RealGM

So here is how DA does it. He looks for defense first, and then offense. Everyone else, well most everyone else is looking for offense, because that's what fills the seats and makes the highlight reels.

I just checked out Villanueva's numbers on 82games and it simply amazing how bad their defense is. Same with Yi. And Telfair. And all these players that don't make it. They just cannot play defense at an NBA level.

If you listen to DA's interview on Gidden's play, he says he makes plays on defense. That's what he talks about first and foremost.

http://www.82games.com/0708/0708MEM.HTM

Milicic & Kwame Brown drafted number 2 & 1 allow opposing players a PER of about 20. Russel taught us the three things you need to know about winning championships, defense, defense & defense.

That's why Rondo was 5th on our board. And why Giddens wa our pick.

It is not defense , defense and defense. It is defense & rebounding. Both Rondo & Giddens are excellent defenders & rebounders.

right ed.

d first, but ball control (and thus rebounding) is just as paramount

Hasn't always been that way with free agent signings (Dickau, Telfair), but usually has with drafting (exception, AlJeff) and absolutely always has been with the guys he's kept, including Perk and Rondo as the big keepers, and AlJeff and Gomes as the high-value youth he's managed to part with.

Don't know if the trend will continue, he may make an exception here or there for balance. But just like a team with enough high-character guys who can take on a few challenging players; from KG's commitment on down, they can now take on offensive players with the capability to play defense--e.g., Ray Allen and Eddie House--and bring a defensive commitment out of everyone.

Well, I guess I'd include rebounding in defense. I guess my definition of basketball defense stems from Russel and how he played the game. Until we got the ball it was defense.

Look at Powe's defense numbers what happened there?

And Gomes is known for above average defense?

Is AL Jefferson considered more then average for defense?

Does Gerald Green know how to defend pick and rolls yet?

Danny drafts players. Players just usually are competitive enough to play defense and/or go after rebounds.