CB Draft '10 Playoffs Eastern Conference Semi-Finals

[nickagneta]

nick,

I read your strategy, and "packing the paint" and practicing tough ball denial is a good one.  However, I assume that IP is going to have Ilyasova drift outside, behind the three point line.  If Scola is forced to go out and cover him, can Bynum defend the paint on his own?  What's your strategy for those situations?

Also, how do you exploit your HUGE depth advantage? 

Last first. I thought I already explained how I would exploit the depth advantage. I will go 9 deep and go with a small ball strategy(even though the participants won't be so small) at least a few minutes every half and run and gun and run some more. The goal will be to wear down the 6-7 Bulls who will be playing regular minutes and get the advantages later in the series.

I plan on running multiple fresh defenders at Lebron in a hope that quantity and fresh legs will slow him up some. While LeBron will have the strength and talent advantage on Budinger, Chandler and greene(yes Greene will be doing some coverage on Lebron) what Lebron doesn't have is the length and height advantages. Also, all three of those players are very fast and quick for their size and should be able to attempt to force Lebron to stay outside and then use their length and agility to try to get a hand in his face.

Regarding the Ilysova wandering from the paint and dragging Scola with him, let them. Scola will play way off him and cheat to help defend underneath. The overall strategy remains the same. Make them beat us from outside. If Miller or LeBron isn't taking the outside shot because the Bulls want to bring Ilysova outside and seeing him open feed him the ball for the outside shot, that's a huge win for the Boxers. the Boxers will live with Ilysova having to beat them from the outside. If he can do it, hats off to him. But if I had a choice and wanted the Bulls having Miller, Jennings, LeBron or Ilysova taking an outside shot, the Boxers want it being Ilysova.

Let him go outside, the Boxer strategy remains the same.

Wouldn't small ball be a blessing for Chicago?


Slide Lebron over to PF and give more minutes to TA would protect his big men more then it would hurt his team.  



Chicago, any thought to moving Lebron over to guard Manu?  Lebron is one of the top swing defenders (as we saw with the effect he had on Pierce in the playoffs) and he could slow Manu down.  

Can DC win if the number 1 threat ends up being Bynum going at Noah when they have no real answer to Lebron?

Can Chicago win without any inside scoring from there bigs?

[Fafnir]

Can Chicago win without any inside scoring from there bigs?

If you're packing the paint to stop LeBron I don't see how Noah won't get 3-5 easy dunks because his man is helping defensively.

And you've said you're going to leave Ilyasova open from the three point line.

Unless you're going small all the time.

[wdleehi]

nick,

I read your strategy, and "packing the paint" and practicing tough ball denial is a good one.  However, I assume that IP is going to have Ilyasova drift outside, behind the three point line.  If Scola is forced to go out and cover him, can Bynum defend the paint on his own?  What's your strategy for those situations?

Also, how do you exploit your HUGE depth advantage? 

Last first. I thought I already explained how I would exploit the depth advantage. I will go 9 deep and go with a small ball strategy(even though the participants won't be so small) at least a few minutes every half and run and gun and run some more. The goal will be to wear down the 6-7 Bulls who will be playing regular minutes and get the advantages later in the series.

I plan on running multiple fresh defenders at Lebron in a hope that quantity and fresh legs will slow him up some. While LeBron will have the strength and talent advantage on Budinger, Chandler and greene(yes Greene will be doing some coverage on Lebron) what Lebron doesn't have is the length and height advantages. Also, all three of those players are very fast and quick for their size and should be able to attempt to force Lebron to stay outside and then use their length and agility to try to get a hand in his face.

Regarding the Ilysova wandering from the paint and dragging Scola with him, let them. Scola will play way off him and cheat to help defend underneath. The overall strategy remains the same. Make them beat us from outside. If Miller or LeBron isn't taking the outside shot because the Bulls want to bring Ilysova outside and seeing him open feed him the ball for the outside shot, that's a huge win for the Boxers. the Boxers will live with Ilysova having to beat them from the outside. If he can do it, hats off to him. But if I had a choice and wanted the Bulls having Miller, Jennings, LeBron or Ilysova taking an outside shot, the Boxers want it being Ilysova.

Let him go outside, the Boxer strategy remains the same.

Wouldn't small ball be a blessing for Chicago?


