Poll: Which defense is harder to score on?

[3ball]

.
Option A) Being against Iggy with all 4 help defenders on weakside and furthest to help on strongside action:


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/7-06-2015/uAh_p8.gif



Option B) Being against Rodman with all 4 help defenders on strongside and closest to help on strongside action:


http://i.imgur.com/k5NhDI9.gif


Weakside spacing leaves the strongside with fewer defenders (1st GIF), which necessitates the flooding of defenders BACK TO the strongside - this is how strongside floods originated.

Otoh, without weakside spacing (seen in 2nd GIF), defenders just remained on the strongside and closest to help on strongside action.. With defenders staying on strongside, the strongside was already flooded with all 5 defenders (5-defender strongsides (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11128077&postcount=21), which is stark contrast from today's weakside spacing and resulting 1-defender strongsides (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377570)).

[ISHGoat]

the defense in the 80-90s is easier to score on

i could probably get a bench role on a contender in the league back then

[KirbyPls]

Time for your nap 3ball.

[KyrieTheFuture]

You didn't even watch MJ play

[RoundMoundOfReb]

I've been watching the NBA since 1949, and I'll tell you this: Late 80s+90s = Weak defensive era, due to the rules.

[Uncle Drew]

Option A, not close.

[3ball]

Time for your nap 3ball.
Show me one thing in the OP that is inaccurate or not factual.

Do you think I'm just cherry-picking GIFs?... These GIFs are just EXAMPLES... Watch any Jordan highlight video and you'll see that on every single possession, all 5 defenders are on the strongside and/or in the paint because of no-spacing and legal paint camping..

Whereas in today's game, spacing and defensive 3 seconds reduces the number of strongside defenders and keeps the paint wide open at all times.. There are entire threads detailing how Lebron faces fewer strongside defenders, with tons of GIFs.. because again, this is EVERY POSSESSION:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377570
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=378398

[aj1987]

Your mom is probably the easiest I've seen.

[Jailblazers7]

Hardest defense for OP to score on is when a girl is hanging out with a group of her friends.

[KirbyPls]

Show me one thing in the OP that is inaccurate or not factual.

Do you think I'm just cherry-picking GIFs?... These GIFs are just EXAMPLES... Watch any Jordan highlight video and you'll see that on every single possession, all 5 defenders are on the strongside and/or in the paint because of no-spacing and legal paint camping..

Whereas in today's game, spacing and defensive 3 seconds reduces the number of strongside defenders and keeps the paint wide open at all times.. There are entire threads detailing how Lebron faces fewer strongside defenders, with tons of GIFs.. because again, this is EVERY POSSESSION:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377570
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=378398

Jordan > Lebron, take a deep breath, move on, as us Lebron fans have. Your arguments and cherry-picked GIFs are ubiquitous, biased and dripping with self-serving, agenda-ridden "context." You make legitimate MJ fans look bad with your incessant need for attention.

[3ball]

Jordan > Lebron, take a deep breath, move on, as us Lebron fans have. Your arguments and cherry-picked GIFs are ubiquitous, biased and dripping with self-serving, agenda-ridden "context." You make legitimate MJ fans look bad with your incessant need for attention.
By thinking those GIFs are cherry-picked and represent one-off situations, you reveal a severe ignorance of the game or institution-level blindness/denial.

I could post literally a million GIFs from today's game of wide open paints and weakside spacing creating porous strongside defense, but I shouldn't have to.. It's an every possession occurrence that is obvious to anyone with two eyes - to deny it while having satisfactory eyesight is pure intellectual dishonesty or dumbness.

I can post a million GIFs of packed paints resulting from no spacing and ACTUAL LEGAL PAINT CAMPING PROVISIONS, but I shouldn't have to.. It's an every possession occurrence that is obvious and the actual rules stated paint-camping was legal.

Also, when I make a thread showing a half dozen GIFs from a single game of Lebron facing 1-defender on the strongside - that's not cherry-picked - that's many possessions from a single game..

[hawke812]

I've been watching the NBA since 1949, and I'll tell you this: Late 80s+90s = Weak defensive era, due to the rules.

Very true:applause:

[KirbyPls]

By thinking those GIFs are cherry-picked and represent one-off situations, you reveal a severe ignorance of the game or institution-level blindness/denial.

