Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

Offense is easier than defense. This means that if you're defense is good enough to prevent the opposing team from scoring, than the offense will come smoothly, and result in more baskets for you, and less for the other team.

I say defense.

[t216]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

great offense usually beats good defense in the NBA imo. (

I'm with ya.

[chitownballa]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

and vice versa. Pierce was on his game, and it didnt matter what Cleveland did. Despite being a solid defensive team, they were not going to contain Pierce when he is on like that.

Team defense is obviously important, but even the best defensive teams MUST have great offensive players, or they are not going to contend. It is the great offensive players that make a bigger impact on games than the great complimentary defensive players.

yea, but the thing is, while that definitely holds true for a game, it rarely holds true for a series. If you're looking for what wins playoff series, or championships, defense is key. Case in point... I can think of teams that were elite defensively but didn't really have an amazing offensive player. The Spurs of this century, the Pistons of this century. That's pretty simple. Now name me a championship team/dynasty that had problems getting stops on the defensive end. I really can't think of any off the top of my head. You have to be solid defensively to win championships

[J0nnD0ugh]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

Offense. I've yet to see a team win by not putting the ball in the basket.

[ZB9]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

"Offense sells tickets (wins games), but defense wins championships."

Is this statement true to you? How so? This statement I feel applies to a team as a whole.

But what about the individual ball player in the league?

this was the OP's original question

it's a given that team defense is important for contending teams.

but as far as individual superstars, offense usually beats defense imo...and the best defensive teams need go 2 guys that can score against playoff caliber defenses if they are going to win imo. They need players that can score against anybody.

but of course, like i said earlier, "go to" superstar players need complimentary defensive stoppers (even MJ and Kobe who were/are great defenders themselves)

[HMcCoy]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

this was the OP's original question

it's a given that team defense is important for contending teams.

but as far as individual superstars, offense usually beats defense imo...and the best defensive teams need go 2 guys that can score against playoff caliber defenses if they are going to win imo. They need players that can score against anybody.

but of course, like i said earlier, "go to" superstar players need complimentary defensive stoppers (even MJ and Kobe who were/are great defenders themselves)

Thanks. I say offense then.

[Briman123]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

Meh Great Offense beats Good Defense, I guess you could say both are just as important.

[Dynasty4Kobe]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

I think this upcoming Spurs/Lakers series will be a good sample of this question.

[Rocky]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

The answer is obviously defense, IMO. What team that has won the title over the last 20 years has won without great defense? I don't think there has been one. The '04 Pistons, the '99 and '02 Spurs, and dare I say the '96-'98 Bulls weren't juggernauts on the offensive end. But they were far ahead of the rest of the league defensively and that's what got them titles. Meanwhile teams like the Kings, Mavs, Suns, early 90's Magic, who had great offenses failed to make a real impact because of their defense.

Both are very important, but I think a championship winning team must be a very, very, very good on defense.

[DakkoN]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

I think this upcoming Spurs/Lakers series will be a good sample of this question.

How so? Neither are bad at either.

[Cebby]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

dare I say the '96-'98 Bulls weren't juggernauts on the offensive end

The 96 and 97 Bulls were #1 in points.

The Lakers were 6th, 3rd, and 3rd during their 3pete, and the Heat were 6th in their year.

Both offense and defense are about equally represented.

[arseniotall]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

lately the better defensive teams have won the finals.

[ehh]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

Offense, as many others have said great offense beats great defense in basketball. And it's also a helluva lot more exciting to watch.

I also think that's why the league blew in the early 00's, because there were so many raw offensive players. All the "lengthy athletes" who teams tried to build around that didn't have the vaguest concept of how to beat NBA-level defenders.

[P2K]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

I want great defense with shooters/great finishers on offense. There's no point in having a great defense when you can't make turnovers turn into points for you.

50/50, IMO.

[chitownballa]

Re: Offense or Defense? Which do you feel is more important? Or are they equal?

I want great defense with shooters/great finishers on offense. There's no point in having a great defense when you can't make turnovers turn into points for you.

50/50, IMO.

true, but the opposite is also true. If you have a great offense, but can't get stops, you're going to have trouble winning games as well. At some point you're going to miss shots, as good as your offense is. But generally good defense stays pretty consistent