Slide Lebron over to PF and give more minutes to TA would protect his big men more then it would hurt his team.  



Chicago, any thought to moving Lebron over to guard Manu?  Lebron is one of the top swing defenders (as we saw with the effect he had on Pierce in the playoffs) and he could slow Manu down.  

Can DC win if the number 1 threat ends up being Bynum going at Noah when they have no real answer to Lebron?

Can Chicago win without any inside scoring from there bigs?

Why not?  A Lebron lead team won all the way to the finals with Big Z as their starting C.  

[nickagneta]

nick,

I read your strategy, and "packing the paint" and practicing tough ball denial is a good one.  However, I assume that IP is going to have Ilyasova drift outside, behind the three point line.  If Scola is forced to go out and cover him, can Bynum defend the paint on his own?  What's your strategy for those situations?

Also, how do you exploit your HUGE depth advantage?  

Roy brings up an excellent point regarding foul trouble. In the playoffs someone is always getting into foul trouble every game, sometimes 2 and 3 somebodies. The more physical nature, the emotions running higher and the tighter calls by refs to maintain order ALWAYS has someone in foul trouble on both sides of the ball.

Simply put, the Boxers have the depth to overcome such a situation whereas the Bulls do not. Put Noah or Ilysova or both in foul trouble in a game and suddenly the Bulls are asking Amundson or lawal or Asik to play big minutes and produce against players that are much, much more talented than they are.

But when I look at your game plan and rosters, I think foul trouble will be more a Boxer big men concern than Chicago.

You have SF who does not have the strength, size, or quickness to effectively defend Lebron James. Your pack the paint strategy is going to result in a lot of free throws because Chandler is not going to be able to direct LeBron where the defense wants.

You only have one big I'd trust on your bench too.

Well, I think I have five bigs I can trust. Greene is 6'11" and can play the PF slot. Haslem is a trusted 10/8 guy coming off the bench that can play both big positions and easily be relied upon to give me 30 plus minutes a night if I had to and Magliore is a former All-Star who I think can be trusted with quality minutes as much as the Bulls third big Louis Amundson can. Magliore scored only 2 points less per game and 1 rebound less per game than Amundson last year in 5 fewer minutes per game than Amundson. Heck as of right now, Magliore has a job in the NBA and Amundson doesn't!!!

My bench bigs have proven that they can produce in the NBA if given big minutes. The Bulls bench bigs haven't. Heck the Bulls starting PF has had exactly one month in his entire career in the NBA where he has played over 25 minutes per game.

One month. EVER.

But the Bulls are going to try to trot him out there 34-35 MPG?

Louis Amundson is 11th in the NBA in fouls per minute.
Ersan Ilyasova is 17th in the NBA in fouls per minute.
Joakim Noah is 51st in the NBA in fouls per minute.

Andrew Bynum is the highest ranked Boxer player in this category at 65th.

If there is a team that will get in foul trouble it will be the Bulls, not the Boxers.

[Roy H.]

Regarding foul trouble, in last year's playoffs Noah picked up 5 PFs in three of the five playoff games he played.

Ilyasova had some foul trouble in games five through seven, especially relative to his minutes played.

I kind of buy into what nick is saying about foul trouble.  That's going to lead to one of two things:  either IP's starters will get in foul trouble, or they'll have to back off on their aggressiveness.  Neither is a good thing for a thin team like Chicago.

[nickagneta]

You know Faf, wd you bring up some okay counter points but I believe I've already explained myself regarding your concerns and don't want to get into the minutiae of the situation. Not that you're really concerned anyway because, let's be honest, both of you had your mind made up regarding this matchup already.

So if others have questions regarding the matchup I will address them.

[jgod213]

Question for IP:

Brandon Jennings is on his way to becoming a star in this league, but he's a guy who likes to dominate the ball on offense.  What does his role become with LeBron? Is he still bringing the ball up the court and initiating the offense or is he standing around and watching? If its the former, will LeBron have to expend a lot of extra energy working his way to the ball? Won't the Bulls use a lot of its shot-clock trying to find LeBron if the Boxers do a good job of denying him?

[nickagneta]

Regarding foul trouble, in last year's playoffs Noah picked up 5 PFs in three of the five playoff games he played.

