Ranking NBA Rim Protectors

[@Doubles186]

Daniel gafford the landlord cause he owns the block

[@whatshorts]

gotcha. collecting rent

[@PW-xp8ul]

@@whatshortslandlord nickname started on the wiz actually

[@stevenvicijan4338]

Remember Maka getting mad that the "Gaffer" leaving the East Coast to the Mavericks. It was a tough crossover.

[@manchot29]

To your last point: Victor Wembanyama said in an interview that he likes "baiting" attacking player: it's easier to block someone who feel like they just blown passed you.

[@whatshorts]

I feel like it's a cheat code. it looks wrong letting a guy go past you and then come from his 6.

[@ShannoWhamo]

I was at Gafford's first game with the Mavericks and everyone just went nuts for him and his blocks... he's just got great energy and is very charming and delightful. I'm glad to see him on the list since he's been a great addition to the Mavs! He's like evicting the ball from the hoop, I think that's part of the whole Landlord thing, and it's just fun to yell "rent due!" when he does his thing.

[@whatshorts]

"Rent due!" is sick. Pretty cool nickname. I liked the way he handled Draymond giving him constructive criticism on the broadcast. He just listened and said thank you.

[@ShannoWhamo]

@@whatshorts Polite Arkansas boy being respectful of his elders

[@BinarySk8]

Bruh having sabonis on this list is abysmal. His inability to defend is the #1 reason the kings can’t hang with good teams. I do appreciate the vid and the work you put in, no hate.

[@whatshorts]

I know, but I had to defend the defensive rebound stat. cutting off second chance points is crucial, and he does have great hands at the rim. I hear you though.

[@justtimes9257]

he not a pure shot blacker but he a good postional defender plus he like pau gaol type player on defense

[@BinarySk8]

@@justtimes9257 yeah but he’s much much shorter than pau, so getting in a hands up position is not stopping anyone at the rim. He does do decent at times guarding post centers, but he does not protect that rim.

[@chardrive]

Bam stops people from even driving towards the rim so when you think about it he’s tier zero 😏

[@whatshorts]

that's what I'm trying to say. I tried to glaze him at the top to stop the haters, but they came through.

[@chardrive]

@@whatshorts its okay it stopped me from hating 🤙

[@bowbuckets6005]

derrick white is obviously the goat rim protector

[@whatshorts]

of course. I just assumed everyone already knew.

[@GroovyKid7]

I was thinking that too😂😂😂

[@jtbaby69]

low key expected to see evan mobley and jarrett allen on this list - any thoughts on what made gafford stick out over both in the numbers?

[@whatshorts]

Shoot I forget. I believe it was the defensive rebounding and blocks. Allen was 14 I think.

[@jtbaby69]

respectable

[@pacemoccasin439]

why tf is an arctic animal habitating itself in a humid climate ?? #5 is crazyyyy 💀 and I love the guy

[@whatshorts]

I'm loco. my perspective on rim protection is warped from something that happened in my childhood. don't ask about it.

[@gnm4]

Thx for the vid spicing up my lunchbreak yet again. Someone gnna need to Rim Protect my office toilet later

[@whatshorts]

Dunk on that puppy!

[@-boost-]

Wow I did not expect to see Sabonis on this list! He has been the rebound leader for 2 seasons in a row though 😤

[@whatshorts]

Sabonis is a beast, he gets credit but still not enough.

[@italiantiger1425]

Love the list but seeing sabonis felt like that jackbox game where someone else chooses stuff and you have to present it (whatslaps i love you still dw)

[@whatshorts]

I know. I know. It was the defensive rebounds though. He crushes them

[@whatshorts]

I'm more of a Quiplash guy anyway

[@italiantiger1425]

Cannot be mad at that, youre consitient w it 🫡 ​@whatshorts

[@ou8428]

Great video, love the breakdowns and imaging as well. You are one of my favorite videomakers, so keep at it! BTW, as a guy who watches basically every dribble of Boston Celtics basketball: Porzingis allows Tatum, White, and Holiday to pick up defensive rebounds leading to fast transition offense. He's gotten better at positioning to allow for those leakout passes towards a transition driving Jaylen Brown. That also conserves his body and makes it less likely to get hurt on weird plays (I know this myself, having blown out my ACL on a routine defensive rebound) like he did vs Giannis when KP was on the Knicks. Tatum is also one of the best rebounders in the league, and excluding 7- footers and Centers is arguably the best rebounder in the league (shout out to Josh Hart because he belongs in there too).

