Last year we were at the top of the league in defensive rating after Jan 1: [https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/nba-team-defensive-rating-rankings-since-january-1st-2023](https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/nba-team-defensive-rating-rankings-since-january-1st-2023). Pat Bev didn’t come along until late February so this wasn’t just a Pat Bev effect. Adding Carter and Craig, it seems they can only help.
Any thoughts on whether we can start strong on the defensive end this year?
by bizzbyster
5 Comments
The newcomers are good defenders but I wonder who will play the DJJ role this year, if anyone. He was really good as a small ball, switchable center. Don’t really have a direct replacement
I h8 Billy but you got give him credit we’ve someone had a solid defensive ratings the past few years with him here
You don’t just fall into a top 5 defense by accident and they didn’t really make any big moves, so I don’t see why not. Craig and Carter ARE as good on defense as Pat Bev and DJJ, so I don’t see why we couldn’t maintain a top defense. If Patrick Williams comes off the bench, he can play that DJJ role if the other team goes with a small second unit.
It’s the offense I’m more worried about.
I would describe them more as just “good” rather than elite.
Maybe I still remember the Wolves game where they gave up 140 points in 4 quarters. Even with personnel improvements the players still need to start off with the right mentality on defense.
The real issue is getting the team to a top 15 offense and defense. Our defensive philosophy hurts the offense a bit.