Nov 22, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant (24) guards Portland Trail Blazers guard
(3) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Defense Wins Championships
People praise the Warriors for their free flowing half court offense, exciting transition threes and nonchalant alley oops, but it’s really at the defensive end that they win their games.
It’s the fact that Draymond Green can guard position 1-5 with ease, that Harrison Barnes, Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala can switch every screen without a mismatch being created, that Andrew Bogut can rotate freely to help with no fear of his teammates missing a rotation behind him.
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This is what makes the Golden State Warriors truly great, what makes them beautiful to watch. Sure, the offense is what makes them fun, but the defense is what won them a championship.
According to Hollinger’s NBA Team Stats, last year the Warriors ranked first in defensive efficiency, allowing only 98.2 points per 100 possessions. This year they are fifth overall.
If you have ever played pickup basketball, you know that games are considerably more enjoyable when you are able to get out on the break and destroy a team in transition. It’s loads easier to score on the fast break as opposed to running traditional sets; the same is true in the NBA.
The Warriors are known for their dazzling displays from 3-point range but many of them come off of fast breaks, NBA 2K style — instead of attacking the rim on the break, players pull up for three, to the chagrin of coaches everywhere not named Golden State.
That said, to run more breaks, teams need to play defense and get long rebounds, two things the Lakers currently don’t do — Golden State is eighth in rebound rate, Los Angeles 26th.
Brooklyn: 57 3s in 2,905 minutes.
— Rafael Uehara (@rafael_uehara) November 20, 2015
Minnesota: 60 3s in 2,930 minutes.
Stephen Curry: 68 3s in 463 minutes.
Memphis: 69 3s in 2,880 minutes.
Subtracting Kobe from the equation, the Lakers starting lineup is filled with capable, athletic defenders. Therein lies the problem, just as the Warriors’ success begins with Curry, the Lakers’ lack thereof starts with Kobe.
That said, the Lakers first step in the right direction must be on the defensive end.
Next: Attempt to Use D'Angelo Russell Like Stephen Curry