[@whatshorts]

Dang Celtics are really out here playing chess while the rest of the league on some tic-tac-toe. Hart is a beast. def the best rebounding forward in the league.

[@briantoni7477]

I’m sorry my man but as a Heat fan I gotta stand on business, crazy Bam ain’t at least above Gafored

[@whatshorts]

No doubt. No doubt. Bam is way better than Gaff, but as classic Rim Protection duties go. He's probably 11 and 12 Myles Turner

[@remmborn8154]

Bam is the overall better defender but its like Gafford allocated all his defensive skill points into rim protection specifically

[@jakelaponder7565]

Raw rebounding stats are honestly a terrible stat to go off of. Andre drummond statistically was the best rebounder in the league for years but if you compare his teams rebounding % to steven adams and his teams youll see that even tho stastically adams was pulling down less rebounds, his teams always had a higher percentage and its because adams was an absolute beast at blocking out and making it easier for his teammates to get boards. Where allot of drummonds rebounding was due to his own misses and actively not blocking out his opponent.

[@whatshorts]

there should be a rebound integrity tracker.

[@C4GeneralF]

I, too, have watched that video from Thinking Basketball

[@lederrick]

good channel..would love to see rank of all time point gaurds and shooting gaurds etc

[@whatshorts]

Yeah, I gotta do some all time stuff while the offseason lasts.

[@BehindtheMusicLore]

I agree that Wemby and AD are more versatile defenders than Golbert. But as it stands, I would argue that in a rim protection their list the most important thing to take into consideration is the defenders ability to cause the offensive player to miss at the rim. Because of that I think the list should look more like this based on their defended field goal percentage… Defended field goal percentage of NBA rim protectors: Golbert: 49.2% Kristaps: 49.8% Holmgren: 50.2% Wemby: 53.4% Embiid: 53.6% Golbert has received 4 DPOY for his rim protraction alone. You mentioned his lack of lateral quickness as a reason why he’s not the best overall defender. And certainly some improved lateral quickness would have helped Golbert not give Luca a step back 3 in the playoffs to win a key game. But in a rim protection tier list, on ball defense around the perimeter shouldn’t be a factor. And when it comes to pure rim protection, Rudy Golbert is the Goat since he became a starter in Utah. Wemby (a much better player in every other aspect of basketball) will have a far greater career, but I doubt he will ever be as good as Golbert is at pure rim protection. If he ever is than the team is overworking Wemby on defense and not utilizing his offense. Golbert is a good lob threat and screener, but cannot do anything else which gives him energy to focus on defense.

[@whatshorts]

Yeah, you're probably right. I should have given it to Rudy. That's his thing.

[@BehindtheMusicLore]

@@whatshorts love your videos. Keep up the good work, man!

[@wonxter]

Been loving your content man, keep it up!

[@whatshorts]

glad you're enjoying it, fam!

[@iamdebaby8152]

Ad has lead the nba in blocks 3 times. Is that more than everyone on the list combined?

[@whatshorts]

I think so

[@Ipxuli]

“(Clapping sounds) “Had to give it up for him is crazy work”😂

[@whatshorts]

means a lot, man!

[@rukomboreromashumba8146]

Great list

[@whatshorts]

great minds think the same way

[@ian-314]

Where would you have Jaren Jackson ranked? Seems pretty odd to not have him on a list like this

[@whatshorts]

I know. He ended up at 15 I believe. If I didn't factor in defensive rebounds he would have been up there.