Ilyasova had some foul trouble in games five through seven, especially relative to his minutes played.

I kind of buy into what nick is saying about foul trouble.  That's going to lead to one of two things:  either IP's starters will get in foul trouble, or they'll have to back off on their aggressiveness.  Neither is a good thing for a thin team like Chicago.

One final thing regarding foul trouble and bigs. Haslem and Bynum are both NBA Champions that know how to play tough aggressive defense down low without fouling on the biggest of stages. Scola is a respected and intelligent vet of international play having been to the Euroleague Final and several Euroleague Final Fours as well as being a medal winning member on many Argentinian teams.

These guys are savy vets that know what it takes to win late in the playoffs.

[Fafnir]

nick,

I read your strategy, and "packing the paint" and practicing tough ball denial is a good one.  However, I assume that IP is going to have Ilyasova drift outside, behind the three point line.  If Scola is forced to go out and cover him, can Bynum defend the paint on his own?  What's your strategy for those situations?

Also, how do you exploit your HUGE depth advantage?  

Roy brings up an excellent point regarding foul trouble. In the playoffs someone is always getting into foul trouble every game, sometimes 2 and 3 somebodies. The more physical nature, the emotions running higher and the tighter calls by refs to maintain order ALWAYS has someone in foul trouble on both sides of the ball.

Simply put, the Boxers have the depth to overcome such a situation whereas the Bulls do not. Put Noah or Ilysova or both in foul trouble in a game and suddenly the Bulls are asking Amundson or lawal or Asik to play big minutes and produce against players that are much, much more talented than they are.

But when I look at your game plan and rosters, I think foul trouble will be more a Boxer big men concern than Chicago.

You have SF who does not have the strength, size, or quickness to effectively defend Lebron James. Your pack the paint strategy is going to result in a lot of free throws because Chandler is not going to be able to direct LeBron where the defense wants.

You only have one big I'd trust on your bench too.

Well, I think I have five bigs I can trust. Greene is 6'11" and can play the PF slot. Haslem is a trusted 10/8 guy coming off the bench that can play both big positions and easily be relied upon to give me 30 plus minutes a night if I had to and Magliore is a former All-Star who I think can be trusted with quality minutes as much as the Bulls third big Louis Amundson can. Magliore scored only 2 points less per game and 1 rebound less per game than Amundson last year in 5 fewer minutes per game than Amundson. Heck as of right now, Magliore has a job in the NBA and Amundson doesn't!!!

My bench bigs have proven that they can produce in the NBA if given big minutes. The Bulls bench bigs haven't. Heck the Bulls starting PF has had exactly one month in his entire career in the NBA where he has played over 25 minutes per game.

One month. EVER.

But the Bulls are going to try to trot him out there 34-35 MPG?

Louis Amundson is 11th in the NBA in fouls per minute.
Ersan Ilyasova is 17th in the NBA in fouls per minute.
Joakim Noah is 51st in the NBA in fouls per minute.

Andrew Bynum is the highest ranked Boxer player in this category at 65th.

If there is a team that will get in foul trouble it will be the Bulls, not the Boxers.

I think both teams are going to be in foul trouble though. The Bulls are clearly more foul prone, but the Boxers have to try and help with LeBron. LeBron is the best at the league in getting contact and finishing.

Not only that but they're helping against LeBron when his primary defender isn't up to the task. Bynum and Scola aren't the fleetest of foot for their positions and LeBron's going right by Chandler.

[Fafnir]

Regarding foul trouble, in last year's playoffs Noah picked up 5 PFs in three of the five playoff games he played.

Ilyasova had some foul trouble in games five through seven, especially relative to his minutes played.

I kind of buy into what nick is saying about foul trouble.  That's going to lead to one of two things:  either IP's starters will get in foul trouble, or they'll have to back off on their aggressiveness.  Neither is a good thing for a thin team like Chicago.

I do too, which makes me think with Alvin Gentry as a coach (right?) that the Bulls will end up going small at times.

Though I think both teams are full of tough defenders so its going to be a physical series.

[Fafnir]

You know Faf, wd you bring up some okay counter points but I believe I've already explained myself regarding your concerns and don't want to get into the minutiae of the situation. Not that you're really concerned anyway because, let's be honest, both of you had your mind made up regarding this matchup already.

