The Dubs need to play D...

NBA

...If they (or any team) expect to win anything.  That's Dubs, as in Ws, as in Warriors, as in the NBA's Golden State Warriors. University of Washington (excuse me, UDub) fans get it.  (Sidebar--Don't get this blog's web address?  ddubc = DWC = Defense Wins Championships.)  Defense has greater adaptability, which results in sustainability.  Thus, in the NBA, where defenses fly under the radar, the consistent-championship-caliber teams play defense.  See the Spurs, this year's most dominant team and most consistent since "The Big Fundamental," aka Tim Duncan, entered the league almost 14 years ago.  Wonder why those "King"-led Cavs were handled by the Magic in '09?  Because NOTHING is more important than a team's ability to protect the rim.  "Superman" Dwight Howard can block Lebron James, the most thunderous dunker in the league.  Don't forget the most dominant center this generation in Shaquille O'Neal, "Shaq," "The Big Diesel," "Shaqtus," "Kazaam" or whatever-he-wants-to-be-called.  In a professional sport that idolizes individuals, the unstoppable center literally can't be stopped (both on and off the court).  This time I uncharacteristically praise such individual achievements because, like a quarterback's leadership, such individual success directly translates to team success.

You may surprise people with an offensive philosophy, but any long-lasting championship-caliber team plays defense, 'nough said!  Yes, Lakers' fans, I know Kobe Bryant is the best finisher in the game, but how can he close unless a foundation of defense gets him within "Black Mamba's" ridiculous range?  While Kobe is the deadliest scorer (offensive balance is crucial), Pau and friends are nonetheless why Hollywood fans were in position to see their biggest star shine since "Shaq Fu" was a teammate.  We witnessed the Giants in the Fall, the Packers in the Winter,  and I expect the next testimony this Spring will be heavily defensive.

Bay Area faithful, brace yourself--the Dubs won't win it all this year (if you thought otherwise, get your head out of the sand )...  It's cool, don't worry, it'll be alright.  We can ride the black and and orange love for a while.  In fact, we should understand the patience it took for our G-men to win it all and put that faith into our other teams.  We were so desperate (12-year playoff drought) the last time we tasted some success (playoffs '07) that we made hasty decisions--trading away our heart and soul in Jason "J-Rich" Richardson for a lottery pick... Anyone know the odds for lotteries?  I can't express my love for J-Rich without digressing.  To understand some, watch this video that my Wisconsin homeboy sent me shortly after the trade: J-Rich Tribute.  I still tear up.  Oh well, since we can't change the past, we can only thank and learn what J-Rich, Don Nelson, and Baron Davis and Co. taught us: "We Believe!"

This time let's not run too far with that belief and, instead, hone it on building a team (not buying one ASAP).  When you live, like I do, in Laker country (or is it Clipper territory?), "a 1st round upset and 2nd round exit" is still a joke.  Consistency and championships are no laughing matter.  As of now, I think Coach Keith Smart is the intelligent choice (no pun intended).  He instills good defense, fundamentals, and is loyal to his players and, more importantly, to the team.  I assume his players believe in him too and, while we still got that feeling, I say we roll with it.  I hate it when teams jettison a coach to appease some superstar player that believes he's better than the whole.  Maybe it's because that "superstar" makes "mo' money" than the leader of the team.  Hope you're taking notes kids...

As a loyal fan, I cannot support articles like today's front page of the Chronicle's Sports Section, the one beginning with the word "Crashing."  This article discussed a lackluster performance for the Warriors in their loss the night before.  I understand this may be true, but what bothers me was how the focus wasn't just on this game--it stated how this loss erases their past few games where they played excellent ball and excellent defense.  Huh?  Like I said, you can't change the past.  Those wins still count in the 'W' column.  Stop focusing on our failures!  Instead, check out the other article, written by the same author and buried four pages deep in the six page section.  This one highlights how the Dubs' effort almost closed the gap from their 1st quarter performance, specifically their defensive effort (my man!).  While this article delves into the past as well, it instead shows how previous experience allowed the team to make successful defensive adjustments.  How odd to discuss building on your foundation rather than tearing it down... It's tough to convince your fans that there is hope for progress when you highlight two steps backward on the front page and bury the one step forward near the much bigger (and unrelated) headline about the "largest-losing-streak-ever."

Furthermore, let's stop knocking on our backcourt (that's the two guard spots).  Everyone says Ellis and Curry can't play together, they can't play D, they're too short, too weak, etc.  Bullocks!  They are one of the most productive backcourt duos in the league and they always perform more than their fare share on the offensive end to balance their defensive inequalities.  With more coaching, they will start to pick people off like "The Answer."  Some Kobe-esque plays are simply un-guardable and we gotta live with that.  While you can't teach height, you can teach that even the best guards in the league don't shoot a high percentage.  It's all about protecting the hoop (that's why behemoths play the positions close to the basket).  As for guards, "size doesn't matter" and I hope Dubs' fans understand that simple proposition before we trade another Warrior only to see him blossom for his next team.

All great teams play under a philosophy (even if you rely on a star) maintained by the head honcho (No, not the owner, but the head coach).  A personnel swap or upgrade may be in the future, but only after we accept the "Smart System" and the powers-to-be figure out which cavities need filling.  Right now our starting guards are too sweet (in a good way).  David Lee is our future power-forward and with less injuries (and less tooth impaling) he's our main scorer down low.  We robbed the bank in signing Dorell Wright.  Barring a superstar free-agent or drafted small-forward taking his spot, he's our perimeter shooter.  Worst case scenario: with that contract, an elite 6th man.  The oh-so-important center position is tough.  We are financially committed to Andris Biedrins (3+ years on his huge contract).  Luckily for us, our coach knows that too and has spent his time wisely on Biedrin's development (even leaving his family for 3 weeks this offseason to spend time in Biedrins home country of Latvia).  Unfortunately, he fouls more than the Italian national futbol team (except he gets whistled).  And when you are getting paid to play basketball, you must make your free-throws (or at least practice enough so your fundamentals look decent)!  Because all that is the case, a complimentary defensive back-up center (or necessary starter) is our biggest need.  Let's go general manager! Hey, maybe we'll get lucky in the lottery this time.  Either way, let us Believe once again, but this time, I'm rooting for consistency instead of quick riches.