Defense: Rondo vs. Westbrook

[blake]

So, I'm currently in an argument about with a buddy about Rondo being a top 5 pg that you would start your team with.  The conversation has meandered to "westbrooke is a better on the ball defender than Rondo".  Is there any statistics that can prove Rondo is better?  His whole argument is that Rondo is better because of the big 3.  He thinks that Rondo is somewhere around 10th in the league without them.

[D Dub]

I'm pretty sure Rondo led the league in steals, and broke the Celtic single season record for steals as well.

It's also worth pointing out that Rondo was named 1st team All NBA Defense this year. 

[blake]

TP....Done and done.  His logic is that Rondo leads in steals because he gambles too much and that he was put on the all defense team because of his stats, not because he is a better on the ball defender....maybe I'm just dealing with a moron friend.

[Roy Hobbs]

There really aren't many good defensive stats that actually measure impact. 

You can look at "Opponent Production" at 82games.com, but those stats seem flawed.  Still, those stats show that Rondo held opposing PGs to fewer points and fewer assists than Westbrook:

http://www.82games.com/0910/09BOS2.HTM#bypos

http://www.82games.com/0910/09OKC5.HTM#bypos

The problem with those stats is that if you look at enough players, you'll see anomalies, where poor defenders look good and good defenders look bad.

[BballTim]

  As Roy pointed out, Westbrook's opponents seem to get more points, rebounds and assists than Rondo's. Also, Westbrook's opponents commit fewer turnovers, shoot a slightly higher fg% and take slightly more of their shots from the inside.

  Aside from that, though, even if you think Westbrook is a slightly better on the ball defender, that doesn't make him a better defender, kind of like how Ray Allen being a better shooter than LeBron doesn't make him a better scorer. Rondo was first team all-defense (I think 2nd or 3rd highest vote total) and finished 4th or 5th in defensive player of the year. In both cases he received more votes than any other guard (shooting guard or point guard).

[blake]

TPs...perfect guys...this should be enough.  I doubt he will go into the stats to see the anomalies.  I appreciate the help.

[PosImpos]

Just don't show him video of Game 4 as proof....