Comments on: How Are The Bucks The Best Defensive Team In The NBA?

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:57:02 +0000

Mike: You hit that on the head with your second guess. The last time the Bucks were top five in the league defensively was the 1986-87 season. Under Don Nelson.

How things change.

By: MikeMKE

MikeMKE — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:57:35 +0000

I’m not going to worry about them not getting much back for RJ if they’re going to play this well. I’ll be happy they freed up the money to solidify the team in the future. I love that I can say “solidify” and not “rebuild after they let Mike Redd go.” If Scott Skiles can turn these Bucks into a top-5 defensive team this season, then he should get Coach of the Year, hands-down. Defense hasn’t been a prerequisite on this team since, what? 1993? 1987?

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:24:50 +0000

Yeah, that’s stupidity on my part. I wasn’t thinking. I was thinking about how points per game can be more of a reflection of pace rather than actual defense. Thanks Rashidi.

By: Rashidi

Rashidi — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:07:34 +0000

Just to let you know, Defensive Rating has nothing to do with Pace Factor. The very nature of the statistic being adjusted for a standardized number of posessions means it is pace-adjusted.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:25:21 +0000

His defensive rating was worst on the team in each of the last two years among players who played regular minutes. I definitely think it had something to do with him having an anchor attached to his right knee though.

By: curak

curak — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:12:51 +0000

Is Bell a statistically bad defender, or just bad +/-? Cuz you certainly would lose something with him not able to score, that’s the plus part, no?

I’ve read he’s finally healthy after limping thru last season, so that may have a bit to do with it.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:19:39 +0000

Bell is surprising to me because he’s statistically been the Bucks worst defensive player ever since he signed his current contract. Bell gives terrific effort, but he’s been limited severely over the past few years. I noticed he no longer has the huge bulky knee brace on that he had last year, perhaps that’s helping him this year.

But he still has a single digit PER, so maybe this is just a mirage

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:37:21 +0000

This all started when they drafted Luc last year. Finally some defense to go with the shooters.

Speaking of shooters, have you guys seen Jefferson play with the Spurs? He’s so bad at D they’ve benched him a few times this season. I was glad to see he and Charlie go, just wish they could have gotten more from the Jefferson trade.

If you check out the statistics web pages, you’ll see the best 5 man lineup is Jennings, Bell, Delfino, Warrick and Bogut. Luc is up there too.

I’m going to take a picture of the winning record and frame it. Hope it lasts.

By: curak

curak — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:47:27 +0000

The moves toward a team with a lot more hustle were there to see, it’s just not obvious how far that gets them. But having a team willing to work up a sweat on D is clearly Skiles’ intent. And to think they took heat for not even trying to re-sign Charlie V….

And I don’t know why Bell being the +/- leader surprises you, he’s a Skiles player to the core. If only he could shoot….

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:14:11 +0000

First time for everything I guess. I didn’t think I could do it either.