2011 CB Draft Western Playoffs: 1st Round

[dark_lord]

Well, you weren't high on my squad during the regular season, but in the hopes of converting everyone to team Portlandia, did you read this:

yeah, i read it.  although i havent participated, i have kept up with the readings/doings of this process.  nothing else to read here lately, lol.

sorry ip, my vote stands. ur ability to debate is strong, but sometimes it takes more than debating skills (at least for me personally)

[Kane3387]

2) Bogut has been the best player on the Milwaukee Bucks for the last 2 seasons, and it was because of his play that they even made the playoffs in '10.

Things changed for this team when John Salmons was acquired. Bogut was the defensive anchor but his role wsa not greater then Salmons or Jennings. The Bucks continued to play well without Bogut.

[indeedproceed]

I really like this matchup. I like the starting 5 of the Nuggets more, and it would be an easy win in my mind for them based on talent. When I saw Denver was dropping in the votes for seeding and Utah was gaining, I was real worried I'd be matched up against Denver. I thought they were the second best team in the Northwest, and Utah was behind them just a smidge. This is the most competitive series out west.

[Kane3387]

I'm real close to leaning with Bost...Utah here, but i just hate B-Diddy at the point.  Is Paul Pierce doing all the playmaking here? is he going to wear down if he's been doing it all season?

Further, Caron Butler has never been able to duplicate a good shooting season in back to back years.  If i were the coach of the Nugs, why wouln't i just continually help off of Butler and Davis and leave them to spot up?

Those guys will make open shots. No Pierce played 31 mpg. That's barely 2 1/2 qtrs. I can't make you not hate Davis but people are hating hard on him. He has never got to play on a team as talented as this with the character this team has. At this point in his career I think it is a perfect situation for him.

Pierce will be a playmaker but he won't facilitate the offense. His role will be just like it has been. Play off the ball most of the game and control ball in the crunch time. He is the primary go to guy. He is the Captain.

[indeedproceed]

Westbrook averaged 21 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds per game V Lowry. He averaged only 2 TOs.  Westbrook got the better of him in their match-ups with Lowry averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.8 boards. He had 1.8 TOs. The Assists are what stands out. Also Russ is an underrated defender and his size and athleticism are tough for Lowry to deal with. Lowry's 3 point shooting dropped 7% against Okc.

This whole time we have been debating against SA 2nd and 3rd best player vs Portland's 1st and 2nd. Again I think not enough is being made about how Portland can stop Westbrook by the posters in this thread. I would like to hear your thoughts on this though.

Objection! Where the heck are you getting this?

I'll be back in 2 or 3 minutes with the actual statistics, guys.

2) Bogut has been the best player on the Milwaukee Bucks for the last 2 seasons, and it was because of his play that they even made the playoffs in '10.

Things changed for this team when John Salmons was acquired. Bogut was the defensive anchor but his role wsa not greater then Salmons or Jennings. The Bucks continued to play well without Bogut.

This is flat out not true. The Bucks were the most dangerous 6 or 7 (I can't remember) seed in the league in 2010, and were beating even the best teams with Bogut in the lineup. Trust me, I had to argue for Brandon Jennings last season. I know how good they were without Bogut, and it wasn't close. It was gutsy, they gave it heck of a shot, but its wasn't close to what he was bringing to the lineup.

And John Salmons? You gotta be kidding me.

[Kane3387]

I really like this matchup. I like the starting 5 of the Nuggets more, and it would be an easy win in my mind for them based on talent. When I saw Denver was dropping in the votes for seeding and Utah was gaining, I was real worried I'd be matched up against Denver. I thought they were the second best team in the Northwest, and Utah was behind them just a smidge. This is the most competitive series out west.

Lol no way my friend. No leadership on the Nuggets. Ask Miami. Talent doesn't guarantee a title. Your series is the most competitive based on the match ups. Pierce will be as efficient and dangerous as ever in this series. Johnson is on the downside and his game falls off in the playoffs every year. Bosh and Nene will not kill Big Al, Haywood, and Kevin Garnett.

