Weakest Back-court tandem in the Playoffs

[Hoops]

First, let me say that this is entirely unscientific (no stats or data), but an off-the-cuff thought...

In the NCAA tournament, they always say that great guard play is necessary to advance. Okay. So does that translate to the NBA playoffs? I'm not so sure, but I think so. Given that assumption, look at the starting back-courts for the remaining playoff teams:

Boston: Rondo/Allen
Cleveland: Williams/Parker
Orlando: Nelson/Carter
Atlanta: Bibby/Johnson
Phoenix: Nash/Richardson
San Antonio: Hill/Parker/Ginobili
Los Angeles: Fisher/Bryant
Utah: Williams/Matthews

Which team has the weakest back-court? For my eyes, it's clearly Cleveland. All the other teams have 1 (if not 2) legitimate all-stars. Mo Williams was technically an all-star, but he's really just a Magloire all-star (in honor of Jamaal Magloire), so he doesn't count. And then you've got Anthony Parker who, in my opinion, is a fringe starter at best.

Again, this isn't scientific, but if the value of guard play translates to the NBA like it does in the NCAA tournament, Cleveland doesn't look nearly like the favorite everyone expects them to be.

Looking at it from a different perspective, can you imagine Cleveland if they swapped Williams/Parker for any one of the back-courts listed above? You'd have to think that team would be a shoe-in for the title, no?

Anyhow, I believe I suggested in an earlier thread that guard match-ups in this series would be critical and that Boston clearly has the advantage here. So far, that seems to be what's happening on the court...

[Mr October]

First, let me say that this is entirely unscientific (no stats or data), but an off-the-cuff thought...

In the NCAA tournament, they always say that great guard play is necessary to advance. Okay. So does that translate to the NBA playoffs? I'm not so sure, but I think so. Given that assumption, look at the starting back-courts for the remaining playoff teams:

Boston: Rondo/Allen
Cleveland: Williams/Parker
Orlando: Nelson/Carter
Atlanta: Bibby/Johnson
Phoenix: Nash/Richardson
San Antonio: Hill/Parker/Ginobili
Los Angeles: Fisher/Bryant
Utah: Williams/Matthews

Which team has the weakest back-court? For my eyes, it's clearly Cleveland. All the other teams have 1 (if not 2) legitimate all-stars. Mo Williams was technically an all-star, but he's really just a Magloire all-star (in honor of Jamaal Magloire), so he doesn't count. And then you've got Anthony Parker who, in my opinion, is a fringe starter at best.

Again, this isn't scientific, but if the value of guard play translates to the NBA like it does in the NCAA tournament, Cleveland doesn't look nearly like the favorite everyone expects them to be.

Looking at it from a different perspective, can you imagine Cleveland if they swapped Williams/Parker for any one of the back-courts listed above? You'd have to think that team would be a shoe-in for the title, no?

Anyhow, I believe I suggested in an earlier thread that guard match-ups in this series would be critical and that Boston clearly has the advantage here. So far, that seems to be what's happening on the court...

I think in the NBA the opposite matters. Best big men tend to dominate with the added spacing they get in the NBA.

Based on talent alone, the Lakers would have to be the favorites with Gasol, Bynum and Odom holding down the 4-5 positions.

After that, you can argue between Orlando and Boston. Cleveland is in the mix only because they have the hands down best player in the NBA, who also happens to be the hungriest of all this year.

As for guards, yeah Cleveland has the worst back court.

[Who]

Cleveland have the worst backcourt of the remaining teams.

[Jon]

Yeah, Mo Williams is very overrated.  He basically dribbles well and shoots well.  He's not a great playmaker and he's not a great scorer.  If anyone "got lucky" this series, it was him in game 1. 

Can't believe he made an All Star team. 

Parker (along with West and Moon) aren't any more than mediocre either. 

[jackson_34]

Cleveland for sure.

[PosImpos]

Well, when Delonte and Mo Williams are shooting well, Cleveland has a very good backcourt (I don't think much of Anthony Parker).  When those guys are cold, they don't add much to the game since neither is a great passer or insider scorer.

The Suns probably have the best backcourt combo, considering the fact that J-Rich has been playing out of his mind (top 3 PER for the playoffs so far).

[jr_3421]

On paper they have the weakest back court, but when you watch the games, Lebron is really their point guard.

[BballTim]

Yeah, Mo Williams is very overrated.  He basically dribbles well and shoots well.  He's not a great playmaker and he's not a great scorer. 

  You left out "not a great defender".

[dooyork]

Yes, Cleveland has the least powerful backcourt of the remaining teams.  Still, the night after game 1, I literally had a nightmare about Mo Williams.