Guarding Small Guards

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george-hill-spurs_ncOn TrueHoop yesterday afternoon, Henry Abbott asked the question, “Who can guard Tony Parker?” The question served as a jumping off point for how to best defend the quick, small guards who are coming off as increasingly unstoppable since the NBA changed the hand-checking rules in 2001.

As Henry notes, the common response is “equally quick defenders.” But, as Kurt from Forum Blue and Gold correctly points out, that is not necessarily true: “Under today’s rules Tony Parker could not defend Tony Parker, Jameer Nelson could not stop Jameer Nelson.” Kurt suggests that “bigger, longer players,” along the lines of Trevor Ariza, have better success than defenders who try to counter foot speed with foot speed.

This is where I believe, in George Hill, the Spurs have stumbled across someone special: I, like Henry and Kurt, believe the new hand-checking rules have given players like Monta Ellis, Aaron Brooks and Tony Parker a disproportionate advantage. And I agree with Kurt that length may be a better antidote than lateral quickness, however counter intuitive that may seem.

George Hill has the rare combination of both. Few players in the league are as naturally prepared to counter the score-first points who are becoming a focal point of NBA offenses. Yesterday we spent some time reminiscing about the defensive contributions the immitable Bruce Bowen made during his 8 years in San Antonio. A decade from now, I would not be surprised if we found ourselves saying similar things about Mr. Hill.

  • Wesley

    I’d have to agree that length is the best counter to speedy guards. Having a long wingspan allows a defender to stay that half step off his man and still have the ability to contest the shot. That half step is critical. In the best case you can trap the guard or make him run out of space so he has to reverse his direction. In the worst case it slows the guard’s penetration and gives the help defense crucial time to react and make rotations. Either way it’s harder to “Blow by” a defender who has a half step of room to react to your moves. From a tactical perspective it’s great to see defenses evolve to counter the hand-check rules.

  • ben

    I can vividly remember Devin Harris with the Mavs as the only player that effectively guarded Parker.

  • http://myspace.com/ka1z3r KA1Z3R

    hopefully Hill can do that this year to people like Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

    And how easy will this division be this year? Kidd might be leaving Dallas. Yao, MacGrady, and Artest might not play for Houston. The Hornets are to financially messed up to do anything to make them better than above average. And the Grizzlies are the Grizzlies. San Antonio is the only team that will be better this year (other than Memphis) in the division and they got a lot better. Just a center/power forward and a backup SF away from being a real championship contender in my books.

  • http://myspace.com/ka1z3r KA1Z3R

    hopefully Hill can do that this year to people like Chris Paul and Deron Williams.

    And how easy will this division be this year? Kidd might be leaving Dallas. Yao, MacGrady, and Artest might not play for Houston. The Hornets are too financially messed up to do anything to make them better than above average. And the Grizzlies are the Grizzlies. San Antonio is the only team that will be better this year (other than Memphis) in the division and they got a lot better. Just a center/power forward and a backup SF away from being a real championship contender in my books.

  • TrueFan

    Excellent post, as usual, but I take slight issue with the characterization that the Spurs “stumbled” across Hill’s defensive ability.

    It seems to me that the front office knew that they were drafting a player with speed and uncanny length for a guard, and who had shown a willingness to use that ability on the defensive end while in college. In short, I think they drafted Hill precisely because they anticipated that he could eventually be a defensive weapon against the likes of Paul, et al. (although I seriously doubt they were worried about Brooks at the time).

    I look forward to seeing how Hill develops over the off season. If he can be such a lock-down defender, it might even make sense to start him alongside Parker against certain teams.

  • http://www.48minutesofhell.com Graydon Gordian

    TrueFan,

    I definitely agree with you. By saying “stumbled,” I didn’t mean to downplay the excellent job the Spurs did scouting Hill. I was just being coy.

  • Michael

    Special is a big word. Hill could be nice. Considering San Antonio hasn’t developed one player in like 9 years…I’ll go ahead and exhale now.

    The Spurs, like all NBA teams have missed a lot over the years. I always say this – you don’t get credit for drafting Robinson and Duncan.

    Given that, if you look at the organization’s history – they’ve gotten Tony and Manu and who else?

    Hill could be nice. Mahinmi could be nice. Special would be asking a lot – but I agree he could be a very good defender and solid role player for this team.

  • Daniel

    One great thing about the McClinton pick is that he is a 6′ shooting guard who can play defense. With Hill guarding the two down the stretch last season, and Mason and Ginobili being more than adequate point guards, the Spurs can really take advantage of McClinton’s ridiculous shooting.

  • herman

    kid has true talent too bad coach didnt play him much in the playoffs i think he has the potential to become the point guard of the future for the spurs.