Poll: Yes or No, Celtics the #1defense in the NBA with Noel

[KG Living Legend]

 It's another argument should we pay this kid 20 million per year, but if you answered yes he will make us the best defense, than awe shucks, we should just sign him.

 Watching him play defense you just sit there and imagine, I'm like Omg, can you even imagine this kid with Horford playing behind, Smart, Crowder, Bradley, Brown, and Rozier?

 I think Silver would have to take a Brooklyn pick away from Danny like there take picks from the Patriots. They would accuse the Celtics are building an unfair defense legitimately.

 Watch this defense only highlights and just imagine the potential.

 https://youtu.be/AJZ0H-lEvb0

[KG Living Legend]

 Even with Horford on the bench image.

 Noel
 Crowder
 Brown
 Bradley
 Smart

 Holy crap. I don't think they
Would ever get scored on.

[alldaboston]

 Even with Horford on the bench image.

 Noel
 Crowder
 Brown
 Bradley
 Smart

 Holy crap. I don't think they
Would ever get scored on.

I dont think they would ever score.

[tarheelsxxiii]

In a perfect world, yep. But I'm sure he'd cost of Smart, which would obv hurt us defensively, too. Keeping him, AB, and Crowder absolutely would, though. [dang] that'd be fun to watch.

[celtics2030]

 Even with Horford on the bench image.

 Noel
 Crowder
 Brown
 Bradley
 Smart

 Holy crap. I don't think they
Would ever get scored on.

They would get beat 81-75 every game

[KG Living Legend]

 That's obviously not the only five. Sub Thomas for Smart and that's now a good offensive team.

[flybono]

You forgot Cleveland

[otherdave]

Yes potential for great defense this year even without Noel, as long as IT is not on the court.

[aefgogreen]

When it comes to defense, I think there can be diminishing returns.  Having one or two defensive players can give you an edge, but I'm not sure having 5 strong defenders on the floor helps you that much more than 4.

[Clench123]

You forgot Cleveland

I believe we can match them with Noel's addition.

[Evantime34]

Depends who they gave up to get Noel.

I'm in the camp that the C's will have the best defense in the league as the team currently stands.

[Denis998]

I think as is we are #1 currently. SAS lost Duncan, GSW lost Bogut , and ATL lost Teague and Horford. Boston gained Horford.

[ThePaintedArea]

He'd be taking a big leap to play starter's minutes on a #1 defense.

The potential is there, though I fear that his knees will be his downfall.

Since I doubt that he'll be joining the Celtics this year, a more interesting question is whether Boston can be #1 with the guys they actually do have.

 It is rare for individual players to have a big influence on team defense, but this off-season a couple of such players have left top defensive teams: Bogut and Duncan.

 I'll put it this way: Boston will compete all season for the top team defense in the league.

[saltlover]

I don't think it's impossible that we'll have the top-ranked defense as is.  The difference between Sully and Horford will be huge on the defensive end.  Combine that with Smart taking some of Turner's minutes -- we should be better defensively than last year when we were fourth.  The only team that was significantly ahead of us was San Antonio, and Duncan will be a loss for them on that end -- not to mention that Pau Gasol hasn't been even an average defender in years.

I'm not trying to say I'd place an even-money bet on that happening, but it wouldn't surprise me if that's how things looked at the end of the year.  Probably the only thing that will truly hold us back is our offense, as it's easier to set up defense off a made basket.

[Ilikesports17]

Utah is pretty nasty defensively. The addition of Hill and return of Exum should make them even better, but with Noel we are better.