The NBA's Defensive Stars of Tomorrow
By now, you're familiar with the defensive brilliance of third-year talents Anthony Davis and Draymond Green.
But beyond rising studs who have earned all of the effusive praise thrown their way, there are some even younger playmakers on the brink of breaking into elite defensive territory.
From shot-blocking terrors like Rudy Gobert and Nerlens Noel to athletic wunderkinds Andre Drummond and Marcus Smart, there's plenty to like about the cores some of the league's younger teams are building around these long, disruptive forces.
With a focus on physical upside and statistical production to date, take a peek into the future and admire a handful of the Association's most promising and pesky enforcers.
Rudy Gobert, C, Utah Jazz
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Defensive evolution, meet Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert.
A 7'2'' freak of nature possessing a monstrous 7'9'' wingspan that's already turning prospective scorers away from the rim at an elite rate, Gobert may very well be the league's next great shot-blocker.
His 2.3 swats-per-game average aside, Gobert's length has manifested itself in the form of some jaw-dropping numbers.
For one, he's tied with Defensive Player of the Year candidate Tim Duncan at No. 1 overall in defensive box score plus/minus with a resting tally of 4.3.
And among players defending at least five shots at the rim per game, Gobert ranks tops with opponents totaling a field-goal percentage of 37.3, according to SportVU player-tracking data. That's nearly three percentage points better than second-place resident Serge Ibaka.
Right now, the presence of Enes Kanter has prevented Gobert from playing an allotment of minutes commensurate with his impact. He averages 21.3 minutes and has made seven starts over the course of 41 games while Kanter has racked up 26.6 minutes a night and has been penciled into the starting lineup in 36 of his 37 appearances.
But with Kanter on the verge of hitting restricted free agency and Utah 11 points better per 100 defensive possessions when Gobert's patrolling the paint, the Frenchman's time to shine appears to be on the horizon.
Nerlens Noel, C, Philadelphia 76ers
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Nerlens Noel's scouting report suggested he would be an impactful defensive contributor from day one. To date, that assessment has been spot-on.
Like Rudy Gobert, Noel has been a plus/minus all-star. Alongside Memphis Grizzlies wing defender extraordinaire Tony Allen, Noel ranks tied for No. 4 overall in defensive box score plus/minus with a mark of 3.4.
Not only that, but Noel is No. 1 overall among rookies with an average of 1.5 steals. According to ESPN.com, Noel's the only rookie frontcourt player among the top 10 in steals.
Per NBA.com's Max Rappaport, Noel is on pace to become just the fifth player standing at least 6'11'' to record that many steals per game over the last 20 years.
His stock really vaults to the next level when deploying Gumby-like arms that reach far and wide to deflect opponents' best looks from close range.
Yes, Noel leads all rookies with 1.6 blocks per game, but he's also helped thrust the Sixers into respectable rim-protecting territory. According to SportVU player-tracking data, the Sixers rank No. 11 overall in opponents' field-goal percentage at the rim, smack dab between the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies.
Holding opponents to a conversion rate 6.7 percent lower than the league average of 60.6 inside of six feet, per SportVU, Noel is already trending in a positive direction as the Sixers seek to build their defense around fierce guardians of the restricted area.
Marcus Smart, PG, Boston Celtics
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As Grantland's Zach Lowe put it, "Watching Marcus Smart play D is the best reason to watch Boston for the rest of the season -- and it might not be close. A terror."
Although the Boston Celtics are playing at essentially an even defensive rate with Smart on and off the floor, he's making quite an impact in the relatively limited action he's seeing.
Not yet a full-time starter, Smart has played 22 minutes per game over the course of his first 26 professional appearances. But among rookies, Smart ranks No. 3 overall in steals per 48 minutes with a pace-adjusted rate of 2.51, according to ESPN.com.
Ultimately, Smart's potential hinges upon his imposing measurables (6'4'', 220 lbs), which prevent perimeter ball-handlers from knifing their way into the lane against a Boston defense that doesn't boast one big man averaging better than a block per game.
Outside of raw physical traits, Smart does extremely well to move his feet and hands beautifully in unison, allowing him to transform into a ball of kinetic energy.
Having already checked proven volume scorers like Jamal Crawford (28.57 percent shooting) and Kemba Walker (16.67 percent shooting) effectively in one-on-one matchups, per NBASavant.com, it's only a matter of time before Smart morphs into a defensive mastermind in a young Boston backcourt.
