Feb 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Pero Antic (6) grabs a rebound in their game against the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena. Hawks won 105-96. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Pero Antic, Atlanta Hawks
When analyzing a player’s defensive impact on the game, one of my favorite statistics is defensive field goal percentage differential. Simply put, it’s how much better or worse the opposition shoots when guarded by that player. Hawks forward-center Pero Antic shows incredibly well by this measure.
Within six feet of the basket, offensive players shoot 8.4-percent lower from the field. Extend that range to ten feet, they are 6.2-percent below their average. From 15 feet and beyond, players guarded by Antic are still in the red. Moreover, the Hawks only allow 98.4 points per 100 possessions this season with Antic on the floor. Is he Joakim Noah? Not at all, though some of the numbers are closer than you think.
In addition to his defensive abilities, Antic has shown an ability to stretch the floor at times with his shooting on offense. Last season, Antic attempted more than three shots per game from long rage and connected at about a 33-percent clip. He’s not a dead-eye three-point shooter, but somebody you have to respect from that range.
Though he has struggled mightily from the field this season, a change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered for Antic.
Next: 4. Jonas Jerebko, Boston Celtics