[@ian-314]

@@whatshorts fair enough, Definitely seems like he should grab more boards than he does

[@bladeefan37]

gonna be beautiful seeing future heat legend Kel’el Ware on this list next year 🙏

[@whatshorts]

heat don't miss

[@LuisLRC]

i don't think gafford is short. he's the same height as anthony davis, with a positive wingspan.

[@whatshorts]

That's true. I guess AD feels taller to me though. Maybe it's the shoulders.

[@LuisLRC]

@@whatshorts i feel that. it might also be a case where gafford is 6'10 rounding up, and ad is 6'10 riunding down. love the content btw!

[@marlinesutherland5358]

Nets fan here, since the KD trade the next tallest player next to Claxton is Cam Johnson at 6'8, We have 6'10 Ben Simmons on the roster but because of his constant back injuries and that fact those two games don't fit, Claxton has been out there protecting the rim by himself, they drafted a 6'10 Forward/Center in 2023, Noah Clowney and they played a few games together towards the end of the season, the fit look good, as we enter the rebuild the hope is those 2 will work together if not we'll pray for Cooper Flagg

[@whatshorts]

How did you become a Nets fan? It's an interesting fan base. geographically and historically I feel like it's in a tough spot.

[@marlinesutherland5358]

@@whatshorts I became a Fan when I randomly stumbled on Nets vs Bucks Game 1, one Saturday evening. I wasn't following basketball at the time but I was impressed to see a team lose a member to start the game and still end up winning, also it didn't hurt that they are a Brooklyn team, I was born in Brooklyn but currently live in Queens New York. Every major sport in NYC has 2 teams so why not Basketball? Obviously competing against a franchise that has had the monopoly for the last 8 decades its gonna take Years and a winning culture to build your own fanbase but just like the other "2nd Teams" they were successful.

[@whatshorts]

That's what I figured. I live in LA, and I want to be a Clippers fan. The Irony is the Clippers are actually corporate while the Lakers are a family business. Also I don't like a lot of decisions the front office makes. Honestly I'm thinking about adopting the Nets as my team.

[@marlinesutherland5358]

@@whatshorts "Honestly I'm thinking about adopting the Nets as my team." Do it! Do it! 🙂 The best time to join a fanbase is during a rebuild so no one can accuse you of being a bandwagoner. Our teams are similar in a way, they're both the quote-on-quote Little Brothers, they never won a championship and we even have James Harden in common on, lol. I feel both franchises tried to buy a title in 2019, Nets crashed and burned and The Clippers are trying to kid themselves into thinking they're still contenders but they have no choice really. That's why Im over the moon we got our picks back and entered this rebuild, hopefully, we can get 2 top prospects in the back-to-back classes and make another run at this thing by the end of the decade.

[@WokenStrategies]

gafford is my favourite basketball player

[@whatshorts]

He's growing on me a lot.

[@zacharysample946]

Why are you factoring rebounding into a video about rim protection?

[@whatshorts]

Good question. I decided that defensive rebounds were part of rim protection. Also NBA includes them in defensive rim protection stats. I hear you though.

[@Axeman-jm7ro]

@@whatshortskinda agree cause if no one gets that defensive rebound their possesion continues

[@christianenano1280]

love you big dawg

[@whatshorts]

love u back

[@bookaufman9643]

AD definitely seems bigger than 6 ft 10. I hate the Lakers but he really is an elite defender and you got to see that in the Olympics. He was the best rim defender in the whole tournament if you don't count the team from France.

[@S3verusMyG]

Something happened to AD man he used to be just as good of a defender with the fluidity of a guard shooting pull ups with an effective handle

[@bookaufman9643]

@@S3verusMyG I think he had a really impressive season last year and was really good in the Olympics. I think he's still a top 15 player if not higher.

[@whatshorts]

What I want to know is what happened to AD's three point shot? It used to be a part of his bag now he rarely pulls the trigger.

