Top 5 Defensive Shooting Guards of 2019-2020

Top 5 Shooting Guards of 2019-2020

The shooting guard position is one of the most underrated positions in basketball today. Today we are going to change that and shed some light as to how good they really are but on the defensive side. This is part four of five showcasing the best defenders of 2019-2020 at their respective positions.  I will be using the same blueprint that I used for the past three positions which is defensive statistics and of course the eye test. If you missed it the 9 stats were defensive ratings, defensive field goal percentage, defensive win shares, block percentage, steals percentage, defensive rebounding percentage, steals per game, blocks per game and defensive rebounds per game with a minimum of 30 games played. The results from these players were so close I also had to take into account how many shots are attempted on the player per game.

5.Danny Green (Los Angeles Lakers)

Danny Green made the all defensive second team in 2017 and he turned the clock back this year. Green averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Green is also the third Laker to make a list in this series joining Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Green had a defensive rating of 106 and his defensive win shares sat at a 2.4 which were both fourth best in his position. Even though he isn't top 5 in his position in steals his steal percentage shows he has the ability to take the ball away at a high rate. He stole the ball 2.4% of the time he was on the floor which is tied for second best on the list. He also had a block percentage of 1.7 which is third best on the list. Green is 32 in his 11th season in the NBA and still playing defense and hitting his threes.

 

4.Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics)

Marcus Smart is a bulldog on defense and has been for his whole career. He likes to get in your face giving you very little room to work with the ball. Smart averaged 13.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.6 steals per game this season. His 1.6 steals were second best in the position taking the ball away 2.4% of the time he was on the court which was fourth best at his position. Smart also had a defensive rating of 107 sitting at number three on this list and had defensive win shares of 2.4. Smart also held his opponents to shooting 42.7% from the field but players only averaged 10 shots on him per game which is the second lowest on this list. Smart is the definition of grit and grind being able to slow down some of the best scorers in the league. He takes no plays off on defense and creates extra opportunities for his team which all coaches and fans love.

3.James Harden (Houston Rockets)

James Harden by far is the biggest name on this list, but he is also the most surprising name on this list. Harden has been ridiculed for his defense in his recent years and rightfully so, but he has slowly been working on it and it has been paying off. He does not take as many possessions off on defense and is starting to play passing lanes even more. Harden averaged 34.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.7 steals a game which was the most out of any shooting guard this year. Harden also averaged .9 blocks a game which was the best in the position. Harden was also one of the players on this list where their defensive rebounds also mattered averaging 5.3 a game. He held his opponents to shoot 44.6% from the field while they were attempting 14.7 shots a game on him which was the most on this list. His defensive rating was a 109 and his defensive win shares were at 2.7 which was second best in his position. The thing that knocked him most on this list was the plays he takes off on defense even though it's not as many as we are used to it is still being done. You could say he does not deserve to be on this list but numbers don't lie. 

2.Donte Divincenzo (Milwaukee Bucks)

If you thought a Bucks player finally did not make a list i'm sorry to disappoint you. The Bucks consistency on defense continues to amaze me just showing they are the best defensive team in the league. Donte joins his teammates Giannis, Brook, and Khris at being one of the best in his position. Donte averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. His 100 defensive rating was the best by far out of all shooting guards and his 3.1 defensive win shares was also the best. He held his opponents to shooting 44.3% from the field while they attempted a shot on him about 7.3 times a game. Donte had 1.4 steals a game which translated to taking the ball away 2.7% of the time he was on the court which was also the best. He also had the best rebounding percentage on the list sitting at 15.7%. He was a defensive specialist this year on a team that has great defenders putting up very good numbers so he definitely deserves this spot on the list.

 

1.Jrue Holiday (New Orleans Pelicans)

Jrue Holiday in my opinion is the most underrated player in the league. He is extremely good on defense and also good on offense. This entry on the list should show people just how good he is and give him the credit he deserves. Jrue averaged 19.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.7 steals a game which ties Harden for the most in the position. He averaged .8 blocks a game blocking the ball 1.9% of the time he is on the floor. He has one of the lower defensive ratings at 111 and defensive win shares at 1.8 but that ties in with the team's poor play as a whole. It shows where he held his opponents to shoot 40.5% from the field while players attempted 13 shots on him per game. In a list with very close numbers Jrue is the most consistent in the numbers and on the court taking no plays off on either side of the ball.