Fake Playoffs are Here: Hype your Team/Matchup!

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

Thad Young is 21 years old. I'm not saying Rondo and Jefferson are done improving, I'm saying the jumps Young have made so far have been amazing considering he came in as a teenager and jumped as much as he has considering he legally started drinking in late June.

Experience matters here because Tim Duncan lead the Spurs to 4 titles. Oberto and Bowen were no more then bit pieces, Rondo did it once with Pierce, Garnett, and Allen, and Howard hasn't won. Duncan was the franchise player for the Spurs, while none of the others were close to franchise players when they won.

I don't care how often Duncan and will be 35 years old Oberto played in practice. If Oberto was better, they would have played him. Also, what about how Oberto views Duncan, from getting a first hand seat to all that experience in practice? From Oberto's wikipedia:

On August 11, 2009, he was officially signed by the Wizards. Since jersey number 7 was already taken by Andray Blatche, he will wear number 21 because of his birth date (March 21st) and in honor of one of his idols, former teammate Tim Duncan.

Also, I'm practically begging you to put 38 year old Bruce Bowen on Ben Gordon. I think that would go very well for me. You do not have an answer to Ben Gordon on your roster.

Duncan won't be tired from the season either. As you saw in my own voting, Seattle finished 2nd in the division specifically because Duncan would be rested in regular season games for the playoffs. If pushed for 82 games, Seattle could have contended for the division, but it was basically conceded Spurs style to make the playoffs.

So was Duncan tired against Dallas last post season? He only played 75 games there.

You're hitching your cart to an old horse and you got no bench. I really don't see your case here.

I do have other players rather then Duncan. Ben Gordon, for example, who can and will go off for points against this roster. A player of Gordon's caliber is going to run roughshod over Mason, Bowen, or Korver. This keeps going unnoticed. You want people to think it's Duncan versus the Phoenix Suns. It's not. He has a supporting cast, and they are the reason I think I have a better team.

Oh come on everyone has said from the jump that we're close. I haven't asked for one justification on a Seattle vote even though its clear you're the inferior team.

Oh stop it. I want to know how other people are thinking, because you know how I think, and I know how you think. Just because those two are arguing doesn't mean I'm trying to start one. I just want reasons like you wanted when you offered two TPs for any questions. And no, it's not clearly an inferior or superior team either way. We are obviously the two best matched teams in either playoff bracket. I have a ton of respect for you as a poster and your team. You've been classy this entire time, don't stop now.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

(POR/GS): GS

How wonderfully predictable.

I almost voted Portland just so I wouldn't have to deal with the BS of voting against Chuck Norris, but I had to be honest.

I'd like an explanation on Phoenix-Seattle too if you have time

Hate the idea of Oberto being so pivotal, but if you know me I was a huge Big Al fan and a huge Rondo fan, and I think that Rondo will be much better against TJ than you give credit for. Rondo has had to defer to the C's big 3. I see Rondo playing more like the guy we saw against the Bulls for IP. This is definitely a 7 game series and i think you are both top 4 teams in the west, so this was difficult. Sorry, but I can only go with my honest vote.

Much respected. I've said from the beginning I'd rather lose honestly then win through someone elses vendetta somewhere.

However, your vote hinged on Oberto?? Against Duncan??

I don't understand it either, but Rondo and Ford has always been a tough matchup for RR. Without a jump shot, I don't see how Rondo can be a major Phoenix advantage.

[johnnyrondo]

(POR/GS): GS

How wonderfully predictable.

I almost voted Portland just so I wouldn't have to deal with the BS of voting against Chuck Norris, but I had to be honest.

I'd like an explanation on Phoenix-Seattle too if you have time

Hate the idea of Oberto being so pivotal, but if you know me I was a huge Big Al fan and a huge Rondo fan, and I think that Rondo will be much better against TJ than you give credit for. Rondo has had to defer to the C's big 3. I see Rondo playing more like the guy we saw against the Bulls for IP. This is definitely a 7 game series and i think you are both top 4 teams in the west, so this was difficult. Sorry, but I can only go with my honest vote.

Much respected. I've said from the beginning I'd rather lose honestly then win through someone elses vendetta somewhere.

