| Copying The Finalists Authored by Payam Jahromi - June 12, 2005 - 5:39 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | Final Thoughts On The 2008 NBA Draft This year's draft was decidedly more calm and casual than the Oden/Durant showdown, which made for a more candid and personal experience.
Grading The Deal: Knicks Sign DuhonThe Knicks overpaid for a below average starting point guard, but the move should still pay dividends.
 |
The Best Laid Plans Of Mice And Men
The recent change in the free agent landscape, including the move of Baron Davis from the Warriors to Clippers, could prove costly for the 76ers.
|
 |
Oh Danny Boy
Danny Granger, who has just three years of NBA experience under his belt, will undoubtedly be the man in Indiana beginning this summer.
|
 |
$10 Million For Five Players?
The Orlando Magic will be limited by the NBA's Luxury Tax in terms of filling the remaining spots on their roster. It is also possible it could cost them Keyon Dooling or Maurice Evans.
|
|
More from RealGM's Columnists
|
| |
This year’s theme is obvious: you can make the playoffs with offense, but you win a championship with defense.
The Pistons and Spurs are the best defensive teams in the league, and not coincidently, they are still playing.
Which brings me to the Warriors. I understand that fans in the Bay Area want to see a playoff team before they talk championship. But just for fun, let’s see how the Warriors stack up against the teams in the finals. – and what it would take to get to that level defensively.
After acquiring Baron Davis, the Warriors resembled the Suns’ style of play. They ran, scored and barely defended. It was enough to win the majority of their games – just like it was for the Suns – but it probably wouldn’t have gotten them very far had they made the playoffs. Still, it was a huge improvement from what we saw early in the season.
But for the Warriors to compete with the upper-echelon teams, they need better individual, team and transition defense.
Does good defense always beat good offense? Not necessarily, but I don’t think there’s any question that in order to be a championship-caliber team, you must have the ability to stop the opponent in the fourth quarter. The Suns couldn’t do that and now they’re on vacation.
For the Spurs, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen, Manu Ginobili and Robert Horry are excellent defenders. The Pistons’ entire starting lineup consists of above-average-to-outstanding defenders.
If you look at the Warriors roster, three of the five starters (Jason Richardson, Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy) have been criticized for defense.
Davis’ defense isn’t talked about, but it is above average and definitely good enough to lead a team. Adonal Foyle, who is a better help defender and shot-blocker than a straight-up defender, is an above average defender overall.
Mickael Pietrus is really the only player on the team who is known for his defense. Though he’s no Bowen or Ron Artest at this point, Pietrus is extremely aggressive and active, and he bothers the opponent more than any other Warrior.
Perhaps Pietrus’ best defensive game as a pro was April 18 against the Lakers. In a game where he was mostly matched up on Kobe Bryant, Pietrus helped force him to a 9-for-27 shooting game. Bryant was visibly frustrated by the third quarter, drawing a technical foul at one point.
It was one of the low points in Kobe’s forgettable season. Pietrus also scored 25 points in the game on 8-for11 shooting (to Kobe’s 22 points).
If Pietrus can provide that type of energy and defense on a consistent basis against the opponent’s best swingman, the Warriors will be a better team.
The most important aspect on a good defensive team is interior defense. The Spurs and Pistons have arguably the two best defensive big-men (Duncan and Ben Wallace). Again, no coincidence their teams are still playing.
Andris Biedrins looks like he’s willing to bang and contest shots, and he will only get better on the defensive end of the court as he gets older and bigger. I think he has the potential to be a monster on defense. That bodes well for the Warriors.
If Biedrins and Pietrus improve to the point where they are difference-makers on defense, and with the explosive offensive ability of Davis, Richardson and crew, the Warriors could make noise in the very near future.
And I’m not just talking about making the playoffs. |
