Advanced defensive impact stats from last year:
DRAPM =
-0.69
LA-DRAPM =
-0.63
DLEBRON =
-1.33
DRAPTOR =
-1.2
DRPM =
-1.01
DBPM =
-1.0
Def On/Off =
+3.0
I think it's pretty safe to say he's not a good defender (and wasn't known to be a good defender in college either if I'm not mistaken). He (and Fox) both don't have the type of size & length you would want to defend SGs.
I like Monk in a vacuum, but I question the fit as a starter. If our starting lineup is Fox-Monk-Barnes-Murray-Sabonis, we're really going to struggle defensively...
- Fox is below average defensively
- Monk is below average defensively
- Barnes is below average to average defensively
- Murray has potential to be good defensively but do we expect Murray to be a plus defender as a rookie? That might be a stretch.
- Sabonis is below average to average defensively
Even if we swap Barnes for John Collins, the same defensive question marks will exist. Our only hopes at being a decent defensive team if we're keeping Barnes & Sabonis is for:
- Fox to buy-in defensively and commit to that side of the ball (e.g, Gary Payton mentality)
- Find a starting SG who is a good/great defender
- Murray develops into a good/great defender
We can be as good as we want offensively, but if we're a bottom 10 defensive team, we're going to have a really difficult time being competitive next year especially when you consider how strong the west is.
Again, I'm not against Monk in a vacuum for this price, but the lack of defensive emphasis in building this roster concerns me. A defensive minded coach can only do so much.