Andre Drummond, C, Detroit Pistons
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It's going to take a few years of refinement before Andre Drummond emerges as a bona fide defensive superstar, but the pieces are in place for the Detroit Pistons center to make a big leap at some point down the line.
Over the course of his first two-and-a-half seasons, Drummond has yet to fully recognize the havoc his length, speed and athleticism can wreak on opposing defenses.
Only during his rookie season have the Pistons posted a positive net rating on defense with Drummond scurrying around the interior. But even then it was a mere half-point improvement.
"At present, Drummond plays well -- but inconsistently -- when it comes to his work in coverage," Sports Illustrated's Rob Mahoney wrote. "Exclusive athleticism allows for the erasure of all kinds of mistakes."
As a means of hiding tactical slip-ups, Drummond is able to use his explosive burst and wicked reach to send opponents packing below the free-throw line. Among centers, the former Connecticut Husky ranks No. 6 overall in blocks with 1.7 per game.
His pick-and-roll tendencies needed (and still need) to be purified, but progress is gradually being made.
"The pick-and-roll was definitely one of the biggest things that I worked on," Drummond said, per Mahoney. "Really getting low, making the guard uncomfortable. Seeing someone out there with a 7'5" wingspan staying out there and trying to guard them makes them think twice about coming towards the rim."
He's yet to be handed complete control of Detroit's defense, but at 21 years old with nearly three seasons of experience under his belt, it's frightening to consider how high his ceiling can still be raised.
John Henson, PF/C, Milwaukee Bucks
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The Milwaukee Bucks didn't wander into elite defensive territory by sheer happenstance. Rather, a rare blend of jaw-dropping length and exuberant athleticism propelled them there.
Ranked third in defensive rating and opponents' field-goal percentage at the rim, per SportVU, Milwaukee's defensive revitalization has been accelerated in part by the rangy capabilities of John Henson.
Playing 96 percent of his minutes at center, Henson has made the absence of Larry Sanders palatable thanks to the similar impact he's capable of providing.
Defined by his lanky frame and horrifying wingspan, Henson has continually showcased the shot-altering capabilities that should one day make him a more significant contributor. At present, he's averaging an unthinkable 3.9 blocks per 36 minutes.
"The Bucks coaching staff charts 'high hands,' Hammond says — the percentage of time a defender has his hands reaching into potential passing lanes when he should," Grantland's Zach Lowe wrote. "Henson has been killing that metric since his return, and he’s so damn long, passing over him isn’t easy."
Not surprisingly, the Bucks rank as the league's best defense with Henson on the floor as he's limited opposing centers to a player efficiency rating of 12.6, according to 82games.com.
It may eventually take a change of scenery for Henson's impact to be truly appreciated, but just know the 6'11'' physical specimen is far more impactful than superficial box-score numbers would lead you to believe.
K.J. McDaniels, SG, Philadelphia 76ers
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K.J. McDaniels cares not for positional stereotypes. Guards are supposed to rack up steals, so he chases blocks.
Ranked No. 1 among all shooting guards in total swats by an 11-block margin over San Antonio Spurs sharpshooter Danny Green, per ESPN.com, McDaniels—in tandem with Nerlens Noel—has slowly helped mold the Philadelphia 76ers' defensive identity in his image.
According to SportVU data, McDaniels is holding opponents to 46.4 percent shooting inside of six feet. That's 13.4 percent below the league average. He's 6'6'', and that's not normal.
Whether he's chasing players down in transition, rotating over from the weak side and emulating an outside hitter in volleyball or laterally sliding with ball-handlers in the half court, McDaniels is going to find a way to elevate and erase shots.
"I used to watch a lot of [Dwyane] Wade and LeBron [James] when they came into the league," McDaniels said, according to Sports Illustrated's Rob Mahoney. "I used to watch Michael Jordan a lot, too – the way they were versatile in how they defend multiple positions and use their athleticism to block shots. I just figured since I’m athletic and I can jump and have good instincts, I can go up there and get shots as well."
Opposing shooters are knocking down a concerning 37.1 percent of their threes when McDaniels defends them, but his fearless attitude in a realm most guards aren't qualified to enter makes him a fascinating case study moving forward.
All statistics current as of Jan. 21 and courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com unless noted otherwise.
