NBLC9 All-Defensive Team Greatest Hits
Basketball is about more than scoring, having dependable players who can shut out opponents when not in possession is an equally vital part of the game.
The NBL Canada have recognised those who have best protected the rim in the 2019-20 season, making it a highly competitive year in the league. Here are the best moments of each member of this season's All-Defensive Team:
Marcus Capers
Forward, London Lightning
21 GP, 13.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG
Looking at Capers' numbers, it's easy to see why the London Guard was named the NBLC's Defensive Player of the Year. He was fifth overall in the league for assists, fourth for blocks and joint-first in 2019-20 for steals.
All of his skills were on show on February 13th against the Sudbury Five. As well as scoring 22 points he grabbed 12 total rebounds and was an assist shy of a triple-double. Sadly it wasn't enough to win the game for London, who lost by a point, but that doesn't take away from what was one of the best all-around performances of the season.
Wayne McCullough
Forward, Moncton Magic
23 GP, 14.1 PPG, 5.4 RPG
McCullough's stock continues to grow and improve in Moncton. 2019-20 saw him put up the best numbers of his career so far and finish equal first, with Capers, in all the NBLC for steals. His best look in of the season was on January 23rd against the Lightning.
Against Mon’s biggest inter-divisional rivals, McCullough lead the scoring at the Avenir Centre, as well as playing a big part in the team’s defence, grabbing eight goal rebounds to go with his season-high 27 points as the Magic get the win, 105-97.
Sam Muldrow
Forward, Windsor Express
17 GP, 14.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG
Muldrow made his presence felt on his return to Canada, putting up big numbers on the offensive end as well as on defence. In his first match-up of the season against the KW Titans he blocked six shots and his second time facing the team, on January 16th, he put on a defensive masterclass.
Grabbing eleven defensive rebounds and blocking three shots in the game, he was key in holding off the Titans while leaving the door open for Windsor to capitalise on the other end, with Muldrow himself scoring 12 in the 125-112 victory.
Brady Skeens
Forward, Sudbury Five
22 GP, 9.9 PPG, 9.4 RPG
Skeens impressed not just as a defensive player but as one new to the professional ranks, which also earned him a spot on the All-Rookie team. His highlight of the season came on January 9th against the Halifax Hurricanes, where he played just twenty-five minutes but lead the team in rebounding and blocks, with 17 boards and 4 denied shots respectively. He also completed a double-double, scoring 17 points in the high-scoring early-season affair.
Denzell Taylor
Forward, Moncton Magic
23 GP, 7.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG
Taylor's efforts for his team should not be understated - he was their best defensive player in 2019-20 as well as the league's number one offensive rebounder and in the top ten for blocks.
His best showing as a defender was against the Island Storm on January 26th. Though he had a quiet first half, in the second he scored eight and pulled down nine boards, bringing his totals to 12 points in the game and a season-high 13 rebounds in the 99-81 win for the Magic.