I could post literally a million GIFs from today's game of wide open paints and weakside spacing creating porous strongside defense, but I shouldn't have to.. It's an every possession occurrence that is obvious to anyone with two eyes - to deny it while having satisfactory eyesight is pure intellectual dishonesty or dumbness.

I can post a million GIFs of packed paints resulting from no spacing and ACTUAL LEGAL PAINT CAMPING PROVISIONS, but I shouldn't have to.. It's an every possession occurrence that is obvious and the actual rules stated paint-camping was legal.

Also, when I make a thread showing a half dozen GIFs from a single game of Lebron facing 1-defender on the strongside - that's not cherry-picked - that's many possessions from a single game..


So why do you use the same 8 GIFs over and over again?

You're arguing something (MJ > Lebron, albeit indirectly in this instance) that is not, and probably will never be an argument. MJ is GOAT, Lebron retires in top 5-8 likely. Let it go, use your determination for something worth debating.

[3ball]

I've been watching the NBA since 1949, and I'll tell you this: Late 80s+90s = Weak defensive era, due to the rules.
If the rules messed up the defense, why was the paint packed in previous eras on EVERY ...... SINGLE..... POSSESSION.... but it's wide open today?.. Seriously, how is this the case if the rules made it easier?

It's because there was no spacing to draw defenders to the perimeter and paint-camping was legal.. Rule 2b (http://nbahoopsonline.com/History/Leagues/NBA/Rules/Fouls.html) of the Illegal Defense Guidelines allowed defenders to remain in the paint "with no time restriction".

It's there in black and white, plain as day... Previous eras could paint-camp, while today's defenders cannot.

[PP34Deuce]

The threat of lebron james passing ability forces defenders to stay to the shooters.

[MP.Trey]

You didn't even watch MJ play
He doesn't even watch basketball today. He told me he gets all of his "expert analysis" from highlight reels. :roll:

[3ball]

.
The NBA stated that the rule changes worked as planned to increase penetration.. This is from the creator and implementer of the new rules, so this is not subjective opinion, similar to how Bill Gates vision for Microsoft was never considered "subjective opinion":

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/04/09/stujackson/index.html


NBA.COM: Since the hand-checking rule was interpreted differently beginning in the 2004-05 season, the game has opened up. Players are penetrating and the floor is spread. As a result, scoring has risen every season. Was this anticipated back in 2004?

NBA: Our objective was to allow for more offensive freedom by not allowing defenders to hand-, forearm- or body-check ball handlers. By doing so, we encouraged more dribble penetration. As players penetrated more, it produced higher quality shots for the ball handler as well as shots for teammates on passes back out to perimeter. When NBA players get higher quality shots -- having more time to shoot -- they tend to make more of them.


NBA.COM: Shooting percentages have risen since 2004-05 regardless of location -- at-the-rim shots, short- and deep-mid range and 3-pointers. Does this surprise you, especially the higher percentages from 3-point range?

NBA: It doesn't. With the rule and interpretation changes, it has become more difficult for defenders to defend penetration, cover the entire floor on defensive rotations and recover to shooters. With more dribble penetration, ball handlers are getting more opportunities at the rim.


NBA.COM: From an Xs and Os perspective, how have coaches adjusted to a more wide-open game? What have they done differently?

NBA: Coaches have utilized more space on the floor so to create more room for dribble penetration, two-man pick-and-roll basketball and dribble exchanges on the perimeter.


NBA.COM: When you watch the game today, does it closely resemble an international game or are there still distinct differences in the style of play?

NBA: Our game does more closely resemble an international game in terms of the style of play than it used to. However, there are distinct differences in the international game vs. the NBA game. The international game utilizes a pure zone defense (as opposed to the defensive three-second rule), which allows frontcourt players to stand in the middle of the lane and discourage cutting, passing and dribble penetration.


There it is in black and white (and red).. :confusedshrug:

[GIF REACTION]

Oh look,

2ball resorts back to the backbone of his agenda

Stu Jackson

Not even brave enough to put Stu's name on it.

[GIF REACTION]

Stu ****ing Jackson

[3ball]

So why do you use the same 8 GIFs over and over again?


Again, I shouldn't have to post ANY!!!... These things are common knowledge and verifiable by even the most cursory eye test.. But I know stans are THAT clueless, so I put some gifs together to show them some examples.. Those gifs are a FAVOR..

