Atlanta Hawks Kevin Huerter: Despite Low Usage, Red Pepper is Killing It
By Chris Guest
Defense
Huerter has also been considerably underrated as a defender. Though he has made some mistakes, as all rookies do, he has also looked great at times as an on-ball, one-on-one defender. Huerter’s fluid athleticism allows him to move laterally with ease – moving his feet exceptionally well against quicker players.
Huerter’s length (6-foot-8 wingspan) and underrated leaping ability allows him to contest shots with ease against most players. When combined with his defensive instincts and ability to stay with speedy players out on the perimeter, you have the makings of a perimeter defense bulwark.
Red Pepper’s numbers per Cleaning the Glass back up this claim. When Huerter is on the floor, opposing teams are shooting far more from midrange (+4.9 percent) because Huerter’s length and speed bother perimeter ballhandlers. When those players go to those midrange shots with Huerter on the floor, opposing teams are shooting 9.5 percent worse than when he’s not. Great stuff from the rook.