Raptors' Rapid Recap - LA Lakers 120 - Toronto Raptors 110

When I saw Kevin Martin included, you lost me. I’m all for trading Bargnani, but I’d like to a) get someone younger back and b) not get someone who doesn’t play defense.

Besides, it seems to me that you’re just trying to push the Raptors into mediocrity, without doing anything for them long term. I really like Battier, but you’re getting two players who are 27 and 32. Why?

he cant create off the perimeter and has no post moves, so u cant rly use him as a point forward if he cant create. off the fast break he can make some nice passes but if u want him to attack and probe the paint thats asking a little too much

Not sure how offense trumps defense. Without actually stopping a team from scoring, you’re not going to be able to beat many teams. The Raptors went on their runs, in large part, because of their defense. Sometimes shots don’t fall, but if you’re playing great defense, you’re usually not out of the game. As Not So Friendly Stranger, said, we know where your bias is. And just for future reference, I don’t want you playing on my team.

Moreover, while you can be off on your offense due to external factors (ex your team mates failing to give you the ball, or giving it with bad timing) effort on D is just up to you, so it is easier to be a consistent defender than a good O guy, meaning one could be asked to provide consistent effort on D as it just up to him to bring it.

On the other hand, since facing good D is expected nigh in and night out being able to score is and added value and something people are willing to pay for. This is something that will puzzle blue collars, but it is true never the less.

Actually I have really enjoyed this debate about offense verses defense. Up until a few weeks ago, I was very much in the Defense camp. I had always used the “they say defense wins championships” quote. But the Bargnani situation made me rethink the whole thing. I had never really questioned the idea. I think we do that with lots of things in life
While watching the Lakers game yesterday, it occured to me that there is only two types of shots – open or contested. Further more there are a certain number in every game that are uncontested. It is in those situations where defense plays no part in the game.
In actual fact, defense is only sucessfull on steals, charges, fouls or blocked shots . Putting a hand up means nothing to these athletes. Ultimately, it boils down to shooting. Many times over the years, I have been disappointed when in crunch time, the Raps miss wide open shots at one end while guys like Ray Allen or who ever hit tough shots shots at the other end. It turns out that it is the best shooter under the most pressure that determines the out come. The top teams consistantly do that.
 
Further more the rules are designed to give offense the edge. They prohibit charges under the net, they call touch fouls, they don’t allow hand checking and you can advance the ball with a time out.
So the reallity is that offense is the more important, although I certainly agree that defense is very important

It is still easier (salary wise) having a Durant, getting yourself a Perkins than having an Healthy Oden and find a superstar offense minded player . I see you have a strong preference for defensive minded players, which is fine, just keep in mind an opinion, opposite to yours, is as legitimate.

will always make the highlight reel and will be remembered in history

What goes ignored is the guy who prevented the inbounds pass to stop the play from happening, the guy who stayed up on the shooter to make it difficult when he misses, the guy who prevented the previous bucket, or got the rebound, to allow that play to happen.

You can’t look at one isolated incident and then say everything previous to that doesn’t matter. It does, thats what set the ground work for that final play (or set of plays) to happen.

but I don’t even know how this is a debate… this is basketball 101

first 2 things I learned when playing competitive ball….

1) every turnover you make is an opporunity lost and an opportunity gained for your opponents (and likely 10 windsprints next practice)

2)you may not shoot well every night, but you can play defense every day. (and likely 10 windsprints either way)

That was literally the first discussion my first coach gave before tryouts (and after 10 windsprints)