Since the 2002-03 NBA Finals the NBA has seen scoring surge from an average points per game of 93 to a current day points per game!
The Minnestoa Timberwolves, the best team in the NBA this year. Has a defensive rating of 108.2. This rating would have been good for last place in 2003.
Right now teams in the NBA are shooting 40% of their field goals beyond the arc. Making it tough on defenses to load up and just sit in the paint.
With the 3 ball being a mainstay in NBA offenses, teams have to adjust their defensive strategies. Identifying the weak shooter on teams and allowing that player to shoot freely while using that defensive player to help guard the paint.
The Boston Celtics with the leagues best Net rating of 11.7, are in the best positon collectively to defend all types of team builds. They have some of the best permiter defenders, Derrick White and Jrue Holiday and have decent big men. They can implement a switching defense if need be or go into heavy help overloading the strong side with capable defenders on the weakside to defend skip passes and protect the paint.
Ultimately the NBA championship is determined by which team can limit or stop the opposing team. The Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets are the most complete teams in the league this year and built for various types of offensive and defensive style of play.
