Offense vs. Defense

[LoveMyMavs14]

Imagine you were talking to someone with whom the idea of basketball was completely foreign. How would you describe it to them? I would suppose something involving putting the ball in a hoop. I don't believe anyone would say "Well, it's when you try to stop these five guys from putting a ball in the hoop." That is not the game of basketball.

Now, this isn't just because I am a fan of the Mavericks, not known for their defense. I recently heard a Spurs fan say something along the lines of "I like watching gritty defense, that's beautiful basketball to me." Defense should be a way to stop the other team from scoring when you need to, not a way to play the game because you are completely inept offensively. I don't think many people can honestly say they would rather watch a game completely dominated by missed shots and EVERY "offensive" execution taking the full 24 seconds.

I don't agree with the decisions made by Mavericks sometimes to take a shot TOO early on the shotclock, not being patient, moving the ball, and waiting for a better look to become available to them or a teammate. But the game of basketball, in it's simplest, most elementary form, is putting the ball in the basket. Many people, also, should remember that basketball is A GAME. Enjoying the fast-paced, offensive showings we have often been treated to does not make anyone any less of a fan, and I DEFINATELY don't buy that "loving" low-scoring, walk-the-ball-up-court, 78-77 final games makes anyone any MORE of a fan.

Dallas needs to pick up their defense. But until someone can convince me that the basic principal of basketball was intended to be preventing the other team from scoring, not scoring yourself, you can take your ugly basketball and watch it somewhere else.

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Just my opinion, thought I'd share it. You may not agree with me, but this is how I feel, and this is why I love my Mavericks.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]