No. I think he's worked on his defense. I think he made a concerted effort this summer to come out and be a better Defender fundamentally. You call it effort all you want but I just think that's a load of crap. He's always giving effort on defense. Defense isn't only about effort. That's literally only like 20% of it in my opinion. If you aren't sitting down in the chair, if you aren't step sliding but you're galloping, if you aren't taking the right angles, if you aren't seeing the ball and your man, if you're reaching or not playing with your hands in the legal guarding position... Then you aren't playing good fundamental defense. It's much more than the effort that you're talking about. You think that if Luke Babbitt gave 1000% effort that he would be a good Defender ever? No I don't think so. Saying "defense is about effort" is merely parroting a cliche.
To be fair though, it's a cliché that NBA players themselves parrot on the regular. However (and bear with my rabbit trail), it also brings to mind a line I heard in a recent episode of "This Is Us" (love that show). An incarcerated character said something to the effect of, "You think I'm in here because of my choices; people who say that are the ones who had choices." Similarly, the NBA players who say defense is all about effort are (arguably) also the ones who already had the physical attributes, mental makeup, and practiced fundamentals necessaryv in order to convert that effort into effective defense. Perhaps not all NBA players fit that description.
If Luke gave all out effort on defense, he'd be a better defender. One guy has had the tools his whole career, while the other has limitations
What good is a tool if you don't know how to use it? Maybe he has simply figured out how to use it? Doesn't mean he wasn't trying before, but now he has figured out how to use his tools... Which angles to take, how high he should hold his hands. How to space his feet during this situation or that. Do you know that he was taught these things in college and ignored them and was lazy on D? You say you know from someone around him that he hasn't tried. I'd like to hear that first hand, or you can be filed away with TMZ. People progress and improve, all the while maintaining 100% effort. People learn. Well most....
No... you will hold your breath. I will do nothing of the sort. I'm not so concrete in my opinions, and I know my opinions are just that without proof or facts, i'm not gonna doubt a guy who has made it to the nba. Lets keep it real here please. And the reality is you consistently think your opinions are facts.. And that's why having a discussion with you is like beating your head against the wall...
Jason Quick on 1080 last night said that the increased attention to defense by Dame and CJ is starting to wear them down and is not sustainable.
This is why i think Stotts is bringing Napier and Pat C into the mix more. Quick might think that but he has to know Stotts see this before any of us.
Coming from the guy who cant have a discussion...LMAO Dude your double standards crack me up...You should really read your posts more... you make zero sense sometimes.....
Hopefully not. Different positions. Like kjironman1 alludes to above if they are exerting more effort on D, their offense will be effected unless they get more rest. Napier's role is huge. ET and Pat as well. But if Napier and ET can work well together then CJ and Dame can play longer together and sit longer together.
Obviously CJ is fine given he's still shooting lights out from three. Dame has reserves of energy... Napier coming on strong is great, but I'll still say that Aminu being back will help a lot because (a) he was the best defender on the team before the injury and (b) he was the best defender on the team before the injury. I know that's just one point, but it's so important I thought I'd mention it twice. (that was a nerdy reference...)
When does he? Almost troll like, he refuses to debate if you have a differing opinion. Like, if you cant see Dame wasn't giving effort, then you cant have a discussion. But what he meant was, if you don't believe what I believe, then we cant have a discussion.... So with that, you are surprised he didn't answer you?? Im not....
