Defensive Categories:
Defensive Consistency:
Kawhi Leonard takes the top spot with a rating of 98. Eight players receive a rating of 90 with CP3 in the mix landing in the 11th position (just ahead of Paul George). With a score of 85, Steven Adams joins 17 other players including three Raptors (Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, and OG Anunoby), and ranks 24th on the list. Lu Dort joins 21 other players with a rating of 80 and ranks 54th. In a bit of surprise, Westbrook has the same rating as Dort.
With a rating of 75, Andre Roberson joins 32 other players placing 85th on the list while SGA is the other Thunder player to make the cut joining ten others who receive a rating of 70 and placing 91st on the list.
Help Defense IQ:
Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and Rudy Gobert each get a 97 rating taking the top three spots. Chris Paul is the top Thunder player on the list ranking 10th while Steven Adams is 12th and both receive a 90 rating. I expected Andre Roberson and Lu Dort to make the list especially with the Thunder ranking seventh defensively on the season but they missed the top 100.
The Bucks, Raptors, Lakers, Celtics, and Clippers were the top five defensive teams and consequently placed multiple players in this category. At the top of the list were the Raptors and Lakers with seven players, the Clippers with six while the Celtics and Bucks had five players each in the top 100.
Interior Defense:
Lakers superstar Anthony Davis takes the top spot with a 97 rating. Steven Adams ties Giannis Antetokounmpo with an 87 rating but places behind the MVP in sixth. Joining Adams is Noel (76) ranking 58th, and Roberson (74) ranking 84th.
Perimeter Defense:
With a 97 rating Kawhi Leonard takes the top spot. The Thunder penchant for defending the perimeter well is showcased by the four players who make the top 100. Chris Paul ranks 10th with a 90 rating, Lu Dort (80) is 51st, Roberson (79) claims the 72nd spot and SGA (78) ranks 74th.
Steal:
Matisse Thybulle takes the category with a rating of 97. Noel is the top Thunder player ranking 19th with a rating of 83. Perennial steal master Chris Paul makes the cut at 42nd on the list and a rating of 73 which is equaled by teammate Lu Dort who ranks 46th. Roberson also makes the grade ranking 80th on the list with a rating of 66.
Block:
Magic big man Mo Bamba ranks first with a 97 rating. The top Thunder player is Noel who ranks 11th (but ties Raptors Chris Boucher who ranks 10th) with a 91 while Adams (74) ranks 77th. Two other OKC players make the top 100 as Bazley (72) ranks 93rd and Roberson (71) ranks 97th.
Hands:
Twelve players collect a rating of 98 with LeBron taking the top spot in this group. Ferguson is the top Thunder player placing 43rd with a rating of 95 and is joined by CP3 (90) who ranks 60th.
It was a bit surprising more Thunder players didn’t make the top 100 since their defense often involved being ‘handsy’ much like the Raptors who landed seven players in the top 100. Similarly, the Celtics have six players, and the 76ers had five players listed in this category..