NBA 2013-14: The top 5 defenses of the season so far

2. Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau

History will tell you that superstar or not Tom Thibodeau’s teams can win matches with defense alone. Yes you read it right, with Defense ALONE.

His teams have always ranked high on the defensive efficiency rankings whether as an assistant coach with the Big 3 Celtics or later with the Chicago Bulls. He is a defensive-minded coach who demands a lot from his players on the boards and on the defensive end.

His defensive schemes are very simple and basic, yet they have the potential to suffocate an opponent’s offense. The team relies on simple principles of denying penetration, grabbing rebounds and challenging every shot taken on the floor.

Another thing the team focuses on is preventing the opponent from getting high percentage shots, thus guarding the middle. Very rarely would you see his Bulls gambling on steals or fouling a player. The team fouls lesser than any other team in the league.

But it can’t be all about the coach, he needs the right players to fit into his scheme of things. That is where the importance of probably the two best wing defenders in the league Luol Deng (traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers) and Jimmy Butler come into the play. Mobile big men like Joakim Noah, Carlos Boozer and Taj Gibson play a huge role defending the pick and roll well.