Who is Chicago's go to guy in the half court?
In the half-court game, Nash will penetrate and create: for Haslem via pick-and-pop, for Noah with pocket passes for close-in attempts (drawing fouls). Noah is a good passer for a big man, so I envision the extra pass to a cutting Wallace or Smith/Terry for perimeter shot attempts.
How do you trust JR Smith when his playoff numbers have been lower then his regular season number 3 straight years (with this year dropping below 10 points a playoff game)
Terry is a great insurance policy for times when Smith's shot isn't falling. I'm not worried if Smith, my #5 starter, isn't producing, because I know Terry will step up.
Granger has had no problem putting up his numbers against Wallace. Of course that was Granger without another offensive threat like Aldridge next to him. Wallace has put up offensive numbers against Granger as well. Not as high as the numbers as Granger put against Wallace and not with the better defenders around Granger the Bullets have.
Granger can score on Wallace. But the recent matchups (since 2009)show Granger has made marginal impact elsewhere in the box score: poor rebounding, few assists. If Granger is the primary weapon in the Washington offense, we'll make him beat us with his shooting.
Aldridge has the offensive advantage against Haslem. Noah and Gortat are going to be close to a statistical equal matchup.
The Aldridge-Haslem battle will be a great one. Aldridge is certainly coming into his own as a player. I still think Haslem's toughness and physical play will wear on him during this series. I think I give the slight edge to Noah, on full, because of his defense, and the fact that he, not Gortat, will be playing alongside Nash.
The backcourt. This is the type of matchup I drafted Dragic for. He is to fast for Nash to keep in front of him. Dragic is a strong attacker of the basket as a PG. He is going to force the help defense to respond. It will create open looks for my strong offensive players and my multiple outside shooters. I would expect to see his minutes in this series to be pushed to the 20-25 minute range. (at the expense of Felton)
I think the same can be said about Nash vs. Gortat on defense. Nash is just as strong an attacker of the basket, and will force the Washington defense to respond. Nash is the old hand, Gortat the young apprentice. I am sure the master has a few tricks in his arsenal that his protege has never before seen.
As for the boards, while both teams are strong in the starting front court rebounding, the Bullets starting SG averaged 6 boards a game as a rookie. There will be a heavy team attack on the defensive boards. Offensively rebounding, if it is there, get it. Otherwise, get back on defense.
Fields' numbers, and confidence, declined after the Knicks acquired Carmelo Anthony, didn't they? Was this a result of intensified pressure/scrutiny, or a self-perceived change in his role once a secondary superstar arrived on the scene? With Granger and Aldridge as the focal points of the team, will the young Fields experience a similar crisis of confidence, especially during the playoffs?
JR Smith averaged 4 rebounds in 25 minutes per game, so he's no slouch there either.
As for the pace, the Bullets feel comfortable in their ability to slow the game down to a half court style where they have the advantage.
It's going to come down to Felton's ability to run a half-court offense vs. our strong defensive frontline and depth. I like our chances. Obviously WD likes his as well.
Topic: 2011 CB Draft Eastern Playoffs: 1st Round (Read 50057 times)