Offense: The New Defense?

As the first official post of this blog, I would like to bring up a topic that has come to every sports maniac's mind. As it is a quite popular statement, most people live by the "offense wins games, but defense wins championships" modo. This has been a true statement for years on end and even when the offensive minded teams go far in the playoffs or postseason, they almost never take it all. But recently it has been brought to my attention that the new saying is looking like "Defense wins games, but offense wins championships." Although defensive teams such as the Chicago Bears or San Antonio Spurs have been at the top of the list for present sports talks, the offensive teams have stolen the show.

Examples of these offenses can be seen throughout the sports world and are slowly growing. The Indianapolis Colts, the #1 offense in the game (maybe not statistically but you know they are) just took on the #1 defense, those Chicago Bears. I'm a huge Chicago Bears fan myself and I love the D that they bring to the table, but I think it's time they looked at the offense or they're going to kiss goodbye to another shot at that Lombardi trophy. The Colts showed offense does win championships and the Bears showed they need offense to win championships. I mean there is bad, and there is appalling, and then there is Rex Grossman. I stuck behind this guy through thick and thin, and it got pretty thick at times. But when you go to the super like that and come out the way he did, it doesn't surprise me that the defense has picked him up time after time (just look at the Bears-Cardinals game).

Now shifting to another sport, basketball, one offense has blown away every defense in the league. Yes, I am talking about those scorching Phoenix Suns and scorching is an understatement. To have TWO 15 game winning streaks in ONE season is unheard of. In fact, had they not lost those few games in the start of the season, they would be looking to take that best record in NBA history, which was set by the astonishing Chicago Bulls of 1996. This team has proven themselves over teams such as the Spurs and Pistons, and gone beyond. And the #1 team in the league overall, the Dallas Mavericks, are an offensive minded-team as well. Yes, they have been focusing on defense under coach Avery Johnson (who has really exemplified his true capabilities over this team), but when you have a 7 foot 3-point shooter you have to be excited to get the ball into his hands.

Both the Suns and Mavs, two teams with two MVP candidates (Nowitzki and Nash), have changed the face of basketball not only by impressing all those sports critics that believe in impenetrable defense, but also surprise the fans with no-look passes or one handed-dunks. Is it surprising that the two best offensive teams, not to mention best record teams as well, are the most fun to watch? No, of course not! These teams have caused players to do double-takes saying "did that just happen?" And teams like the Spurs or Pistons don't even have a chance. When you have a seven second shot clock like the Suns do it's hard enough just getting back to your side of the court before Nash dishes out a pass to Bell for an easy three. If no one takes charge soon it's going to turn into a sports blood fest; teams just drafting Quarterbacks or Point Guards and basketball games ending in scores like 150-140.