Zach Lowe getting hyperbolic

[Roy H.]

perspective?

ESPN's Zach Lowe gave a pretty interesting take Thursday afternoon on "NBA Today".

"For the last 45 games, 50 games, the Celtics have been maybe the best defense I've ever seen," Lowe admitted. "There are no weak spots to pick at. They switch everything. They don't make mistakes.

"When you give the Celtics two non-shooters away from the ball, which almost every Nets lineup has, whether it's Bruce Brown, Andre Drummond, Nic Claxton -- (the Celtics) help, they close space, they recover, they don't make mistakes. There's no place to go."

Lowe is not someone who often deals in hyperbole. He does meticulous research before writing his columns or appearing on television. So it's not like he just made this statement on a whim.

He's also not the only notable basketball observer on a national level who's putting the Celtics' defense into a top tier historically.

So, how does the current team compare to the 2008 team?  2004 Pistons?  Bad Boys?  Dynasty Bulls?

I love the defense on the current team, but I’m not sure there’s much support for Lowe’s take. 

[ozgod]

I guess if he means that this team is the most switchable and versatile in history because pretty much any player can guard any other player on the other team, I could agree with that. So far they've been able to shut down Durant, which isn't an easy task. The challenge is going to be defending teams where you may not want to switch, like Embiid or Giannis.

It's hard to compare eras, given the changes in rules for the defense...The Bad Boys and the Bulls were built to defend offenses from those times. The game is much less physical than it used to be, but on the other hand nearly anyone on the floor can shoot from the perimeter now, so you do need those switches.

I don't think it's the best we've ever seen, until we shut down every team on the way to a championship. But it's good, no doubt about it.

[gouki88]

I think it's an interesting discussion, only insofar as this defence is thriving to such a high level and the league is so slanted toward offence. I feel like 08 and all those amazing defences prior had a better balance of offence v defence in the way the game was played and officiated.

[moiso]

I've never seen such a swarm factor in a defense around the perimeter.  We have been getting so many deflections it seems like we have an extra guy out there.

[Yuckabuck33]

I think this defense, at least before Rob was injured, was the best defense I've ever seen, better than 2008.

[kraidstar]

This team is loaded with smart, athletic defenders.

At the heart of it all is Timelord.

Want some more non-hyperbole?

Rob has a remarkably similar body and skillset to Bill Russell. People might laugh at that but the measurements are there, guys like Rob are ultra rare, even in the NBA. Add to that good court vision and the elusive "will to win" and you have an anchor that can take this team to incredible heights.

This is a very special time to be a Celtics fan.

[Roy H.]

2008 Celts: 90.3 points allowed, 98.9 Def Rtg, .457% eFG% allowed (.497% allowed = league average), Opp 15.2% TOV%

2022 Celts: 104.5 points allowed, 106.9 Def Rtg, .502 eFG% (.532% allowed = league average), Opp 12.5% TOV%

[jpotter33]

I think this defense, at least before Rob was injured, was the best defense I've ever seen, better than 2008.

Have to agree. While 2008 era was a historically good D, the perimeter D and switchability we have with this group makes things so tough for teams.

It's so hard to compare across eras, though. Even just comparing to Boston 14 years ago in 2008, the games are so different that it's hard to judge objectively and effectively given how each team is built per the rules/style of their time.

[seancally]

Lowe said best he’s ever seen, and maybe that means “as a professional journalist” — which would exclude those 90s teams and before.

Still. The defense required to stop teams that don’t shoot 3s at such a high rate is just different, so as to be nearly irrelevant to compare. The court is so much bigger now, metaphorically — on many of the best teams, 4 guys are threats from 3. The best shooters launch 10 a game. The defense required to slow down these high-octane offenses is not only more demanding — need to close space and chase down shooters — it’s also just a totally different thing.

My take? Yeah, it’s harder to play defense now. Less physicality is allowed and shooters are better. You have more ground to cover all the time. Skill is up. The Celtics have been incredibly impressive.

[LilRip]

Once you factor in eras, I think this is one of the best defenses all-time. C’s are the closest thing to 90’s basketball, defense-wise. And this wouldn’t be possible without the rule change from the offseason.

The pace and space era favored speed and length too much and practically nullified any strength advantages. This level of officiating gave strength-based defenders (like Smart, Grant and Horford) more of a chance of affecting offensive players vs previous years.

[scaryjerry]

Only if they end up riding it to a championship would I ever consider them in the same breath as any of the best defensive teams of all time

[gouki88]

2008 Celts: 90.3 points allowed, 98.9 Def Rtg, .457% eFG% allowed (.497% allowed = league average), Opp 15.2% FG%

2022 Celts: 104.5 points allowed, 106.9 Def Rtg, .502 eFG% (.532% allowed = league average), Opp 12.5% TOV%

What are those numbers relative to league averages?

[Roy H.]

2008 Celts: 90.3 points allowed, 98.9 Def Rtg, .457% eFG% allowed (.497% allowed = league average), Opp 15.2% FG%

2022 Celts: 104.5 points allowed, 106.9 Def Rtg, .502 eFG% (.532% allowed = league average), Opp 12.5% TOV%

What are those numbers relative to league averages?

League average is 112 Def Rtg this year; 107.5 Def Rtg in 2008.

So, 2022 is 5.1 points / 100 better than average; 2008 was 8.6 points / 100 possession better than average

[Moranis]

2008 Celts: 90.3 points allowed, 98.9 Def Rtg, .457% eFG% allowed (.497% allowed = league average), Opp 15.2% FG%

2022 Celts: 104.5 points allowed, 106.9 Def Rtg, .502 eFG% (.532% allowed = league average), Opp 12.5% TOV%

What are those numbers relative to league averages?

League average is 112 Def Rtg this year; 107.5 Def Rtg in 2008.

So, 2022 is 5.1 points / 100 better than average; 2008 was 8.6 points / 100 possession better than average

did you take out the first 35 games this year?

[gouki88]

2008 Celts: 90.3 points allowed, 98.9 Def Rtg, .457% eFG% allowed (.497% allowed = league average), Opp 15.2% FG%

2022 Celts: 104.5 points allowed, 106.9 Def Rtg, .502 eFG% (.532% allowed = league average), Opp 12.5% TOV%

What are those numbers relative to league averages?

League average is 112 Def Rtg this year; 107.5 Def Rtg in 2008.

So, 2022 is 5.1 points / 100 better than average; 2008 was 8.6 points / 100 possession better than average

What is our DRtg for 2022 alone?