I find myself a little confused about this category and often trying to avoid players with a high shot block rating because it tends to mean they are lacking somewhere else, but I got to thinking I might just be understanding the application of the rating incorrectly.  Does being a good shot blocker attribute to a greater success to a player's ability to defend?  It would seem to me that a 99 def and 1 shot blocking PF would probably still be far superior to a 50 def and 99 shot blocker.  Obviously I am very wrong if it enhances a player's ability to defend.  Can anyone shed some light?

Some random disjointed thoughts.

SB (Shot Blocking) not only blocks shots but also alters shots which isn't reflected in the stats. Until recently this could be found out by reading the play-by-play but some say it has been dropped from the play-by-play. If it has been dropped from the play-by-play then we wonder if SB still alters shots.

SB skill can be increased by practicing DEF and ATH.

SB is usually regarded higher for zone defense.

Obviously SB is more important for the C than the PG.

About your example your right. Unless it's a PF or C. If the PF then I'd still go with the DEF but for the C I'd choose the shot blocker. Actually I'd check out the potential and choose that guy with the highest overall potential in REB/DEF/SB/LP. Oh, and ATH!

Pretty sure footwork is the practice attribute for shot blocking

All else being equal, I would take a 50 DEF over a 99 SB at either post position in zone or m2m and it would be something of a tossup in the press.  At SF I'd take the shot blocker in the zone, lean towards him slightly in the man, and go with the DEF guy in the press.  Guards I'd probably take the defense, but it would be pretty close in anything other than press.  FWIW, I think a lot of coaches massively undervalue SB.  If you look at the differences between first- and second-tier defensive teams in D2 and D3, you'll find that they often have similar team defensive ratings but the most elite defenses are significantly better in SB.

Posted by dahsdebater on 8/25/2011 8:12:00 PM (view original):
All else being equal, I would take a 50 DEF over a 99 SB at either post position in zone or m2m and it would be something of a tossup in the press.  At SF I'd take the shot blocker in the zone, lean towards him slightly in the man, and go with the DEF guy in the press.  Guards I'd probably take the defense, but it would be pretty close in anything other than press.  FWIW, I think a lot of coaches massively undervalue SB.  If you look at the differences between first- and second-tier defensive teams in D2 and D3, you'll find that they often have similar team defensive ratings but the most elite defenses are significantly better in SB.

re: your first sentence - in a zone, I take the 99 SB post guy 10 times out of 10 so long as DEF > than say, 25.

Yeah, that came out weird - meant to say I'd take the 50/99 guy over the 99/1 guy.