Post by J on Jul 9, 2010 21:52:15 GMT -5
(The stats were accurate as of Day 110)
The two main statistics I used when formulating these rankings:
Opponents True Shooting % - PTS/(2*(FGA + (.44*FTA)))
Defensive Ranking - Essentially Points Allowed Per Possession * 100
1. Los Angeles Lakers
Despite being in the middle of the league in oPPG, the Lakers are undoubtedly among the cream of the crop when it comes to defensive teams. Of the three categories used, they placed 1st twice and 3rd in the other. Just take one look at their roster and it should come as no surprise. Yao and Arenas respectively lead the league blocks and steals, while their counterparts Marty A. (7th in bpg) and Bradley (5th in spg) aren't too shabby as well. These exceptional individual defenders are the reason LA leads the league with a 105.3 DRtg and has a oTS% of only 50.2%.
1. Sacramento Kings
After debating who should hold the top spot in the rankings, I came to the conclusion that both the Kings and Lakers deserved it. While the Lakers do it with great individual defenders, the Kings have incredible team defense. Despite being in the lower half of the league in terms of oTOPG, the Kings' defense simply controls the pace of the game. They not only allow only 95.4ppg, but lead the league in oAPG (21.3) and oTS% (50%). Positional defenders such as Varejao, Outlaw, and Ariza make a bigger impact on the game than some may expect. Simply put, the Kings force teams into bad shots and are a great team because of it.
3. Miami Heat
Should be no surprise seeing the Heat here as the allow a league best 93.1ppg. The Dallas Mavericks are the only other team that allows such little offensive output from their opponents. The secret to Miami's success is quite simple, they limit their opponents opportunities to score then limit the rate they score at. Miami is 2nd in the league in both possession per game (86.5) and oTS% (50.1%). The Heat are only 24th in forcing turnovers but 107.6. All of this despite having only 2 defenders with an A- grade or higher that play more than 20mpg.
4. Portland Trailblazers
While the Blazers oTS% won't have many turning heads at 50.9%, their 106.5 DRtg should. That's better than the Kings. Only the Nets force more turnovers than the Trailblazers and that can be attributed to their incredible ability to steal the ball. As of the end of the season, they were the clear league leader with 10.7 per game. While they have 2 players who get over 2spg, a lot of their success can be attributed to their big men who average an inordinate amount. Especially their bench players. Portland also does a solid job controlling the boards and keeping teams off the FT line.
5. Boston Celtics
I believe the saying goes, "Defense wins championships." In the case of the Boston Celtics, it doesn't even get you into the playoffs. I had to do a double take once I realized that a team that didn't even make the playoffs actually made the top 5 of these rankings. At least they know where they need to improve next year. Regardless, the Celtics sport an impressive 50.6% oTS% and a defensive rating of 108.2. The Celtics do a great job limiting their opponents assists and rebounds. I don't believe AK-47 spent the entire season with them, but next year he will keep this team a defensive force.
6. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks GM is really confident in his teams defense, and for good reason. They allow a remarkably low 47 rebounds per game (league best), only 93.3oPPG (2nd in the league), and allow a little less than 86 possession per game (1st in the league). All of those stats sound like we're talking about the best team in the league, but the Mavericks have one glaring hole. They don't force turnovers at all. They finished the season averaging a piss poor 11.9 oTOPG, 3rd worst in the league. This is despite having a top 10 shot blocker in Emeka Okafor. This source of this problem can be traced to the Mavericks weak bench. They have no one off that bench who forces any kind of turnovers and it hurts the team. Otherwise they compare favorably to the Miami Heat.
7. Houston Rockets
The Rockets are not a great defensive team, but they are pretty good. This team falls right where you'd expect (7th) in forcing turnovers and is tied with Portland and Milwaukee with a 50.9% oTS%. A defensive rating of 107.9 also falls into the 7th slot. This team deserves it's ranking. Though the team should face a penalty because I'm pretty sure Etan Thomas starts.
8. Orlando Magic
The Magic are the first team in the power rankings that doesn't have a oTS% under 51%. In fact they sit right at that number. Sporting a impressive defensive rating of 107.8, the Magic get it done. All while only allowing 96.6ppg (6th in the league). Orlando's biggest weakness is at the 3 point line, where they are 27th in the league allowing teams to shoot 39.7%.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
#9 in the rankings, #1 in our hearts, there is no team in the history of life better at what they do than the Bucks are at being the 9th best defensive team in the league. Kru we do it all for you. Will you be my boo? Scooby Doo? Bucks are also a solid team on defense. Defensive rating of 108.9 and 15.7 takeaways per game (blocks + steals). They do a solid job limiting their opponents opportunities to score. Jimmer Fredette is undoubtedly the team's defensive leader.
