12-09-2024, 09:54 AM
(12-09-2024, 12:24 AM)Dundalis Wrote: Not sure that's representative of the difference defensively between Lively and Gafford though. Gafford had the superior defensive rating last season and better net rating. Gafford's defensive rating is 5 points worse this season than last. Lively is clearly the better all round defender, but I do expect the data to even out a lot more as the season goes on. Gaff has more weaknesses that can be exploited compared to Lively, but he is still absolutely a positive interior defender, and defended field goal differentials still bears that out.
It's ok that you're not sure. People can disagree, and I am sure. Both players are effective shot deterrents in the paint (Lively's better at that, too, but that's not the different part), but good ball movement really exploits Gafford quite easily, and it's drastically more easy for the opponent to generate open 3's when he's in the game (which is what they're all trying to do in the first place).