You seem to be unaware of how ridiculous it is to say that GIFs showing any of the things below are "cherry-picking", when these things are every-possession occurrences:


1) Spacing draws defenders to the perimeter, opens up the middle of the floor, and causes defenders to help from further away.

2) Weakside spacing reduces the number of strongside defenders, so help defenders are now helping from the weakside instead of already being on the the strongside.

3) The hand-check ban and other physicality restrictions makes defense hands-off and easier for scorers.

4) The NBA banned paint-camping in favor of allowing zones OUTSIDE the paint - it was a literal trade-off of paint-camping for zones outside the paint... The paint-camping ban forced bigs to vacate their wheelhouse (the paint) to shade in a guard's wheelhouse (the perimeter).. This benefits the guard.. Even Austin Rivers (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374490) can beat bigs on the perimeter and finish on unprotected rims (as opposed to the protected rims of the paint-camping eras).

[3ball]

Again, I shouldn't have to post ANY!!!... These things are common knowledge and verifiable by even the most cursory eye test.. But I know stans are THAT clueless, so I put some gifs together to show them some examples.. Those gifs are a FAVOR..

You seem to be unaware of how ridiculous it is to say that GIFs showing any of the things below are "cherry-picking", when these things are every-possession occurrences:


1) Spacing draws defenders to the perimeter, opens up the middle of the floor, and causes defenders to help from further away.

2) Weakside spacing reduces the number of strongside defenders, so help defenders are now helping from the weakside instead of already being on the the strongside.

3) The hand-check ban and other physicality restrictions makes defense hands-off and easier for scorers.

4) The NBA banned paint-camping in favor of allowing zones OUTSIDE the paint - it was a literal trade-off of paint-camping for zones outside the paint... The paint-camping ban forced bigs to vacate their wheelhouse (the paint) to shade in a guard's wheelhouse (the perimeter).. This benefits the guard.. Even Austin Rivers (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374490) can beat bigs on the perimeter and finish on unprotected rims (as opposed to the protected rims of the paint-camping eras).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_RLjmI6fK4&t=1m34s


KirbyPls - the link above is one of thousands of MJ highlight videos - watch it for a couple minutes and you'll see that every single single play shows packed paints and the 4 things listed below:


1) no spacing resulting in congested middle of floor
2) no weakside spacing, so all 5 defenders are on strongside and/or in paint
3) legal hand-checking/physicality
4) legal paint-camping
.

[ISHGoat]

3ball = euroleague = kennethgriffen

who are all jeff

they all post the same way

they all post about only one topic

they are all biased and irrational beyond belief

[SexSymbol]

Ur mothers defense wasn't hard to penetrate

[3ball]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_RLjmI6fK4&t=1m34s


KirbyPls - the link above is one of thousands of MJ highlight videos - watch it for a couple minutes and you'll see that every single single play shows packed paints and the 4 things listed below:


1) no spacing resulting in congested middle of floor
2) no weakside spacing, so all 5 defenders are on strongside and/or in paint
3) legal hand-checking/physicality
4) legal paint-camping


Like, I could make a GIF showing no spacing and paint-camping from every possession on that video, and EVERY Jordan highlight video.

These things were simply THE CASE..

You can't dispute it by claiming cherry-picking... That's like calling a GIF of Westbrook driving by his man cherry-picking.

[ShawkFactory]

The "control", the "c", and the "v" buttons have GOT to be wearing down on your computer.

[sdot_thadon]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_RLjmI6fK4&t=1m34s


KirbyPls - the link above is one of thousands of MJ highlight videos - watch it for a couple minutes and you'll see that every single single play shows packed paints and the 4 things listed below:


1) no spacing resulting in congested middle of floor
2) no weakside spacing, so all 5 defenders are on strongside and/or in paint
3) legal hand-checking/physicality
4) legal paint-camping
.
Yeah because we all know highlights are the best example of difficulty a player had scoring......ever wonder why you get MJ's gifs from highlight videos and Lebron's from current games of the non highlight variety?
Nevermind the plays where he had blowbys for dunks or simply got a one on one matchup. I'm sure ever single one of his plays are represented in these "highlights".
Either one of the most disciplined gimmicks ever or a real life lunatic.

