Ti’s Four-Point Play: A Look At The NBA’s Best In Different Areas
By Ti Windisch
The Greatest Defense In The NBA – San Antonio Spurs
Last season, the Warriors were the best defensive team in the NBA. They’re still the second-best defense in the association, but there’s no question about who the greatest defensive team is right now.
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The San Antonio Spurs give up 5.5 less points per 100 possessions than the Warriors. That difference, between best and second-best in the NBA, is the same as the difference between the Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves, who are currently sporting the 20th best defense.
Much like no player is doing what Steph Curry is, no team is doing what the Spurs are right now. Their team defense has been nothing short of incredible. San Antonio has given up 100 or more points just seven times in their 44 games played.
Teams just can’t score on these Spurs. It’s easy to point to Kawhi Leonard as the biggest reason for that, but the only full-time starter to have a better defensive rating than Leonard is Tim Duncan.
The real key to San Antonio’s defense is teamwork–Tony Parker and LaMarcus Aldridge join Duncan and Leonard in the top four starters in the NBA in terms of defensive rating.
Next: The Greatest Rebounding Team