Rant on Defense
Another huge crime by the sports media is not recognizing or appreciating the achievements and importance of NBA defense. I was ASTOUNDED by the number fans who hold no weight when comparing players or determining how good teams are in the defensive end.
Defense is misunderstood. People interpret as just blocks or steals. A block or steal is a gamble on defense that occurs rarely, probably one out of every twenty possessions. Consider this "outlandish" hypothetical statement: Player A allows Player B to score 30 points on 11/19 shooting. Player C allows Player D to score 15 points on 6/18 shooting. Player A might (probably not) have played better defense than Player C. Now, before you call me an "idiot" in the comment box, hear me out. Let's say Player B was locked down every player by Player A, but still made the shots with a hand in his face (Kobe? Melo?). On the other hand, Player D was getting whatever he wanted with player C but was missing open jump shots or layups. Defense cannot be measured by stats or results. The eye test is the best method albeit subjective.
You can't win without defense. Nor can you win without offense. If you don't play defense and shoot 100% from the field (that's not going to happen), it would be trading baskets. Offense is a necessity, if your opponent shoots 0% (not going to happen) then the game will be 0-0 all the way through. These are "AT BEST" situations.
Defense also wins you championships according to most. The last ten years all the teams that have won the Finals won due to their defense. Yes, the Lakers too. Boston has recently defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the postseason tanks to stellar one-on-five defense. Of course they played some offense, but the defense was the more important factor. It has also been proven that good D = good offense (e.g.: the Suns/Lakers/Magic lately), but not the other way around.
Have you guys her the saying "a penny saved is a penny earned", well "A shot missed is a shot made..." , literally. A defensive stop is basically a possible 2-3 points for your team, because there absolute value between -x and +x is EQUAL mathematically.
Defense is just as important as offense, even more important in the playoffs. So, please tell me why shouldn't defense be at least be considered when comparing a ranking/comparing players or aspects of basketball in general?
Defense is simply EASIER and more RELIABLE than offense, because offense is a GAMBLE, the shot goes in or it doesn't. Some nights you won't come with offense, and some nights you won't, you'll be cold, and I know that for a fact. But you can come with defense every night, defense has no variable, you just go out there and do it. In a 7-game series, you way not bring your offense some nights but you can bring your defense every night. That's why Lakers defeated the Suns in the Western Conference Finals. Guys are brining defense every night, despite not playing well on offense all the time, namely Artest and Bryant. Bryant was in his groove, but when he wasn't, dude was still contributing defensively. Even against Boston, Game 7. DEFENSE IS MORE CONSISTENT. I must stress this: You can perform at your highest level in the defensive end each and every game of the series. And a contribution on defense is just as important as a contribution on offense.
