Key Takeaways:
– Former Miami Heat player Shane Battier highlights a bias towards rim defenders in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.
– Players like Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren largely benefit from this bias, according to Battier.
– Bam Adebayo’s defensive talents are often overlooked due to the lack of flashy statistics such as block and steal numbers.
– The award is voted upon by 124 sportswriters and broadcasters, which brings inherent bias into the decision.
– Advanced stats and tracking now allow for nuanced performance evaluation, shedding light on players’ true defensive prowess.
Defensive Player Selection: A Paradigm Shift Required
Former NBA pro, Shane Battier, has recently questioned the seldom-discussed bias inherent in the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. On “The OGs,” a show hosted by Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller, Battier voiced his concerns about the overwhelming favour given to rim defenders. Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren, according to Battier, are prime beneficiaries of this bias.
A Brief History:
The last 36 winners of the Defensive Player of the Year award have largely been rim protectors, with only five exceptions. These exceptions include legends like Gary Payton, Ron Artest, Kawhi Leonard, and Marcus Smart. This presents a stark picture: an obvious bias towards rim protectors which constitutes 86.2% of the winners. It is these players who dominate the highlight reel, making mighty blocks and steals, whereas players cutting off passing lanes or foiling drives often don’t get the same limelight.
The role of the media:
Adding to this concern is the fact that the award is determined by 124 sportswriters and broadcasters. These individuals often lean towards what sells or what leaves an immediate impression, primarily pushing rim protectors into the spotlight, reinforcing the perceived bias.
Rise of Advanced Statistics:
The player performance evaluation has witnessed a revolution with the introduction of advanced stats and tracking. Instead of focusing solely on flashy stats such as blocks, steals and overall team defence, evaluators can now take into consideration metrics like defended field goal percentage, deflected passes and box outs.
The Rise of Adebayo and the Case of Ignored Peripherals:
Battier used Bam Adebayo, who finished 3rd in the award race, as a prime example of this overlooked defensive prowess. Despite not excelling in traditional stats, Adebayo ranks high in non-traditional stats, securing the second position in NBA box-outs per game – a pivotal part of any successful defensive stand.
Bias or Perception?
While the Defensive Player of the Year award appears to endorse an obvious bias towards rim protectors, it’s imperative to question whether it’s a genuine bias or simply perception shaped by what we’re conditioned to appreciate in defensive play. As Battier suggests, it indeed calls for a re-evaluation of how defence is evaluated and celebrated.
It’s important to recognize the significance of rim protectors, but we must also celebrate players like Adebayo for their impressive, yet often overlooked defence. A more balanced approach in the evaluation criteria should provide a more accurate determination of who truly deserves the Defensive Player of the Year award.
With the evolution of the game and depth of stats available, here’s hoping there’s a paradigm shift in selection soon.
This news is based on the article “NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award ‘Biased’ Says Former Champion” originally published on Heavy.com.