Oct 09 2008
Fast Paced Death?
The game has undergone drastic changes in the past decade. Players are becoming increasingly more athletic, and the big men are entering the league with a greater variety of skill sets. The game is getting faster and quicker, so much so that the NBA has made efforts to slow down games (zone defense). Great offense has become greater, but yet it still seems that great defense and moderate offense will always beat out great offense and moderate defense. The Boston Celtics have shown us once again that defense must be a key in the formula to winning championships, just as how San Antonio has been killing NBA rating by consistently going far into the playoffs. Here are a list of the recent great offenses that succumbed for one reason or another.
1. Don Nelsons Dallas Mavericks.
How it worked: Steve Nash ran the offense (and he ran a lot), Dirk Nowitzki drained jumper after jumper, Finley was young enough score 20 points a game, and Jerry Stackhouse joined the group to score in bunchs. Avery Johnson was still a player at the time, and Shawn Bradley set an NBA record for longest time spent standing still in the paint with fewest 5 second calls.
Why it failed: Consistently bad defense eventually bit them in the ass during the playoffs. Steve Nash left thus beginning the Phoenix Suns Mike D’Antoni era, and Don Nelson left evenutally rejuvenating a hungry Bay Area crowd. Avery Johnson evenutally took over as coach, emphasized defense, made it to the finals to be embarassed by Dwyane Wade.
Defense that did them in: San Antionio Spurs. The Sacramento Kings also beat them in the playoffs, but they were more all around than any kind of specialist.
2. Mike D’Antoni’s Phoenix Suns
How it worked: Mike D’Antoni stunned the NBA world with his 7 seconds or less offense and European flair. The suns were arguably the quickest offense the NBA has ever seen, and eventually became to be known as organized chaos. Steve Nash, previously written off as aging and past his prime, proceeded to have the best years of his careers netting two MVP trophies. Amare Stoudemire posterized people on offense, Shawn Marion quickly became underappreciated player of the year, Boris Diaw was amazing for one year, and Leondro Barbosa scored 18 points off the bench.
Why it failed: Steve Kerr, and Shaquille O’neal.
Defense that did them in: San Antonio Spurs gave David Stern migraines by defeating the Suns twice and winning championships. Dallas Also beat them a year.
3. Washington’s fab 3
How it worked: The self-proclaimed Phoenix Suns of the east, they basically did everything the Suns did, except not as good or quick. They also did not help as much on the weak side (thank Shawn Marion for that). Despite that, they had the ability to score in bunches and thrived off their 3 stars. Gilbert Arenas became scary off the dribble, and unconscious during the clutch. Antawn Jamison quietly gave them 20 points and 8 boards a game, and Caron Butler was their do it all kid.
Why it failed: Injuries, injuries, injuries.
Defense that did them in: None. It was mostly Lebron James.
