Hard data on Murray's defense (split from the T-Wolves [Game] thread)
- Thread starter The_Jamal
- Start date
You’re looking at those stats backwards.
Your links show when those players defend Murray (not when Murray defends those players). Also, you shouldn’t have to go to each individual matchup to look at these stats for Murray. You can just go to Murray’s profile to see his defensive matchup stats against opponents. You can find it here: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1631099/head-to-head
Here's a summary of what those stats show (limited to players who have a minimum of 10 min) and adjusted to be per 100 possessions:
He's done fairly well against Mitchell (quick wing), Edwards (quick wing), and Mathurin (quick wing), but there are other players you classify as "quick wings" that he hasn't done well against. Perhaps this suggests he has the ability to defend quick wings and it actually has more to do with a players skill level, small sample sizes, etc.
Sometimes it takes a player a bit to figure someone out defensively, how they move, their go-to moves, etc. It doesn't mean they don't have the physical tools to defend them. And then there is the chance that the guy you're defending is just on fire which skews the small sample (which was my impression of the Keegan's defense on Vassell in particular).
Your links show when those players defend Murray (not when Murray defends those players). Also, you shouldn’t have to go to each individual matchup to look at these stats for Murray. You can just go to Murray’s profile to see his defensive matchup stats against opponents. You can find it here: https://www.nba.com/stats/player/1631099/head-to-head
Here's a summary of what those stats show (limited to players who have a minimum of 10 min) and adjusted to be per 100 possessions:
He's done fairly well against Mitchell (quick wing), Edwards (quick wing), and Mathurin (quick wing), but there are other players you classify as "quick wings" that he hasn't done well against. Perhaps this suggests he has the ability to defend quick wings and it actually has more to do with a players skill level, small sample sizes, etc.
Sometimes it takes a player a bit to figure someone out defensively, how they move, their go-to moves, etc. It doesn't mean they don't have the physical tools to defend them. And then there is the chance that the guy you're defending is just on fire which skews the small sample (which was my impression of the Keegan's defense on Vassell in particular).
When it says “Player on Defense” I believe it is referring to the player you selected (Vassell, Booker) is on defense and how they do on defense in certain matchups.
I sort of tested this by looking at Jokic. I expected the assists to be high when it said “Player on Offense” and I expected the assists to be much lower when it said “Player on Defense” (and they were).
I sort of tested this by looking at Jokic. I expected the assists to be high when it said “Player on Offense” and I expected the assists to be much lower when it said “Player on Defense” (and they were).
My theory would be it’s a combination of length and quickness. Smaller players like Mitchell he can play-off but is still long enough to hinder their shot. Meanwhile Vassell and Booker present more of a problem as he can’t back off to accommodate quickness without them being able to then just shoot over.
It’s why I said 2-3 wings are more problematic
It’s why I said 2-3 wings are more problematic
Yeah maybe. The right metric would be standing reach. But not available for all 4 ….
Mathurin 6’ 9”
Anthony Edwards 6’ 9”
Devin Booker. 6’ 8”
Devin Vassell. 6’ 10.
It would be interesting to map all NBA players on quickness and standing reach. Those guys in the upper right quadrant are whom I hypothesize challenge Keegan defensively.
But not tons of difference in Wingspan from the guys above. Wish I could see standing reach for all of them.
Mathurin 6’ 9”
Anthony Edwards 6’ 9”
Devin Booker. 6’ 8”
Devin Vassell. 6’ 10.
It would be interesting to map all NBA players on quickness and standing reach. Those guys in the upper right quadrant are whom I hypothesize challenge Keegan defensively.
But not tons of difference in Wingspan from the guys above. Wish I could see standing reach for all of them.
Let’s maybe put it this way…who is the list of players you’d prefer to have defend Booker over Herb Jones in the league? My list would be awful short.
And is Herb Jones’ defense against quicker wings such a detriment to the team that the Pelicans need to add another player to defend these quicker wings?
And is Herb Jones’ defense against quicker wings such a detriment to the team that the Pelicans need to add another player to defend these quicker wings?