Defense in the NBA is not the same as it use to be. Some of it is the rule changes and a lot of players not willing to play defense. Defenses are not able to be physical like you could be in the 90s. The hand check rule is gone, but the key to defense is moving your feet and paying attention to detail. I am going to look back at some of my favorite defensive teams from the 90s and the 2000s.
The 1990s
95-96 Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls went 72-10 in the 95-96 season, they led the league in scoring averaging 105.2 points per game. But their defense was a difference maker. The Bulls were second in the league giving up 92.9 points per game. The Bulls played defense with speed and tenacity. They had three first-team all defenders on their roster, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman. Also, they had veteran Ron Harper, who was pretty good on defense himself.
The Perimeter defense of Pippen, Jordan, and Harper put tremendous pressure on the other team back courts, while Rodman anchored the low post. Luc Longley was the weakest link, but the Bulls overcame that by pressuring the perimeter players. Jordan, Pippen, and Harper were all over 6’5 and had long wingspans, so when they pressured you, it was hard to get the ball inside. In the playoffs, the defense got stronger only giving up 86.8 points a game.
93-94 New York Knicks
The Knicks defense had a lot of good defenders on the team. Anchored by Patrick Ewing in the Middle, they also had, Charles Oakley, Greg Anthony, and John Starks. Oakley was the enforcer and played outstanding team defense. The Knicks gave up only 91.5 points a game that season. Ewing blocked close to three blocks a game. Teams only shot 43 percent against the Knicks defense. The Knicks defense played very physically if you drove to the basket they were going to make you pay by putting a body on you. There were no easy baskets, you would hit the ground hard.
96-97 Miami Heat
The Heat was coached by Pat Riley, who brought his strict physical style over from the New York Knicks. Miami defense was led by center Alonzo Mourning and power forward P.J Brown. Mourning blocked 2.9 shots per game and anchored the defense. The Heat defense was strong inside, it allowed their perimeter players to gamble on steals. The Perimeter players knew if their man got by them, they had Mourning and Brown to protect the basket. The Heat gave up 89.3 points per game, they had smart defenders like Dan Marjele and Tim Hardway on the perimeter.
The 2000s
03-04 Detroit Pistons
When you think about a tough NBA defense, the 03-04 Detroit Pistons come to mind. This team scared me as a Laker fan and rightfully so, they dominated the Lakers in the NBA Finals. Ben Wallace anchored the defense in the middle, he could guard the post and even step out defend guards on the pick and roll. Wallace averaged three blocks per game. To go along with Ben Wallace, the Pistons added Rasheed Wallace to the team; also, he averaged two blocks per game. It was hard to score anything against the Pistons at the basket with those two monsters down there.
On the Perimeter they had Tayshaun Prince who had outstanding length and made it hard to get a shot off. Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups were causing havoc pressuring the ball in the backcourt. The Pistons gave up 84.3 points a game, i would put this teams defense up against any offense and like my chances.
03-04 San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs had a strong inside defense led by Tim Duncan, who blocked two shots per game. Along with Duncan, the Spurs had Rasho Nesterovic in the middle; also, he also blocked two shots per game. Bruce Bowen led the perimeter defense, Bowen was a lockdown defender. He also made the first team all defense for his efforts. Manu Ginobili was a feisty defender, and they had size on the perimeter with Hedo Turkoglu. The Spurs lead the league in defensive scoring giving up only 84 points per game.
07-08 Boston Celtics
The Celtics assembled the big three this season. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen led the way for the Celtics. Garnett was the driving force for the defense locking down everything on the inside. Paul Pierce played the best defense of his career this season. He often would take on the opposing team best player and did well against them. Ray Allen also played some pretty solid defense himself and Rajon Rondo was hounding the opposing teams point guard. What i love about the Celtics defense was that they played defense without fouling and it was hard to score against them in the half court.
There are couple other teams defenses I liked, the 2010-11 Chicago Bulls played some tough defense. The Spurs always play smart defense, even the Warriors, when they won their first title, played some solid defense. But the teams I listed above played that hardcore physical throwback defense that we will never see again.
