What do all NBA champions for the last fifteen years have in common?
Good defense.
Sounds like a reasonable answer, what with the common perception that "defense wins championships." But in the NBA, it's not just a cliche. It's gospel.
From the 2000 Lakers to the 2014 Spurs, every championship team ranks near the top ten in field goal percentage allowed. And the only reason I say near is because the 2001 Lakers ranked eleventh in field goal percentage allowed, thanks to a rash of injuries throughout the year. Here's a list of the last fifteen NBA Finals winners and their field goal defense rank:
2014--San Antonio Spurs (8)
2013--Miami Heat (6)
2012--Miami Heat (5)
2011--Dallas Mavericks (8)
2010--Los Angeles Lakers (5)
2009--Los Angeles Lakers (6)
2008--Boston Celtics (1)
2007--San Antonio Spurs (4)
2006--Miami Heat (8)
2005--San Antonio Spurs (3)
2004--Detroit Pistons (3)
2003--San Antonio Spurs (3)
2002--Los Angeles Lakers (1)
2001--Los Angeles Lakers (11)
2000--Los Angeles Lakers (1)
Obviously ranking in the top ten in field goal defense doesn't guarantee a championship. If you've got great defense but are completely inept on offense (looking at you, Chicago), you don't have a chance. But based on history, you've got to be in the top ten of field goal percentage allowed in order to win a championship.
The numbers don't lie.
The only question is how NBA franchises can use this info to build better teams. Any thoughts?
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