[@iamdebaby8152]

He had a 7'6 wingspan.

[@iamdebaby8152]

@@whatshortshe was never a good shooter he had 1 good year in 2020. And that fooled everyone.

[@KeenanHacker]

*note to self* when you're 7'2" you don't need to jump to block shots. Will keep this in mind for future reincarnations of myself 👍

[@whatshorts]

I'm thinking in my next life going 7'3" or 7'4", maybe a better hairline too.

[@bookaufman9643]

The landlord is the guy that evicts you.

[@whatshorts]

ah so like my mom when I was 18?

[@bookaufman9643]

@@whatshorts if you say so. I left when I was 16 and somehow was married with a kid at 18. That didn't work out. 😆 I can laugh about it now but it was pretty rough.

[@whatshorts]

God gave you perspective early, my friend.

[@bookaufman9643]

@@whatshorts Perspective. Perhaps. Then out of nowhere about a year ago he gave me a fatal diagnosis. I like being special but I was diagnosed with a rare mitochondrial myopathy. 10 people in a million. If you ever have a second you should look it up it's called Kearns Sayre syndrome. I hope my perspective is holding up because I definitely need it these days. Okay. I promise no more sharing personal details. 😊 Keep Slapping.

[@keithfisher8807]

Daniel Gafford and some of these other guys over Jaren Jackson Jr? Hell no

[@whatshorts]

I love JJJ, but the boards brought him down to 15. still excellent as a player though.

[@HJ17GAMING]

No Jarrett or Mobley is insane

[@whatshorts]

who would you take out? (obviously Sabonis, I'm dying on that hill, but who else?)

[@origin2992]

Wemby really should have been all nba. Third, if not second team

[@whatshorts]

agreed.

[@Monster69Cookie]

Another person overlooking the pavers players. 1/10

[@whatshorts]

who that?

[@michael922]

Daniel Gafford is literally 6’10 and 260 lbs I don’t think he’s a short center

[@whatshorts]

who would you consider a short center?

[@michael922]

@@whatshorts damn that’s tough Bam Adebayo but I think he’s a better PF cause he’s legit the same height as Lebron. I guess like a Kenneth Faried, Ben Wallace, Kevon Looney, Serge Ibaka those type of players play like a center but a little undersized

[@michael922]

@@whatshorts I guess even Alonzo Mourning he’s 6’10 but he played against giants

[@Ipxuli]

What’s crazy to me is a block shot doesn’t reset the shot clock, but counts as a missed field goal. I get it but Just felt like commenting tbh😅

[@whatshorts]

This is true. If the shot clock doesn't reset, it wasn't a shot so it shouldn't count as a miss.

[@kevinscott9242]

My GrandSon Domantas is a very good boy. He visits his old Granny, eats his veggies & has become an even better defensive rebounder than my 'Sonny Boy'. But even I wouldn't have the cojones to claim he's a better Rim Protector than Chet. -GrandMa Sabonis.

[@whatshorts]

Your English is really good, Grandma Sabonis!

[@NightlyBasis]

Jarret Allen?

[@whatshorts]

probably like 12ish. I'm thinkin

[@BinarySk8]

Easily top 5

[@peytonterry8386]

gafford grabs 8 defensive boards per 36 minutes

[@whatshorts]

not too shabby

[@peytonterry8386]

@@whatshorts yeah it’s crazy that he’s never played more than 25 minutes a game for a season. He just needs to take more midrange jumpers. He’s been taking and making them the last 2 seasons so I’m sure he will increase the volume and possibly step out to the 3 point line later in his career.

[@BinarySk8]

The problem with using stats to identify defenders is that no stat indicates good D. Yes you can do well guarding centers, but can you play help? Hedge? Also, you could actually just not play D on the perimeter and force your matchup to shoot 3s instead of trying you in the paint. So many factors to skew defensive stats. The only way to truly determine how good a rim protector is by simply watching the games and understanding what makes someone a good rim protector, and teams success as you do seem to get that. Obviously wemby is going to be a great rim protector, but he gave up tons of easy points last year from just being lost, getting outmuscled on POA and trying to bait shots. Rudy by farrrrr the best rim protector in the nba due to his IQ, length and strength. Bam second.