However, your vote hinged on Oberto?? Against Duncan??

I don't understand it either, but Rondo and Ford has always been a tough matchup for RR. Without a jump shot, I don't see how Rondo can be a major Phoenix advantage.

Luckily for IP, he's not the coach. I'm sure the coach will do better with match-ups. For the record again, I think Seattle was a top 4 Western Conference team. Just a tough match-up with another top 4 team.

[johnnyrondo]

Just so everyone can get their pacemakers ready, I'm voting Toronto over NJ most likely tomorrow (I say most likely, b/c its unfair not to first listen to NJ's argument).

[Rondo2287]

Just so everyone can get their pacemakers ready, I'm voting Toronto over NJ most likely tomorrow (I say most likely, b/c its unfair not to first listen to NJ's argument).

Well I think thats the smart move, the only advantage I see is Pierce over Artest.  And thats only if Artest decides not to pull Pierces shorts down. 

[indeedproceed]

Oh come on everyone has said from the jump that we're close. I haven't asked for one justification on a Seattle vote even though its clear you're the inferior team.

Oh stop it. I want to know how other people are thinking, because you know how I think, and I know how you think. Just because those two are arguing doesn't mean I'm trying to start one. I just want reasons like you wanted when you offered two TPs for any questions. And no, it's not clearly an inferior or superior team either way. We are obviously the two best matched teams in either playoff bracket. I have a ton of respect for you as a poster and your team. You've been classy this entire time, don't stop now.

I was going for sarcasm. If I thought your team was clearly inferior, I wouldn't have spent liek 10,000 words finding reasons why my team is the clear easy choice as a winner. That again was sarcasm. Sometimes the internet is not the best venue for these things.

I have a question for Seattle. How are you going to manage the ball with Ford, Gordon, Young and Duncan?

Ford+Gordon can create their own shots, but neither is an especially gifted passer. Duncan still needs someone to give him the ball, and Young still needs someone to set him up.

WIth both Gordon and Ford being at their best when they're given the latitude to dominate the offense and take whatever shots that they want, how are you going to field a balanced attack?

That's why Rondo, Mason, and Howard are better than Ford, Gordon, and Young. Because they all fit together. Howard doesn't need to be force fed the ball to take his points. he's always there, and he'll take what you give him. Same with Mason.

Rondo will dominate the ball, and while Ford gets his buckets on Rondo, he doens't stop Rondo from spreading the offense. 14 assists per game speak to that.

I got 5 guys on the floor and 5 guys on the bench that all work together, and are competent enough to not let my level of play drop off significantly as playing styles change. That's what you're missing, and that's why I'll win.

[Evantime34]

Here's my attempt at explaining why my team will win, I know most of you won't vote for me anyway but here goes.

Portland Trailblazers (Edgar/Roy Hobbs)- Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal, Rashard Lewis, Michael Redd, Mike Bibby, Manu Ginobili, Brad Miller, Delonte West, Ryan Gomes, Ronny Turiaf, Jrue Holiday, Quinton Ross, Jared Dudley, Fred Jones, Taj Gibson

Golden State Warriors (Evantime34)- Carlos Boozer, Steve Nash, Mehmet Okur, Corey Maggette, Luol Deng, Tyreke Evans, Jason Kapono, Danillo Gallinari, Eddie House, Demar Derozen, Desagna Diop, Ime Udoka, Chuck Hayes, Sean Williams, Jamal Tinsley

Team Strategy
We are going to run, in order to get the best match ups available. If we run Shaq's role is largely diminished. Mike Bibby is more of a shoot first point guard, we believe that we can force him into bad shots and more importantly bad decisions if we increase the tempo. Steve Nash will make Bibby look very bad in an uptempo system. If Shaq does play extended minutes Okur will give him hell out by the wing and he won't be in the paint to help defend.

In the uptempo game I see ball movement as being a problem for the Blazers. Bibby is not a pass first point guard as I alluded to earlier, Redd either is a bad passer or chooses not to pass, Shaq is a good passer but will not be useful due to the running of the uptempo system. If you look at the combined assist per game numbers of Portland they are not very high.

