Link Frank said that in an article on YES yesterday. That is an awesome attitude to have. If they all buy in and can become a Top 10 defensive team I think they will make the playoffs. Over the past 4 years the Top 10 defensive teams made the post season 80% of the time. Top defensive teams not to make the playoffs: 2007-08: Portland #8 2006-07: LA Clips #9 and New Orleans #10 2005-06: Houston #4, Minnesota #8, and Utah #9 2004-05: Minnesota #9 and New Orleans #10 Only 1 top 5 team, Houston in 05-06, has not made the postseason (McGrady missed 35 games due to injury that season and the team went 7-28 during those games). Finals Teams and defensive ranks 2007-08: Boston #2, LA Lakers #19 2006-07: San Antonio #1, Cleveland #5 2005-06: Miami #13, Dallas #7 2004-05: San Antonio #1, Detroit #2 Only the 207-08 Lakers and the 05-06 Heat reached the Finals without a top 10 defense.
this is great to hear, watching those NBA Hardwood Classics of us from 02 and 03, our defense was pretty damn good. If we can get somewhat close to that (and I believe we have more talent now than then when it comes to defense) we can look not too bad. Although, the "we're a defensive team" can also be a cover up for "well, we only have a few people who can REALLY score.. "
Last time the Nets had a Top 10 defense? 2005-06 #6 Nets defense the past 4 years (pts allowed): 2007-08: #17 (100.9) 2006-07: #13 (98.3) 2005-06: #6 (92.4) 2004-05: #6 (92.9)
Doesn't matter... looking at the numbers if they can clamp down on the D they still have an 80% chance of making the post season. Plus, with good D comes transition opportunities and I'm sure Devin can finish those. I see them not having problems scoring. Actually, I see a team similar to the '02 and '03 teams that had a lot of players in double digits, but not any big scoring individuals. Assume the rotation includes these 9 vets: Carter, Harris, Simmons, Najera, Yi, Boone, Dooling, Hayes, and Swat. Assume they all average only what they did last season in points and minutes per game and you get 87.5 ppg and 217 total minutes per game. Some of those guys will see additional minutes and others will play less. That leaves 23 minutes to divy up to Lopez, CDR and Anderson. Can we expect 10-13 ppg in improved play from Yi, Simmons, Boone, Swat plus the minimum 23 mpg the rookies will get? I think so. They won't be scoring 105+ points a night, but if they can score 97-100 per night and hold their oppenents to 95 or less than they'll do well. Every team with a positive points differential made the post season last year except the Warriors and that is because they gave up the most points at 108.8 per game. That's playing with fire. 3 teams with a slight negative differential made the playoffs: Cleveland (-0.3), Washington (-0.4) and Atlanta (-1.8).
thats a good philosophy to have. Defense wins games..offense will come because in the NBA good defense turns into easy offense..ask the spurs
After hearing reports about Anderson and Simmons in camp and with the great shooting and all-round potential of Yi and Lopez, I don't think scoring is going to be nearly as big a deal as most folks are predicting, so long as Carter and Harris remain healthy and able to create the space necessary for the shooters to get good shots. I actually think that, after a couple of months to gel and get turnovers down and sets learned, this will be a much better offensive Nets team than what we've seen the last couple of years. Despite the emphasis in camp, defense is to me a far bigger question mark. They did well to import two defenders in Dooling and Najera, and that gives them some lineup flexibility to really go with a quick, highly athletic wing/guard trio defensively in Carter (at the three where I think he defends best), Dooling, and Harris. For the Nets and most teams, one of the biggest issues with having good defense or good offense is having two way players so that you don't have to rob Peter to pay Paul. For the Nets, that's especially been the problem with the frontcourt in recent years. I do think that with time that Yi and Lopez will be the best of the bunch as two-way guys, but the proof will have to come on court.
good god thats amazing JVG lead that team to number 4 in defense? That team sucked! Juwan Howard was our staring PF. Good grief JVG is a miracle maker. On the other hand... i'd rather see nets playing run and gun than grind it out defense. Just more fun to watch. We all know they're not going to make the playoffs or do anything in the playoffs even if they do make it so why not make it fun and interesting for us to watch.
Bad habit for the youngsters. That style doesn't win championships, which is the eventual goal with these young guys.
