Importance of block schots

**playoffs...PLAYOFFS?** · 01-14-2009 03:59 PM

Found this read on ESPN insiders... shows the value of players like GW/Mek - these are good foundations for our team. I think also shows why Diop could be a good addition..

"Just how important is the blocked shot? And who are the best practitioners of the art? Here's what stats wiz Roland Beech of 82games.com knows:

Why is shotblocking tied to winning?

Because it's the second-most important characteristic of strong defense. Over the previous three-plus seasons, blocked-shot percentage was a better indicator of a stingy D than turnovers forced, offensive rebounds allowed and free throws given up. Only field goal percentage allowed correlated more closely with points allowed per possession.

Josh Smith knows how to control his blocks.

This season, 63% of Smith's rejections have been turned into an Atlanta rebound. That's ahead of the league average (60%) and up six percentage points from 2005-06. And it's getting close to the top of this category's leaderboard. Among players with at least 150 blocks since 2005-06, Gerald Wallace, Pau Gasol and Andrei Kirilenko all saw 68% of their blocks end in defensive rebounds. The bottom of the list? Mark Blount (52%), Kenyon Martin (53%) and Dwyane Wade (54%).

CATEGORICAL DENIALS

If Josh Smith has shown us anything, it's that shotblockers can come in all shapes and styles. The Mag's Chris Broussard gives you five of them.

The Monolith
He's pretty much immobile, but top-percentile height allows him to snuff shots and change trajectories without leaving the ground. Offensive players who try to scale these walls are actually just rejecting themselves.
Examples: Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo, Zydrunas Ilgauskas

The Mighty Oak
With size, strength and a bit of flexibility, this guy needs no doubling help in the post, can't be moved off his spot and is able to play behind his man and still reject any attempt. And when he does, it is with authority.
Examples: Dwight Howard, Shaquille O'Neal

The Hovercraft
This species of big is lightest on his feet, capable of flying in from the weak side, redirecting offerings with impeccable timing. He's also a quick jumper who covers plenty of territory. You might get by him, but he's going to catch up.
Examples: Marcus Camby, Andris Biedrins

The Alien
Despite spending plenty of time on the perimeter, this otherworldly athlete still puts up swat stats that rival those of the biggest bigs. One former coach says it best: "There's no rhyme or reason to why they get them or where they get them. They're just freaks of nature."
Examples: Smith, Andrei Kirilenko, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James

The Bookkeeper
He's cerebral and meticulous in his preparation, keeping a mental catalog of opponents' moves. And with an uncanny ability to judge a shot, he doesn't have to leave his feet until the last second. But don't think you can overpower him. He's stronger than you.
Example: Tim Duncan

From 2005-06 through this season, teams that blocked the highest percentage of shots sported significantly higher winning percentages than more block-challenged squads.
BLK % Win %
7% or greater .5606
0-6.9% .5275
0-5.9% .443
Less than 5% .470

Blocks are good. Blocks that stay in bounds are better. Dwight Howard leads the NBA in blocks (3.3 bpg), but that's not as much of an advantage for the Magic as it could be. Over the past three-plus seasons, Howard has sent 23% of his swats out of bounds.
Player Pct. of Blocks OB
Dwyane Wade 24%
Dwight Howard 23%
Kenyon Martin 23%
LeBron James 21%