article: The Death of Defense

[maes]

Great article on how the NBA changed the rules post-Jordan to create a more high scoring, more entertaining game, and why Shaq & Duncan scoring less than Wade & Parker is no fluke, and why it all backfires.

http://www.hoopshype.com/articles/defense_lazenby.htm

Some quotes:

"Today Dumars is the chief basketball executive of the team he once led as a player. He’s an honest man, which means he chooses his words carefully.
Asked in July if he could defend Jordan under today’s interpretation of the rules, Dumars first laughed, then offered a long pause before replying, “It would have been virtually impossible to defend Michael Jordan based on the way the game’s being called right now.”"

...

Rod Thorn, a longtime expert on NBA rules, acknowledges that last season the league adopted a dramatic shift in how it interpreted the rules of the game.

No longer would a defensive player on the perimeter be allowed to use his hand, a barred arm or any sort of physical contact to impede or block the movement of either a cutter or a ball handler.

In a recent interview, Thorn said that the NBA had changed the rule to give an advantage to the offensive player."

The change became quite apparent during the NBA Finals in June as fans saw time and again Miami’s Wade attacking the basket against seemingly helpless Dallas defenders.

When they did try to stop Wade, those Dallas defenders often drew foul calls, which sent Wade to the line to shoot free throws.

The new approach even played a role in determining the NBA champion, as Wade played majestically in leading Miami from a two-game deficit to a four-games-to-two victory for the title.

...

“They should be protected, but not that much,” Winter said of the current generation of talented offensive players. “I don’t think that just touching a player should be a foul.”

Yet there were key foul calls in the playoffs last year that came down to touch calls, which in turn sent the offensive player to the line for bonus points that ultimately decided games.

Winter’s other complaint with the new officiating is that the game now allows the same old physical play in the post while turning the perimeter and wing into a no-touch zone.

“That doesn’t make sense to me,” Winter said. “If you can do all that tough stuff inside, why can’t you do it outside?”

[shadowgrin]

There was a feeling that there was too much advantage for a defensive player who could merely use his strength to control the offensive player

And that sums up the end of Artest's defensive prowess.

There were different styles. The Lakers had their Showtime style, getting out and running. We had our physical style as the Pistons. The Celtics had their style, as did the Bulls. There wasn’t anyone pushing for one style of play. That made it entertaining. When we played the Lakers, it was a battle of styles, their running against our physical game.

I still remember the late 90's where the West was known as the run-and-gun conference and the East as the more physical one.

Saw the preseason game of the Sixers against the Nets. Carter was guarding AI, as AI was about to go the basket Carter touched AI with one arm, it was barely a hard contact or solid contact at all and the refs called a foul. Silly new rules.

[Eugene]

The reason that rules have changed is because the defenses had gotten too good. If you watch the older games from the 70's to 80's, guards were allowed to dribble unimpeded to the freethrow line before they even met any resistance. Now, teams press with quicker guards and pick up 3/4 court. With the implementation of the zone-defense rule, teams played more effective team (help-side) defense.

Basketball is a unique sport that emphasizes aesthetic performance more than any other one element. By its nature, it is an offensive game. Teams like the Bad Boys Pistons, 90's Knick, and more recently the 2004 Pistons were absolutely ruining the game. Van Gundy's Rockets were downright unwatchable at times.

I'm glad I don't have to watch another 60-62 point game.

That being said, if the rules are being changed to such a degree that you can't play any defense at all, then that's not okay either.

[Laxation]

Teams like the Bad Boys Pistons, 90's Knick, and more recently the 2004 Pistons were absolutely ruining the game.

As opposed to the teams who rely on the refs to win the game for them?
Or those games with each team shooting 60-70 free throws? (NBDL last season where they tried out the new rules)

Yeah, those games are so much fucking better arent they... aint nothing like 2hours of freethrows to get your dick pumping. At least the scores are high

[shadowgrin]

Teams like the Bad Boys Pistons, 90's Knick, and more recently the 2004 Pistons were absolutely ruining the game.

The 2004 Pistons were the reason why I started watching the NBA again.
Some people, like me, enjoy watching a good basketball game that features both defense and offense.

[Matt]

It’s brought all these 40-point scorers,” Winter said. “They can’t score 40 points unless they get 15-20 free throws.”

And that’s exactly what they were getting on their big nights.

