2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Anzejs Pasecniks?
The Bad
Anzejs Pasecniks may always be a defensive liability at the NBA level.
Good defense is hard to define sometimes, and there are some things about it that cannot be taught. To fully understand and consistently execute good positioning and pick-and-roll defense, players need repetitions and experience.
Pasecniks has most of the basic tools required to be a good defender. His quick feet allow him to close out, recover and switch onto smaller players when necessary. His length also gives him many advantages when guarding on the perimeter or inside.
He just has not put these tools together yet.
For some, that may be a reason for optimism – if he has all the physical tools, perhaps it is almost inevitable he will grow into a solid defender. For others, the opposite – if he has all the physical tools but cannot defend, that could be a huge red flag for his defensive IQ.
Pasecniks, like his Latvian countryman Porzingis, lacks the requisite strength to defend good post players. In 2017, that is not as big of a deal as it would have been a few years ago. But it still matters.
Orlando Magic
Some NBA teams try to avoid post-ups as much as possible, even with advantageous matchups, because it takes them out of their offense.
Having four players stand around to watch one player try to back down a smaller one for an inefficient shot takes the team out of its offensive rhythm. It stops ball movement and discourages off-ball player movement. Not to mention, shots created by post-ups are often the most inefficient, even if a good post player is taking the shot.
Other teams constantly seek out good matchups for post players. The Cleveland Cavaliers look to switch forwards Lebron James and Kevin Love onto smaller defenders. Other teams’ primary offensive players are at their best when posting up, so they try to get them the ball on the low block – e.g. the Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph.
Depending on the opponent, Pasecniks might either be hideable or a complete disaster.
His rebounding numbers are also glaringly subpar. In 16.5 minutes per game for Gran Canaria last year, he averaged only 3.1 rebounds. That translates to 6.8 per 36 minutes. This is likely because of his problems with both boxouts and positioning.
Pasecniks is food for any half-decent post player. All it takes is a good bump from a stronger player to knock him back a few feet and create space for an easy shot. If he gets considerable time on an NBA floor next season, expect many teams to go after him relentlessly.