Santi Aldama's growth as a defender recognized

As NBA defenses have become more complex and sophisticated, there is a growing need to redefine defensive roles. Thankfully, the website Basketball Index has addressed this need by creating seven new defensive roles: Point of attack, Mobile big, Chaser, Wing stopper, Anchor big, Helper, and Low activity.

Memphis Grizzlies big man Santi Aldama was recently ranked by BBall Index as the third-best Helper in the league, behind Peyton Watson and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

According to the BBall Index, a helper is "a defender who often helps away from his matchup, both on drives and at the rim. Rotational ability (trapping the box, tagging rollers, sinking to 'help the helper' and fill) is important for success in this role."

This role requires keen awareness and the ability to rotate quickly to stop opposing players from scoring efficiently.

Santi shows year-by-year improvements

Aldama's development as a helper in rim protection has been gradual. Over the past three seasons, he has steadily increased his minutes and production, particularly on defense.

In the 2023-24 season, Aldama averaged career highs of 1.1 blocks and 4.6 rebounds per game, showcasing his ability to rotate effectively and provide help defense in critical moments.

His defensive instincts and length have allowed him to contest shots at the rim and disrupt drives, making it difficult for opponents to finish inside. His role as a helper is invaluable to the Grizzlies, considering the number of aggressive drivers in today's NBA.

Grizzlies need Aldama

Aldama's progression aligns with Memphis' team identity as a defensively-oriented squad, and Aldama's presence only strengthens their efforts to dominate the paint.

For Memphis, Aldama's rim protection adds another layer of defense behind their star players like Jaren Jackson Jr. His ability to help away from his primary matchup allows the Grizzlies to be more versatile on defense, shifting rotations when needed to disrupt opposing offenses.

With Aldama stepping up and helping at the rim, the Grizzlies' interior defense becomes much more effective. His skill in 'trapping the box' and 'tagging rollers' has proven invaluable to Memphis's defensive schemes.

Aldama's defensive growth, combined with his contributions on offense (averaging 10.7 points per game in 2023-24), makes him a critical component for Memphis moving forward.

As he continues to improve, Aldama could become the missing piece of the puzzle for a Grizzlies' team that needs another reliable rotation player to compete for a top spot in the Western Conference.

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