honnestly kawhi until the last two season is the only guy i can name a true LOCKDOWN defender..
and it's devastating on you physically to have to anticipate someone's movement.. move fast then them to block their path.. most good defenders will do it a few possessions
butler, PG, Chris paul.. all lock down defenders but even they will take possessions off... shyt is tiring.
lebron was better than kawhi 2 season ago on defense but it went unnoticed
The usual field goal percent of the shooter that the player is defending
LeBron - 44.8%
Kawhi - 44.9%
Defense Dashboard
2pt FGs - Players shot 8.2% worse than their average when defended by LeBron
2pt FGs - Players shot 7.3% worse than their average when defended by Kawhi
3pt FGs - Players shots 2.7% worse than their average when defended by LeBron
3pt FGs - Players shot 1.3% worse than their average when defended by Kawhi
Overall - Players shot 7.4% worse than their average when defended by LeBron on 8.4 Defended FGs Per Game
Overall - Players shot 5.7% worse than their average when defended by Kawhi on 9.4 Defended FGs Per Game
Play type
When they were the closest isolation defender
LeBron - 69 possessions, .59 points per possession allowed, 28.8% eFG
Kawhi - 61 possessions, .69 points per possession allowed, 31% eFG
When they were the closest defender to the PnR ball handler
LeBron - 144 possessions, .66 ppp allowed, 37.1 eFG
Kawhi - 243 possessions, .65 ppp allowed, 35.8 eFG
When they were the roll man defender
LeBron - 10 possessions, .7 ppp, 38.9 eFG
Kawhi - 30 possessions, .5 ppp, 27.8 eFG
Post defense
LeBron - 43 possessions, .77 ppp, 40 eFG
Kawhi - 31 possessions, .77 ppp, 41.7 eFG
On spot up shooters
LeBron - 210 possessions, .8 ppp, 41.6 eFG
Kawhi - 200 possessions, .88 ppp, 43.6 eFG
Hand-offs
LeBron - 43 possessions, .49 ppp, 33.9 eFG
Leonard - 58 possessions, .72 ppp, 39.5 eFG
Off screens
LeBron - 78 possessions, .74 ppp, 40.8 eFG
Kawhi - 96 possessions, 1.05 ppp, 51.2 eFG
Undeniable PROOF LeBron is the best defender in the NBA... GOAT Level Defense - Message Board Basketball Forum - InsideHoops
2016 playoffs
LeBron 2016 Playoffs (21 games)
3.2/10.2 Defensive FGs defended
Overall, held opponents to
31.8% FG (Their average FG% was 45.9%
This is a differential of -14.1% (He held opponents to -14.8% their average FG%), which is by far the best mark... For comparison, Draymond was next best at -8.4%
SOURCE:
http://stats.nba.com/defensivehub/#!...?sort=GP&dir=1
To break it down even further to perimeter defense and Rim protection..
3PT DEFENSE
LeBron was the Cavs best 3pt defender, and along with Livingtson and context taken into account, the best 3pt defenders
0.9/3.8 Defensive Field Goals Defended
Held opponent 3pt shooters to
24.1% (Their average 3PT% was 36.7%)
This is a differential of -12.6%
Only one guy who played 15+ playoff games (Shawn Livingston) had a slightly better differential (Abet on lower volume)
SOURCE:
http://stats.nba.com/defensivehub/#!...USMINUS&dir=-1
RIM PROTECTION
1.4/3.3 Defensive Field Goals Defended
Held opponents at the rim to
43.5%
The best rim protection % on the Cavs
For reference Bogut held opponents to 46.6%, and Tristan Thompson 49.2%
SOURCE:
http://stats.nba.com/defensivehub/#!...&sort=GP&dir=1
Finals Averages...
2.3 Blocks a game
2.6 Steals a game
2016 Playoff Averages
2.3 Steals a game
1.3 Blocks a game
In the last 3 games,
LeBron averaged 3 blocks and 3 steals per game
