Theo and Ira are just as.........

[Guest Walter]

& both teams are in the faster paced Western Conference so remember to examine FG% (not just PPG) when grading out their defense.

Much has been said long before the season started about Dirk's and Dallas' commitment to defense this offseason. In fact, Dallas is 6th best this year in defensive FG%! THEY WERE 19TH IN THAT CATEGORY LAST YEAR!!! That's how they are managing to keep their opponents so far to but 89 PPG in the faster paced WC! That's how they are 10-0. That's why they may actually be a contender.

Also, no one is suggesting that defense ONLY gets you wins. However, you have stated that defense is not important if you have a good offense and that offense is more important than defense. This is silly and patently false during the playoffs.

As far as for our team, the FG% stats show that offense and defense are playing equally important roles this year in our winning games. We have both the 5th best FG% and defensive FG% in the league. However, last year we were 25th in FG% allowed and 19th in FG%, meaning it is the defense that so far has improved more and thus been of a greater impact on our better record. The difference between this year and last year in terms of PPG is somewhat telling also. We average allowing 3.3 FEWER PPG and scoring 2.2 MORE PPG. Simply put, our improvement lies more on the defensive side ofthe ball.

By the way, we are still 3rd worst in team blocked shots. Imagine how poor we would be without Theo. I actually miss having DJ a little.

W

[Guest Walter]

...101.3 PPG!!!

Exactly, defense is more important, especially in the playoffs. That's why they play it.

So their offense is 1.5 PPG worse and their defense is 12 PPG better. Ahem. Look at the win collumn and should they keep up this defense look for them deep in the playoffs.

W

[Guest]

Walter - you actually misread that stat box - we lead the league (#1) in bpg at 7.7 (thank you Theo; if we had DJ...well, we'd be further ahead). However, we're tied for second worst in the league (with Philly, at 7.3), behind Denver (7.7) for getting our own shots blocked each game...

I don't know how that figures into team turnovers or if it even does...(statistically speaking). I'm guessing that it doesn't - just brings down your shooting percentage.

[Diesel]

In reply to:

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Also, no one is suggesting that defense ONLY gets you wins. However, you have stated that defense is not important if you have a good offense and that offense is more important than defense. This is silly and patently false during the playoffs.

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My god man, Dallas made it to the playoffs with absolutely NO defense last yr and they made it past a good defensive team Minn in the first round. And had they played anyone except Sac-Town in the second round they may have gone all the way... So your statement is very silly. You have absolutely no Basis.

Again, My point is that there is no longer any need to go out and get defensive specialist in todays League. A team can easily get by by outscoring their opponents and playing a strong team defense.

[Guest Walter]

...and Vlade is a good, cagey position defensive player as well.

Christie (who isn't on the floor for his offense) is an equally as deverse yet slightly better defender than Ira and Webber is only slightly less of an interior defensive player than Theo, especially last year where he averaged the most blocks and steals combined of his career (4.14). They didn't go out and get Clark for anything other than his 3.22 BPG and 1.11 SPG in 24 MPG. That's one more top tier defender than we have. But I guess they didn't go out and get anyone to play defense for them as it is SOOO not important to them (snicker).

Why do you think SAC beat Dallas so badly last year? It wasn't because their offense was as good. You said it yourself. It was the difference defensively. Regardless, neither team has won it all and only the one that brings it defensively will have a chance to win. Remember the Kings averaged more points scored in their loses to the Lakers than their wins. So much for outscoring your opponent ONLY to win big games, no matter what your offensive talent level.

I'm still laughing about how the rules changes were supposed to make Dekimbe Mutombo more dominant and defense less important. Please run why that was/is so by me again?

W

[Guest Walter]

...when we were 3rd worst in BSPG. From near worst to first...I guess that does mean something.

W

[Diesel]

First Off,

Yeah Sactown got Clark this past yr. However, they have always had Christie and webber (using the new rules as a reference pt.) IN fact, they were the exact same team + Bibby Minus Williams that they were when the old rules were in effect. Under the old rules they were not nearly as good as Last yr.

Dallas, hasn't picked up anybody to help them as a defensive specialist. The only one on the team is Bradley. Everyone else are better offensive players than defenders.

Also, which league were you watching. Dallas played SacTown very tough. You said that Sactown easily beat Dallas? Hello? Which playoffs were you watching?

[Guest]

Diesel -

Do you even know what Dallas' starting lineup is? Healthy? Now?

When did Eduardo Najera become an offensive player? He's a slightly less of a defender and more reliable offensive version of Ira.

How about Tariq Abdul Wahad starting 12 of his 24 games there last year after the trade (note - it's hard to be considered an offensive player with a 37% fg% - he's a defensive specialist with a HUGE contract).

Andrian Griffin having started 8 of 9 games this year?

It's true that they can score - but they're preaching defense more than anyone after getting slaughtered by SacTown last spring. They don't start Van Exel, even when he's healthy - Najera or Griffin fill in at that spot (Bradley's usually off the bench as well).

Unless a team is a deep, through and through, as Dallas is with scoring, they've VERY susceptible to losing on any given night - look at the Magic who, on the coat tails of TMac, were leading the league in scoring much of this year (to date). Yet they can be beaten on any night...becuase they can't defend very well (granted they have other problems as well).

Being able to score certainly helps - it takes some of the pressure off (aka, if Detroit doesn't play great D on a given night, and score well, they can be beaten senseless by almost anyone).