In recent years, NBA data analysis has developed rapidly, and more and more high-level data have emerged, and data has played an increasingly important role in evaluating player performance and strength. However, it is undeniable that any data has limitations, especially defensive data, and no defensive data can accurately measure a player's defensive performance, and it is best to use a combination of various data.
ESPN data analytics expert Kork Goresberry wrote today using a variety of data to evaluate the 11 best defensive players of the season, all of whom are strong contenders for the Defensive Team of the Year and even the Best Defensive Player of the Year award. It is worth mentioning that Draymond Green, who missed a large number of games due to injury, is not among the 11 people.
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Marcus Smart
The Celtics are no. 1 in the league for defensive efficiency this season, and Smart, who can defend multiple positions, is indispensable. This season, Smart has averaged 30.2 turnovers per game, ranking fourth among all defenders. At the back, Smart ranks 19th in total time defending against opposing strikers and 16th in defending against opponents. When Smart changed defenses, the Celtics conceded just 1.05 points per game, and Smart ranked No. 1 among defenders.
VanVleet
VanVleet has averaged 1.6 steals per game this season, but many of his defenses just don't form direct steals. According to statistics, VanVleet forced his opponents to lead the league with 3 turnovers per game, and he is expected to crown the king for the third consecutive season. This season, VanVleet has forced out 173 turnovers against his opponents, only 34 of which translated into his own direct steals, 75 of which helped his teammates complete them. VanVleet has 30 percent of the time defending against a ball-wielder, no. 8 in the league. He averaged 3.9 passes per game to finish second in the league.
Sable
Sebel's body shape is a lot like Pippen's, and his arm span is staggering, which gives him a clear advantage in defending against opponents' three-point shots. This season, Sebel covered his opponent's 20 three-point shots for No. 1 in the league. Sebel's defensive deterrent to three-pointers isn't just in the block, he's defending players shooting just 23.7 percent from three-point range, the best in the league of players who average at least three three-point shots per game. Sable has only 40.2 percent of his defensive shooting percentage this season, his no. 1 defender and no. 2 for all players in the league.
Beverley
When Beverley interferes with opponents' shots, the opponent's effective shooting rate is only 37.4%, and Beverley is the first in the league among players who have defended at least 300 shots against opponents. Beverley's three-point shooting percentage is only 26 percent, and he is second only to Sable.
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Bridges
This season, Bridges defended against ball-wielders for 1541 rounds in the league, and he was in the league's top 5 number of halftime position defenses for the Class of 2022 All-Star.
Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo suppressed his opponent's shooting percentage at 52 percent under the basket and ranked 7th out of players who defended at least 200 shots.
Herbert Jones
Pelican rookie Jones could become the first player to enter the All-Defensive Team as a rookie since Duncan in the 1997-98 season, and he has won the league's top 10 number of All-Star players this year, he is the only player to deliver 100 steals plus 50 blocks, and he destroyed the opponent's 210 ball game league 4th.
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Jaren Jackson
Jackson has the league's most blocks this season, and he ranks in the top 5 in the league by limiting opponents to basket shots.
Robert Williams
With 164 players defending against 500 shots this season, only Williams has kept their opponents shooting below 40 percent. Williams is the league's most well-rounded defender, having played at least 800 opposing defenders, forwards and centers, with only two in the league doing just that.
Gobert
Gobert averaged 18.5 shots per game for opponents in the league,100th in the league, and of the players who defended at least 500 shots, Gobert conceded only 0.92 points per game. When he was on the floor, the Jazz conceded just 103.7 points per 100 rounds, and when he wasn't on the floor, the statistic skyrocketed to 111.7 points.
Adebayor
Adebayor averaged 11.9 changes per game, and as a center, he averaged 4.6 three-pointers per game and shot only 29.2 percent from three-point range.