Data for this post found here: https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/344/onoff#tab-team_efficiency
Since entering the league in 2016, Booker has always had a negative defensive impact when examining on/off team splits. Our team defenses always allowed 2-7 more points per 100 with him on the floor, versus when he was off. He always fell in the 7th to 37th percentile in defensive impact leaguewide.
In this current 25-26 season, for the first time in his career, this is not the case. So far this season, our defense is actually allowing 2.1 LESS points per 100 with Book on the floor versus when he's off. He falls into the 64th percentile in defensive impact leaguewide.
I think this is going so unnoticed by fans this year when talking about his play. He's undoubtedly having one of his worst offensive seasons of his career statistically. But despite his offensive slump, and due to his improved defensive play, he actually has the 2nd best overall on/off splits of his entire career.
Strictly from the eye test, I think this matches up with a lot of what I've personally seen this year. His presence, leadership, and IQ is the backbone of not just the offense, but the defense too. It seems that he, and the team, have fully embraced his leadership and voice on the court.
It's easily his best year from defensive effort and focus standpoint. He is getting blown by cuts so much less often now. Box out much more, something I always noticed he doesn't do in the past during the peak Ayton debates lol.
All we need from Book now is his 3 ball back and I think we can do whatever we want
I worry that's not something he can fix during the season and will require an offseason shot tweaking. Some of yesterday's shots were either airballs or barely grazing the rim.
But the Rockets game he was 2-5 and that included the last second shot that probably should have not counted as an attempt so hopefully it's trending better and with grayson and Jalen coming back he would get more open shots to get him to make those and the mental side get figured out.
When games begin to get more serious and our seeding is taking form, books shot will come back. 80% of the game is mental. I would be really worried if book is unable to get into full form during the season.
He has been much much better defensively this year. He had to be to be a leader. Last year some metrics had him as the single worst defender in the NBA and by far the worst defender on our team. His effort on defence was disgustingly bad last season.
He has been a good defender this season despite the drop in offensive efficiency. Players shoot worse when guarded by him, hes taking the challenge of guarding stars and he's not getting lost on his matchup on corner 3s as much.
Very refreshing for him to be putting in the effort this season to be a good defender. Ott and Brooks rubbing off on him.
This might low key be the best evidence Ott should be coach of the year. The whole team looks better, but to elevate a player like booker this deep into his career is pretty rare.
Defense this year from everybody has been a new experience
We were told his defense sucked by half this sub!
Well the post is saying how his defense did suck to be fair
Espn's net points is what I check, Booker was also a positive defensively in 21-22.
But yeah, he's been better compared to the last seasons. I think Booker has been especially quite solid at post defense (relative to his size). And maybe having less offensive burden has increased his stamina for defense
book’s shot is wet during warmups. unfortunately, he doesnt take warm up shots during games. Love grayson’s shot because it looks the same every time. catch and shoot or off the bounce, its the same. dude’s a machine.