[Who]

Westbrook averaged 21 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds per game V Lowry. He averaged only 2 TOs.  Westbrook got the better of him in their match-ups with Lowry averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.8 boards. He had 1.8 TOs. The Assists are what stands out. Also Russ is an underrated defender and his size and athleticism are tough for Lowry to deal with. Lowry's 3 point shooting dropped 7% against Okc.

This whole time we have been debating against SA 2nd and 3rd best player vs Portland's 1st and 2nd. Again I think not enough is being made about how Portland can stop Westbrook by the posters in this thread. I would like to hear your thoughts on this though.

What has Westbrook done against Andrew Bogut's Milwaukee Bucks over the past two years?

Again, like Boozer, Westbrook's numbers against Lowry flatter to deceive because Houston have no shot-blocking presence and are a below average defensive team. Which isn't the case with this Portland Trailblazers team.

[Kane3387]

Westbrook averaged 21 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds per game V Lowry. He averaged only 2 TOs.  Westbrook got the better of him in their match-ups with Lowry averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.8 boards. He had 1.8 TOs. The Assists are what stands out. Also Russ is an underrated defender and his size and athleticism are tough for Lowry to deal with. Lowry's 3 point shooting dropped 7% against Okc.

This whole time we have been debating against SA 2nd and 3rd best player vs Portland's 1st and 2nd. Again I think not enough is being made about how Portland can stop Westbrook by the posters in this thread. I would like to hear your thoughts on this though.

Objection! Where the heck are you getting this?

I'll be back in 2 or 3 minutes with the actual statistics, guys.

2) Bogut has been the best player on the Milwaukee Bucks for the last 2 seasons, and it was because of his play that they even made the playoffs in '10.

Things changed for this team when John Salmons was acquired. Bogut was the defensive anchor but his role wsa not greater then Salmons or Jennings. The Bucks continued to play well without Bogut.

This is flat out not true. The Bucks were the most dangerous 6 or 7 (I can't remember) seed in the league in 2010, and were beating even the best teams with Bogut in the lineup. Trust me, I had to argue for Brandon Jennings last season. I know how good they were without Bogut, and it wasn't close. It was gutsy, they gave it heck of a shot, but its wasn't close to what he was bringing to the lineup.

And John Salmons? You gotta be kidding me.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/splits/_/id/3012/kyle-lowry

Scroll down to OKC.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/splits/_/id/3468/russell-westbrook

Scroll down to Houston.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/417354-nba-free-agency-drew-gooden-and-john-salmons-sign-with-the-bucks

Salmons was the spark that led the Bucks to their first playoff appearances in five seasons. The Bucks had a 22-8 record after Salmons' acquisition in February. He picked up much of the slack on the offensive end of the court after season-ending injuries to Michael Redd and Bogut.

22-8 is nothing to sneer at.

[Kane3387]

Westbrook averaged 21 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds per game V Lowry. He averaged only 2 TOs.  Westbrook got the better of him in their match-ups with Lowry averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.8 boards. He had 1.8 TOs. The Assists are what stands out. Also Russ is an underrated defender and his size and athleticism are tough for Lowry to deal with. Lowry's 3 point shooting dropped 7% against Okc.

This whole time we have been debating against SA 2nd and 3rd best player vs Portland's 1st and 2nd. Again I think not enough is being made about how Portland can stop Westbrook by the posters in this thread. I would like to hear your thoughts on this though.

What has Westbrook done against Andrew Bogut's Milwaukee Bucks over the past two years?

Again, like Boozer, Westbrook's numbers against Lowry flatter to deceive because Houston have no shot-blocking presence and are a below average defensive team. Which isn't the case with this Portland Trailblazers team.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/splits/_/id/3468/russell-westbrook

Scroll down to Milwaukee. He still got 19 a game. It's not like Bogut will block every shot man. Russ is going to get to the hoop on this team... He will against any team just like Rose or Wade.

