I think Powell is a solid team defender.
There are certain things he does really well but he's also limited by lack of size and probably instinct.
I doubt you'll find many players who are more prepared & I'm sure he executes the game plan. But he's not gifted defensively. He's a role player. A hard worker. An energy guy. There's nothing wrong with that. A team needs that.
I honestly think people often get hung up on too much individual this-or-that when discussing role players.
So when you say "y'all actually thing Dwight is a good defender" I say ... well yeah, I guess, sure he is.
Is he going to shut down Anthony Davis one on one? Of course not. But who will? Defense (and basketball) is a team thing.
Will teams game plan to put Powell in pick & roll to exploit his weaknesses? Well, sure they will. But that doesn't mean the entire defense will break down. Pick & roll coverage involves tactics and multiple players. What Powell gives away in length maybe he makes up for with good positioning. And like embellisher says, KP & Kleber are the rim protectors on this team.
There are certain things he does really well but he's also limited by lack of size and probably instinct.
I doubt you'll find many players who are more prepared & I'm sure he executes the game plan. But he's not gifted defensively. He's a role player. A hard worker. An energy guy. There's nothing wrong with that. A team needs that.
I honestly think people often get hung up on too much individual this-or-that when discussing role players.
So when you say "y'all actually thing Dwight is a good defender" I say ... well yeah, I guess, sure he is.
Is he going to shut down Anthony Davis one on one? Of course not. But who will? Defense (and basketball) is a team thing.
Will teams game plan to put Powell in pick & roll to exploit his weaknesses? Well, sure they will. But that doesn't mean the entire defense will break down. Pick & roll coverage involves tactics and multiple players. What Powell gives away in length maybe he makes up for with good positioning. And like embellisher says, KP & Kleber are the rim protectors on this team.