[3ball]

Yeah because we all know highlights are the best example of difficulty a player had scoring......ever wonder why you get MJ's gifs from highlight videos and Lebron's from current games of the non highlight variety?


You don't click on my links that show all the GIFs... If you did, you'd see that I show Lebron MADE buckets.. See the thread on Lebron's isolations in the Atlanta series - all makes.. no misses...

But you wouldn't know this, because you don't click on the links - you just like to talk shit about them because you're a bitch.





More whining about cherry-picked GIFs


It's a fact spacing and defensive 3 seconds opens up the middle of the floor.

It's a fact weakside spacing enables fewer strongside defenders than previous eras.

It's a fact that the hand-check ban makes defense hands-off.

It's a fact that paint-camping has been banned.


So I don't have to post GIF's of these things.. They're obvious, factual things that don't normally need explaining.. The only reason I post the GIFs is because I know you guys don't know shit.. Realtalk.. The GIFs are examples - I'm doing you a favor by taking the time to post examples for your dumb, ignorant ass.

It's funny because I post a GIF of something that occurs every possession, and you guys say I'm cherry-picking, because you're dumb as shit... It's like posting a GIF of Westbrook blowing by a defender, and someone saying it's cherry-picking simply because they don't know shit.. That's what you guys do.
.

[nzahir]

Which is harder for 3ball to do?
A) Post the same stupid shit everyday and then wonder why people compare lebron to mj(b.c. he starts the convo)
B) Get a girl
C) Not look like a ****** mj stan
D) Move out of his parents home

[3ball]

Which is harder for 3ball to do?
A) Post the same stupid shit everyday and then wonder why people compare lebron to mj(b.c. he starts the convo)
B) Get a girl
C) Not look like a ****** mj stan
D) Move out of his parents home
What's harder for you to do?

Admit that I'm right about today's weakside spacing or refute it

Tough one huh

[nzahir]

What's harder for you to do?

Admit that I'm right about today's weakside spacing or refute it

Tough one huh
Well you didnt answer my question as usual. But i can answer yours.
Players are hedging in the paint and they will come when lebron goes into the paint every time, as i showed a gif yesterday. There are many examples of it, go watch a game or 2 next year and u will see. There is always a few games looking at lebron to help when he starts to attack or turn.

[Heavincent]

Proof of Andre Iguodala's greatness. He was put on an island and still held Bran to 35% shooting. Wow.

[CarlosBoozer]

https://33.media.tumblr.com/77add4b49b675c8f07480e57099c24b0/tumblr_n4gxsfqZgJ1rdutw3o1_400.gif

[3ball]

Proof of Andre Iguodala's greatness. He was put on an island and still held Bran to 35% shooting.


Lebron shot poorly against Atlanta as well, and they let him isolate on an island just like the Warriors.. Here are secluded isolations from Game 4 vs. Atlanta:


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/5-27-2015/htKYYr.gif

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/5-27-2015/8Td59Q.gif



Game 3:


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/5-25-2015/LJjm2B.gif

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/5-25-2015/LN8UHS.gif

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/5-25-2015/QpWaKl.gif

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/5-25-2015/7mUjI9.gif



Game 2:


http://gifsforum.com/images_new/gif/other/grand/60edafbed8d187680e60fbc7ad5e81de.gif

http://gifsforum.com/images_new/gif/other/grand/5f6d4329b3bcca4b79bf694fe56dfe1e.gif



Game 1:


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/5-22-2015/WAhpK1.gif

http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/5-22-2015/4KTtgX.gif


Don't get me wrong - Iggy's is a solid defender.. But Lebron is just a horrific isolation player - his regular season isolation stats were far below average and his playoff isolation stats were literally worst in the league..

Teams have figured out that letting Lebron isolate at 33% a pop (his iso FG%) is the best way to play him.

It's always the best defensive strategy to let someone shoot at 33% over and over, similar to how hack-a-Deandre gets him to shoot FT's at 50% over and over.. The Warriors exploited Lebron's poor 1-on-1 skills the same way.
.

[3ball]

Players are hedging in the paint and they will help when lebron goes into the paint.


It's not about whether Lebron faces help defense or not.. Any idiot knows he faces help defense.

It's about how far away that help is coming from.. Spacing causes today's defenders to help from further away - again, this isn't something I need a GIF to demonstrate.. It's a fact.

