Meet
Andrei’s Incredible Defense
Posted by: Andy Larsen on November 13th, 2010
The author's views are entirely his or her own and may not reflect the views of the Utah Jazz.Pick any elite wing defender in the league. Seriously, anyone. Right now, Andrei Kirilenko is playing better defense than whoever you chose. The season is young, and small sample size issues abound, but right now AK is playing the best defense in the league.
Synergy Sports is a scouting company used by 27 NBA teams to track how various players do in certain situations. It keeps video highlights of each NBA play, and then makes them searchable. So, for example, if you’d like to see all of Paul Millsap’s 46 points, all of Kevin Love’s 31 rebounds, all of Deron Williams’ pick and rolls, all of Jefferson’s post defense opportunities, you can watch them. It also keeps track of each player’s success rate in these situations, usually measured in points per possession. For example, when Deron Williams comes off of screens this season, he averages 1.24 points per possession on 53.8% shooting, good for first in the NBA.
We can track defense the same way, and when we do, Andrei Kirilenko shines. So far this season, Andrei has given up 0.79 points per possession when his opponent tries to score, a very good defensive performance. He only allows opponents a 30.6% opposing field goal percentage! These are excellent numbers, and as I reported earlier, I’ve yet to find any wing defender who matches them. But they’re especially impressive because of who Andrei has guarded (must be at least 3 opposing plays to qualify:
Carmelo Anthony: 0-4 FG, 1 turnover forced, 1 foul committed.
Kevin Durant: 5-15 FG, 3 turnovers forced, 2 fouls committed.
Dorell Wright: 1-5 FG, 1 turnover forced.
Ryan Gomes: 0-5 FG.
Blake Griffin: 1-2 FG, 1 foul committed.
Lebron James: 1-7 FG, 2 fouls committed.
Udonis Haslem: 0-3 FG.
That’s insanely good defense against some of the best players in the NBA. As a whole, Kirilenko forced 22 makes and 50 misses on all the players he guarded for the first 7 games.
In particular, his strength has been guarding the top players in isolation sets: he’s only allowed 1 made basket in 17 isolation plays ran against him: a contested 3 by Kevin Durant. He’s also defending screens very well: when guarding the pick and roll, he gives up 0.81 PPP; and off screen shots have been worth 0.8 PPP for Andrei’s opponents.
On the other hand, he hasn’t been as strong against post-ups and spot-up shooters. He’s been above average, certainly, in these categories, but not quite as excellent. He allows post ups to get 0.93 points per possession, and spot up shooters average 1.15 PPP against Andrei’s defense, including 6-14 from 3 point range.
It sums to excellent defense. Here are AK’s overall defensive stats compared to some other elite wing defenders in the NBA:
Kirilenko – 0.79 PPP, 30.6% Opposing FGA
Battier – 0.8 PPP, 38.7% Opposing FGA
Wade – 0.83 PPP, 41.3% Opposing FGA
Artest – 0.85 PPP, 43.1% Opposing FGA
Bryant – 0.87 PPP, 35.5% Opposing FGA
Lebron – 0.88 PPP, 38.6% Opposing FGA
Raja Bell – 0.9 PPP, 41.5% Opposing FGA
Gerald Wallace – 0.91 PPP, 39.2% Opposing FGA
Sefolosha – 1.0 PPP, 42.9% Opposing FGA
Now admittedly, this only describes what has happened so far, and is not necessarily predictive for the year ahead. However, against this level of competition, Andrei deserves to be in the 1st 10% of the season All-Defense Team for his contributions so far.
Replies: 16
Views: 2660
16 Responses
AK is still a key player on the team. I would like to see him resign and retire as a Jazz man.
And they want it to trade AK do you believe that or was it just rumors but even thats wrong, there are few players like him about 5 in the whole league. On a diferent note glad to see Evans back the kid can play just like AK the kid is going to be a very rare player in this league just wait and see.
I noticed that only the Lakers and the Jazz have 2 players in the top tier of wing defenders. This also explains the Jazz’s ability to lock down defend at the end of the games allowing for these amazing come backs. I have a feeling this is going to be a special season. Go Jazz!
@ Brent: That’s mostly just because I only listed players I quickly thought of as elite wing defenders. If there’s anyone else you’re curious about I can pull the stats quickly.
Andy, how about you give the top wing defenders, say top 10-15. Then that can be a comparison, although, I still think Brent has a point. (Although Brent, you are wrong, the Heat have 2 also.)
