ESPN Employee Gets Real With JJ Redick Over Weakening Impact of Defense: “Team That’s Suffocating…”

‘A good defense leads to a chance for better offense’. This quote was the motto of almost every super team we have seen in the NBA history so far. But the real question is, does this work even now? Is a ‘good defense’ possible against a team full of offensive superstars in the modern era? Former NBA veteran JJ Redick and CBA champion Timothy Legler show us why a good defense alone cannot be helpful in winning championships. 

When was the last time you saw a ‘defensive team’ in the NBA? Or when was the last time you saw managers hunting for only defensive players? To be even more precise, when was the last time you saw Dennis Rodman in the NBA? Well, it’s been a long time and Timothy Legler believes there is no scope for an “elite defensive team” anymore. The former shooting guard revealed, “I don’t think the defenses in general have the level of impact on these great offenses that they used to. Can you be porous defensively and win championships? No,” 

Legler added, “The notion that you have to be, like, ‘this team that’s suffocating and just locked down to shut you down defensively’, I just don’t think you need to have that to win a championship now.” Rather, Legler believes, teams are desperate for “highly skilled shot makers”. 

Only a better offense leads to championships in today’s era

Even if there is a chance to recruit someone like Dennis Rodman, the general managers would be hesitant. A defensive player can make it to the league, only if he can make some contribution to the offense as well. Legler believes this is purely because of the offensive crafts that everyone in today’s roster holds. The 57-year-old shared, “Look at the guys on these rosters that have added a handle, that have added a step-back three, a catch and shoot three, there are just more shot makers on the roster.”

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The best example to explain Legler’s narrative would be New Orleans Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado. The 25-year-old guard is famous in the league for his mysterious steals and on-ball defense. But on the other hand, he averaged a solid 9 points in the 20 minutes he played last season, let alone the defense. This speaks about the modern NBA. 

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The NBA after the 2010s has changed a lot. This could be explained as a lack of defense or just some amazing offense. However, we would like to know what you think about this. Share your take in the comments below.