4 guys out on the wing that are arguably better--KL, Tony Allen, James come to mind as the only guys I'd pick over him. James, though doesn't always take the toughest assignments so can save his legs for offense, which has to count for something IMO.

[Obstructed_View]

None of this ever matters until a Spurs player is in the running, then suddenly it's a grand honor.

Since Tim Duncan has never won the award, though he's clearly been the best defender in the league several times, your post is more true than you intend it to be. The last Spur to win it was David Robinson, and he only had to average 4.5 blocks, 12 rebounds, and 3 steals per game to get it.

[apalisoc_9]

Leonard getting an All-NBA team award will be huge for officiating purposes, IMO.

We need Leonard to win All-NBA and DPOY for that reason alone...

Every advantage counts.

[SpursFan86]

[apalisoc_9]

I wonder if he read spurstalk.



Like I said, I don't agree with him but there's no reason to hate IMO..Lowe is one of the best basketball guys out there.

[RodNIc91]

Hopefully Tim makes all-D, at least..I don't expect DG to make it, Lowe will probably be one of the few that votes for him(along with other new-media, metrics connoisseurs)..

I expect first-team to be:

G Paul()
G Allen
F Leonard
F Green
C Jordan(unfortunately)

2nd team will probably be:
G ?
G ?
F
F Davis(he will get it, poor choice, overrated defender IMO)
C Bogut

Hopefully Lebron doesn't get the Kobe treatment and get in..wouldn't be surprised if Thompson or Iggy make it because they're Warriors

I thought all-nba teams were chosen by coaches and so forth