[nickagneta]

If it's Utah/Portland next round....things are gonna get feisty. 

[indeedproceed]

I really like this matchup. I like the starting 5 of the Nuggets more, and it would be an easy win in my mind for them based on talent. When I saw Denver was dropping in the votes for seeding and Utah was gaining, I was real worried I'd be matched up against Denver. I thought they were the second best team in the Northwest, and Utah was behind them just a smidge. This is the most competitive series out west.

Lol no way my friend. No leadership on the Nuggets. Ask Miami. Talent doesn't guarantee a title. Your series is the most competitive based on the match ups. Pierce will be as efficient and dangerous as ever in this series. Johnson is on the downside and his game falls off in the playoffs every year. Bosh and Nene will not kill Big Al, Haywood, and Kevin Garnett.

Nene is 2 or 3x the defender Big Al is, and Chris Bosh, while not close to the leader KG is, is much, much better defensively than Big Al.

Al Jefferson's defense really lowers your FC's ceiling. Been saying it.

And no Colonel Sanders, YOU'RE wrong. Your matchup is the most competitive.

[Kane3387]

Again if this is what you are getting from you go to guy in the playoffs against a KG and Pierce led team... Well you're not gonna win. Especially if you do not have home court.

Johnson averaged 40 minutes per game and this is what he brings to the table... This isn't Dwayne Wade or Lebron James type stuff here. It's not Paul Pierce either.

Please look at the link. Again this is 40 minutes right here.

http://espn.go.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/1007/seasontype/3/joe-johnson

[Kane3387]

I really like this matchup. I like the starting 5 of the Nuggets more, and it would be an easy win in my mind for them based on talent. When I saw Denver was dropping in the votes for seeding and Utah was gaining, I was real worried I'd be matched up against Denver. I thought they were the second best team in the Northwest, and Utah was behind them just a smidge. This is the most competitive series out west.

Lol no way my friend. No leadership on the Nuggets. Ask Miami. Talent doesn't guarantee a title. Your series is the most competitive based on the match ups. Pierce will be as efficient and dangerous as ever in this series. Johnson is on the downside and his game falls off in the playoffs every year. Bosh and Nene will not kill Big Al, Haywood, and Kevin Garnett.

Nene is 2 or 3x the defender Big Al is, and Chris Bosh, while not close to the leader KG is, is much, much better defensively than Big Al.

Al Jefferson's defense really lowers your FC's ceiling. Been saying it.

And no Colonel Sanders, YOU'RE wrong. Your matchup is the most competitive.

There must be something wrong with your madubla ablan gada. 

Nene is a poor overall defender. Bosh won't help his team D. The guy barely averages a block per game. He can get steals though. Still when matched up against Big Al this past year Big Al took it to him. Nene isn't shutting anyone down or doing anything on that side of the ball that will hinder me from winning this series.

[Kane3387]

Well, you weren't high on my squad during the regular season, but in the hopes of converting everyone to team Portlandia, did you read this:

yeah, i read it.  although i havent participated, i have kept up with the readings/doings of this process.  nothing else to read here lately, lol.

sorry ip, my vote stands. ur ability to debate is strong, but sometimes it takes more than debating skills (at least for me personally)

Lol it's all in fun. I will have to step up my debating skills though.

[Roy H.]

Chris Bosh . . . is much, much better defensively than Big Al. 

Chris Bosh's defense isn't much, much better than anybody's, including Spud Webb's.

Big Al's defense is perhaps being maligned a bit unfairly, based solely upon reputation.  Last year, he was actually fairly respectable there.  He was top-50 league wide in both post-up and P&R defense, and his points per possession was 70th overall.  That's very good.  Even acknowledging that stats can be misleading, it's unlikely that Big Al would put up defensive numbers like that if he was abjectly terrible.  He's probably about average as a man-to-man defensive center, with the numbers saying he's above-average.

(For comparison sake, Bosh was 149th in the NBA on post-ups.  There's a reason Shaq called him the Ru-Paul of big men; he can't defend bigger players down low, period.)