I keep hearing them get ripped for being a bad defensive team.

 

My question: Is that true?

My answer: I don't think so.

 

The Lakers are leading the league in scoring averaging over 108 Points Per Game. So, the first thing that tells me is that they play at a faster tempo than many teams, so naturally opponents are going to score a little more on them.

 

They're allowing 98 points per game, which is 14th in the league...that's a +10.3 margin per game, which is second best in the league behind Cleveland (+13.1).

 

But, if you dig a little more, you'll find that the Lakers have the 5th best FG% defense in the league (43.58%) and they're second best in the league at forcing turnovers (16.3 per game).

 

The Lakers average 5.7 blocks per game (7th best in the league)...9.5 steals per game (best in the league).

 

They have room for improvement for sure. Mainly, they could get more physically tough. But, saying they're a bad defensive team is just a myth.

No offense but:

 

Question: Who cares?

Answer: Nobody

 

It's the NBA. Defense is just about meaningless, as sad as that is, which is why I hate the NBA

No offense but:

 

Question: Who cares?

Answer: Nobody

 

It's the NBA. Defense is just about meaningless, as sad as that is, which is why I hate the NBA

 

You cared enough to tell me that nobody cares...now that makes a lot of sense. :sssh:

They've only lost 3 games, so their D is doing something right. But I think their D will have to step up a little more come Christmas day. If not, they'll have their heads handed to them against a once again good Celtics team. Not to mention that the Celtics are rolling on 16 straight victories.

 

PS. I'm a huge Lakers fan.

No offense but:

 

Question: Who cares?

Answer: Nobody

 

It's the NBA. Defense is just about meaningless, as sad as that is, which is why I hate the NBA

 

Very cliché.

You cared enough to tell me that nobody cares...now that makes a lot of sense. :sssh:

 

I'm just saying, defense don't mean much in the NBA. You can say their D is awful, but look at their record. That proves my point. Who cares how bad an NBA defense is? Their pretty much all awful.

They've only lost 3 games, so their D is doing something right. But I think their D will have to step up a little more come Christmas day. If not, they'll have their heads handed to them against a once again good Celtics team. Not to mention that the Celtics are rolling on 16 straight victories.

 

PS. I'm a huge Lakers fan.

 

The Lakers, Cavs and Celtics look like they're a notch above the rest of league.

 

Right now, I think Cleveland may be the team standing when its all said and done. Mo Williams has been a huge addition and I think the rest of the team has developed and started to mesh with Lebron...they're a scary team to me.

 

I'm glad the Lakers are in the opposite conference.

I'm just saying, defense don't mean much in the NBA. You can say their D is awful, but look at their record. That proves my point. Who cares how bad an NBA defense is? Their pretty much all awful.

 

That is probably the biggest myth in all of sports. An NBA team would hold any college team below 40 points every single night. The size of the 3 pt line, 24 second shot clock, high skill level of the players, and the defensive rules which lead to isolation sets make it look like they are not playing defense.

The Lakers, Cavs and Celtics look like they're a notch above the rest of league.

 

Right now, I think Cleveland may be the team standing when its all said and done. Mo Williams has been a huge addition and I think the rest of the team has developed and started to mesh with Lebron...they're a scary team to me.

 

I'm glad the Lakers are in the opposite conference.

 

You know, it's unbelivable to me how Lebron just came into the league straight out of HS five or six years ago and is dominating! With the correct supporting cast, the Cavs do they the potential to win huge in the next upcoming years. MJ didn't start winning championships until he had the Pippins, Armstrongs, Rodmans, Cartwrights, etc... Could come true for LJ as well.

I'm just saying, defense don't mean much in the NBA. You can say their D is awful, but look at their record. That proves my point. Who cares how bad an NBA defense is? Their pretty much all awful.

 

That's one of the most ridiculous myths in sports history.

 

And, the whole point of my thread was to prove that the Lakers defense is good.

 

Almost every team that wins an NBA title has the best, or one of the best, defenses in the league.

 

Celtics had a suffocating defense last year.

The Pistons were a great defensive team when they won their title.

The Spurs are known for defense and they've won 4.

The Lakers had an awesome defense when they 3-peated.

The Bulls teams of the '90's were some of the best defensive teams in league history (Jordan and Pippen were All-Defense First Teamers virtually every year...and Rodman was as well.)

 

Anyone who thinks defense isn't played in the NBA doesn't watch it...or doesn't know what defense is.

Anyone who thinks defense isn't played in the NBA doesn't watch it...or doesn't know what defense is.

 

I'm pretty sure I watch NBA and I'm positive I know what defense is :thumb:

You know, it's unbelivable to me how Lebron just came into the league straight out of HS five or six years ago and is dominating! With the correct supporting cast, the Cavs do they the potential to win huge in the next upcoming years. MJ didn't start winning championships until he had the Pippins, Armstrongs, Rodmans, Cartwrights, etc... Could come true for LJ as well.

James has just about all the supporting cast he needs, imo. I am with Skip Bayless in that he is the greatest driver of the basketball in NBA history. James is a freak of nature and so much bigger than anyone who guards him. He has capable shooters that are left open all the time because teams have to collapse on James and a strong defensive front line that can rebound.

You know, it's unbelivable to me how Lebron just came into the league straight out of HS five or six years ago and is dominating! With the correct supporting cast, the Cavs do they the potential to win huge in the next upcoming years. MJ didn't start winning championships until he had the Pippins, Armstrongs, Rodmans, Cartwrights, etc... Could come true for LJ as well.

 

:thumb:

 

He scored double digit points in the first quarter of his first regular season NBA game. He's an amazing talent. He has the potential to supplant Jordan as the greatest ever, IMO. There's never been a guy with his combination of tools...

 

Speed - Have you seen how fast he can go from end-to-end?

Size - 6-8, 240...he's got a power forward body and he plays like a guard.

Intelligence - His smarts may be the most amazing thing.

I'm pretty sure I watch NBA and I'm positive I know what defense is :thumb:

 

Well, with statements like "They don't play D in the NBA.", you'll forgive me for wondering?

I was a Laker fan up until Shaq left, and people started to compare Bryant to MJ. We all saw what Kobe was without Shaq that first year..