The following is an excerpt from an article in "The Athletic." It was based on a confidential head coaches poll identifying the best defenders in the NBA. Not surprisingly no T-Wolf players are listed among the best. However, we have two listed among the up-and-comers.
Defensive up-and-comers
The coaches were also asked to identify a few of the young players in the league who could one day enter this conversation about the league's best defensive players. Here are some of those promising youngsters.
Jarrett Allen, Cleveland (23 years old): "Not only a rebounder, but he protects the rim."
Luguentz Dort, Oklahoma City (22): "(He's) all effort all the time, into the basketball. At his size, (he has) great lateral quickness. ... He just never gives up. I still think he has played James Harden the best of anybody in a playoff series the last five years. Since James' emergence, I don't think anybody played him defensively like Dort did in the bubble."
Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia (24): "Every time I turn on (a) Philadelphia (game), he's making unbelievable, athletic second- and third-effort defensive plays. ... I would guess that most of his blocks come from behind when he runs somebody off the 3-point line and 'rearview' challenges. His length and closing speed is really big-time. It changes the game. Play passing lanes and play with his hands -- he's special."
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota (20): "He has some length and ability to be a guy like that. That team impressed me for the length they have."
Dejounte Murray, San Antonio (24): "He will get into the basketball, get over screens."
Josh Okogie, Minnesota (22): "He has great balance and he gets into you. (He's one of) those guys that know they're defensive players and they take that mentality on and say I'm going to be a defender first."
Two Wolves on Coaches Poll of Up and Coming Defenders
Re: Two Wolves on Coaches Poll of Up and Coming Defenders
Maybe worth noting that none of those guys are lottery picks with I believe 2 guys picked the highest at #20.
You missed posting about Wiggins getting 1 vote for 2nd team all defense.
You missed posting about Wiggins getting 1 vote for 2nd team all defense.
Re: Two Wolves on Coaches Poll of Up and Coming Defenders
monsterpile wrote:Maybe worth noting that none of those guys are lottery picks with I believe 2 guys picked the highest at #20.
You missed posting about Wiggins getting 1 vote for 2nd team all defense.
Lol. If Rosas hadn't done the DLO trade, we'd have two up-and-coming defenders and a vet with 1 vote for 2nd team all defense. Ah, to think about what might have been! :)