Charlotte Bobcats Tickets - Substance Over Style

We've all heard the old adage that defense wins championships

. It may sound trite, but it still holds true in the NBA today. NBA fans have become enamored with fast-paced teams that focus on offensive output, but it's still the best defensive teams that win the titles. Until we see a high-flying, offensive-minded team win a title, the cliche is going to stick, and probably beyond that, because history supports it. (Note: All statistics are as of Dec. 2, 2009.)

Mike D'Antoni's Phoenix Suns' teams of the 2000s set the league on fire with their up-tempo brand of basketball, trading in defensive effort for a free-wheeling offense that racked up points. Those Suns teams were very good, but they never even reached the NBA Finals. They couldn't get past the defense-first San Antonio Spurs. The Los Angeles Lakers were bested in 2007-08 by a defensive-minded Boston Celtics team, and it wasn't until the following season, when the Lake Show had addressed their defensive woes, that the team prevailed to win a championship.

One team that is proof that defense can take you farther than expected is the Charlotte Bobcats. Those who purchase Charlotte Bobcats tickets won't see the most talented offensive roster, but they'll see a unit that has been schooled in team defense and is getting better by the game. Charlotte stands at 7-10, but they look to be improving and could be a playoff contender by season's end. Head coach Larry Brown has always been a big proponent of defense and seems to be making an impact on his players, as the Bobcats are currently ranked first in defensive efficiency. The team may not lead the way in that category all season, but they should remain among the leaders.

Defense can't do everything for a team, though, which is why the organization went out and traded for guard/forward Stephen Jackson early this season. Jackson is the team's most talented offensive weapon, as his versatility gives them a new dimension. Jackson can play both the two and the three, and can do a little bit of everything on the court. He and forward Gerald Wallace form the offensive core of this team. Wallace is having his best season as a pro and has seemingly gotten better with the addition of Jackson, as Jack is probably taking some of the focus off of him.

The Bobcats are not going to wow anybody on the offensive end, but they don't have to. Their defense gives them room for error on the other end of the court, but they still need to score to win. After winning just three of their first 12 games this season, the Bobcats have won four of their last five and are 5-4 with Jackson onboard. A recent four-game winning streak included a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of the best teams in the NBA. The Bobcats held the Cavs to fewer than 90 points in that contest, as Wallace outplayed superstar LeBron James on both ends of the court in the victory.

The Bobcats seem to be on the rise. They may not quite be playoff material, but they've definitely got a chance if they keep playing defense and improving on the offensive end. This team may lack flash, but they make up for it with solid play across the board and a stingy defense.

by: Brent Warnken

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