Josh Smith - Videos

[slinslin]

Have you seen Igoudala play? A proven defender? Ask Luke Jackson and his nonstop scoring barrage on Igoudala in Eugene. or Desmon Farmer lighting him up in LA. Dre wasn't even the best defender on a team that gave up way too many points. People always say Dre is a good defender but he never was in college (although he has the athleticism to be a great defender and a perennial All-Star).

What are you talking about? In that game Iguodala played only 22 minutes and Arizona was up on Oregon by 16 at the half already and Arizona easily won 100-87.

Or how about the first game when Iguodala forced Jackson into 8 turnovers and had 5 steals in a 90-66 rout?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

What are you talking about? In that game Iguodala played only 22 minutes and Arizona was up on Oregon by 16 at the half already and Arizona easily won 100-87.

Or how about the first game when Iguodala forced Jackson into 8 turnovers and had 5 steals in a 90-66 rout?

Please don't lecture me about Arizona basketball from Germany. I'm pretty sure I know a lot more about my Cats in my sleep than you'll ever know. I've watched every collegiate game of Igoudala's career including the UO game and it was in doubt until the final few minutes only because of Luke Jackson. The Cats were one of the worst defensive teams in the entire NCAA last year and Dre wasn't even acknowledged as one of the best defenders on that team. What does that say? Looking up some stats on the internet won't help your case either.

 

[PhxGametime]

Iguodala was hardly matched up against Luke Jackson as well - nearly all the points I saw weren't on Iggy.. I didn't see every single UofA game but watched most and Iguodala is a top-notch defender in Draft.

 

[Chaplin]

Iguodala was hardly matched up against Luke Jackson as well - nearly all the points I saw weren't on Iggy.. I didn't see every single UofA game but watched most and Iguodala is a top-notch defender in Draft.

"Top-notch" is overdoing it a bit...

 

[PhxGametime]

In a Draft of 500 Euro's and 100 H.S prospects it's not

How Iguodala ranks defensively in NBA against top tier defenders, nobody knows but IMO he will be a good defender.

 

[Chaplin]

How Iguodala ranks defensively in NBA against top tier defenders, nobody knows but IMO he will be a good defender.

I'll concede "good", but certainly not "top-notch"...

 

[Joe Mama]

Can you come up with a handful of better defenders in this draft?

Joe Mama

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

By no means am I a Dre hater. As a matter of fact I think he's going to be better than Richard Jefferson, the player he's most commonly compared to. I was just pointing out that his defense has not been as good as everyone makes it out to be. Will he become a good defender? Probably, he's more than athletic enough. But he wasn't the top-notch team or individual defender through college that some claim.

 

[George O'Brien]

By no means am I a Dre hater. As a matter of fact I think he's going to be better than Richard Jefferson, the player he's most commonly compared to. I was just pointing out that his defense has not been as good as everyone makes it out to be. Will he become a good defender? Probably, he's more than athletic enough. But he wasn't the top-notch team or individual defender through college that some claim.

I suspect that Iggy's first year may be like Leandro was last season - great moments but not consistent defence. The key here is that Iggy is supposed to have great lateral quickness, which is not really something that can be taught (developed if the talent is there, but not taught) but is crucial to becoming a top defender.

Critics of Marion complain that he is not a great defender because he lacks lateral quickness. He covers by being super fast going forward so he gets a lot of steals, but struggles to stay in front of people. Better training would help. but more at getting Shawn to keep his feet and not go for fakes, but I doubt Shawn will neve be an Artest.

 

[Chaplin]

Can you come up with a handful of better defenders in this draft?

Joe Mama

WTF?

There are NO top-notch defenders in the draft--heck, in ANY draft!

 

[Joe Mama]

WTF?

There are NO top-notch defenders in the draft--heck, in ANY draft!

I think we are looking at it too different ways. I took that to mean that Iguodala is a top-notch defender amongst the players in the draft. I think that is probably true. I also like Sato and Chris Duhon. In fact they are two guys that I think would make great early second-round draft picks.

Joe

 

[Chaplin]

I think we are looking at it too different ways. I took that to mean that Iguodala is a top-notch defender amongst the players in the draft. I think that is probably true. I also like Sato and Chris Duhon. In fact they are two guys that I think would make great early second-round draft picks.

Joe

Now, I will concede that Igoudala might be one of the better defenders in the draft, but I don't think the level of defensive talent in the draft is that great anyway.