Specifically, today's weakside spacing causes defenders to help from the weakside and therefore furthest away to help on strongside action.. Whereas previous eras didn't have weakside spacing, so defenders remained on the strongside and were therefore closer to help.

[3ball]

.


What defense is harder to score on?


Option A) Being against Iggy with all 4 help defenders on weakside and furthest to help on strongside action:


http://cdn.makeagif.com/media/7-06-2015/uAh_p8.gif



Option B) Being against Rodman with all 4 help defenders on strongside and closest to help on strongside action:


http://i.imgur.com/k5NhDI9.gif


Weakside spacing leaves the strongside with fewer defenders (1st GIF), which necessitates the flooding of defenders BACK TO the strongside - this is how strongside floods originated.

Otoh, without weakside spacing (seen in 2nd GIF), defenders just remained on the strongside and closest to help on strongside action.. With defenders staying on strongside, the strongside was already flooded with all 5 defenders (5-defender strongsides (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11128077&postcount=21), which is stark contrast from today's weakside spacing and resulting 1-defender strongsides (http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=377570)).



Nobody responded with just "option A" or "option B"... :lol

[ShawkFactory]

Don't bump your own threads *******

[Kvnzhangyay]

Option B. Much easier to be bailed out by superstar calls

[Droid101]

Boston's 2008-2010 Defense, no question. Built from the ground up to stop teams who rely on a single swingman to defeat other teams.

[plowking]

Boston's 2008-2010 Defense, no question. Built from the ground up to stop teams who rely on a single swingman to defeat other teams.

They single guarded Kobe in 2010. That is just fact. Ray Allen was on Kobe 80% of the time that series.

[Droid101]

They single guarded Kobe in 2010. That is just fact. Ray Allen was on Kobe 80% of the time that series.
Watch the strong-side shades a little more closely next time you watch that series bro.

Also, remember that series-clinching three by Artest everyone seems to say bailed out Kobe? Look who was double teamed beyond the three point line on that play.

Get your facts straight. You come at the king, you best not miss.

[Dresta]

Honestly though, has there ever been a superstar that needed more room to operate than Bron? Guy can only play with stretch bigs for a reason.

[3ball]

Boston's 2008-2010 Defense, no question.


That's the same defense Wade destroyed in 2010 First Round for 34/6/7 on 56% FG and 65% TS

Again, today's weakside spacing leaves the strongside with fewer defenders, which necessitates the flooding of defenders BACK TO the strongside - this is how Coach Thibbs' strongside floods originated.. With defenders drawn to the weakside, they are furthest to help on strongside action.

But previous eras didn't have weakside spacing, so all 5 defenders remained on the strongside, eliminating the need to flood anyone over.. With all defenders on the strongside, defenders were closest to help on strongside action.

[Angel Face]

Obviously the defense against Jordan was harder to score on. One reason why the Warriors kept Lebron on single coverage is because he wasn't a good ISO scorer. Popovich exposed it since 2007. Kerr used the same strategy defending him.

ISO Jordan and he will destroy your team every possession. Jordan is miles ahead of Lebron as a scorer it's not even close.

[plowking]

Watch the strong-side shades a little more closely next time you watch that series bro.

Also, remember that series-clinching three by Artest everyone seems to say bailed out Kobe? Look who was double teamed beyond the three point line on that play.

Get your facts straight. You come at the king, you best not miss.


It isn't a double though. Kobe was single guarded.

They straight up gave Wade a tougher time that year, and he put up far better numbers, despite it being in a loss.
I've never seen a player guarded like Wade was in 2010. Was getting trapped and doubled before half court on occasions. It was the least amount of respect to a bunch of teammates I have ever seen. They played as if Jermaine O'Neal didn't exist, and you could say that pretty much held true seeing as he shot like 14% that series.

Kobe just wasn't that great that year in the finals. He won, and good for him, but he had a below average series in 2010. He was better in 08 if anything. Dude was fighting through doubles and hitting shots in the paint over a defense that was constantly collapsing on him. In 2010 he was settling for jumpers on Ray Allen.

[plowking]

Obviously the defense against Jordan was harder to score on. One reason why the Warriors kept Lebron on single coverage is because he wasn't a good ISO scorer. Popovich exposed it since 2007. Kerr used the same strategy defending him.

ISO Jordan and he will destroy your team every possession. Jordan is miles ahead of Lebron as a scorer it's not even close.

