Now that Kerr left the GM spot in Phoenix, people are talking again about how Phoenix didn't have the defense to win it all, and how the D'Antoni/Gentry system just can't win because of lack of defense. Some comments here and on ESPN even say it's a fact that defense wins championships. That really annoys me because it's completely false.

Good teams win championships. When the Suns were better a few years ago, they probably could have won it all if not for some bad luck, injuries, and suspensions.It's not like they had no chance.

Okay, so maybe you're thinking "Yeah, but they didn't win, and that still proves that dominant defense wins." Actually, if you look at the last 10 NBA champions, the average defensive ranking is about the same as the average offensive ranking. The 2000-2001 Lakers were just 21st in defense, 2nd in offense. http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/2001.html. The Heat were just 9th when they won. If you think that the Mavs were robbed that season, the Mavs were 1st in offense and 11th in defense. Plus, you can't blame a coach for defense unless there is a complete lack of effort. Most defense will come from your center, and the Knicks don't have Marcus Camby anymore.

If Kerr is leaving because he doesn't want to be blamed for losing Amar'e, I don't care. If he's annoyed that the Suns would be great if they didn't have to keep trading away picks, I can't blame him. But if he thinks the Gentry system can't win, that's ridiculous.