[@whatshorts]

Rudy is almost entirely rim protection and letting his presence be his biggest asset. You're right though you just gotta watch the game and see who is actually effecting close up shots.

[@BinarySk8]

@@whatshorts imagine if he wasn’t so slow and uncoordinated

[@whatshorts]

and taller (Wembanyama)

[@MLDBalls]

i understand your thought process but your wrong about Sabonis and you'll come to the realization one day that your currently valuing rebounds way too much for measuring defensive players. the best part of all of it is how Sabonis is the perfect example of this when you watch games because his rebounding comes from him allowing easy shot attempts throughout games similar to how his former teammate in OKC would. it also gives more rebounding opportunities when you are a fast paced team on offense that also doesnt have a rim protector on defense so shot opportunities are usually taken with alot of time on the shot clock left for SAC on both sides of the ball when Sabonis is on the court but he is an underrated playmaker with how special he is with the ball after he grabs rebounds as a playmaker. Sabonis is a top 10 offensive player, a top 10 screen setter, a top 10 rebounder, i think he might even be a top 10 playmaker i agree he is underrated but i think your looking at the wrong thing. Sabonis is honestly one of the worst rim protectors in the league when you look at other guys like Horford, Lively, Hartenstein, Robinson, Bam, Poeltl, Mobley, Allen, Giannis, Kessler, Capela, JJJ just to name a few who clearly are better than Sabonis. his defensive side of the ball is the entire issue with the Kings ceiling because when its time to go up against the best players on the main stage as long as Sabonis is on the court, they have access to the easiest shot in the game more than any typical center. the thing about Sabonis though, he doesnt allow second opportunities. but do teams who make the dance have player who need second opportunities for these shots? no. they knocking em down first try when you give Luka SGA Joker easy looks. if rebounding makes you a good defender Andre Drummond who has a case for being the best rebounder of all time and he was the best of our generation and he still is one of the best rebounders but his defense instincts are why he has an elite skillset but is passed around. going to talk football for an example because that skillset is not indicative of how good you are on offense or defense, its special teams. devin hester was the greatest return man in nfl history, we dont think he is one of the best offensive players ever and its because he isnt. wow... typed more than i thought i was going to lol love the videos, keep it up!

[@whatshorts]

appreciate the engagement. I will return to this comment and read it. I gotta go to work right now.

[@magicofshootingstar]

Walker Kessler? Can block with both hands and has best impact on rim deterrence inside #insert a correct amount of feet here# feet. Maybe six feet? I don't remember or have energy to recheck it 😅😂 (and yes I listened that much of your start speech that I know I'm helping you by leaving a comment but who cares 😁)

[@whatshorts]

I think I put Kessler at 13 or 14? He def came up in the research. I might just redo this same list for next week. Thanx for the engagement!

[@Arny522]

Keep it up! Make wrestling cool to everyone!

[@whatshorts]

I'll do my best!

[@Arny522]

@@whatshorts oh damn wrong video, but I do love your content. Keep it up!

[@Troy_Aesthetics]

This list is bogus! (good engagement)

[@whatshorts]

You're out of your element, Donny! (reply for engagement (also just felt like quoting the Big Lebowski))

[@zillakamishawty-]

3

[@whatshorts]

👏 👏 👏 👏 👏

[@kobiiboksireficul]

Bro Landlord has been Gafs nickname for a while now. Im guessing it means he owns the space around the rim. I still don't get how you say " rim protector " and say Bam isn't included because he protects them from doing anything at the rim. Maybe say " best shot blockers at center " or idk , i just feel like " rim protection" does include Bam. You don't need to bock someone to protected the rim. I do enjoy ur vids tho.

