Arron Afflalo Did Play Pretty Good Defense

Nuggets blog, Roundball Mining Company, recently displayed some poignant analysis of Arron Afflalo in the form of a video scouting report.

Here’s the video

Watching it made me realize something.  I think.

Sure, the Afflalo departure frees up all the minutes at the 2 for Gordon and Rip, which is a good thing mostly.  But lost in all this is Detroit’s loss of a committed defender.  Looking at the guards on the roster, there’s not really a committed defender to be had.  Rip’s not bad defensively but we all know it’s not his strong suit or his main focus. Stuckey (improving) and Bynum have their weaknesses, as does Gordon. I guess what I’m trying to get at is that this team lacks role player type guys, especially those who fit the mold of a defense is first attitude.  

While Afflalo was far from a defensive stopper, he wasn’t shabby either.  He played his role and did what was best for the team.  His strength was playing solid perimeter defense, with dabs of hot shooting thrown in here and there. With the four explosive guards currently in the rotation (and to stay no doubt), there seems to be a lack of intangibles.  Instead, maybe the word I’m searching for is grit–somebody who has a sole role of annoying the other team while they’re on offense. 

Last season’s Finals featured Courtney Lee as an annoyer, even Pietrus to an extent.  Sasha Vujacic, flopper that he is, gives guys fits on the defensive end all the time.  Derek Fisher is a very gritty defender as well.  As for Detroit, I just don’t see this team excelling on defense, especially in the backcourt. I don’t see the determination. The leadership.  The knowledge.  But maybe a guy or two will surprise us all and help shore up an otherwise defenseless defense.

I just have a feeling that there will be lots of high scoring games.  And just a little bit of defensive fortitude could mean the difference between a 39 win season or a 45 win season.  Hopefully Kuester and Co. can get these guys to buy in to a quality defensive philosophy. God knows Prince and Brown are decent on the defensive end, but there needs to be more help, much more.