Victor's shot-blocking is obviously insane; his defensive rebounding is just as good

[Im Still Ballin]

Victor's obviously blocking a lot of shots (13.2 BLK%), but he's also cleaning the defensive glass like crazy (40.3 DRB%). This is unique because the act of blocking a shot tends to take one out of a rebounding position. Both marks would set all-time single-season records:

https://www.basketball-reference.com...ct_season.html
https://www.basketball-reference.com...ct_season.html

Just remarkable. For comparison, Rudy Gobert did 6.4 BLK% and 34.9 DRB% across 2020-21 and 2021-22. Dipper 13's Bill Russell tracking had him at 7 BLK% and 36 DRB%:

His ability to block/alter shots AND clean the defensive boards. Based on the available (limited) video footage, he was 7% in shot blocking percentage and roughly 36% in defensive rebounding percentage. To be that dominant in either one of those areas is something, but to be that dominant in both? Keep in mind how shot blocking tends to take you out of proper rebounding position. Below are the career leaders for block percentage and defensive rebounding percentage. To think Russell might be near or at the top on both of these lists is amazing.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...ct_career.html

http://www.basketball-reference.com/...ct_career.html


He was basically rebounding the defensive glass like Rodman and blocking shots like Hakeem/Robinson. You talk about a guy who not only doesn't have a defensive weakness, but is so dominant at virtually every area on that side, that is Bill Russell.

1966 Celtics defensive highlights - [youtube]HE6kIu34Qsc[/youtube];t=36m47s



Plus he may the be the best at keeping his hands up on defense, even after jumping. This is something you rarely see with contemporary big men. Below we can see how Russell keeps his arms up when defending after a fake, both in a practice drill and in playoff competition vs. Willis Reed. Have we ever seen such a fundamentally sound defensive player since?

[youtube]0cxnVdpVm4o[/youtube];t=2m32s

[youtube]0v9_aiXvoSc[/youtube];t=17m44s



Russell also had the best reflexes of any player ever at any position and a unique shot blocking style where he used his wrist to deflect shots rather than swat it out of bounds. Very seldom have we seen other big men do this with the same consistency.

[youtube]0v9_aiXvoSc[/youtube];t=12m55s

[Xiao Yao You]

Gobert learned he could change shots without having to block them and get boards. Blocks certainly one of the most overrated stats there is

[Hey Yo]

For Vic's size.... is it really a surprise that his block percentage is so high?

[Full Court]

Gobert learned he could change shots without having to block them and get boards. Blocks certainly one of the most overrated stats there is

Have to disagree. A rebound is only in play if the shot doesn't go on. A block takes away any chance of the ball going in. Wemby's 3 blocks in the 4th quarter of last night's game very well may have won the Spurs that game. His blocking took the paint away from the Heat and forced them to settle for tougher shots. From what I remember, 2 of the three blocks were of point blank shots that probably would have scored. Blocks are not overrated.

[Xiao Yao You]

You dont have to block shots to make the other team take tough shots. Troll fave whiteside blocked lots of shots. Awful defender

[Full Court]

You dont have to block shots to make the other team take tough shots. Troll fave whiteside blocked lots of shots. Awful defender

It's true that you don't have to block shots to be a great defender. But if you can defend well AND block shots, it makes you that much more effective.

[Xiao Yao You]

It's true that you don't have to block shots to be a great defender. But if you can defend well AND block shots, it makes you that much more effective.

Sometimes. Sending it out of bounds or the other team getting an easy bucket because you are out of position after the block isnt as good as changing the shot getting the ball and starting the break

[1987_Lakers]

If blocks per game were everything, Mark Eaton & Bol would be the best defenders in the last 50 years.

I feel most players who usually have a high of amount of blocks in general have a high impact on defense, but then you have guys like Ibaka, Camby, & Whiteside who had crazy block numbers and were overall positive defenders in terms of overall impact, but all of those guys were undisciplined defenders who just gambled by chasing blocks which hurt their teams at times.

Eaton had amazing defensive impact, but he was a stiff. He was good for the 80's, but he would be exposed big time in today's league with all the switching.

What separates Wemby from other bigs is that he is also a gifted athlete who has no trouble guarding the perimeter along with providing top tier rim protection. This is where he surpasses Gobert, he's just longer and an overall better athlete.

[Xiao Yao You]

If blocks per game were everything, Mark Eaton & Bol would be the best defenders in the last 50 years.

I feel most players who usually have a high of amount of blocks in general have a high impact on defense, but then you have guys like Ibaka, Camby, & Whiteside who had crazy block numbers and were overall positive defenders in terms of overall impact, but all of those guys were undisciplined defenders who just gambled by chasing blocks which hurt their teams at times.

Eaton had amazing defensive impact, but he was a stiff. He was good for the 80's, but he would be exposed big time in today's league with all the switching.

What separates Wemby from other bigs is that he is also a gifted athlete who has no trouble guarding the perimeter along with providing top tier rim protection. This is where he surpasses Gobert, he's just longer and an overall better athlete.

Hes longer than gobert. Gobert does fine on the perimeter despite the narrative

[1987_Lakers]

Hes longer than gobert. Gobert does fine on the perimeter despite the narrative

Doing fine compared to someone like what Eaton would display on the perimeter isn't some achievement.

He still gets cooked at times when he gets switched out there, there is where Wemby surpasses him.

[Xiao Yao You]

Eveyone gets cooked. There are no shutouts in basketball especially when all the rules favor the offense