Aron Baynes is a Defensive Coordinator
Aron Baynes is a player who puts defense ahead of everything. He was even called a “Defensive Coordinator“ by his ex-teammate, Marcus Smart. We know how important defense is for Nick Nurse. He’s a mastermind on that end and bringing in a player who is also very vocal can benefit both parties in getting better.
When Baynes was part of an organized defense, he ranked among the best defenders at his position. Here are the on/off stats for points allowed per 100 possessions, per Cleaning The Glass.
- 16-17 Detroit Pistons: -9.6 fewer points allowed when on court
- 17-18 Boston Celtics: -7.0 fewer points allowed when on court
- 18-19 Boston Celtics: -3.3 fewer points allowed when on court
His best trait on defense is his rim-protecting. When Baynes is on the court, teams tend to be more reluctant to shoot around the rim. He may not have the most amount of blocks, but Baynes’ presence is definitely felt around the rim — unlike Whiteside who is an overall awful defender but is a good stat padder.
The Raptors are one of the most vocal teams on defense and the addition of a Defensive Coordinator will only solidify their defense further. Baynes will shine most when defending guys like Nikola Jokić and Joel Embiid. Which brings us to our next point.