This season, Rudy Gobert is ranking 2nd in the NBA with an average of 2.8 blocks.
When the NBA released the second fan returns of All-Star Voting 2021 presented by AT&T last week, two players were conspicuously absent from the Top 10 at their respective positions.
Both are members of top contending teams. They both have proven All-Star credentials, hence, considering either of them as a stretch or an afterthought would be inappropriate. Their current seasons are matching or even surpassing their previous performances.
Despite their skills, Rudy Gobert and Ben Simmons were missing from the top 10 players in their respective positions – Gobert in the Western Conference frontcourt and Simmons in the Eastern Conference backcourt – after two weeks of vote counting. Interestingly, Simmons’ position dropped from No. 10 in the first week to lower than that in the updated totals.
This serves as a potent reminder: Offense is highly marketable, whereas defense is just average.
Simmons and Gobert are among the NBA’s most accomplished and efficient defenders, crucial in their roles on the defensive end of the court, as recognized by basketball coaches at all levels. However, they are not just defensive players; they both have significant offensive roles for their respective teams, the Philadelphia 76ers for Simmons and the Utah Jazz for Gobert.
However, it is in defense that they truly excel. Yet, they cannot receive more All-Star voting appreciation than players like Andrew Wiggins, Christian Wood, Collin Sexton, Russell Westbrook (2020-21 edition), or at least 16 others in their positions.
It’s almost like an updated version of the old baseball saying from 60 or 70 years ago, “Home run hitters drive Cadillacs, singles hitters drive Fords.” Or MLB’s 1999 variation (now considered embarrassing, in the wake of steroids scandals), “Chicks dig the long ball” bit.
In the current NBA, it’s safe to state that fans are fond of the 3-pointers, which are being scored from all angles by everyone. There’s no equivalent in the automobile world, as any NBA contracted player can drive any car of their choosing. However, one thing is certain: higher scoring increases ratings and online engagement.
Think about this: Last week, ten players were leading in their positions as preliminary starters – three in each frontcourt, two in each backcourt, five in each conference. Eight of them were ranked in the top 10 for points per game. All ten were ranked in the top 16, including LeBron James who was the overall vote getter and was ranked 16th with 25.5 points per game.
The second returns for #NBAAllStar Voting presented by AT&T!
VOTE NOW on https://t.co/LJPDRHEugp, the NBA App or on Twitter using #NBAAllStar #FirstNameLastName.
️: https://t.co/CXy9KEYXBe pic.twitter.com/Gv5wGSY55I
— NBA (@NBA) February 11, 2021
From a particular perspective, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. All-Star Games emphasize scoring, which is the most reliable route to fame in this league. Moreover, people’s preferences become apparent when they vote.
However, while numerous people perceive All-Star invitations as recognition for exceptional half-seasons, successful wins, or a growing record of basketball achievements, both Gobert and Simmons definitely fit this criteria. Yet, they are unable to break into the Top 10s.
They probably need more than just Simmons’ single 3-point field goal between them.
And given how much they share, maybe Simmons shouldn’t have gotten so, er, offensive about Gobert’s defense Monday night after scoring a career-high 42 against Utah (“I loved it when I saw Rudy was guarding me. … I felt like it was a little bit of a disrespect putting him on me.”). The Jazz, who went with that matchup when Sixers center Joel Embiid did not play, still won the game, after all.
Here are some statistical areas where the two defensive experts excel:
Simmons, a two-time All-Star as well as an All-Defensive Team selection and steals champ in 2019-20, ranked fourth in steals per game (1.7) through weekend action. He was first in deflections per game (4.1) and second in total deflections (98). The 6-foot-11 point guard also was second in loose balls recovered per game (1.5) and overall (36).
Then there’s Gobert, the NBA’s Kia Defensive Player of the Year in 2018 and 2019 and, finally, a 2020 All-Star. He ranked first in defensive rebounds per game (9.8) and third overall (13.4). Second in blocks at 2.8 per game. His defensive rating (98.7) topped all NBA regulars and he ranked fourth in net rating (14.2).
The “Stifle Tower” was second in contested 2-point shots per game (11.6), per NBA.com stats, and third in contested shots overall (14.5 twos and threes). And among centers or forward/centers defending at least 10 shots per game, Gobert ranked first (18.1) and third in defended field-goal percentage, with opponents shooting 41.9% with the Jazz big man focused on them.
All of which helps to explain what we’re doing here. We already have the Kia Race To The MVP Ladder here, as well as the Kia Rookie Ladder to track the season-long jockeying for recognition among the league’s most valuable players and top newcomers. It seems appropriate that if we truly value the other half of the game, as we’re instructed constantly by coaches and many players, we have a regular round-up of some of the NBA’s best at thwarting all that marvelous scoring.