Bron prior to this season was one of the best ISO scorers in the league. Why do you think a Lebron clear-out is such a popular play on the teams he plays on? Because it is extremely effective.

[Droid101]

It isn't a double though. Kobe was single guarded.

You missed.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2907417/artest3.gif

[3ball]

I've never seen a player guarded like Wade was in 2010.


You're not talking about his first round series against the Celtics in 2010 are you?

Because Wade shredded that defense for 34/6/7 on 56% FG and 65% TS.

So how could that be good defense?

Again, today's weakside spacing leaves the strongside with fewer defenders, which necessitates the flooding of defenders BACK TO the strongside - this is how Coach Thibbs' strongside floods originated.. With defenders drawn to the weakside, they are furthest to help on strongside action.

But previous eras didn't have weakside spacing, so all 5 defenders remained on the strongside, eliminating the need to flood anyone over.. With all defenders on the strongside, defenders were closest to help on strongside action.

[Rocketswin2013]

Theoretically...If defense was tougher because of the rules, doesn't that make today's great defenders more impressive?

They're playing in the most difficult defending era ever. No handchecking and lane-camping. To make a great defensive impact today, you have to be one incredible defender, no?

LeBron must absolutely blow everything Jordan has done defensively out of the water. LeBron was already defending 1- 4 at a high level, can you imagine if he could use his strength and handcheck? Or how much better his(already great ) paint defense in Miami would've been if he could camp the lane?

Consistent logic is fun.

[3ball]

.
The NBA stated that the rule changes worked as planned to increase penetration.. This is from the creator and implementer of the new rules, so this is not subjective opinion, similar to how Bill Gates vision for Microsoft was never considered "subjective opinion":

http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/04/09/stujackson/index.html


NBA.COM: Since the hand-checking rule was interpreted differently beginning in the 2004-05 season, the game has opened up. Players are penetrating and the floor is spread. As a result, scoring has risen every season. Was this anticipated back in 2004?

NBA: Our objective was to allow for more offensive freedom by not allowing defenders to hand-, forearm- or body-check ball handlers. By doing so, we encouraged more dribble penetration. As players penetrated more, it produced higher quality shots for the ball handler as well as shots for teammates on passes back out to perimeter. When NBA players get higher quality shots -- having more time to shoot -- they tend to make more of them.


NBA.COM: Shooting percentages have risen since 2004-05 regardless of location -- at-the-rim shots, short- and deep-mid range and 3-pointers. Does this surprise you, especially the higher percentages from 3-point range?

NBA: It doesn't. With the rule and interpretation changes, it has become more difficult for defenders to defend penetration, cover the entire floor on defensive rotations and recover to shooters. With more dribble penetration, ball handlers are getting more opportunities at the rim.


NBA.COM: From an Xs and Os perspective, how have coaches adjusted to a more wide-open game? What have they done differently?

NBA: Coaches have utilized more space on the floor so to create more room for dribble penetration, two-man pick-and-roll basketball and dribble exchanges on the perimeter.


NBA.COM: When you watch the game today, does it closely resemble an international game or are there still distinct differences in the style of play?

NBA: Our game does more closely resemble an international game in terms of the style of play than it used to. However, there are distinct differences in the international game vs. the NBA game. The international game utilizes a pure zone defense (as opposed to the defensive three-second rule), which allows frontcourt players to stand in the middle of the lane and discourage cutting, passing and dribble penetration.


There it is in black and white (and red).. :confusedshrug:

[3ball]

Theoretically...If defense was tougher because of the rules, doesn't that make today's great defenders more impressive?

They're playing in the most difficult defending era ever. No handchecking and lane-camping. To make a great defensive impact today, you have to be one incredible defender, no?


Obviously, defenders are better when they have BOTH options of moving your feet and hand-checking, versus just moving your feet.. Previous eras could do BOTH and therefore had an inherent advantage defensively that can't be overcome.

Also, the problem with your logic is that players are NOT defending at the same rate without hand-checking.. They are allowing more penetration than ever before, as the NBA intended with the hand-check and paint-camping ban..

Now if humans were robots, you could just program them to maintain their defensive effectiveness without using their hands or upper body.. But obviously, we aren't robots.

[plowking]

You missed.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2907417/artest3.gif

One play, and the double team never got there. :oldlol: