Bazz is the worst defender in the entire NBA based on DRPM

[Monster]

I spent a bunch of the first chunk of the season watching Martin and Bazz play defense and Martin was light years better on that end and likely was the reason he was getting minutes over Bazz who was brutal. Now lately I try and keep and Eye on Bazz and it's been better. He doesn't get lost as easily when guys use screens. If he just has to guard a guy straight up off the dribble he is pretty decent. His rotations are better his team defense is better. Is he good on that end? No but the gap has closed he is no longer clearly the worst defender on the team (unless you count Tyus but he has played limited minutes). Bazz's defense has become less of a liability and he has brought a lot more to the table trying to make the right plays (passing) that Sam said he was asking of him. Let's be honest here the guys that play good defense on this team a majority of the possessions...the list is pretty small. I honestly shudder to think what this team would be without Tay even though it would mean more minutes for Bazz who I like but understand his flaws.

[TAFKASP]

I spent a bunch of the first chunk of the season watching Martin and Bazz play defense and Martin was light years better on that end and likely was the reason he was getting minutes over Bazz who was brutal. Now lately I try and keep and Eye on Bazz and it's been better. He doesn't get lost as easily when guys use screens. If he just has to guard a guy straight up off the dribble he is pretty decent. His rotations are better his team defense is better. Is he good on that end? No but the gap has closed he is no longer clearly the worst defender on the team (unless you count Tyus but he has played limited minutes). Bazz's defense has become less of a liability and he has brought a lot more to the table trying to make the right plays (passing) that Sam said he was asking of him. Let's be honest here the guys that play good defense on this team a majority of the possessions...the list is pretty small. I honestly shudder to think what this team would be without Tay even though it would mean more minutes for Bazz who I like but understand his flaws.

Flip brought Tay and Dre here not specifically to mentor, but to compete because once again he expected this team to challenge for the playoffs. The question at this point is will Bazz learn more watching Tay play actual defense, or will he learn more on the floor playing through mistakes? I have no idea what the answer is, but I have come to the conclusion that this proverbial fork we keep talking about is the only one tonged fork in the entire world.

[Brooklyn_Wolves [enjin:14608167]]

Rubio was 15th.
Dieng was 40th.

But Dieng is turrible defender... how's that even possible.

[Porckchop]

Shabazz has also worked hard to have an NBA body . When he got here the perception was he was lazy cuz he was out of shape. He has obviously worked hard to lose that misconception. As a back up all u can look for is a handful of skills he brings to the table and that he hustles every night. And I think he does that . Better than a Mark Madsen that works hard but brings zero skill set to the equation.
If people are willing to look past Rickys faults becuz he always brings hustle and heart every night than we should look past his issues a bit too . I don't think you can ever fault Shabazzs effort

[TAFKASP]

Shabazz has also worked hard to have an NBA body . When he got here the perception was he was lazy cuz he was out of shape. He has obviously worked hard to lose that misconception. As a back up all u can look for is a handful of skills he brings to the table and that he hustles every night. And I think he does that . Better than a Mark Madsen that works hard but brings zero skill set to the equation.

I agree, especially given his bench role. There is no such thing as a complete bench player outside of the rare 6th man of the year types. Bazz has a skill every team covets, what he needs are players around him that compliment his strengths and compensate for his weaknesses. There is not a defensive minded player on the second unit, if they had a couple then Bazz's weakness would be less troubling.

If people are willing to look past Rickys faults becuz he always brings hustle and heart every night than we should look past his issues a bit too . I don't think you can ever fault Shabazzs effort

I would say Bazz's weaknesses are easier to live with given his role and minutes. Oddly on the first unit he has much the same problem as Bazz, players that not only don't compliment his strengths, they don't compensate for his weakness.

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Shabazz has also worked hard to have an NBA body . When he got here the perception was he was lazy cuz he was out of shape. He has obviously worked hard to lose that misconception. As a back up all u can look for is a handful of skills he brings to the table and that he hustles every night. And I think he does that . Better than a Mark Madsen that works hard but brings zero skill set to the equation.
If people are willing to look past Rickys faults becuz he always brings hustle and heart every night than we should look past his issues a bit too . I don't think you can ever fault Shabazzs effort

I agree on Shabazz's work ethic and hustle. The difference between him and Rubio is that one actually makes his team better when he's on the court and the other doesn't. That kinda matters.

