Defense wins championship? For the first time I start to doubt this seemingly gold rule. The Pistons, the long known defensive powerhouse, convincingly won two games with their offensive power rather than lock-down defense. The Spurs' first win had not much to do with superior defense. It was everyone's game from the beginning to the end. Tonight, the Spurs, argurably the best defensive team, looked so hopeless when overwhelmed by the offensive power of Dallas. I know it is just one game, the Spurs may bounce back and take control of the serial again. But it looks like the NBA has changed. It is time to emphasize more on offense and bring down defense a little. The pistons is a good example. Look at how they thrive with a more offense-minded coach! You can argue that Dallas becomes a better team with a more defense-concerned coach. You are right but I never argue that defense is not important. And look how easily a bunch of offensive talents take up a decent defense. The same is true for the Suns, when they picked up some defense they won three straight over the Lakers. It just seemed too easy for offensive teams to take up decent team defense. Do you think it is equally easy for a defensive player to learn how to play offense? Why I bring this up is that it concerns the Rox. JVG overemphasizes too much defense. His basketball system seemed obslete. His preference of defensive player over offensive talent may hurt the Rox big time. What's your preference? provided a more balanced player is not available. Do you think offensive powerhouses such as the Suns and Dallas are going to take over the NBA soon?
The teams that display excellent offense and defense will be contenders. Detroit, SA, and now even Dallas have balance. That is what it takes, offense and defense on their own will not get it done. That is why Dallas has never been taken seriously until this season. Once we can establish reliability on both ends, we will do some damage.
Here's the offensive and defensive regular rankings for the eventual champion over the past 20 years: Code: [COLOR=Navy]year team off def num teams[/COLOR] 2005 Spurs 8 1 30 2004 Pistons 18 2 29 2003 Spurs 6 3 29 2002 Lakers 3 7 29 2001 Lakers 2 21 29 2000 Lakers 6 2 29 1999 Spurs 10 1 29 1998 Bulls 9 3 29 1997 Bulls 1 4 29 1996 Bulls 1 1 29 1995 Rockets 8 12 27 1994 Rockets 16 4 27 1993 Bulls 3 8 27 1992 Bulls 1 4 27 1991 Bulls 1 6 27 1990 Pistons 11 2 27 1989 Pistons 8 3 25 1988 Lakers 2 10 23 1987 Lakers 1 6 23 1986 Celtics 3 1 23 10 times the champion had a better offensive ranking, and 10 times the champion had a better defensive ranking. The last three seasons, of course, great defensive teams have won. But 2001 Lakers were actually well below average on defense (at least during the regular season), yet they steamrolled through the playoffs losing only one game. Go figure. Considering that they were the second best defensive team the prior year, maybe they were just slacking off and they were able to "turn it on" when it counted.
Except for the last two Laker teams, it's obvious defense is very important. But like someone said in another thread, balance is the key. When the Pistons won their championship, they were consistently plagued by scoring droughts. They probably should have lost to the Nets and WOULD have lost to the Pacers if JO hadn't got hurt and Ron Ron didn't spaz out. But the bottom line is they hit their stride in the Finals and their offense was fine against the Lakers. Balance. Balance. Balance. When we've had a healthy roster the last season and a half, our offense has been fine.
the name of the game is still to score more points than your opposition. on top of that , its just a heck of a lot more fun watching high scoring ball. Im going burko over this clippers suns series. should be run and gun fun all the way! in my dreams cleveland knocks off the pistons - the mavs drop the spurs - the clippers beat the suns (in 7 wonderful games) and the nets run over the heat. east finals cavs v nets. west finals clippers v mavs. from there i wouldnt care caus no matter what it'd be all about the offense. i would settle for a suns mavs rematch though, last years series was damn special! score the ball
Here's an irony for you. When McGrady and Yao were healthy and the Rockets guards were a healthy quartet named James, Sura, Wesley and Barry...we were among the hottest teams in the league as we marched to 51 wins. Few were complaining about Van Gundy's offense. Sadly, we aged quickly and ran out of gas...that's not a problem with the offense. Enter Rafer Alston, exit James, enter an NBA unprecedented run of injuries (including Sura for the season) and all of the sudden it's the offense. Sadly, nobody walking the planet could have whipped borderline rotation players who became starters into an offensive juggernaut. But it must be the offense. It just couldn't be the personnel. I am forced to wonder...Power Forwards that stretch the floor, slashers, teams excellent in transition, players that are durable...are you guys listening at all to VG defining his vision of the Rockets as he broadcasts playoff games?
Van Gundy has been talking very offensively since the end of the season. I think that is the key. If he is really going to get offensive minded, younger players, that are athletic and he can then teach the defense to, we will be a championship contender. To me, this is make or break time for him. If we go after a bunch of defensive type, hustle players with zero to very limited offensive skills, then we will not win, and I think Van Gundy will be gone in a year. If we go after offensively skilled players that are athletic then I think we are on our way. He's talking the talk, will he walk the walk?
there is no doubting your statement that it is make or break time for him. But being a sporting coach since i started high school, i have learnt a couple of things. It's pretty tough to change your style and approach to coaching a sport when you've been doing it on a long term basis with at least a decent amount of success. This is gonna be Jeff's biggest challenge. He needs to basically reinvent himself as a coach. He needs to go from working on the premise that defense is the way, to lets get out and run - loosen the leash on 'em and see if we cant just win games by outscoring people... It doesnt matter what tools you have either. That is why he's had such a hard time adjusting (thats even if he's been trying) to having offensively skilled players like Yao and Mac on his team and being able to utilise them as effectively as possible. the point of this post is to say that its my prediction no matter what our roster looks like come november - we're gonna see the same production. the same half court , slow it down offense. hey it might work (think the run we had at end of last season) u never know.
good point.. but I should add that once u established a good D [and u should have the right formula for a successful team], the Offense will come around by itself and improve constantly... the game of basketball is a game of Defense and Offense.. u cant win without both of them.. but good D leads to easier shots on the other end and more scoring.... and in rare conditions, Offense first can bring the D alive.. that's pretty much what happened with Dallas and Pheonix...
