SportVU Data: Identifying the League's Best... Rim Protectors

With the release of SportVU camera tracking data to the general public via NBA.com, there's a whole new world of information available to try and figure out what's happening on an NBA court, and who's doing it well (or poorly). Really, an ideal application should be to identify the best players filling certain roles on a team, because good role players can swing a playoff series. While understanding all this data has to be in its infant stages, here's a quick look at a few things that seem useful right off the bat. The data is pulled from here, and some summary rules for how I cut the stats are included at the bottom of each post.

In today's NBA, the two most efficient shots tend to be corner three's and attempts at the rim. In fact, over the last five years, NBA players shoot an average of around 60% on attempts at the rim. Based on that, players that can lower opponent's success at that shot can be game-changers. Here are standouts at defending the rim so far this season.

Chris Kaman, Lakers (opponents shooting 36.4% on 5.9 attempts in 16.9 minutes)
Robin Lopez, Blazers (opponents shooting 44.4% on 10.6 attempts in 30.8 minutes)
Roy Hibbert, Pacers (opponents shooting 40.5% on 9.6 attempts in 31.1 minutes)
Vitor Faverani, Celtics (opponents shooting 44.8% on 4.6 attempts in 15.1 minutes)
Andrew Bogut, Warriors (opponents shooting 45.9% on 8.3 attempts in 28 minutes)
Brook Lopez, Nets (opponents shooting 39.7% on 9.1 attempts in 30.7 minutes)
Omer Asik, Rockets (opponents shooting 43.2% on 5.2 attempts in 18.3 minutes)
Tim Duncan, Spurs (opponents shooting 43.4% on 7.6 attempts in 27.9 minutes)
Serge Ibaka, Thunder (opponents shooting 45.3% on 9.1 attempts in 33.8 minutes)
Ekpe Udoh, Bucks (opponents shooting 45.2% on 5.8 attempts in 22.4 minutes)

A few things that jump out at me about this list.

• How about the Lopez brothers, and I do mean both of them. Robin Lopez is part of a really fun-to-watch Blazers team, and his play allowing LaMarcus Aldridge to slide over to power forward is an under-rated reason why. Brook has always been chided for his lack of rebounding, but who knew he was this active (and effective) challenging shots at the rim?
• It seems like people are really harping on Omer Asik after whatever happened the last few weeks in Houston, as though it negatively affects his prospects as a player. Well, he's still bringing his bread and butter to the table this season, and these kinds of contributions matter a lot in the playoffs.
• He didn't make the list, but in case you're curious, Andre Drummond's overall blocks are down this year, but he's holding opponents to 45.7% at the rim on 7.8 attempts. I could've eliminated guys like Kaman and Faverani for low minutes totals, but then again, that's what everyone said about Drummond last year.

Rim Protector Eligibility Rules:
 - Top 100 players in opponent field goal attempts at the rim
 - Played more than 13 games
 - Played more than 15 minutes per game
 - Allow opponents to shoot 46% or less