If the NBA truly is evolving more and more toward offenses based on high pick-n-rolls with shooters in the corners, the need for NBA teams is obvious. To defend such an attack on a nightly basis, teams require defenders who handle both big and small opponents in the pick-n-roll. The trope may be overplayed by color commentators, but it is no less true: modern NBA defenders need to be able to switch across multiple positions.
Just as important as switchability, however, is the ability to capably defend both ends of the pick-n-roll. Ideally, a team would like to have players who can capably cover both the dribbler and screener. When a player like that is involved in pick-n-roll action, the defense stands a better chance of maintaining pressure on the ball without sacrificing an easy basket to the roll man.
Photo courtesy of The Athletic
Identifying the Most Versatile Pick-n-Roll Defenders
Who are the most versatile defenders in the league when it comes to stymying both the ballhandler and the screener in a pick-n-roll? To answer this question for the 2018-19 season, I calculated the number of possessions on which a player was the primary defender and prevented the opposition from scoring. I found this number for plays on which the player covered the ballhandler and for plays on which he covered the roll man. We have to adjust each number for pace, to ensure that we evaluate all players on a level playing field. Finally, I decided to convert the two numbers into rate statistics (per 48 minutes).
With each player’s per-48 impact defending the ball handler and defending the screener, I examined the harmonic mean of the two numbers. The harmonic mean works best for averaging two rates, which is what we have. The top five rotation players in the league are listed in the table below:
Also worthy of mention are Milwaukee’s D.J. Wilson, Orlando’s Wes Iwundu, Utah’s Thabo Sefolosha, and Orlando’s Isaiah Briscoe. These players produced similar results, though in a smaller sample size due to their having played fewer minutes.
What makes these players versatile pick-n-roll defenders? Let’s take them one at a time.
Aaron Gordon
Gordon is not a highly-regarded defender, but does have some value in P-n-R coverage. His frame and passable quickness brings value to the table defensively. As the rare natural big man who is quick enough to avoid having guards blow by him regularly, Gordon can provide at least a manageable level of coverage.
If Orlando is able to surround Gordon with bigger guards, they might be able to decrease the amount of actions on which Gordon is forced onto a faster opponent. The tactical advantage here would be the ability to have Gordon covering the roll man more often.
As it stands, however, Gordon’s versatility allows for the Magic to pursue multiple avenues in building lineups that include him. Having Aaron Gordon on the list does reveal the limitation of the method, however. When we try to find the most versatile defenders, we will end up also including some who are balanced. Gordon is not a good defender, but his skills are well-balanced.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
The rookie big man wasted no time demonstrating the lateral and vertical agility that made him such a highly-touted draft pick. Jackson is a prototypical shot-blocker. He averaged 2.6 blocks per 48 minutes as a rookie after piling up 5.5 blocks per 40 minutes in his lone season at Michigan State. In spite of this profile, Jackson proved capable of staying front of guards as well. JJJ projects as a Swiss Army knife defender who can lock down anyone at any position.
Bruce Brown
Brown started 56 games for a playoff team despite shooting 39.8% from the field. That should tell you just about all you need to know about his defensive capabilities. He was 1.5% better than league average defending the dribbler and 38.8% better than average against the screener. Though he may have to hit a few jumpers to stick, Brown has proven himself as a versatile pick-n-roll defender.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nothing unexpected here. The Greek Freak is too quick and rangy to drive past, and too tall and strong to get a lob on. To watch Giannis Antetokounmpo defend the pick-n-roll, or in help defense, is to get the impression of one player covering the entire half-court offense. He doesn’t so much help, recover, or switch as much as he envelops three players like Stretch Armstrong and teleports from one end of the floor to the other.
Antetokounmpo, like Draymond Green, possesses the rare ability to pressure the ball-handler without leaving an opening for a pass over him. Pass to the roll man, and Giannis will pick it out of their air. Pull up for a jumper, and Antetokounmpo will smother the shooter. The offense cannot win.
Evan Turner
Although he has been a disappointment in many ways, Evan Turner’s defensive capability and versatility have never been in question. His size and quickness, combined with a well-respected basketball IQ, make Turner an ideal wing to defend multiple positions. After being traded to Atlanta as an expiring contract, Turner has the opportunity to display his defensive versatility. He also has a chance to earn another contract in a league trending toward his strengths.
As a coda for this discussion, I will include some other honorable mentions who are within the top 20 in the league in pick-n-roll versatility. The most notable players in the group are Draymond Green, James Johnson, Derrick White, and Derrick Favors.
While there are any number of players who are better defending one end of the pick-n-roll, these are the top 5 most versatile pick-n-roll defenders in the league last year. If the league continues to evolve on its current trajectory, we can expect some of the more lightly regarded players on the list to garner more playing time than expected due to their utility in stopping one of the most basic actions in modern NBA half-court offenses.
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