“They should be protected, but not that much,” Winter said of the current generation of talented offensive players. “I don’t think that just touching a player should be a foul.”

exactly......higher scoring games aren't more entertaining if the extra points come from the FT line.

IMO, the rules were fine up till last season

[Eugene]

The 2004 Pistons were the reason who started watching the NBA again? To my knowledge, that time period from 2003 till now featured some of the lowest ratings.

I'm not arguing that the teams I mentioned were not successful. They were, and this league being a copycat league, we had a slew of teams and players who tried to imitate that style. Suddenly, we had players who relied on strength to bully more talented players. Yes, that does sound idealistic from a certain point of view: a player using effort and hard work to overcome a more talented foe. How American. But the point is this: when players like Ryan Bowen get starting jobs, and Brian Cardinal gets a 16 million dollar contract for the sole fact that they "outhustle" the other players, then there's something wrong. It's good that you're playing hard, but that shouldn't make up for a lack of skill.

(Seriously, how does Ben Wallace ever even get considered for MVP (as he did in 2004)? I agree that defense is important, but basketball is played on both ends and last time I checked, Ben Wallace gets you almost nothing on offense.)

Why should the unskilled players be given an advantage over the skilled players? Why should they be allowed to hold and push the more skilled players? The rules should not serve to negate the skill advantage that the superstars have achieved.

This game is a competition of skill and athleticism, not of brute strength.

Oh, and I never said that NBDL games are more fun that the games I watched last season...

Bottom line: I like the direction this league is heading. It's more dynamic, more fun to watch.

[Eugene]

Sorry about the double post... computer's acting up.

By the way, I agree that touch fouls are too much.

[Laxation]

(Seriously, how does Ben Wallace ever even get considered for MVP (as he did in 2004)? I agree that defense is important, but basketball is played on both ends and last time I checked, Ben Wallace gets you almost nothing on offense.)

As opposed to steve nash?
Hes not exactly reknowned for his defence...

Why should the unskilled players be given an advantage over the skilled players?

Since when did defence become not a skill?

[Matt]

Seriously, how does Ben Wallace ever even get considered for MVP (as he did in 2004)? I agree that defense is important, but basketball is played on both ends and last time I checked, Ben Wallace gets you almost nothing on offense.)

at least he didn't win MVP, unlike some players that play only half the game.

these rules are supposed to protect the superstars, but those guys already got the calls before this no touching stuff.

[shadowgrin]

The 2004 Pistons were the reason who started watching the NBA again? To my knowledge, that time period from 2003 till now featured some of the lowest ratings.

My bad for the typo. What I meant was
"the reason why I started watching the NBA again"
(edited that post).
Personal preference.

[air gordon]

good read, maes

but c'mon, Eugene. all those teams you mentioned were pretty talented. the thug-like-wrestling teams were Fratello's Cavs. now that was just nasty basketball

Ryan Bowen is a twig- he doesn't overpower anyone lol. he was starting since Houston had injuries and Jeff Van Gundy is his coach

Brian Cardinal is good for the league... not his contract. how can someone knock a player who understands his role on the team, makes the most of little skill he has, and gives his all? there sure are a lot idiots in the league that don't play to their potential. i'd rather have a Brian Cardinal-like player then some idiot like Darius Miles on my team.. that's for sure

great point, laxation, about defense being a skill

[Eugene]

Air Gordon,

You're right, the teams I mentioned are good teams. And because they are so good, they spawn a slew of imitators, which is not good for the league.

And from a purely marketing standpoint, having a team like the Pistons or even the Spurs win a championship is not sexy at all because they lack a marketable superstar (Tim Duncan, a superstar? Absolutely. Marketable, no way).

But for better or worse, having the more dynamic guards enjoy more success in the league, as Dwayne Wade and others did (to varying degrees), is great for the game. The game is more uptempo. Teams play small ball and actually get out and run, instead of holding the ball and grinding it out.

In a game with more possessions, more talented players shine. The NBA has always been about the stars. What the slower pace and the physical players did was over-inflate the value of such players as Brian Cardinal and Ryan Bowen. Cardinal's a good player, but severly overpaid and Bowen should never start for any team ever. Think about it this way, do you think you would have even heard of guys like Bowen and Cardinal in the 80's? Even in the 90's?

And Lax makes a good point, defense is a skill. To a point. Because how much skill does it actually take to hold or push someone? In the meantime, team defense had gotten so good, combined with the physical play, it made scoring a lot harder. By limiting the contact out on the perimeter, the offense can more effectively execute.