So if others have questions regarding the matchup I will address them.

Nick don't attack the poster, attack the argument.

[Fafnir]

I think the Aldridge and Dirk Matchup is one of the most intriguing in the series. Both very talented offensive players in their own rights, I expect this to be a fun one to watch but one that ultimately ends up with nights where Dirk outscores Aldridge 28-16 or in that area.

I think Biedrins and Gortat are kind of a wash, Biedrins is a more offensively talented player than gortat but Gortat is much better defensively.  I pretty much think this is a wash. 

My questions for you is how will Biedrins defend Gortat? Gortat is bigger, stronger, and a better defender. I expect him to neutralize Biedrins pretty handily in the half court.

What's your offensive and defensive strategy. (rather than match up information) How will you handle the superior size/rebounding of Dirk/Gortat?

[Roy H.]

nick,

I read your strategy, and "packing the paint" and practicing tough ball denial is a good one.  However, I assume that IP is going to have Ilyasova drift outside, behind the three point line.  If Scola is forced to go out and cover him, can Bynum defend the paint on his own?  What's your strategy for those situations?

Also, how do you exploit your HUGE depth advantage?  

Roy brings up an excellent point regarding foul trouble. In the playoffs someone is always getting into foul trouble every game, sometimes 2 and 3 somebodies. The more physical nature, the emotions running higher and the tighter calls by refs to maintain order ALWAYS has someone in foul trouble on both sides of the ball.

Simply put, the Boxers have the depth to overcome such a situation whereas the Bulls do not. Put Noah or Ilysova or both in foul trouble in a game and suddenly the Bulls are asking Amundson or lawal or Asik to play big minutes and produce against players that are much, much more talented than they are.

But when I look at your game plan and rosters, I think foul trouble will be more a Boxer big men concern than Chicago.

You have SF who does not have the strength, size, or quickness to effectively defend Lebron James. Your pack the paint strategy is going to result in a lot of free throws because Chandler is not going to be able to direct LeBron where the defense wants.

You only have one big I'd trust on your bench too.

Well, I think I have five bigs I can trust. Greene is 6'11" and can play the PF slot. Haslem is a trusted 10/8 guy coming off the bench that can play both big positions and easily be relied upon to give me 30 plus minutes a night if I had to and Magliore is a former All-Star who I think can be trusted with quality minutes as much as the Bulls third big Louis Amundson can. Magliore scored only 2 points less per game and 1 rebound less per game than Amundson last year in 5 fewer minutes per game than Amundson. Heck as of right now, Magliore has a job in the NBA and Amundson doesn't!!!

My bench bigs have proven that they can produce in the NBA if given big minutes. The Bulls bench bigs haven't. Heck the Bulls starting PF has had exactly one month in his entire career in the NBA where he has played over 25 minutes per game.

One month. EVER.

But the Bulls are going to try to trot him out there 34-35 MPG?

Louis Amundson is 11th in the NBA in fouls per minute.
Ersan Ilyasova is 17th in the NBA in fouls per minute.
Joakim Noah is 51st in the NBA in fouls per minute.

Andrew Bynum is the highest ranked Boxer player in this category at 65th.

If there is a team that will get in foul trouble it will be the Bulls, not the Boxers.

I think both teams are going to be in foul trouble though. The Bulls are clearly more foul prone, but the Boxers have to try and help with LeBron. LeBron is the best at the league in getting contact and finishing.

Not only that but they're helping against LeBron when his primary defender isn't up to the task. Bynum and Scola aren't the fleetest of foot for their positions and LeBron's going right by Chandler.

If both teams are in foul trouble, won't that favor the deeper team?  nick's bench might not be perfect, but it's several standard deviations above IP's, isn't it?

[nickagneta]

nick,

I read your strategy, and "packing the paint" and practicing tough ball denial is a good one.  However, I assume that IP is going to have Ilyasova drift outside, behind the three point line.  If Scola is forced to go out and cover him, can Bynum defend the paint on his own?  What's your strategy for those situations?

Also, how do you exploit your HUGE depth advantage?  

Roy brings up an excellent point regarding foul trouble. In the playoffs someone is always getting into foul trouble every game, sometimes 2 and 3 somebodies. The more physical nature, the emotions running higher and the tighter calls by refs to maintain order ALWAYS has someone in foul trouble on both sides of the ball.

