One of the biggest criticisms of the modern NBA is the lack of defensive intensity. 10, 20 years ago, teams would never dream of dropped 140 points in a regular-season game.
Nowadays, teams are reaching that milestone like it’s nothing, and it seems like old-school, aggressive defense is becoming a thing of the past.
Sunday’s match against the Wizards and Nets was a perfect example of this trend, with a final score tallying 149-146.
But when one fan started complaining about it on social media, former NBA guard Isaiah Thomas clapped back, insisting that basketball is an “offensive game.”
Who plays defense in the NBA? Nobody LOL ! You can’t with how the game is called… it’s a offensive game!! Even the best defenders is getting 30 put on they head every night https://t.co/KFi5SZWqjp
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) February 1, 2021
The comment section was interesting, with fans being split on their opinions, and I.T. responded to a couple of them…
In Playoffs actually the best defensive teams are the ones that go far, best example Heat last year, so no, defense is as important as offense
— Clutch City (@Locura_Basket) February 1, 2021
Did they win it??? They defense wasn’t good enough Buddy. I’m talking the overall game. But I ain’t gonna go back and forth with somebody who never played at this level
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) February 1, 2021
I agree. Why has scoring sky rocketed the past 2 decades ? Players get theirs regardless who's defending. Great players make tough shots, get to the free throw line, & set up open teammates. It doesn't make defense completely meaningless, but pretty obsolete in todays game
— klizz (@Klizzy420) February 1, 2021
Because there’s more 3s being made & attempted. The game now is strictly layups or 3s it wasn’t like that 4/5 yrs ago.
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) February 1, 2021
But you can’t be terrible at it and win a championship. I can’t think of 1 championship team that was really bad at defense.
— Devon Berry (@dberry_55) February 1, 2021
Exactly!! I’m speaking about overall it’s damn near impossible to stop anybody because of how the game is called.
— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) February 1, 2021
There’s really no arguing that defense today isn’t as important as it was a few decades ago. The modern NBA is as high-scoring as the game has ever been.
But perhaps I.T. is undervaluing just how much good defense goes hand-in-hand with winning a Chip. All the best teams are at least capable on that end of the floor and, in the playoffs, being able to stop/slow down your opponent becomes critical.
This year, we can probably expect the same.
