Going by the statistical data, yes. But there has to be a balance between defense and offense. Put it this way, most individual defenders are one dimensional meaning they could slow you down but couldn't capitalize on the offensive end. You still have to put he ball in the basket at some point.
What wins championships? Not sure, but I do know that Clyde getting in foul trouble and Guy going to the stall and underdog mojo/Jimmy V karma lose championships.
No, defense does NOT win championships. Balance wins championships. You have to be able to both score and defend. If you can't score, you can't win, if you can't defend you can't win. Defense alone does not win championships. DD
"Top priority" often ends up as "alone" because when defense is "top priority" you tend to sacrifice offense for defense in personnel decisions. That's what got JVG fired. That said, it is usually also true the other way around. When offense is top priority, you end up sacrificing defense. See teams coached by Don Nelson. I agree with DD. You have to see the whole picture instead of just picking one end of the floor and say, "This is our priority." "Defense wins championships" is a myth.
Priority is getting the best players. Jordan, Olajuwon, Shaq, Duncan, Garnett, and Kobe have a lot of championships. Once you have guys like this, then you can focus on getting defensive players around them. I see Lebron and Durant being guys that should be picking up championships shortly.
Can't vote with the limited options that you gave on your poll Yes, I think you have to play great D to win in the playoffs. However, you also have to play well offensively. Defense alone won't win, but without good D, you are in trouble, IMHO. So it kind of is, but good players as well as playing well offensively factor into the mix.
Neither. It was because Yao was still healthy, which means, it was because we were a better team than Portland.
Using the options from your poll, I would say that the Rockets have two championships to prove that the best players win.
Defense prowess give you the confident to win in ANY GAME. Offensively, you can have a night off but defense can still save you. So my conclusion is DEFENSE makes it easier to win Championship.
Not a myth, but maybe not as vital as some might say. Not to say I dont agree with you and Dak that you must have a good balance, but at some point or the other in the playoffs or Finals you WILL need several vital stops, and if you can't make those stops you will not win. myth to me signifies "totally not true" and I dont really think you mean that.
Defense wins championships but you have got to know how to score the basketball to win. look at Charlotte Bobcats...a very tough defensive team but struggles on the offensive end. they are not going to win the champion. but i do want them to make the playoffs and succeed. Go Cpt JACK!
YES. SwoLy-Defense DOES win championships. "Offense puts people in the stands." - Ronnie Courtney If you don't think so, just let the other score lots of points while you sit still watching them do it. LOL @ Kevin Garnett being in that group... "a lot of championships..." LOL ... :grin: that's like saying Gary Payton has a lot of championships... haha
defense wins championships bla bla that phrase was made up by some linebacker. If that was true I think we would have something to show for the jvg era.
Yes, in almost all sports, defense gives you a better chance to win it all, of course, that does not means you still can win it with a very bad offense, you still have to score some points, but everyone knows defense win championship for you, that is almost a rule.
There is this word called "and". Gary Payton never won an MVP. My list of players are guys that have won an MVP award and at a minimum one NBA championship over the last 20 years. By my quick counting, 17 of the last 20 NBA Championships have a guy that had won an MVP award. Detroit (twice) and Miami are the only three teams I can think of that didn't have an MVP on their team. Wait, I should say, "Detoit (twice) is a team that I can think of that didn't have an MVP on their team. Also, Miami did it, too". I wouldn't want to use the word "and" as it appears confusing. :grin:
