Who is the best team in the league

[logic]

I think they're past the point of being hot. When you play like this for 2 straight months it has nothing to do with being hot. Being hot is winning 8 of 10.....not 26 of 28 in the last 2 months

2013-2014 Indiana Pacers January 20 record 33-7.

 

[Flauge]

2007-08 Houston won 22 games in a row. Eliminated round 1 NBA playoffs.

Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, an Al...I have seen your future. It aint pretty. I got two words to describe Atlanta. OVER RATED!

 

[bksballer89]

2013-2014 Indiana Pacers January 20 record 33-7.

They weren't 26-2 over 28 games either. Also that team was a very flawed team. Offense was shit so if George had a rough game they had trouble scoring enough points to win. This Hawks team has a great offensive system, don't rely on one person to carry them offensively, & oh yeah they're a top 5 offensive & defensive team in the league

 

[SJ76]

Still too early. Teams peak early = don't finish strong.


Sorry the Hawks are not the 1996-97 Bulls. They won't do it start to finish.

 

[bksballer89]

2007-08 Houston won 22 games in a row. Eliminated round 1 NBA playoffs.

Jeff Teague, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, an Al...I have seen your future. It aint pretty. I got two words to describe Atlanta. OVER RATED!

I disagree. They play like the San Antonio spurs on offense. It is amazing. I'm not saying they go to the finals or anything like that but hard to be overrated when you beat every legit team you play

 

[bksballer89]

Still too early. Teams peak early = don't finish strong.


Sorry the Hawks are not the 1996-97 Bulls. They won't do it start to finish.

Nobody is saying they're winning the finals

 

[lakersrule]

Still too early. Teams peak early = don't finish strong.


Sorry the Hawks are not the 1996-97 Bulls. They won't do it start to finish.

Are they peaking or just a really good team? I don't see why they can't keep this up assuming they stay healthy.

 

[Flauge]

Are they peaking or just a really good team? I don't see why they can't keep this up assuming they stay healthy.

Maybe you and BK get proven right.. I just don't see it. Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver... all solid players, but nothing huge. I just think they are playing above their heads right now.

 

[SJ76]

Because the NBA doesn't start to play real D until April that's why.

that's why Golden St isn't going anywhere either and why OKC has never done jack shit in the playoffs.

 

[bksballer89]

Because the NBA doesn't start to play real D until April that's why.

that's why Golden St isn't going anywhere either and why OKC has never done jack shit in the playoffs.

You do realize GSW has been one of the best defensive teams in the league for the last 3 years right? OKC defense is damn good as well. OKC has never won a finals ( Making the WCF and NBA finals in 3 of the last 4 years isn't exactly "jack shit") because they rely on Durant & Westbrook too much. It has absolutely nothing to do with their defense

 

[bksballer89]

Maybe you and BK get proven right.. I just don't see it. Al Horford, Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver... all solid players, but nothing huge. I just think they are playing above their heads right now.

It is a great system where ball movement is important. If you watch them play you'll see that they get a good shot on almost every possession. As I said before I don't think they win the finals or anything but I don't think ECF is a stretch if they can avoid Chicago or Cleveland in the 2nd round

 

[SJ76]

You do realize GSW has been one of the best defensive teams in the league for
the last 3 years right? OKC defense is damn good as well. OKC has never won a
finals ( Making the WCF and NBA finals in 3 of the last 4 years isn't exactly
"jack shit") because they rely on Durant & Westbrook too much. It has
absolutely nothing to do with their defense

One of the best defensive teams according to what... stats? I love the stat geeks that think the game is played on paper. Why don't they make it in the playoffs then? Defense is what wins championships. at West coast defense the past few years.

OKC hasn't won a title (jack shit) because they rely on jump shots down the stretch and haven't got big stops.

 

[bksballer89]

What makes the Hawks great is that their entire starting lineup avg double figures and their bench isn't terrible either as they get 31 PPG from the bench. In addition to this they're the best 3 point shooting team in the league, they have the best scoring defense in the league and are 5th in OPP shooting %.

The numbers across the board back up their record. The only issue I see with them is that they're not a good rebounding team

 

[Flauge]

It is a great system where ball movement is important. If you watch them play you'll see that they get a good shot on almost every possession. As I said before I don't think they win the finals or anything but I don't think ECF is a stretch if they can avoid Chicago or Cleveland in the 2nd round

I've watched them play a few times this year.. probably 5 or 6 times. They are impressive. You don't go 33-8 and not look good. I just don't buy they are the best team in the league as was the point of this thread. You say you don't think they will win the finals.. but then voted them as the best team in the league. When I think best, I am voting for the team I think wins the NBA finals. Atlanta to me is a second round exit team. Maybe the ECF as you say, East is weak, it could happen. But of the teams you listed, give me Golden State. I think they are a legit threat to win the whole thing. Their bench is just ridiculous.

 

[bksballer89]

One of the best defensive teams according to what... stats? I love the stat geeks that think the game is played on paper. Why don't they make it in the playoffs then? Defense is what wins championships. at West coast defense the past few years.

OKC hasn't won a title (jack shit) because they rely on jump shots down the stretch and haven't got big stops.

Watch basketball please.

OKC & GSW both have been 2 of the better defensive teams over the last 3-4 seasons. Shows how much you know if you think they don't play defense just because they play in the West.

I clearly stated why OKC did not win the finals. As for GSW, they did not have a proper offensive system to play when the game slows down in the playoffs. Now with Kerr they have improved so look for them to make it deeper this year.

 

[lakersrule]

One of the best defensive teams according to what... stats? I love the stat geeks that think the game is played on paper. Why don't they make it in the playoffs then? Defense is what wins championships. at West coast defense the past few years.

OKC hasn't won a title (jack shit) because they rely on jump shots down the stretch and haven't got big stops.

What does that even mean? West coast teams can play defense and the Warriors certainly do. They have a rim protector, they have strong perimeter defenders, and the stats back up what is seen on the court. Silly east coast bias.

 

[SJ76]

San Antonio geezers own the Western conference...

WHY?


Cuz they played good defense. Don't give me this Bullshit that Golden St and OKC play good defense. Just because they run up and down the court more and get more steals, doesn't make them a good defense. Look at the Clippers. Offense all year and then what? NADA

I repeat. The San Antonio OLD FARTS won the west last year. WHY?


I think I know what good defense is. East coast or West. but thanks anyway. Just the fact that you are labeling who the best in the NBA is right now before the all-star break shows how much you know about bball.

Long way to go. And the early lead dog, usually doesn't finish strong. Look at history.

 

[SJ76]

2014-15 Regular Season NBA Team Stats and League Leaders - Defense Per Game - National Basketball Association - ESPN


Here you go. No surprise why Atlanta and Portland are winning games right now.

 

[SJ76]

Golden St is averaging close to the same amount of points allowed this year (99.1) so far as they did last year (99.5).

 

[Flauge]

When you rank those stats by FG%, the top 3 teams are out west... Golden State, Portland, and OKC. PPG is just one way to measure defense. But a team who runs a ton of half court offense and a grinder style of basketball is going to have a solid PPG, but they may be giving up a 50% shooting. Miami ranks 6th in ppg... but 22nd in FG%. As someone who has watched Miami a lot this year, the best way to describe the Heat's defense is suspect.