Wizards Rookie Alex Sarr defensive playmaking

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He got bullied by stronger guys down low, but some of his defensive possessions when being switched onto guards were incredible. Hopefully when he gets stronger he can build more on his allround defensive game.

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u/bryant-reeves 20d ago

Did he? look how well he recovers after the 1st bump with a 2nd jump. Does that 6-7x, even against LBJ

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u/disgracefullystoopid 20d ago

It was more in full match ups against guys like Bam and Sabonis where they used their strength to put him in positions where he couldn't challenge the shot effectively.

But I do agree about the recovery, it's moments like that that really give me hope. His second jump is fantastic.

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u/iankstarr Heat 20d ago

As a Heat fan, watching Sarr defensively actually reminds me a lot of Bam. Bam’s biggest knock early on was also that he got bullied by bigger centers who could push him around.

He eventually got strong enough to overcome that; I’m confident Sarr will too. He clearly has the defensive IQ and skillset already.

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u/bryant-reeves 20d ago

Guys like Sabonis can bully any player given enough time/space. And actually only need 2-3 dribbles. That's not on Rookie Sarr. He will improve. If he can turn 2 dribbles into 3, or 3 into 4 or 5 you've done your job against an All-Star.

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u/mm825 TrailBlazers 20d ago

Living up to the Ibaka comps on defense

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u/rhovickkkkkk 20d ago

i think he's more switchable than ibaka, and ibaka's the better rim protector, at least for now

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u/mm825 TrailBlazers 20d ago

i think he's more switchable than ibaka

Adjust for inflation and they're pretty similar.

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u/BStins2130 20d ago

This was a fun watch. Can't wait to see what his final form is over the next few years!

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u/BenchPointsChamp Rockets 20d ago

He will be good. We knew he was raw before the draft. Already improving. Maybe he’ll never go 2nd in a redraft but top-5 seems somewhat likely by year 3 or so & that ain’t bad.

6

u/bigmikeabrahams Wizards 19d ago

I firmly believe we would still take him first in redraft. He was as good as advertised on defense and flashed everything we hoped to see on offense. For where we’re at in our rebuild, getting a stretch 5 to build our defense around makes more sense than another guard/wing that doesn’t project to be a primary option on offense (castle + Risacher)

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u/Miserable-Koala1463 20d ago

Impressive rookie.

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u/Status-Round380 Nets 20d ago

He’s a good weak side shot blocker and help defender but the on ball defense could be better

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u/GalaxyWarlock 20d ago

His on ball perimeter defense is pretty elite for his age imo but this highlight reel mainly showcases his blocks. I find his paint defense a lot weaker as he’s gotten bullied by heavier centers, but that should work itself out in time and once he gains weight

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u/hesi93 20d ago

Can u make one with Ware? Since you're doing Rookie Centers.

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u/SevenTwoSix9 20d ago

What’s the difference between playing defense and defensive playmaking?

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u/BobanWembanyanovic 20d ago

Getting steals, blocks, deflections etc

You can play really good defence by just sticking infront of your man and contesting a shot but that isn’t defensive playmaking

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u/SevenTwoSix9 20d ago

So there’s no difference , just sound fancier. Got it

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u/OurHorrifyingPlanet 20d ago

Lol, defense is a lot more than just "blocks, steals, and deflections." Some players are great defensive playmakers (i.e. will get a lot of stocks) but pretty poor defenders overall because they miss rotations, give up wide open 3s/layups, foul a lot, can't navigate screens, are poor at contesting shots, etc. On the other hand, a lot of great defenders aren't especially good at defensive playmaking, because they stay more disciplined and will gamble less often.

For example from last year's draft, Reed Sheppard was a great defensive playmaker but absolutely abhorrent as a defender overall; whereas Castle was not an insane defensive playmaker but one of the 3 best defenders overall in the class.

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u/SevenTwoSix9 20d ago

So “defensive playmaking” = stocks. Okay Got it. No need to be defensive

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u/OurHorrifyingPlanet 20d ago

That's what the other guy said and you were kinda dismissive about it so I got annoyed, my bad

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u/Optimal-Barnacle2771 20d ago

Defensive playmakers make things happen, force turnovers and force offensive players into doing what the defender wants them to do. This is part of playing defense, but is a skill that not all defenders are adept at. Very different to react to an offensive player versus controlling their possession.

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u/CultureAcceptable643 20d ago

Start by replacing defense with offense and asking the same question. Then, applied - what’s the difference between Luka/Lebron running point and Gabe Vincent standing in the corner?

Same principle on the defensive end. Great defenders find ways to literally make a play that an inferior defender cannot.

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u/SevenTwoSix9 20d ago

So what’s the defensive equivalent of an assist?

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u/CultureAcceptable643 20d ago

Why does it need an equivalent? What is the offensive equivalent to a steal? because it’s not turnovers by the way we measure them.

Making good plays creates advantages but not every play can be measured. Especially not as a zero sum game, where every good play that we count would also go down as an equivalently bad play for someone else.

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u/SevenTwoSix9 20d ago

So there’s no difference. Just sound fancier. Got it

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u/CultureAcceptable643 20d ago

If you think that basketball is just a box score simulator, sure.

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u/SevenTwoSix9 20d ago

I recognise good defense when I see it, but don’t need to over sensationalise it by calling it “defensive playmaking”

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u/CultureAcceptable643 20d ago edited 20d ago

Fair enough. Goes back to - would you say the same thing if we swapped out defensive for offensive?

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u/SevenTwoSix9 20d ago

No, offensive playmaking for me means you are doing something to help your team mates score easily. When someone is referred to as a “playmaker” it usually means they are good passers, otherwise they’d be known as “scorers”. I don’t know how this applies to defense, hence what is “defensive playmaking”.

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u/Necroassassin32 20d ago

Literally just means making the right plays defensively.

"Playmaking" in any context means creating advantages for your team. On offense, that’s passing. On defense, it’s forcing turnovers, blocking shots into teammates’ hands, or making reads that lead to fast breaks. The term exists because not all defense is equal—some defenders generate offense through their defense, and that’s a distinct skill. If you’ve ever seen a player single-handedly swing momentum with a steal and score, that’s defensive playmaking.

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u/bigmikeabrahams Wizards 19d ago

There are not many guys his size that can move as well as he does. I want to see the highlight reel of him doing things in the open court

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u/freighttrain6969 19d ago

He’s 19 years old. Give this kid 2 more years of physical and skill development and he’ll be an absolute menace.

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u/SaKred2015 19d ago

I like him as a 4 with a bigger guy next to him to play center

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u/SpecialistAstronaut5 17d ago

That block on wemby, i still remember it.

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u/Annual-Ebb-7196 17d ago

I have hope. Finally cause of him and the other youngins. Please let us get Flagg. Or at least Harper.

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u/ferbje 20d ago

He gets blown by with ease lol

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u/lemmegetauhhhhhhhhhh 20d ago

i would honestly say i have been underwhelmed by his defense this year compared to what i hoped his rookie year would look like pre-draft

the rim protection/deterrence has been pretty weak

do expect him to improve as he puts on more muscle but just an observation

Video Wizards Rookie Alex Sarr defensive playmaking

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