Which is where we're headed now. It's a guards league, the scoring's up and we've had one of the most entertaining playoffs in a long while (which none of you can dispute). Given those things, it's hard for me to argue with the rule changes.

[Dean]

Personal opinion, i wouldnt say Tim Duncan isnt marketable.

[Laxation]

Which is where we're headed now. It's a guards league, the scoring's up and we've had one of the most entertaining playoffs in a long while (which none of you can dispute). Given those things, it's hard for me to argue with the rule changes.

Excuse me? Entertaining? Yeah sure, if all you look at is box scores...

It was so fucking frustrating to see Dwayne Wade get the ball, drive to the rim out of control, flip over someone, and then get the foul called to send him to line.
How about the "foul" called on Wade to win the series?

Woopdy fucking dee, the scores are higher. Thats great for people who ONLY give a shit about offence. And good on you, theres nothing wrong with that. I, on the other hand, would much rather watch a defensive game, because I like defence. To change the rules of the game to not allow defence? Fucking ridiculous ... and to not allow team defence? Even worse... Basketball is a team game ffs

Close, high scores does not neccessarily mean a good game thats fun to watch.

And I can dispute whatever the fuck I want, especially when youre wrong.

[hipn]

Remove:
Superstar treatment
Touch fouls

Bring Back:
Hand checks

[Andrew]

As others have said the touch fouls basically undermine what the rule changes are trying to achieve, at least until the players adjust to the new standards. Changing the rules to allow perimeter players more freedom which in theory would lead to an uptempo game but since contact is inevitable it doesn't work out that way since the touch foul calls interrupt the play. In short, I too would like to see a reduction in those calls.

[Eugene]

Well, I like the idea of it, anyway. Basketball should be more freeflowing and dynamic, not a grind it out defensive battle (if you like defense, go watch football or something).

That's not to say I don't enjoy defense. I love a good defensive rotation just as much as the next guys. And good team defense is a thing of beauty.

But add to that the amount of physical defense that was played in the past, that results in a relatively ugly game. Especially because the holding and pushing defense negates the skill advantage of the elite players.

I was fortunate enough to catch most of the first round games and almost all of the Finals. Dwyane Wade controversy aside, I found the games to be a hell of a lot of fun--as opposed to the 2003 Playoffs, when I wanted to gauge my eyes out with an ice-pick.

But I want to clarify my standpoint: I don't want to change the rules to not allow defense. I like the rule changes that limit the contact on the perimeter. And I never said I wanted to do away with team-defense. At least not intentionally.

I'm not too happy with the touch fouls either, as they do interrupt the flow of the game. Nor was that what I was arguing in the first place. But taken overall, I like the direction the league is heading.

And for what it's worth, I think the players will adjust sooner or later (sooner) and we'll continue to enjoy a more dynamic, fast-paced, high-scoring game.

[maes]

I'll also have to disagree with the "more" entertaining, i watch fewer & fewer games even as a fan, because i have no interest in seeing a bunch of multi millionaries brick free throws for 2 hours.

What are the odds that in the playoffs i'll see as entertaining a game as Sonics v Suns 152 - 149 with Ray Allen drilling a 35 footer to win the game? Zero.

The last 3 champions were Miami, San Antonio, and Detroit. Expect most of the future teams to emulate their style of turning the game into a FT contest.

[Dro]

As others have said the touch fouls basically undermine what the rule changes are trying to achieve, at least until the players adjust to the new standards. Changing the rules to allow perimeter players more freedom which in theory would lead to an uptempo game but since contact is inevitable it doesn't work out that way since the touch foul calls interrupt the play. In short, I too would like to see a reduction in those calls.

Exactly. As a Suns fan, there's nothing I like seeing more than a fast-paced, high-scoring game. Many rules have been put in place or modified to create a more fast-paced game in order to draw more casual fans to the NBA. Some might enjoy it, but the average person doesn't enjoy watching a game in which the teams shoot 30%.

That said, the NBA Finals were rediculous. Yes, Wade should be rewarded for driving inside and drawing contact, but it comes to a point where the player's intent is to draw contact rather than to put the ball in the hoop. Not only are free throws boring to watch, but this slows down the tempo of the game dramatically. The Suns were dead last in number of FTs shot last year. Why? Free throws slow down the tempo of the game. That's a proven fact. I don't understand why the refs call so many fouls when they know (or should know) that the point is to increase scoring through up-tempo play, not free throw shooting.

