Smart says Robinson can be a "Top 8 defender."
- Thread starter gpeterson133
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Shotblocking most certainly is not the only attribute you need as a defensive big men, but like Bricklayer said, it is the most important one. Nene is a good defender but usually averages around 1 block a game. McGee is a poor defender but averages 2-2.5 blocks a game. Despite his poor defense, McGee still has a place in this league because of his superior shotblocking abilities.
And I too would love to see a link for this quote. I searched for that quote for around 15 minutes before I gave up. Given the fact that this is the OP's first post, I'm not sure how credible this can be.
And I too would love to see a link for this quote. I searched for that quote for around 15 minutes before I gave up. Given the fact that this is the OP's first post, I'm not sure how credible this can be.
Imagine the possibilities... if Reke can find that outside shot, and if Johnson can become a starting quality SF, and if Robinson can channel his energy into his defense, and if Cousins can play up to his potential on the other side of the ball, the Kings could have something special... defensively. Yeah I know, too many if's, but still... there is hope that we could turn things around defensively with the pieces we already have.
gotcha
btw you can direct link a youtube video to a particular time by timestamping it like this: #t=4m10s (added right after the end of the address)
Still have a question did he say "Top Eight" or did he say "Top A"? Top eight remains an odd number to throw out, especially off the cuff. Top A doesn't make direct sense either, but sounds more like something you might say off the cuff. Has a chance to be a top, A, defender.
Regardless, that would certianly help. Oddly he was terrible trying to defend the post in summer league. Could not handle size, and rarely even got his hands up. But maybe this is where the SF experiment kicks in. Regardless of what else he can or cannot do, he's a good athlete, and if his motor could be harnassed defensively maybe he and Johnson could combine to give us size, toughness and defense out of the SF + SF/PF positions.
btw you can direct link a youtube video to a particular time by timestamping it like this: #t=4m10s (added right after the end of the address)
Still have a question did he say "Top Eight" or did he say "Top A"? Top eight remains an odd number to throw out, especially off the cuff. Top A doesn't make direct sense either, but sounds more like something you might say off the cuff. Has a chance to be a top, A, defender.
Regardless, that would certianly help. Oddly he was terrible trying to defend the post in summer league. Could not handle size, and rarely even got his hands up. But maybe this is where the SF experiment kicks in. Regardless of what else he can or cannot do, he's a good athlete, and if his motor could be harnassed defensively maybe he and Johnson could combine to give us size, toughness and defense out of the SF + SF/PF positions.
As a versatile defender who can guard 3 and 4 (occasionally undersized 5s) and be good to great depending on the matchup, yes, I think T-Rob can be that. And I think this is Smart's point - the versatility.
As a lock down big man defender a la PJ Brown, Hornace Grant, etc - nope, don't see it (but I'll be happy to be wrong).
I always thought T-Rob's size, physical tools, and relentlessness are similar to Rodman's; but Rodman, as great as he was, still occasionally had problems defending those bigger fours (particularly when the refs were calling it tight).
As a lock down big man defender a la PJ Brown, Hornace Grant, etc - nope, don't see it (but I'll be happy to be wrong).
I always thought T-Rob's size, physical tools, and relentlessness are similar to Rodman's; but Rodman, as great as he was, still occasionally had problems defending those bigger fours (particularly when the refs were calling it tight).
Robinson's defensive potential is very encouraging. With his tools he could learn to be a shot blocker. In by book you shot block at a risk. Good defense includes the admonition that you don't leave hyour feet. To shot block you have to leave you feet. Robinson has the tools and the energy to be an asset on defense.
See this is where I want Smart to put his money where his mouth is when it comes to defense. No question that Johnson is the best fit at SF right now and should be getting most of the minutes there. He's not even a liability on offense like Outlaw and Salmons. He gets 10 points a game without running a play for him and he passes and drives well. Put him out there and the defense is solid. Yes he's not a lights out perimeter shooter. But they can still space the floor with IT, Brooks or MT on the opposite wing. It's not like he kills their offense.
Well at least no worse than Outlaw or Salmons.
Seriously, given our needs, if Johnson isn't going to be given the start, the next guy you might look at is Cisco. Get slaughtered by big SFs, we'll get killed on the glass. But at least he can sometimes hit the three and understands how to make it all about the star guys rather than himself.
Here is the video where he talks about the top 8 defender thing. You can skip a little over 3 minutes in to get close to the interview. http://www.nba.com/kings/video/kings-mini-movie-2012-13-training-camp
I wasn't quite sure where to put this, but I have a suspicion we missed out on Andre Drummond. I thought at the time of the draft he was worth the gamble just because of the prospect of pairing him with Cousins and then laughing for the next ten years as teams just got destroyed by them. I like Robinson, don't get me wrong, but Drummond seems to be doing very well and he is a freak athlete. Sometimes, one just has to roll the dice. What are your thoughts on the matter?