Defense has been the foundation of the Boston Celtics systems for years. The mentality that defensive stops lead to offensive opportunities is a mindset adopted by players in order to be successful on the team.
When the New York Times recently asked Dwyane Wade who plays him the toughest on defense, the Miami Heat guard replied with a collective answer.
I would say its more about the teams that play defense more than an individual player, Wade said. The Boston Celtics team defense is tough. The game is different now. Its not one guy that shuts you down. Its a team. They play a defense that stops you from getting to the paint.
Wade averaged 21.4 points per game (44.4 FG, 25.0 3PG) last season in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics, compared to his overall 2012 playoffs average of 22.8 points (46.2, 29.4).
Last season the Celtics ranked second in fewest points allowed by opponents (89.3 ppg) in spite of finishing last in rebounds per game (38.8 rpg).