Rashard Lewis is a matchup problem mostly because of his shooting ability and height. We have Deng who is nearly as tall and just as fast to guard him at the 3. If Lewis played at the 4 Deng will slide to the four to guard him. Deng is the key in this series in that he can shut down Lewis, Ginobili and Redd for short periods of time with his length.

Portland's rotation is chalk full of three point shooters. I can see them falling in love with the three point shot and not going to the hole. This type of offense can score a lot of points but it can just as easily go through large droughts. Just look at the Magic this year in the playoffs, the looked bad against a depleted Celtics team. Or look at the Celtics of the Jim O'Brien days, they fell in love with the three point shot at the beginning of the game then get down by big numbers.

If we push the tempo we will need to use our bench to keep our players fresh. We believe that our 3 top 10 pick youngsters will step up in this capacity and be the difference in this series. A good game from any of them could be the difference of any given game.

So in conclusion we win one game when Portland can't keep up with the uptempo style. We win another game when Portland's three point shooting leaves them. We take a third game when one of our yongsters steps up. Finally we take a fourth game when the Boozer/Nash pick and roll with Okur spotting up is unstoppable

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

Oh come on everyone has said from the jump that we're close. I haven't asked for one justification on a Seattle vote even though its clear you're the inferior team.

Oh stop it. I want to know how other people are thinking, because you know how I think, and I know how you think. Just because those two are arguing doesn't mean I'm trying to start one. I just want reasons like you wanted when you offered two TPs for any questions. And no, it's not clearly an inferior or superior team either way. We are obviously the two best matched teams in either playoff bracket. I have a ton of respect for you as a poster and your team. You've been classy this entire time, don't stop now.

I was going for sarcasm. If I thought your team was clearly inferior, I wouldn't have spent liek 10,000 words finding reasons why my team is the clear easy choice as a winner. That again was sarcasm. Sometimes the internet is not the best venue for these things.

Sorry about that... I read that post too quickly and didn't process it enough. I take full responsibility for the misread, and reading it through the "sarcasm lens" so to speak I understand what you were going for. My apologies, and knowing me I usually pick up well on such linguistics

I have a question for Seattle. How are you going to manage the ball with Ford, Gordon, Young and Duncan?

Ford+Gordon can create their own shots, but neither is an especially gifted passer. Duncan still needs someone to give him the ball, and Young still needs someone to set him up.

WIth both Gordon and Ford being at their best when they're given the latitude to dominate the offense and take whatever shots that they want, how are you going to field a balanced attack?

That's why Rondo, Mason, and Howard are better than Ford, Gordon, and Young. Because they all fit together. Howard doesn't need to be force fed the ball to take his points. he's always there, and he'll take what you give him. Same with Mason.

Rondo will dominate the ball, and while Ford gets his buckets on Rondo, he doens't stop Rondo from spreading the offense. 14 assists per game speak to that.

I got 5 guys on the floor and 5 guys on the bench that all work together, and are competent enough to not let my level of play drop off significantly as playing styles change. That's what you're missing, and that's why I'll win.

Ford can do enough passing to make this work. I don't see it as enough of an issue, as Young contributes in the same way Howard does offensively. Same with Martin and Bass. Duncan has never had to be the focal point in an offense, but has that ability. The combination of the mentality to do whatever is necessary and not hurt the team regardless of role with the ability to be the best player on the floor is huge for my team's identity. Gordon can get his shots by himself or off a dish from Ford. Ford is by nature a point guard, and while he's not a top 5 passer in the league, he is certainly competent enough to recognize the Gordon-Mason mismatch and feed the hot hand.

Jefferson needs the ball more then Duncan does to be effective, so these same problems apply for your team. Also, Al Jefferson is being guarded by most likely Tim Duncan or Kenyon Martin. I see the numbers and understand them, but Duncan in the playoffs can handle Al Jefferson. I don't think anyone is giving Duncan enough credit for being one of the best bigs ever still in his prime!

I leave (this post) with the wikipedia quote again about Oberto:

On August 11, 2009, he was officially signed by the Wizards. Since jersey number 7 was already taken by Andray Blatche, he will wear number 21 because of his birth date (March 21st) and in honor of one of his idols, former teammate Tim Duncan.