[Porckchop]

Shabazz has also worked hard to have an NBA body . When he got here the perception was he was lazy cuz he was out of shape. He has obviously worked hard to lose that misconception. As a back up all u can look for is a handful of skills he brings to the table and that he hustles every night. And I think he does that . Better than a Mark Madsen that works hard but brings zero skill set to the equation.
If people are willing to look past Rickys faults becuz he always brings hustle and heart every night than we should look past his issues a bit too . I don't think you can ever fault Shabazzs effort

I agree on Shabazz's work ethic and hustle. The difference between him and Rubio is that one actually makes his team better when he's on the court and the other doesn't. That kinda matters.

Again, Shabazz comes off the bench in a much more limited role playing with much more limited players . A wing off the bench isn't coming into the game to make others better. He's coming in to score and keep the game within reach while starters rest . It's not unheard of that a starting PG makes teammates better more so than a back up wing .

I don't thing anyone would argue that Paul isnt better than Jamaal Crawford. But what Crawford brings to the table is still incredibly important to that team.
Yes yes I know, Shabazz isnt Crawford . But the difference between Jamaal and Paul is probably pretty close to the difference between Ricky and Shabazz

[Q12543 [enjin:6621299]]

Shabazz has also worked hard to have an NBA body . When he got here the perception was he was lazy cuz he was out of shape. He has obviously worked hard to lose that misconception. As a back up all u can look for is a handful of skills he brings to the table and that he hustles every night. And I think he does that . Better than a Mark Madsen that works hard but brings zero skill set to the equation.
If people are willing to look past Rickys faults becuz he always brings hustle and heart every night than we should look past his issues a bit too . I don't think you can ever fault Shabazzs effort

I agree on Shabazz's work ethic and hustle. The difference between him and Rubio is that one actually makes his team better when he's on the court and the other doesn't. That kinda matters.

Again, Shabazz comes off the bench in a much more limited role playing with much more limited players . A wing off the bench isn't coming into the game to make others better. He's coming in to score and keep the game within reach while starters rest . It's not unheard of that a starting PG makes teammates better more so than a back up wing .

I don't thing anyone would argue that Paul isnt better than Jamaal Crawford. But what Crawford brings to the table is still incredibly important to that team.
Yes yes I know, Shabazz isnt Crawford . But the difference between Jamaal and Paul is probably pretty close to the difference between Ricky and Shabazz

In the context of an instant-offense bench player, I don't disagree with what you are saying. The issue is we need quality starters on this team that can play both ways - and are under 35! The fact we are so reliant on Prince and KG to have any semblance of a defense is very problematic to me. Shabazz is such a liability defensively, he pretty much has limited himself to the role you describe. He'll make a good living doing it, but it really doesn't help us out much.

[Porckchop]

Shabazz has also worked hard to have an NBA body . When he got here the perception was he was lazy cuz he was out of shape. He has obviously worked hard to lose that misconception. As a back up all u can look for is a handful of skills he brings to the table and that he hustles every night. And I think he does that . Better than a Mark Madsen that works hard but brings zero skill set to the equation.
If people are willing to look past Rickys faults becuz he always brings hustle and heart every night than we should look past his issues a bit too . I don't think you can ever fault Shabazzs effort

I agree on Shabazz's work ethic and hustle. The difference between him and Rubio is that one actually makes his team better when he's on the court and the other doesn't. That kinda matters.

Again, Shabazz comes off the bench in a much more limited role playing with much more limited players . A wing off the bench isn't coming into the game to make others better. He's coming in to score and keep the game within reach while starters rest . It's not unheard of that a starting PG makes teammates better more so than a back up wing .

I don't thing anyone would argue that Paul isnt better than Jamaal Crawford. But what Crawford brings to the table is still incredibly important to that team.
Yes yes I know, Shabazz isnt Crawford . But the difference between Jamaal and Paul is probably pretty close to the difference between Ricky and Shabazz

In the context of an instant-offense bench player, I don't disagree with what you are saying. The issue is we need quality starters on this team that can play both ways - and are under 35! The fact we are so reliant on Prince and KG to have any semblance of a defense is very problematic to me. Shabazz is such a liability defensively, he pretty much has limited himself to the role you describe. He'll make a good living doing it, but it really doesn't help us out much.

And I wouldn't argue with you. I was simply sticking up for Shabazz and what his current role on this team was. And he's currently not the quality 2 way starter that your searching for. I think we can find that guy without having to lose a bench guy still on his rookie contract .

[TeamRicky [enjin:6648771]]

When Bazz's minutes go up so do the losses. I don't mind this year since Bazz playing 20+ minutes a game = more losses = more ping pong balls = Ingram = Adios Bazz it was nice to know you.