10. Seattle Supersonics
The Sonics are really on an island at the 10th spot. They aren't on the level of the Bucks, but they are better than every team below them by a good margin. This team sports an impressive defensive rating of 107.8, tied for the Magic for top 5 in the league. What drops them to the bottom of the top 10 because of their less than impressive 51.4% oTS%, which is right around the league average. They fall right around 10th in rebounds and assists allowed per game. The Sonics are one of few teams left that actually sport multiple A-/A defenders. Probably why they are 4th in the league in takeaways (steals+blocks).
11. New Jersey Nets
The Nets fall right in the middle of the league in most defensive categories. But the thing that allows them to be 11th is there insane ability to force turnovers. As of Day 110, they forced a league leading 14.9oTOPG. The two teams behind them, Portland and LA (not the Clippers). Favors sets the pace defensively controlling the paint with 3.2 bpg. The team also sports many perimeter defenders who get a around a steal and a half a game. What the Nets do poorly is box out. They allow a terrible 55.2 rpg (3rd worst). The next closest team averages 53.2.
12. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are one of the few remaining teams that allow under 51% oTS%. This team sports an impressive 7 A- defenders. Their problem is they are also at the top of the league at allowing the opponent opportunities to score. Meaning at the pace they play at, they don't force enough turnovers. Otherwise, we might be talking about a top 10 defense. They also are in the bottom 5 of the league in terms of allowing rebounds.
13. Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks are an interesting case. While having a GM that is a cross between Denzel Washington and Brad Pitt, this team is a middle of the road defense. They are top 5 in points allow and rebounds allowed, but that seems to be more a result of their pace than defensive excellence. They allow around the league average in oTS% at 51.3%. A big problem this team has is blocking shots, which happens when your front court blows fat Oprah ass.
14. Utah Jazz
Want to know why the Jazz are at the bottom of the league? They allow their opponents over 95 possession a game. By comparison the league average is 90. They fall in a respective range with a oTS% of 51 and a defensive rating of 110, but allowing your opponents that many chances to score will not win you games. Not to mention this team is a bunch of hacks with 30.9 oFTAPG.
15. New York Knicks
oTS%: 51.6, DRtg: 109.5
Knicks fall around the middle for every category. Definition of an average defense.
16. Indiana Pacers
oTS%: 51.6, DRtg: 109.5
The league average for opponent 3 point percentage is a little less than 38. The Pacers allow a league best 42. You have three point shooters and you will beat this team.
17. Chicago Bulls
oTS%: 51.4%, DRtg: 109.6
The Bull are the only team that allows less than 50 rebounds per game to allow over 100ppg.
18. Minnesota Timberwolves
oTS%: 51.9, DRtg: 109.9
The Timberwolves are actually top 10 in oPPG, top 10 in oTOPG and top 5 in oAPG. Their downfall is the low true shooting percentage.
19. San Antonio Spurs
oTS%: 52.4, DRtg: 110.3
5th in the league in forcing turnovers. 6th worse in the league in oFG%.
20. New Orleans Hornets
oTS%: 52.6, DRtg: 111.1
The Hornets are actually one of the leagues better teams limiting the other teams scoring opportunities. Unfortunately for them, their defense allows their opponents to shoot in the top 10 of all the shooting categories (FG%, 3P%, and FT%).
21. Philadelphia 76ers
oTS%: 52.2, DRtg: 112.2
When the 76ers do not force a turnover, the opposing team will score 45% of the time. They also allow the most points per game in the league.
22. Phoenix Suns
oTS%: 52.6, DRtg: 112.4
While cracking the top 10 in steals per game, the Suns are also in the bottom 7 of oAPG and oRPG
23. Detroit Pistons
oTS%: 52.4, DRtg: 113.3
The Pistons are 4th in possession allowed directly behind the Lakers. Contrary to the Lakers, they allow 2 % higher of a oTS% and with a mesely 4.4 bpg (25th in the league).
24. Washington Bullets
oTS%: 52.4, DRtg: 113.7
Tied for dead last in the league in forcing turnovers with the Cavaliers.
25. Cleveland Cavaliers
oTS%: 52.6%, DRtg:113
The Cavailers don't force turnovers and can't stop opponents when they get shots up. But they are 7th in the league in oRPG.
26. Golden State Warriors
oTS%: 52.7, DRtg: 112.9
The Warriors biggest defensive hindrance is their offense. They are also 22nd in the league in o3P% and 28th in the league in oFT%.
27. Memphis Grizzlies
oTS%: 52.8, DRtg: 112.5
The Grizzlies, like the Warriors, are victims of a slow pace and bad offense. The Grizzlies are 27th in the league in FG% while being 2nd in the league in oFAPG.
28. Toronto Raptors
oTS%: 53.7, DRtg: 114.8
29. Los Angeles Clippers
oTS%: 54, DRtg: 114.8
It's actually quite impressive how bad each of these teams are on defense. These teams fell at the respective places in every statistical category I calculated. That's right, the Clippers came in last every damn time. The problem with these teams is that they allow teams to score often and efficiently. Both of these teams is a full percentage away from the next closest team. Applaud these men.
Yao Ming averages more blocks than either the Raptors or Clippers entire teams.
