It's so complicated - Yet, so simple.

[Gray Mule]

How do you win a championship? That's an easy question:

Score more points than your opponent.

Then, the answer becomes complicated - - How do you do this??

Much has been written about this and how you MUST have this or that player.

An outstanding PG. An all star center. Etc.

The truth is much deeper, yet the answers are quiet simple.

It starts with a great defense. Any NBA team can score in bunches if there is no

resistance. You must be tall enough to cover your opponent. You must be big

and stout enough so that opponents don't simply move you out of the way and

go to the basket without resistance. Close out passing lanes to prevent the

ball from going anywhere the opponent wishes.

Rebound. Don't let your opponent have every loose ball.

Hang on to the ball - Stop silly turnovers. This kills momentun. Butterfingers, as

passes slip from the hands. Passes to a player who wasn't there.

Hit the shots that you're supposed to hit. We've watched as three point specialists

went cold. We've saw layups roll off. And everything in between. And, we know

about those free throws, don't we. Many close games are given away here.

Finally, as Mike Glenn, the Stinger would say, "When a player has a hot hand, feed

him and fan him!"

[Supporter]

Turnovers vs. Atlanta Hawks

[Diesel]

Quote:

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It starts with a great defense. Any NBA team can score in bunches if there is no

resistance. You must be tall enough to cover your opponent. You must be big

and stout enough so that opponents don't simply move you out of the way and

go to the basket without resistance. Close out passing lanes to prevent the

ball from going anywhere the opponent wishes.

I have to disagree from this common mistake in philosophy. Every defense will give up points at one point or another. If you have an offense that Stalls a great defense is going to do nothing but make the game boring. A great offense alone won't do it either.

It's starts with finding a good mix of players who can be offensive and defensive.

So the truth is that it starts with a good GM. GM has to be able to spot talent. I mean, how much of a difference would Paul or Deron have made over Marvin? It doesn't matter what kind of defense we had... if the GM is picking bad picks, we're not going to do much.

You preach great defense when you have a team filled with ungifted players. In those cases, you need to be able to stay close.

I think the hardest team to beat is that team with good offense and good defense... not great but good. YOu put the team with good offense and good defense out there against a team with great defense, the good team will win. Because like I said, eventually, they will find a way to score.

[Gray Mule]

Depends on the definition of a great defense.

If you mean, one that can shut everything down for the opponent, I agree. Not many

can do that. But, on the other hand, you can't be like a sieve and let everything go.

Lay up drills, no resistance to the jump shooter, wide open 3 point specialists, passes

going inside, outside, all around with no move to stop them - - egad.