The Golden State Warriors own the best record in the NBA at 21-3. While most people assume that a team led by Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are offense-oriented, it’s actually been the defense that’s helped to moved them into the upper echelons. The offense is still strong as it’s the NBA’s third-highest scoring unit but it’s even more important to point out how good they have been defensively as that was their Achilles heel. After all, they say defense wins championships and now it looks like the Warriors have rounded into a true championship contender.
With a focus on defense, let’s take a look at the best units in the NBA right now, which leads off with the aforementioned Warriors.
Golden State Warriors
The Warriors lead the NBA in team defensive efficiency and the fact that they have a better number on the road than at home is testament to the effort level they have brought to every game. Golden State ranks seventh with an average of 96.8 points per game while holding opponents to a league-low .411 field goal percentage. A healthy Andrew Bogut has been key to protecting the paint but it’s important to point out the energy and enthusiasm that players like Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have brought to the table every night.
Bogut has averaged 2.2 blocks per game while Curry, Thompson, and Green have combined to average close to five steals. Then they can bring in Andre Iguodola and Marreese Speights off the bench, which is another important asset the Warriors have going for them. Even role players like Shaun Livingston and Leandro Barbosa have also thrived at the defensive end of the floor as key depth players.
The personnel on this team hasn’t changed much, so at this point, you’d have to give credit to new head coach Steve Kerr for getting this team to another level. We’ll have to see how it translates in the playoffs, though, as a great regular season record and a short playoff journey isn’t what this team is looking for.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are coming off a big win 105-98 over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night and the way they did it was defense. They kept the Warriors under 100 points and held Curry to just 9-of-25 shooting (1-of-10 from three-point land).
While the win moved Memphis to 20-4 – one game shy of the Warriors for the best record in the NBA – the Grizzlies are still viewed with an air of skepticism in terms of being a championship contender. However, their defense is arguably the best in the business They are currently fourth in the league in points per game allowed (95.6), tied for seventh with opponent field goal percentage (.439) and play so well at that end without fouling. They give up 20.0 free throw attempts per game. If they can maintain, they’re going to be a dangerous team in the playoffs once again.
Houston Rockets
Defense was a weak spot for the Rockets last season, specifically with James Harden (see: video) showing a lack of commitment. However, Harden has raised his level of play at that end of the floor in an effort to match his offensive skill set and that has been key to the success of a Houston team that ranks second in the NBA in team defensive efficiency.
The Rockets have given up an average of 95.3 points per game this season but you have to account for Dwight Howard missing time when breaking down that number. Howard, Terrence Jones, and Patrick Beverley have all been outstanding at the defensive end of the floor while veterans Trevor Ariza and Jason Terry have also been effective. It’s also important to point out the impact the dismissal of Jeremy Lin has had when considering how far Houston has come as one of the best defensive teams in the NBA early on this season with the potential to still improve their numbers with Howard back and the team building on a strong foundation at the defensive end of the floor.
