Rate these defenses

[mehyaM24]

2008
Boston: 1st in DEF rating, 90.3 OPPG

2004
Detroit: 2nd in DEF rating, 84.3 OPPG

2013
Spurs: 3rd in DEF rating, 96.6 in OPPG


1991
Lakers: 5th in DEF rating, 99.6 OPPG

1992
Blazers: 3rd in DEF rating, 104.1 OPPG

1993
Phoenix: 9th in DEF rating, 106.7 OPPG (18th)

Me?

1) Pistons
2) Celtics (Bron dropped 45 in game 7 :eek:)
3) Spurs (Bron had the greatest game 7 finals in history)
4) Lakers
5) Blazers
6) Suns (lmao@ majerle and ainge :oldlol:)

[3ball]

http://grantland.com/features/packing-paint-nba-defensive-strategy-forcing-coaches-rethink-their-offense/

[DonDadda59]

'73-'74 Bulls>

93.6 DRTG (1st)/ 99.8 OPPG (105 pace)

'56-'57 Celtics>>>>>>

84 DRTG (1st)/ 100.2 OPPG (118 pace)

50s-70s defense>>>>>>>>

:bowdown:

[3ball]

Also, you can't use OPPG when comparing defenses of different eras because the pace was different in different eras.

The pace was faster in the "two-pointer" eras because a decent shooter like Dirk Nowistski or Mark Aguirre can still hit mid-range shots with a defender draped all over, so offense doesn't need to be run to get those shots..

Otoh, as it turns out, you have to run offense to get off the 21.5 threes per game that it takes to keep the floor spread in today's game, because you can't take those shots with a guy draped all over like you can with two-pointers - this slows the game down.

So again, when you are comparing over eras, you can't use OPPG as a gauge of defensive effectiveness.

[SamuraiSWISH]

So we're ranking the defenses MJ, Kobe, and LeBron faced in the Finals?

1) 2004 Pistons
2) 1996 Sonics
3) 2008 Celtics

4) 2002 Nets, 2007 Spurs, 2009 Magic, 2010 Celtics
5) '92 Blazers, 2013 Spurs, 2014 Spurs
6) '91 Lakers, 2001 Sixers
7) 2011 Mavericks
8) '93 Suns, '97 Jazz
9) 2012 Thunder
10) 2000 Pacers
9) 1998 Jazz

[3ball]

So we're ranking the defenses MJ, Kobe, and LeBron faced in the Finals?

1) 2004 Pistons
2) 1996 Sonics
3) 2008 Celtics

4) 2002 Nets, 2007 Spurs, 2009 Magic, 2010 Celtics
5) '92 Blazers, 2013 Spurs, 2014 Spurs
6) '91 Lakers, 2001 Sixers
7) 2011 Mavericks
8) '93 Suns, '97 Jazz
9) 2012 Thunder
10) 2000 Pacers
9) 1998 Jazz

This is just about right, especially for the top 3... I'd put the 97' Jazz a bit higher maybe.

If we're rating the offenses, the 1998 Jazz and 1993 Suns would be at the top based on their team's offensive rating.

Even though their offense did abnormally well in the Finals, the 2014 Spurs had a materially lower Ortg than the Jazz and Suns in the regular season and they only had a super-high Ortg against the Heat specifically... The abnormally good offensive performance against the Heat was in part due to the Heat's bad defense, however, the Heat had the worst offense of any Spurs opponent too, and this hurt them as much or more than their defense.

The Heat couldn't answer the Spurs buckets - when a team scores twice in a row and their buckets go unanswered, this can start momentum - plays are easier in basketball or any sport with momentum (extra confidence, optimism, energy, adrenaline, etc.)... The Heat's bad offense fueled the Spurs momentum, which made it easier and easier for them to score as the games progressed.

Again, the Heat's defense was also bad, but the momentum the Spurs had from the Heat's offensive ineptness made it harder on the defense than it would have been if the Heat had been able to keep better pace with the Spurs offensively.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Are these Finals defenses faced? If so, your list looks about right. The Suns also used Dumas though, and if he were healthy, Ceballos.

I agree that Detroit and Boston were by far the best defenses listed. Awesome drating and opponents PPG average.

Looking back, Thibs was still Boston's assistant coach too. lol stacked coaching staff

[swagga]

2008
Boston: 1st in DEF rating, 90.3 OPPG

2004
Detroit: 2nd in DEF rating, 84.3 OPPG

2013
Spurs: 3rd in DEF rating, 96.6 in OPPG


1991
Lakers: 5th in DEF rating, 99.6 OPPG

1992
Blazers: 3rd in DEF rating, 104.1 OPPG

1993
Phoenix: 9th in DEF rating, 106.7 OPPG (18th)

Me?

1) Pistons
2) Celtics (Bron dropped 45 in game 7 :eek:)
3) Spurs (Bron had the greatest game 7 finals in history)
4) Lakers
5) Blazers
6) Suns (lmao@ majerle and ainge :oldlol:)

2004 pistons had the GOAT D. They held teams to ridiculously low points per possession.