Simply put, the Boxers have the depth to overcome such a situation whereas the Bulls do not. Put Noah or Ilysova or both in foul trouble in a game and suddenly the Bulls are asking Amundson or lawal or Asik to play big minutes and produce against players that are much, much more talented than they are.

But when I look at your game plan and rosters, I think foul trouble will be more a Boxer big men concern than Chicago.

You have SF who does not have the strength, size, or quickness to effectively defend Lebron James. Your pack the paint strategy is going to result in a lot of free throws because Chandler is not going to be able to direct LeBron where the defense wants.

You only have one big I'd trust on your bench too.

Well, I think I have five bigs I can trust. Greene is 6'11" and can play the PF slot. Haslem is a trusted 10/8 guy coming off the bench that can play both big positions and easily be relied upon to give me 30 plus minutes a night if I had to and Magliore is a former All-Star who I think can be trusted with quality minutes as much as the Bulls third big Louis Amundson can. Magliore scored only 2 points less per game and 1 rebound less per game than Amundson last year in 5 fewer minutes per game than Amundson. Heck as of right now, Magliore has a job in the NBA and Amundson doesn't!!!

My bench bigs have proven that they can produce in the NBA if given big minutes. The Bulls bench bigs haven't. Heck the Bulls starting PF has had exactly one month in his entire career in the NBA where he has played over 25 minutes per game.

One month. EVER.

But the Bulls are going to try to trot him out there 34-35 MPG?

Louis Amundson is 11th in the NBA in fouls per minute.
Ersan Ilyasova is 17th in the NBA in fouls per minute.
Joakim Noah is 51st in the NBA in fouls per minute.

Andrew Bynum is the highest ranked Boxer player in this category at 65th.

If there is a team that will get in foul trouble it will be the Bulls, not the Boxers.

I think both teams are going to be in foul trouble though. The Bulls are clearly more foul prone, but the Boxers have to try and help with LeBron. LeBron is the best at the league in getting contact and finishing.

Not only that but they're helping against LeBron when his primary defender isn't up to the task. Bynum and Scola aren't the fleetest of foot for their positions and LeBron's going right by Chandler.

Actually, no, the Boxers don't have to try and help on Lebron. I never even hinted that I would do that. My strategy remains the same as it was against NY and their superstar. Let Lebron's man play him one up, pack the paint denying penetration and make Lebron shoot from outside.

Chandler is a plus athlete and a good defender that unfortunately plays for a coach that is an awful defensive coach and stresses offense first. In the Boxer system Chandler will be much more effective of a defender using his excellent athleticism. Lebron will get by him at times and get his. Lebron ALWAYS gets his. But by playing off him some and limiting his penetration lanes Lebron will have to get his from outside.

[Rondo2287]

I think the Aldridge and Dirk Matchup is one of the most intriguing in the series. Both very talented offensive players in their own rights, I expect this to be a fun one to watch but one that ultimately ends up with nights where Dirk outscores Aldridge 28-16 or in that area.

I think Biedrins and Gortat are kind of a wash, Biedrins is a more offensively talented player than gortat but Gortat is much better defensively.  I pretty much think this is a wash. 

My questions for you is how will Biedrins defend Gortat? Gortat is bigger, stronger, and a better defender. I expect him to neutralize Biedrins pretty handily in the half court.

What's your offensive and defensive strategy. (rather than match up information) How will you handle the superior size/rebounding of Dirk/Gortat?

My Offensive Strategy is to let Kidd Run the show.  Use Dirk to draw Aldridge Away from the paint which will give driving lanes to Maggette and open up Gortat for the offensive Rebounds.  Also with Dirk on the Perimeter he is going to be setting some big screens for rip who should get plenty of open looks with Kidd feeding him and Johnson Defending him. 

My defensive strategy is really going to be focusing on shutting down Johnson.  While i fear Terry's outside shooting i think Kidd is long enough to affect alot of his shots, he also knows what Terry wants to do on offense after playing with him for a couple of years.  Also, Vince really doesnt scare me on offense.  As i said if you punch him in the mouth to start the game most time he doesnt play hard for the rest.  Once vince is mentally out of it, it really opens up Maggette to sag off of him a little bit and help on Johnson.