It’s up to the conference coaches to decide whether to acknowledge top defenders like Gobert and Simmons as All-Stars when they vote for All-Star reserves. Although analytics and its most passionate supporters are somewhat restricted in extracting data that fully reflects the defensive influence of individuals in a team sport, we will refer to, but not solely rely on, statistics.
We aim to measure the performance of both bigs and perimeter players, mirroring the challenge faced by NBA Defensive Player of the Year voters. Our assessment will consider various factors, ranging from one-on-one lockdowns to win-loss records, and everything in between – such as specific standout plays or box score statistics.
We aim to focus less on reputation and more on current productivity, though not exclusively or consistently. We will also review nominations on a weekly basis from our readers, who might have been astounded by an impressive defensive performance that we may have overlooked.
There probably will be tweaks to the process and the product as we go, the way a pilot episode roughs out rather than immediately nails the eventual sitcom (remember “The Seinfeld Chronicles?”).
With temporary apologies to Giannis Antetokounmpo (current Kia Defensive Player of the Year), Kawhi Leonard (two-time Defensive Player of the Year), Draymond Green (2017 Defensive Player of the Year), and other potential contenders like Bam Adebayo, Patrick Beverley, Marcus Smart, Jrue Holiday, and many others, we present the Top 5 for the inaugural 2020-21 Defensive Player Ladder.
(All stats through Monday, Feb. 15)
1. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Understanding the defensive influence of Gobert can be daunting. He excels in almost everything he does, as reflected in his stats. His presence on the court boosts the defensive confidence of his four Utah teammates, knowing he’ll cover for their errors. His intimidating presence results in numerous shots and drives being abandoned by opponents, who are reminded of who stands between them, the ball, and the basket. It’s worth noting that Gobert is currently leading this season in dunks, making others suffer in ways he seldom permits.
when you think you have rudy beat: no you don't#NBAAllStar | @rudygoberty27 pic.twitter.com/BoyWSgeQ4o
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) February 3, 2021
2. Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
It wasn’t just Monday that Simmons dissed Gobert as a defensive frat brother. Early in the NBA shutdown last March, he took a drive-by swipe at the Jazz center while immersed in some video gaming. Hey, just like people bring different definitions to the word “valuable” when casting votes or forming opinions about MVP candidates, “defender” can be just as nebulous. The 6-foot-10 Simmons has the skills, height and inclination to tackle any defensive assignment, making nights miserable for individual scorers compared to Gobert making them long for entire teams.
Defense ⟶ Offense@BenSimmons25 x #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/6PtYyVwkln
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 13, 2021
3. Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers
Indiana’s center led the league two seasons ago in blocked shots and blocks per game, and he’s right back there at the top this season with 90 total and a career-best 3.46 per game. That’s the third-highest average in the past 13 seasons, trailing only Hassan Whiteside’s 3.68 in 2015-16 and Serge Ibaka’s 3.65 in 2011-12. Turner and fellow Pacers big Domantas Sabonis have learned to play in tandem, proving naysayers wrong and enabling Sabonis to put up All-Star worthy numbers while Turner handles dirtier work.
️️
MYLES
SHOULD
BE
DPOY@Original_Turner | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/tenuS8PmbT— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 16, 2021
4. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
He might slip off this list for a bit as he nurses his calf/Achilles back to health. So think of this as planting a flag before he goes for Davis, based on his body of work so far in 2020-21 and for the Lakers’ rank as the top team overall in defensive rating (105.1 points allowed per 100 possessions). There’s as big a gap in that category between them and No. 2 Utah (107.4) as there is from Utah to No. 9 San Antonio (109.7). Davis’ ability to guard all five spots if needed, while protecting the rim most nights, explains his second-place finish in DPOY voting last season — as well as why the Lakers will miss him so much as he recuperates for a few weeks from his calf injury/Achilles scare.
That Anthony Davis swat. That LeBron James finish. #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/XlzrHAVOhI
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 5, 2021
5. Lugentz Dort, Oklahoma City Thunder
Dort is here in the inaugural Ladder as a rep for all those players who have made and can make defense their calling card, as they work on the rest of their games. On the night last month when Dort stole the ball six times from Chicago, he also scored 21 points with eight rebounds. On Valentine’s Day against the Bucks, Dort had 19 points, seven boards and two steals. And as a 3-and-D guy, he has hit at least one from the arc in 21 of his 25 appearances. OKC has contested the most shots per game (64.7), grabbed the second-most clutch time steals (12) and rank eighth in recovering 3.4 loose ball defensively. This guy sets the tone for that.
ALWAYS BATTLING
ALWAYS ONWARD@ThunderUp | @luthebeast pic.twitter.com/0ETJjjllaV— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) February 11, 2021
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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.
