This is the importance of Defensive Rating to determine the favorites for the NBA championship

Some seek to undervalue the importance of defense in the NBA, but the truth is that having a powerful defensive rating broadens the chances of becoming a champion. This stems from a potent NBA statistic that may be called into question this season...or not?

No pain, no glory, and no defense, no titles. This maxim is often applied to all team sports, although offensive exuberance in the NBA leads some to undervalue this aspect, especially during the regular season. Making a drastic change once in the playoffs is not easy, so having strong defensive mechanisms developed provides teams with a lot of success options. Proof of this is how the defensive rating influences the fight for the championship.

- Only 2 teams in the last 10 years have won the ring without ranking in the top-10 in defensive rating

Only the Denver Nuggets in 2023, finishing the season in 15th place, and the Golden State Warriors in 2018, positioned 11th in the defensive rating table, managed to win the ring without finishing in the top-10 of the defensive rating classification. They are the only examples of the last decade and if we extend the debate throughout the 21st century, we also find the 2003 Lakers. What is clear is that it is very difficult to win if you do not arrive with a significant defensive foundation that has been put into practice during the regular season.

This season, several teams will be candidates to make a total overhaul of their defensive skills to fight for the title and break this pattern. Therefore, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and Memphis Grizzlies are teams guaranteed a spot in the playoffs, considered real contenders by many and not among the top ten defensive ratings in the NBA. Will they be able to correct their issues and firmly aim for glory despite their defensive data?

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