So far this preseason, the number of fouls calls has been rediculous. Not very promising...

[Laxation]

at least until the players adjust to the new standards.

AKA sit back and watch the 'superstars' get all the calls. Thats the way its going ... and if players have to adjust to that, then its just fucked.

I'm not too happy with the touch fouls either, as they do interrupt the flow of the game. Nor was that what I was arguing in the first place. But taken overall, I like the direction the league is heading.

The league is heading in a direction with more and more free throws. Do you like it, or do you not like it? Make up your mind.

And for what it's worth, I think the players will adjust sooner or later (sooner) and we'll continue to enjoy a more dynamic, fast-paced, high-scoring game.

Its not worth anything. Because not everyone wants to watch a fast-paced, high-scoring game. Get the fuck over the notion that everyone likes watching that.
Best example that comes to mind, Bobcats vs. Phoenix. It was a close game, scores were 140-135 or something ridiuculous without OT. That game was BORING. It was like watching me play NBA live. Run up the court, use no shot clock and shoot. If it went in, yay, if it didnt, oh well.
There was absolutely no defence played, and it plain sucked.

[Eugene]

I have to apologize. It seems I was misguided in my perceptions and upon further research I realized I was wrong about a couple of things...

Upon comparing the stats from the 2003-04 season to the 05-06 season, I noticed the following things (all numbers are league averages):

1. The Pace of the game increased (91.7 to 92.9). I'm not entirely sure what the numbers mean (according to databaseBasketball.com) because they failed to define it, but I'm guessing it has to do something with the number of possessions over the course of the game.

2. FGA decreased. If the number of possession and Pace increased, it would follow that the number of shots would have to increase, but this is not the case. The league average for FGAs in 03-04 was 79.88, almost a whole shot more than 78.99 in 05-06. Which means...

3. FTA increased. And this is the point most of you were making that there are more freethrows. 24.2 in 03-04 to 26.3 in 05-06. Which means one of two things: there were a couple more shooting fouls called (on average) in 05-06, or there were at least 5 more non-shooting defensive fouls called. The likely answer is somewhere in between, like 3 or 4 more fouls here and there, but the point remains, there were more fouls called in 05-06.

Of course, if I took the numbers from the other seasons, then I'd have a clearer picture of what happened, but time's a factor and I don't have enough of it. But I admit I was wrong in my perceptions nonetheless.

However, I'm not as inclined to change my opinion. While there were more fouls called, that's only proof of the rule changes. I believe that the players will adjust (they always do) and overall, we'll see a quicker pace in the game. I don't believe the league will head towards more freethrows necessarily--it's just an adjustment period, and I don't think the trend of increasing freethrows will continue. Ultimately, limiting contact on the perimeter will lead to a more exciting game.

In the meantime, I can see your argument that the foul calls are interrupting the flow of the game. Once the players adjust (or the refs find a happy medium) I think the flow will improve.

[Matt]

The teams are controlled by coaches, and it was decided years ago that slowing the pace of the game allowed teams the best chance of winning by limiting possessions. Then the NBA interferes and tries to make games more high scoring by changing the rules.

The point is, that changing the rules doesn't help from a visual perspective. Look at Phx, they increased their scoring by actually running. They won't foul the other team because it stops their running game.

Ultimately, it's the coaches decision what pace to play the game and the league should leave them be. I love the way Detroit & SAS play.....halfcourt basketball is what i love. Set plays, man-to-man defence, structured, now that's basketball.

[Klayface]

The rules are gay. You can't stop a 6 8 20 yearold thats as strong as an ox and quick as a mongoose cough cough Lebron cough cough. The league is too soft now, other than Knicks games and maybe a game here and there on NBA TV I don't watch basketball as much anymore, its just not as interesting as it used to be. Hell, I didn't even watch the Finals this year. Wade controlled the last couple of games with his ability to drive. Wheres the challenge? Teams like Dallas, which are built around shooters, frankly have no chance vs teams that can drive. The NBA is trying to institute hands free basketball.

[Jeffx]

I agree with Matt & Stackmill 100% - they're telling it like it is. Give me an old skool defensive 88-85 battle any day over today's layup clinics. I know many fans were bored with the Spurs-Pistons finals - not me. I grew up watching the old Knicks, so I appreciate team ball and tough hard-nosed 'D'. Thanks to Stern, the NBA has become soft. It's all about marketing with that jerk.