odom is smaller and less talented than lebron's 6-9 250 frame, how did that work out on defense for paul?
oh thats right, he toasted him outside of game 7, and what he didn't do on defense that game, he did right in lebrons grill on offense.
This series will be a war, both teams are excellent, but one of the things im least concerned about is the matchup on odom. The jazz didn't have a guy who could stay with him, denver quit on itself, the spurs he looked good.
The match up im concerned with is kobe, since neither of our guards is a good match up and pulling pierce out of the front court will open up a laker mis-match with ray ray.
LeBron & Odom are apples and oranges. The former is one of the most ball dominant players in the league, operates almost exclusively on the perimeter (at least to start a play), and a vast majority of the plays in the Cav's offense are initiated by him. That's no how Odom is used at all. LeBron might outweigh Odom by a little, but Lamar is taller and A LOT longer. He's also one of the best rebounders in the league, coming in 7th in the league in this department this year. If you want to stick your small forward on that guy while your center is hanging out at the free throw line, be my guest. Pierce is a very good defender, but he'd be wasted on Lamar, who doesn't do much 1-on-1 play like LeBron, and exploited on the glass.
Odom struggles with guys that are similar to him. Long, lean, athletic players. That's why KG always kills him. You'd be crazy to put someone other than the Big Ticket on Odom. You shouldn't be concerned with Odom if that's who KG is guarding. Otherwise? He's a big mismatch for both Perkins & Pierce.
Woodstock Libertarian...thanks for the kind words.
In regards to Gasol, he is definitely an effective low post player, it's just not in the way that someone like, say, Al Jefferson is. Gasol's as much of a threat to hit the open man for an easy shot as he is to score. Since he also understands passing angles and has good hands, he gets himself in a position to score on an easy layup. That's not really post play, but it doesn't make him a perimeter either.
Long story short, the Lakers are at their best when Kobe penetrates because:
1) Obviously, he's a great finisher
2) Our big men (Odom, Gasol) are both excellent passers & cutters, and
3) We have very good shooters once the defense rotates.
4) Kobe can effectively draw fouls/get guys in foul trouble.
I guarantee you that the Laker's goal is to get penetration, because everything comes from that. If you guys can play defense similarly to the way that Bowen did, I think you win the series. Make him jump shooter. He'll still kill you, but you'll lessen everyone else.
That's easier said than done though.