Michael AngusLA v. Boston matchups (LINK)
June 3rd 2008 19:04
It's been awhile since I have shared my thoughts about the playoffs on here with you.
But this Finals matchup has me all giddy, and even though I'm still bummed out over the Piston's putrid 4th quarter performance in Game 6 against Boston, I believe that all is well now knowing that Flip Saunders will no longer be the head coach of the Pistons.
Hey, I have to put the blame on somebody, right?
Well, Joe Dumars must have thought so too because he just fired Flip today!
The NBA game is essentially about matchups. In college b-ball and high school hoops, matchups aren't quite as important considering the popularity of zone defenses, but in the NBA most games are won and lost by the matchups teams use and do not use.
First off, nobody can check Kobe-- nobody can be a Kobe stopper or anything like that-- unless your Ruben Patterson.
I see James Posey getting a lot of chances to guard Kobe during this series. Posey could give Kobe fits because of the length Podey has, but overall Boston has to focus on defending Kobe as a team. Good help D will force Kobe to pass out.
I'm not quite certain who Kendrick Perkins will guard when the Lakers have their starters on the court. Perkins surely does not have the quickness to guard Pau regularly, nor does he have the quickness to guard Odom or Radmanovic. So when Pau has his way with Perkins early on, then Rivers will likely put Posey or Powe into the game to match LA's smaller and quicker lineup.
Now maybe I'm giving Pau too much credit, but I think he will have no problem scoring on Perkins. But if Garnett checks Pau, well, then we're talking about a much different matchup.
Garnett is a solid defensive player and an even better offensive player (when he decides to post up and drive to the bucket). So I will be interested to see who LA puts on Garnett most of the time. I can see Turiaf getting come oppotunities, maybe Odom too, but I'm not sure anybody can contain him, unless of course Garnett is settling for jumpers all game long.
Fisher v. Rondo should be a fun battle. Fisher is strong and witty while Rondo is weaker and not as seasoned with his decision making. I wouldn't be surprised if Fisher guarded Ray Allen either, specifically because Ray isn't as quick as he once was. But expect to see Kobe on him too. Vujacic also.
Radmanovic will likely have to check Pierce from time to time especially of Kobe is matched up with Ray. Unless Radmanovic is really playing well on offense, I don't see him seeing a whole lot of court time because he doesn't play good enough defense to consistently guard Pierce or Allen.
But that leads me to my next point of discussion...
Bench play.
LA has a remarkably better bench than Boston, and just about everybody else in the league too.
Vujacic and Farmar allow Kobe and Fisher to take extended rests during the 2nd and 4th quarters. Vujacic has been shooting the ball pretty well lately. Boston does not have that ingredient to bring off the bench. Eddie House is a streaky shooter, but hasn't seen a lot of playing time in these playoffs. Cassell is old and his jumper looks flat most of the time.
Boston usually plays Powe or Davis in spot situations. Both can score a little downlow, but neither bring the energy to the game that Walton and Turiaf regularly provide.
Basically it looks like the media's love affiar with Boston will continue, however, I don't see Boston winning this series, even with the homecourt advantage they hold.
LA in 6 over Boston
For college basketball opinion and chatter, head on over to collegefastbreak.com
But this Finals matchup has me all giddy, and even though I'm still bummed out over the Piston's putrid 4th quarter performance in Game 6 against Boston, I believe that all is well now knowing that Flip Saunders will no longer be the head coach of the Pistons.
Hey, I have to put the blame on somebody, right?
Well, Joe Dumars must have thought so too because he just fired Flip today!
The NBA game is essentially about matchups. In college b-ball and high school hoops, matchups aren't quite as important considering the popularity of zone defenses, but in the NBA most games are won and lost by the matchups teams use and do not use.
First off, nobody can check Kobe-- nobody can be a Kobe stopper or anything like that-- unless your Ruben Patterson.
I see James Posey getting a lot of chances to guard Kobe during this series. Posey could give Kobe fits because of the length Podey has, but overall Boston has to focus on defending Kobe as a team. Good help D will force Kobe to pass out.
I'm not quite certain who Kendrick Perkins will guard when the Lakers have their starters on the court. Perkins surely does not have the quickness to guard Pau regularly, nor does he have the quickness to guard Odom or Radmanovic. So when Pau has his way with Perkins early on, then Rivers will likely put Posey or Powe into the game to match LA's smaller and quicker lineup.
Now maybe I'm giving Pau too much credit, but I think he will have no problem scoring on Perkins. But if Garnett checks Pau, well, then we're talking about a much different matchup.
Garnett is a solid defensive player and an even better offensive player (when he decides to post up and drive to the bucket). So I will be interested to see who LA puts on Garnett most of the time. I can see Turiaf getting come oppotunities, maybe Odom too, but I'm not sure anybody can contain him, unless of course Garnett is settling for jumpers all game long.
Fisher v. Rondo should be a fun battle. Fisher is strong and witty while Rondo is weaker and not as seasoned with his decision making. I wouldn't be surprised if Fisher guarded Ray Allen either, specifically because Ray isn't as quick as he once was. But expect to see Kobe on him too. Vujacic also.
Radmanovic will likely have to check Pierce from time to time especially of Kobe is matched up with Ray. Unless Radmanovic is really playing well on offense, I don't see him seeing a whole lot of court time because he doesn't play good enough defense to consistently guard Pierce or Allen.
But that leads me to my next point of discussion...
Bench play.
LA has a remarkably better bench than Boston, and just about everybody else in the league too.
Vujacic and Farmar allow Kobe and Fisher to take extended rests during the 2nd and 4th quarters. Vujacic has been shooting the ball pretty well lately. Boston does not have that ingredient to bring off the bench. Eddie House is a streaky shooter, but hasn't seen a lot of playing time in these playoffs. Cassell is old and his jumper looks flat most of the time.
Boston usually plays Powe or Davis in spot situations. Both can score a little downlow, but neither bring the energy to the game that Walton and Turiaf regularly provide.
Basically it looks like the media's love affiar with Boston will continue, however, I don't see Boston winning this series, even with the homecourt advantage they hold.
LA in 6 over Boston
For college basketball opinion and chatter, head on over to collegefastbreak.com
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