Defense
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot."
– Bill Russell
Excerpt from www.youth-basketball-tips.com
Ben Wallace (aka "Big Ben") is neither a scorer like Duncan or Garnett, nor is he a dramatic passer with the vision of Nash. He can't shoot or pass, but no one has ever questioned his value when he was in the Pistons. What makes him worthwhile is his shot-blocking, defensive rebounding, and fearsome presence inside the paint (see how he ripped Shaqdaddy apart when Big Ben "counter-facial" him in the playoffs, Shaq's ego and confidence took a huge blow from that "Rejection-a-da-Year", I tell ya).
In fact, an ace-defender can send chills down the spine of a star-scorer on fire, turning a hot-hand into a freezing one. In a sense, good defense is even more important than offense. Occasionally, you just don't manage to sink the basket. But you can rely on good defense because effort and attitude is the foundation of good defense.
You have to play defense with your head as well as your body. Offensive players are often instinct and habit-driven in the spur of their attacking moment. If they like driving to the right, or shoot at their favorite spots, you can expect them to do the same thing quite frequently. If you can read your opponent's tendencies, you can shut them down both physically and mentally.
Read more about how to defend against a Ball-less Offender, in a Pre Dribble, while Dribbling,
and Post Dribble when playing Man-to-Man...
at www.youth-basketball-tips.com/basketball-defense.html