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The season so far has been one with most surprising in recent times, be it new names making it to the MVP race, the Sixth Player of the Year candidates, few teams on the league standings or the injury plague which has hit majority of the teams across the league.
However one league table which grades a certain aspect of the game called defense does not usually see surprises because it is a habit. It helps you contain opponents and get back into a game. It is an art which needs to be imbibed and cannot be practiced.
It is the recognition of a championship team. So each season the eventual champion of the season 9 times out of 10 will rank in the top 5 on defense and this season follows this trend.
Miami Heat fans might be disappointed but the back-to-back champions, ranked 9th, do not feature on the top 5 defenses of this season so far. Here’s the list:
5. Golden State Warriors
Known more for their offense, the Golden State Warriors are a surprise on this list. They are a young talented team coached by an equally young and talented coach. Across all categories this team has made huge strides in the right direction since Mark Jackson took over the head coaching duties.
Team defense, a term not many associate with the Golden State Warriors, especially after the amount of attention that the ‘Splash brothers’ and their tipsy contests with their state rivals Clippers grasp. A huge part of that surprising and positive change has been the acquiring of Andre Iguodala in the summer and center Andrew Bogut being healthy.
Bogut has been a huge presence in the paint while Iguodala takes up his duties of guarding the opponent’s best player. He made an impact with his defense on LeBron James when the Warriors visited South beach. Although James had his usual 25+ points, 7+ rebounds and 7+ assists, the unusual stat on his box score that night was 8 turnovers.
This unit has the chance to retrieve some pride by playing great defense, something the previous Warriors team was notoriously allergic to. The scary thing is this team has the potential to get even better.
4. San Antonio Spurs
They are a once in a generation team, one which has mastered the art of consistency. In the current season, they are the only team to rank in the top 5 of both offensive and defensive efficiencies.
Given today’s defensive standards, Tim Duncan’s blocks per game average of 2.0 is not eye catching considering his size, so they don’t have a shot blocker patrolling the paint, but this team relishes the treasures of being proactive rather than reactive on defense. Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard are all top ranking players in the steals category.
Perfect switching, the required amount of communication, double teaming in the post at the right time and help defense present when it needs to be; this unit is one of the most pleasing teams to watch execute a high level of basketball to perfection not just on defense, but on both ends of the floor.
This defense goes up by more than a couple of notches come post-season time. This franchise has made it a habit of making it to the post-season with 16 consecutive trips into the month of May.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder
The imposing long handed front line of OKC along with Sefolosha are the pillars of thier defense.
When you have the long arms of Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant at the forwards slots in your team, how can you not feature among the top defensive teams? That’s a question many people have questioned the team for and this season the team has answered ranking third on the defensive teams list.
Ibaka, currently averaging 2.35 blocks per game, but averaging over 3 blocks per games the past two years, has been a massive factor. Kendrick Perkins does not record any huge numbers on the box scores but brings size and toughness with him in the paint.
Thabo Sefolosha is the man on this team who guards the opponent’s best back-court player. He could cramp you for space, take you away from your sweet spot and make you shoot a tough jumper every possession. Although he doesn’t make this ranking or feature high on the NBA All-Defensive teams, it is no secret how good he is.
Another huge factor contributing to this team is that it has matured as a young team into one which understands the importance of defense and focuses its energy on that end of the floor as it is a very effective process which can create offense.
2. Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau
History will tell you that superstar or not Tom Thibodeau’s teams can win matches with defense alone. Yes you read it right, with Defense ALONE.
His teams have always ranked high on the defensive efficiency rankings whether as an assistant coach with the Big 3 Celtics or later with the Chicago Bulls. He is a defensive-minded coach who demands a lot from his players on the boards and on the defensive end.
His defensive schemes are very simple and basic, yet they have the potential to suffocate an opponent’s offense. The team relies on simple principles of denying penetration, grabbing rebounds and challenging every shot taken on the floor.
Another thing the team focuses on is preventing the opponent from getting high percentage shots, thus guarding the middle. Very rarely would you see his Bulls gambling on steals or fouling a player. The team fouls lesser than any other team in the league.
But it can’t be all about the coach, he needs the right players to fit into his scheme of things. That is where the importance of probably the two best wing defenders in the league Luol Deng (traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers) and Jimmy Butler come into the play. Mobile big men like Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson play a huge role defending the pick and roll well.
1.Indiana Pacers
Since the 3-point line came into existence the best defensive efficiency numbers posted by a team was by the Spurs in 2003-04 of 94.1 (points allowed per 100 possessions). The Pacers for the season so far have beaten that number by a long margin, allowing only 92.6 points (per 100 possessions).
They rank among the top 2 teams in the league for allowing least number of shots at the rim and corner three attempts. Looking at the roster, you would say it was built with Miami Heat in mind and certainly at present they are the only legitimate contender standing between the Heat and a fourth consecutive Eastern Conference title.
The center of this defense has the intimidating presence of 7 feet 2 inches tall Roy Hibbert. He impressed many during the post-season with his ability to affect a shot or block a shot around the rim and this season he is gotten more intimidating.
He bulked up over the summer and improved his stamina which now allows him to play more minutes even in the regular season. Although he is the fulcrum of the Pacers defense, there are other contributors too.
Lance Stephenson and Paul George are currently the top 2 wing player combo in the league on both ends of the floor with the latter making an appearance occasionally in MVP talks. David West is a great post defender and a good pick and roll defender. Their regular season show so far has left many to believe the East is a two team conference.
Guess the Lakers players!
