<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chutney:</div><div class="quote_post">durvasa, what about Andrei Kirilenko?</div> That was an oversight. I removed Prince and put Kirilenko on my second team. It's close between him and Battier. I give Battier the slight edge because Memphis was a much better defensive team than Utah (ranked 2nd and 21st, respectively), and his +/- impact was greater as well (-7.0 to -4.0).
I completely agree with the 1st nba defensive team. puts a smile on my face seeing Artest there. Great player that inspired my defensive skills.
Now lets think about this a little. If it were up to stats then Kobe definately does not deserve to be first-team defensive. But its not... the coaches vote and we have to believe that, despite the technological advantages in television, they have a better idea of the most feared defensive players in the league today. Stats can be spoiled by players who were hitting incredible shots despite perfect defense... or by blown assignments... or poor team defence. In addition the stats just don't paint an accurate picture of the most difficult thing to measure in the NBA. So I feel confident that the coaches know which defender they fear the most... they know when their star player is getting everything the hard way on the possessions he is guarded by a certain player... they know which players they need to get their star players away from to get easy baskets. If the coaches voted Kobe in then I say he deserves it and everything else said to dispute that is purely conjecture.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Fiyah:</div><div class="quote_post">Now lets think about this a little. If it were up to stats then Kobe definately does not deserve to be first-team defensive. But its not... the coaches vote and we have to believe that, despite the technological advantages in television, they have a better idea of the most feared defensive players in the league today. Stats can be spoiled by players who were hitting incredible shots despite perfect defense... or by blown assignments... or poor team defence. In addition the stats just don't paint an accurate picture of the most difficult thing to measure in the NBA. So I feel confident that the coaches know which defender they fear the most... they know when their star player is getting everything the hard way on the possessions he is guarded by a certain player... they know which players they need to get their star players away from to get easy baskets. If the coaches voted Kobe in then I say he deserves it and everything else said to dispute that is purely conjecture.</div> I just think kobe's selction has to do with superstar status is he really a superior defender than a richard jefferson who didn't even make any of the teams or a shane batier of gerald wallace? those guys dont make the lists because their not marquee players.
Didn't Bowen make it as a guards while he's actually a SF? Also on the second team, there's only one guard, and there's 3 F's. Some interesting omissions at guard: Kirk Hinrich, Raja Bell, QRoss, Battier (I guess he's a 3, but Tayshau is too), Chris Duhon
Gerald Wallace was ROBBED. I know stats dont matter but you cant not pick a guy who averaged over 2 blocks and lead the league in steals per game. He holds his opponents to 6 points below there scoring average also. ROBBED.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">He holds his opponents to 6 points below there scoring average also.</div>I don't understand where you go this from, how can he hold opponents to 6 below their scoring average when all opponents don't have the same average? Who tracked this?
He holds his opponents to an average of 6 points below there average. For example: If Kobe averages 35 he holds him to 29. If Josh Howard averages 15 he holds him to 9. Get it? BTW, I heard this on Mike and Mike
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Brasco:</div><div class="quote_post">I just think kobe's selction has to do with superstar status is he really a superior defender than a richard jefferson who didn't even make any of the teams or a shane batier of gerald wallace? those guys dont make the lists because their not marquee players.</div> So you think the coaches are similarly swayed by superstar status. You think a coach would rather his star player be guarded by Gerald Wallace than by Kobe because Kobe is a star and Wallace isn't? Nah. I think the coaches want the best chances of winning... and they must seriosuly believe that as a guard Kobe is one of the best defensive players in the league... despite stats.
Do you guys think Kobe Bryant is an overrated defender? In some of the games I have watched him, he doesn't seem to be the great defender that he is made out to be. I have a feeling that he gets on the defensive team every year because of his name, not because he is actually an elite defender. Do you guys think Kobe is actually a better defender then guys like Earl Watson, Shane Battier, Gerald Wallace, and Tayshaun Prince? I could be wrong, you guys would probably know more then I would.
^when the game is on line, and you need someone quick, strong and smart to defend the other players best player, Kobe would be one of the best choices.
Kinda dumb how they have 6...whichever player had the most first place votes should of made it (Kobe.)
