Perimeter D is vastly overrated and overvalued

[ballin]

Unfortunately, as a team we've invested heavily in guys whose value largely resides in their perimeter defense (Rondo and Bradley).

What has that investment gotten us? A defensive rating of 112.4, which is good for the 27th worst in the league. Clearly, something is not adding up. And that something is the perceived value of perimeter defense versus its actual value.

In today's game, the rules have made it impossible to stop perimeter penetration 1v1. That USED to be the area where perimeter defense was invaluable; since shots at the rim and in the paint are the most valuable, keeping players out of the paint is a really, really huge deal. But the lack of hand checking and the quick whistle for any contact whatsoever on a drive to the rim has made it so that the true value of perimeter defense is relegated to 1) close-outs on three point attempts 2) steals. The inability of individual defenders to prevent penetration has meant that, instead of preventing shots in the paint, teams have to rely fully on contesting shots in the paint. If you've ever wondered why having a shot blocker was so necessary, that's why: it's the only weapon teams currently have to stem an endless tide of layups and trips to the free throw line.

Because it's so easy to for a wing player to get into the paint, even against elite defenders, playing someone tight on the perimeter actually only encourages driving to the rim. So without a shot blocker, elite perimeter defenders can ironically worsen the defense. Their value can only be realized if the offensive player is unenthusiastic about driving into the paint in the first place (due to a shot blocker's presence, for example). So not only is perimeter defense overrated, it doesn't really even help unless there's a strong rim protector present.

I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but this team needs to do anything to get a rim protector, and should stop eating up cap space on guys who are barely going to impact the defensive end.