Great post, Andy! I don’t think Kirilenko gets the credit he deserves. He usually makes a big difference when he is on the court.
Good point Gerald!My bad, I thought Andy gave only the top defenders. Andy, can you pull the numbers for Lebron James, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen from the Celtics and say the top defenders for the Mavericks,Thunder and Blazers in the west and Orlando, Bulls and Bucks in the East?
Hey Andy, I just tried to send you an email on your Jazzbots email that I found on here but it bounced back. I have a really good idea for a post for you but I don’t want to spiel the beens here for another Jazzbot to take advantage of. How can I get you the idea? I think you could make a really good post out of it.
@Gerald: Unfortunately, there’s no list in Synergy where they are ranked, I can only pull up individual defenders and compare them.
@Brent:
Lebron – 0.88 PPP, 38.6% Opposing FGA
Pierce – 0.82 PPP, 39.5% Opposing FGA
Ray Allen – 0.61 PPP, 26.7% Opposing FGA! – Wow, I never thought to compare Ray Allen. 82games.com backs up his defensive performance so far. I think he’s played against lesser competition, though. He’s guarded Wade (held him 1-6, 2 TO, and 2 fouls committed), but other than that: Anthony Parker, Ben Gordon, Carlos Delfino, John Salmons, Kyle Korver, Jason Terry and DeShawn Stevenson. To me, that’s a lesser list than AK’s, but it’s still excellent defense on those players.
Shawn Marion – 0.75 PPP, 32.2% FGA – Again in AK’s realm. He’s guarded Stephen Jackson, Rudy Gay, Al-Farouq Aminu, Carmelo Anthony, Al Harrington, and Paul Pierce. Again, excellent defense, probably lesser competition than AK.
Kevin Durant – 1.03 PPP, 46.2% Opposing FGA
Jeff Green – 1.19 PPP, 54.9% Opposing FGA – Poor defense.
Wesley Matthews – 0.84 PPP, 37.3% Opposing FGA
Batum – 0.97 PPP, 50.6% Opposing FGA
Fernandez – 0.85 PPP, 44.8% Opposing FGA
Vince Carter – 1.21 PPP, 54.7% Opposing FGA
Pietrus – 1.06 PPP, 48.1% Opposing FGA
Deng – 0.81 PPP, 38.5% Opposing FGA
Korver – 0.93 PPP, 42.4% Opposing FGA
Brewer hasn’t really played enough.
Mbah a Moute – 0.84 PPP, 32.5% Opposing FGA
Maggette – 1.03 PPP, 43.8% Opposing FGA
Salmons – 0.77 PPP, 32.6% Opposing FGA – A surprisingly low number, but he’s played against: Marco Belinelli, Trevor Ariza, Wayne Ellington, Stephen Jackson, Brandon Roy (held to 3-6 shooting), Ray Allen (2-6), Paul George, Belinelli again, Willie Green, and Landry Fields. That’s just not very good competition.
I’m really impressed with Ray Allen’s defense, Shawn Marion has been good as well. AK probably has played against the hardest schedule of anyone I’ve seen, however.
Also, my email address is andy@andylarsen.com, for anyone who wants to reach me.
Wow, thats good stuff,thanks for the stats. I figured Bostons wings would be good overall. I am kinda surprised about the lack of D in Orlando for the wings. That tells you how valuable Dwight Howard is doesn’t it?
Andy, I just shot you an email with that idea. Let me know what you think? If its not something you want to write about, its cool, I just thought it could make for a great post if done right.
Nice to have all your knowledge back with Jazzbots! Keep up the good work.
I love your posts Andy.
I have been so impressed by our defense this year and have felt AK has been a key component to it. I’m glad the numbers support my hunch and that you took the time to find the numbers
I am sooooo glad AK is still with us.
Andy,
I was really hoping to see a post with the idea that I emailed over to you. Are you going to write about it?
Sweet breakdown, dude! Keep em comin’.
[...] Hoop Doctors. Breaking down the top guards of all time. Pro tip: Hondo wasn’t a guard.7th: Utah Jazz 360. Andrei Kirilenko has played some amazing defense this year. 8th: Indy Cornrows. The Pacer lineups [...]
[...] Jazz offense and Andrei Kirilenko's defense are very efficient, early this season. (h/t: Kelly [...]