[indeedproceed]

Jefferson needs the ball more than duncan to be effective because he's the better offensive player and the best offensive option on the floor.

That said, Al Jefferson rebounds better than Tim Duncan, so its not like he just scores then falls asleep under teh basket until the ball comes back down.

I can't believe I'm going to say this but you are over rating Tim Duncan...the unoverratable Tim Duncan. Shame on you.

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

Jefferson needs the ball more than duncan to be effective because he's the better offensive player and the best offensive option on the floor.

That said, Al Jefferson rebounds better than Tim Duncan, so its not like he just scores then falls asleep under teh basket until the ball comes back down.

I can't believe I'm going to say this but you are over rating Tim Duncan...the unoverratable Tim Duncan. Shame on you.

You don't think perhaps it's Al Jefferson who is becoming just SLIGHTLY overrated here?? Rebounds better then Duncan, better offensively then Duncan? Why the hell did we trade this guy for Kevin Garnett?? Minnesota made out like bandits in that deal.

FIRE DANNY AINGE! HIRE KEVIN MCHALE!

[indeedproceed]

Jefferson needs the ball more than duncan to be effective because he's the better offensive player and the best offensive option on the floor.

That said, Al Jefferson rebounds better than Tim Duncan, so its not like he just scores then falls asleep under teh basket until the ball comes back down.

I can't believe I'm going to say this but you are over rating Tim Duncan...the unoverratable Tim Duncan. Shame on you.

You don't think perhaps it's Al Jefferson who is becoming just SLIGHTLY overrated here?? Rebounds better then Duncan, better offensively then Duncan? Why the hell did we trade this guy for Kevin Garnett?? Minnesota made out like bandits in that deal.

FIRE DANNY AINGE! HIRE KEVIN MCHALE!

are you contesting that Al Jefferson scores and rebounds better than Tim Duncan?

[jgod213]

wow, i guess we in Dallas lucked into winning the SW Division since we can't seem to get any love against a team we would of have to beat out for that crown.

[Rondo2287]

I think you are winning so far dallas, right?

[Hoyo de Monterrey]

Jefferson needs the ball more than duncan to be effective because he's the better offensive player and the best offensive option on the floor.

That said, Al Jefferson rebounds better than Tim Duncan, so its not like he just scores then falls asleep under teh basket until the ball comes back down.

I can't believe I'm going to say this but you are over rating Tim Duncan...the unoverratable Tim Duncan. Shame on you.

You don't think perhaps it's Al Jefferson who is becoming just SLIGHTLY overrated here?? Rebounds better then Duncan, better offensively then Duncan? Why the hell did we trade this guy for Kevin Garnett?? Minnesota made out like bandits in that deal.

FIRE DANNY AINGE! HIRE KEVIN MCHALE!

are you contesting that Al Jefferson scores and rebounds better than Tim Duncan?

Tim Duncan, during his illustrious career, has shown that he has the ability to do whatever the team needs to be done. If the construction of the team means that he has to dominate the glass, he will do it. If he has to shut down the opposing teams best big man, he will do it. If he has to outscore his opposition, he will do it. Proof? 4 rings, with him as the francise piece for 3 and a half (David Robinson helped a lot with the first).

Jefferson has better points numbers because hes playing with freakin Telfair and company. Of course he will have scoring per game numbers higher then Duncan. He's the only chance the Wolves have to win. Duncan, surrounded by Parker, Ginobili, and company, doesn't have to score as much for his team to experience success. Jefferson scores like crazy through necessity, and even then his teams do not win. Al Jeff will get the numbers, because no one else on his team will. However, matched up with a motivated Duncan in the playoffs? No, Al Jefferson is not a better player then Tim Duncan. He is not a Phoenix advantage or a wash. Tim Duncan is a better option then Al Jefferson in the postseason right now, otherwise fire the hell out of Ainge for trading away such a prodigious talent for a 30+ year old who's never won a ring. Anyone mad about that trade here in Boston? How about if they traded that package with Jefferson and others plus number 1 picks to San Antonio for Duncan? Does San Antonio even listen? Not a chance.

[jgod213]

I think you are winning so far dallas, right?

i believe i'm trailing by a vote