2012 CB Draft Western Conference Playoffs: (2) Blazers vs. (7) Hornets

[RebusRankin]

New Orleans, Can Chandler limit Howard?

[jgod213]

I think this series comes down to Tony Parker. He's the Hornets best chance.

Portland - do you have an overall strategy on how to combat TP?

I've considered the idea of matching JJ up on Parker from time to time but I'd prefer to keep him as fresh as possible, so ultimately this matchup comes down to how much Rubio will progress throught the 2012 regular season.

Rubio's size and footwork will bother Parker, but Parker's experience and talent will allow him to make plays nonetheless. 

But, if Rubio can appropriately funnel Parker into Dwight Howard's help-terrirory, which I think he can, I don't believe that Ty Chandler will be able to capitalize on his lack of attention.

I expect that TP can give a yeoman's effort, but I don't believe his effort alone is enough to mitigate the advantages Portland has in most other aspects between the teams.

[jgod213]

I'll be honest -- I voted PORTLAND as the #1 seed in the West. I think they're a well-put together team with a once-in-a-generation defensive talent.  But here's how I see us matching up. The Hornets got a chance of an upset, but it'd be just that: an upset.

Well, since we're being honest, I had N.O. pegged as the 3rd best team in this conference behind myself and Dallas.

GC's Hornets and my Blazers are almost mirror images of eachother in terms of fit,

-exceptional defensive center
-scoring 4's
-multipurpose SF
-lights out shooter at the 2
-playmaking, pure point guard.

But while the parts are similar, Portland's are the higher-end parts.

Still I don't understand how the Hornets fell to a 7th seed because I sincerely think they can beat most of these playoff teams, but Portland is not one of them.

[Gainesville Celtic]

New Orleans, Can Chandler limit Howard?

Limit? sure.

Stop? No.

[Gainesville Celtic]

Still I don't understand how the Hornets fell to a 7th seed because I sincerely think they can beat most of these playoff teams, but Portland is not one of them.

Agreed on all 3 points -- hey look at that Blazers just hit ANOTHER 3-pointer... 


Tommy point.

[Gainesville Celtic]

B.
T.
W.


my team is the greatest ever.

[dark_lord]

i dont agree with the standings.....im picking hornets for the "upset"

[indeedproceed]

GC: why are you not picking apart Tony Parker vs Rubio? Rubio was at his best defending 2s, with Ridnour next to him, racking up steals. Come with the A game hornets!!

[indeedproceed]

Also how does ray do against joe Johnson? How does joe do against ray?

[Gainesville Celtic]

GC: why are you not picking apart Tony Parker vs Rubio? Rubio was at his best defending 2s, with Ridnour next to him, racking up steals. Come with the A game hornets!!

Honestly haven't had the time between a crabby 6-month-old and a 24-page magazine due at the printer monday.

(after all we can't all be on our honeymoons... wait, what are you posting in this or any thread for if you're on your honeymoon IP??!?)


That and feeling like am I really gonna tell anyone something about Parker vs. Rubio they (a) don't already know or (b) know but don't agree with?

Parker will eat Rubio for lunch and like I said he's the key to pulling an upset. I think i made that clear:

Point Guard

Tony Parker/JJ Barea vs. Ricky Rubio/Beno Udrih

Parker is by far the better player -- though Rubio is an exciting talent who will be a very good NBA player. But he's only played 1/2 a NBA season.

Parker will frustrate him on the defensive end and will regularly get by him on the offensive end.

Edge: Hornets

snip....snap...snip.



Keys to Hornet Victory

1. Parker playing like Tony Parker can and getting consistently into the lane drawing the defenders to open up shots for Allen, Battier, Lee and Chandler. He's overlooked consistently in Celticblog drafts, but Parker has proven to be a top-10 player over the last 2 seasons. We go as far as he takes us and vs. a much slower Rubio/Udrih combo, we think he cna be dominant for this series.

the problem is folks seem to want to ignore how good Parker really is: He was the best player on Back-to-Back 60-win teams (this year woulda won 60 over a 82 gm sched.)

I don't have any synergy stats to back that up, i just know what he's done. I don't know if 4 pages of yes-he-is-great is gonna convince anyone more at this point.