[@whatshorts]

He "collects rent" apparently. good nickname. Maybe I'll redo this video mid season and make the case for Bam. I'll die on the Sabonis hill though 💀

[@kobiiboksireficul]

​@@whatshorts 😂 ya, especially With how Embiid kept on giving away so many boards in the Olympics. And " protecting " the rim does entail them not getting another chance. But that just proves my point about Bam , that it's not just blocks lol . So your right, but put Bam on the list and you'll be completely right 😂

[@lukak4952]

Yeah Sabonis on a list like this discredits the whole list

[@whatshorts]

I respect your opinion. sorry for the saboner.

[@Creed845]

Mitchell Robinson?

[@whatshorts]

great player. only played 31 games last year though. next year he'll be here.

[@prospony9242]

I feel like Mitchell Robinson is a bit snub here. He may not record a lot of blocks any more but he is huge for the Knicks team defense and averting paint touches

[@whatshorts]

I think it might have been lack of games played that made him not show up in my research.

[@prospony9242]

@@whatshorts I get that but check his numbers in the first 30 games of last season. Knicks were a top 5 defense and #1 in rebounds.

[@justtimes9257]

if you cant be on the floor how value how good cam you be it the same with robert williams

[@whirlysquirrely3368]

I thought this was a rim protector, as in who rim protects the best, not a best defender list that happen to be primarily rim protectors😂

[@whatshorts]

I'll change the title for you ;)

[@whirlysquirrely3368]

@@whatshorts Thanks for catering to my pedantic complaining 🤣

[@whatshorts]

happy to!

[@xRawBacon]

Sabonis is nuts

[@whatshorts]

I'm loco

[@alxx292]

Derrick lively > Daniel Gafford

[@whatshorts]

Derrick Lively + minutes > Daniel Gafford

[@brodymcgowan9989]

Myles Turner?

[@whatshorts]

Bam was 11, Turner 12, Zubac 13, Walker Kesler 14

[@rakkinishuu]

walker kessler?

[@whatshorts]

may 13 or 14. what do you think?

[@rakkinishuu]

@@whatshorts hmmm probably fair but really impressive his defensive stats upon immediately entering the league

[@reallydoe2552]

Bam not I’m top ten is insane he’s not the best as a hit fan I no that but he’s easily top ten and also I agree his a better paint protector then rim protector

[@whatshorts]

I might make a video on my main channel about Rim Protection. Try to make a case for what it means. Bam is getting a lot of love in the comments.

[@reallydoe2552]

@@whatshorts I get what you just disagree and also main channel???

[@sadtwolvesfan]

6th man ranking?

[@whatshorts]

Already did it. check the backlog, baby.

[@Soupie23]

No Mitchell Robinson? L

[@whatshorts]

only because he only played 31 games this year.

[@Soupie23]

@@whatshorts That’s fair

[@dextermontague4768]

as soon as you had gobert at third i stopped watching. watch some timberwolves games this season

[@whatshorts]

totally get it. glad you made it that far! It's funny if I think about the games I watched on league pass last year a lot of them were Wolves games. I think my main observation was how Naz Reid was able to fill in for rudy if there wasn't a 7 footer on the court. Would you put Rudy at 1 or 2?

[@LineCSGOMore]

This vid seems lazy... still Enjoyable but could have used a bit more polishing, more takes,

[@whatshorts]

You're not wrong. If I had more time I'd like to do more research.

[@sprinkleaddition]

Mitchell robinson not here is insane

[@whatshorts]

only played 31 games last year, man. cut me some slack.

[@whirlysquirrely3368]

That gobert stuff was some hating ass shit. Said nothing good about him besides hes big😂

[@whatshorts]

I put him at 3 though

[@whirlysquirrely3368]

@@whatshorts 🤣 He's big and he's slow

[@COOLTOON-cn3zl]

First

[@whatshorts]

gold medal emoji

[@yungndirty]

this is cool but now do best perimeter defenders

[@whatshorts]

I did "three and d" players two videos back.