Interesting article.

[alldaboston]

http://uproxx.com/dimemag/cj-mccollum-avery-bradley-best-perimeter-defender-steph-curry/

In wake of mccollums claim about Avery being best on ball defender in the league.  I didn't know averys advanced numbers were so average.

[jambr380]

The author spent the entire article discussing how Avery isn't very good [defensively] by the numbers or by the eye test, but then had this to say in his closing paragraph:

This is not to say that Avery Bradley isn’t an amazing defender and a deserving candidate for an All-Defensive selection when the season ends in less than two weeks. But he’s not the best perimeter defender in the NBA. Sorry C.J.

Like, dude, that is exactly what you are saying - why back off the thesis of your article?

As an aside, I think most of us would disagree and liken Avery more to a guy like Revis - he doesn't get as many INTs as he used to, but WRs certainly don't want anything to do with him. Players know it's going to be a tough night when they go up against Avery, Smart, Crowder, and the rest of the Cs D.

[Greyman]

"Lies, [dang]ed lies and statistics" is how the saying goes. I won't declare outright that AB is the best perimeter defender in the NBA, but the narrow choice of stats and lack of any context (like AB being asked to defend against other teams best offensive players) help to sway this article. Then a couple of clips showing other people doing stuff. None showing AB stuffing up or any showing AB doing things that other players don't do as well or often. With selective choice of stats and clips you can prove almost anything.

[RockinRyA]

"Lies, [dang]ed lies and statistics" is how the saying goes. I won't declare outright that AB is the best perimeter defender in the NBA, but the narrow choice of stats and lack of any context (like AB being asked to defend against other teams best offensive players) help to sway this article. Then a couple of clips showing other people doing stuff. None showing AB stuffing up or any showing AB doing things that other players don't do as well or often. With selective choice of stats and clips you can prove almost anything.

Thing is statistics has to go hand in hand with actual play, or there's something wrong with the statistic. If I was playing I'd know who it is that makes my life harder, regardless if I make these shots or not. Its kinda like the the situation of GS right now, stats say they're winning easily, but why do their fans think its taking a toll on them? Its because they have to play harder because they get teams best shot every single game. Just like Bradley, he makes players give their best shot coz if not they're getting shut down.

[BornReady]

Stats and advanced stats don't reflect the true value and defense
While I agree that Bradley is not the best on ball defender in the league
I think that would probably go to kawhii or tony Allen

But Bradley is clearly an elite defender despite stats mentioned and is deserving of a all defense spot

[Denis998]

I think having a great bench skews the drpm

[Chief]

I'll listen to what good nba players say over analyzing stats.

[loco_91]

Individual defensive stats can be unreliable. I'm not sure AB is the best perimeter in the league but he's definitely one of the best. Fact is that this is one of the best defensive teams in the league without having a defensive center, and I'm prone to believe that AB is a big part of that.

[Eddie20]

Stats and advanced stats don't reflect the true value and defense
While I agree that Bradley is not the best on ball defender in the league
I think that would probably go to kawhii or tony Allen

But Bradley is clearly an elite defender despite stats mentioned and is deserving of a all defense spot

Tony Allen's D isn't what it used to be. I mean he's now 34.

[timpiker]

The author of the article lost my attention when he wrote "because new stuff always freaks out older people ".  Uh no, so sorry but older people like me refuse to believe the number-games you young people throw around that sometimes makes no sense whatsoever.  People try to make up BS number-games to justify the BS they're throwing around.  The eye test means more to me because I can see for myself how AB fights over picks and sticks to his guys like glue. 
Notice the other day when LeBum passed Oscar on the all-time scoring list?  No way no how is LeBum now better than Oscar.  Stats?  Numbers?  This what's wrong with stats.  LeBum couldn't hold Oscar's jock.

[Dino Pitino]

I think having a great bench skews the drpm

I generally trust RPM but this is a good point. The algorithm doesn't understand that when Bradley sits, it's often for an even better all-around defender in Smart, right?

[Vermont Green]

Stats have an element of confirmation bias to them.  When I watch Bradley play, I see a very tenacious and effective defender.  In order to avoid fouling out of every game I believe, he does not crank it up all the time but he certainly does against Curry.

I don't understand why the DRPM numbers seem off from what you see on the court.  I think the point about Smart is a good one.  When there is this kind of difference between the stats and the eye test, I tend to go with my eyes.

[#1P4P]

in this case, I'll rely on the opinion of the NBA Shooting Guard that has the firsthand experience of being defended by Bradley on multiple occasions over the writer using a statistic that lacks situational context...

[mctyson]

it is very hard to quantify one player's individual defense, especially a guard.  But I do remember one stat from the Sloan conference that said that Bradley and Sullinger were #1 in the NBA as a duo for "going over the screen" in a screen-n-roll.

[billysan]

I'll listen to what good nba players say over analyzing stats.

Well said Chief. TP4U