[the fanParticipant]

 Typically these don’t both me, I know they can’t be perfect. But can someone explain the reasoning behind Kemba Walker being a 6 at defense when he is actually a great defender and Jimmer who plays no defense whatsoever is a 7? I realize it may be nitpicking but it makes no sense to me.

[the fanParticipant]

Meant to say don’t bother me instead of don’t both me.

[KDThunder35Participant]

I agree with you that Kemba is easily the better defender, on the ball and probably off the ball.  I think Aran is just handicapping his defense because of his size.  If he really is 5’10 or 5’11 like people say then he could be playing a lot of defense in the paint as bigger PG’s would just post him up.  I think Jimmer being 6’2 and pretty bulky he can defend in the post better.  That’s my only deductive reasoning for why that would be that way. I still definitely agree with you though.

[i’m jus so offendedParticipant]

Jimmer’s D is like a 2 or 3, he was so pathetic vs Florida, he didn’t even try. If he was hurt ok, but you can’t make excuses like "well he carries the offense", so does Kemba and he makes great effort, rebounds, and uses his hands very well for deflections and even blocks

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

 Yes, you can make an excuse for Jimmer’s D against Florida. The guy can’t afford to pick up a lot of fouls. This is especially the case in college because of only five and in that game in particular because he was picking up offensive fouls. Jimmer needed to play 45 minutes for them to win that game. He basically has to assume that he will pick up at least one offensive foul per game. I think he picked up two offensive fouls. Most guys only have to play 35 minutes a game and it isn’t necessarily a given that their team loses if they foul out or have to sit for 10 minutes. That isn’t the case with BYU (and especially not without Davies). 

I’m not saying Jimmer can play D, I’m just saying that it is an arguable strategic decision that a guy like Jimmer, playing in a college game with refs who don’t know him and might not give him the benefit of the doubt, should conserve on D. At best Jimmer is an average defender. But an average defender cannot play aggressive D and at the same time guarantee that they won’t pick up two or three fouls over 40 or 45 minutes of play. Maybe a great defender can do that, but no average defender can. However, in the NBA, Jimmer will have six fouls and presumably will be a 20 minute a game bench player. He won’t have to worry about foul trouble causing him to sit. Now if he is fouling and giving up free throws to everyone, that is a problem, but it is a different problem than worrying that you are going to lose the game because of a couple of unlucky ticky tack foul sends you to the bench.  

No idea why Jimmer is rated a 7 on D though in the player rater. 

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