<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Devin Harris had a career-high six steals against the Bucks the other night. That’s what the Nets expected from their new point guard when they acquired him. But with the Nets’ defense crashing all around him, Harris’ defensive efficiency has taken a hit. Now comes two bloggers–one a Mavs’ fan, the other a Hornets’–with a raft of stats to suggest that Harris is among the worst PG defenders and not as good as Jason Kidd. -netsdaily</div> Jake - Mavs Moneyball - At-the-hive A bit ironic don't you think?
I didn't realize that Devin Harris was one of the worst defensive pointguards, I guess it's hard to be considered a great defensive pointguard with the Nets' defense behind them. Surprizing that even last year Kidd was on the 2nd all-nba defensive team (only behind Kobe and Bell in votes for guards).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I guess it's hard to be considered a great defensive pointguard with the Nets' defense behind them.</div> Actually the Mavs defense has gotten better with Kidd, so that tells you something. I'm so confused right now. What was all that hype about Devin being a great defender?
Never trust stats when it comes to defense. If you really want to know how good a defender a player is, watch him play. That's the only way to know: if he has good footwork, can keep up with his man and force him to take a bad shot/make a pass/stop his dribble/lose the ball, that's good defense.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (kobimel @ Apr 14 2008, 04:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Never trust stats when it comes to defense. If you really want to know how good a defender a player is, watch him play. That's the only way to know: if he has good footwork, can keep up with his man and force him to take a bad shot/make a pass/stop his dribble/lose the ball, that's good defense.</div> Agreed completely. To me, all that BS with the stats means nothing. It's more about team defense than anything. How players gel together. That's why individually, Ray Allen is a shitty defender. But with the Celtics as a team, with the random stats they're throwing out with the articles, he could probably be seen as Bruce Bowen. So I don't buy all that crap those articles are throwing out.
Hollinger put Harris as one of the best defensive point guards in the league. So the stats aren't exactly decisive on these matters.
A more reliable measure of Harris' defense can be gleaned from the reaction his trade to the EC inspired in Popavic and Tony Parker.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW @ Apr 14 2008, 07:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>A more reliable measure of Harris' defense can be gleaned from the reaction his trade to the EC inspired in Popavic and Tony Parker.</div> Indeed. Relying on stats to prove how effective one is on defense is silly, especially if the player is a perimeter player.
Stats are defense shouldnt be trusted upon imo. I mean, come on, Kidd won all NBA defense team even though he cant guard any point guards. I've seen Harris play for two years now. He is a better man defender than Kidd and sometimes not a bad flopper.
