IP Ranks The Pick-Two Teams By Divison (All Divisions Are Up)

[StartOrien]

EDIT: I'm aware that me calling someone out on not be able to score is a bit of the pot calling the kettle black, but I think 1-4 my team has enough offensive talent and versatility to be able to score at a competitive level.

Ha.  Yeah, your two starting lineups are virtually identical in scoring average, and that's if you use Chandler's 15.3 points per game from last year, which might be optimistic.

But even someone as stupid as myself knows that those numbers really don't hold all that much weight when considering change in role - The role Ibaka and Noah have to play offensively is significantly much more challenging then what they're asked to do for their current teams.

Conversely, I don't see that with my team. While these are offensively flawed players they're put into roles where they can succeed. Their roles offensively are to do what they do well. Jennings dominates the ball, Ty Chan sets picks and cleans up the garbage, George & Wilson spot up and slash, and Derrick Williams stretches the floor and gets the occasional iso.

[Roy H.]

Wizards, sorry Pacers.

Eastern Playoff Teams:

1.   Knicks
2.   Heat
3.   Magic
4.   Cavs
5.   Hawks
6.   Bulls
7.   Celtics
8.   Wizards

West Playoff Teams:

1.   Spurs
2.   Thunder
3.   Lakers
4.   T-Wolves
5.   Blazers
6.   Clippers
7.   Suns
8.   Warriors

I'll go though the whys and what not tomorrow.

We agreed on 14 out of 16 teams for the playoffs.  I had the Nets over the Bulls (I just really don't like any team starting two of Odom, Thompson and Casspi, and I don't like McGee, either), and the Rockets over the Twolves (who I think you've overrated, but I've probably underrated.)

[indeedproceed]

Nets/Rockets/Pacers would all make the playoffs in the real NBA IMO. Anyone of them belongs in the playoffs. Tough call.

[StartOrien]

*Tries to maintain cool, pretend like he's not mad at everyone underrating team, goes to TV room to see if 'The Replacements' is still on*

[Roy H.]

I'm looking forward to the IP Playoffs.  Somehow, I think we're going to see Kyle Lowry holding a trophy, but the Knicks / Cavs second round matchup should be fun (and yes, I'm looking ahead, since I think we've got Atlanta.)

[StartOrien]

ah, I see it. Ip gave himself the one spot. Now I see why I couldn't get the eight.

[StartOrien]

HOGAN FEARS STING

[Roy H.]

I just read this:

Jodie Meeks is a starting 2 in name only

I think nick and I would have taken Meeks over Landry Fields or George Hill if he was there.  Meeks is such a great shooter, and defensively, he's been borderline excellent this year defending the perimeter.

Ultimately, I think we made the right call, but I do think Meeks is probably a little underrated for his contributions.  (However, most Philly fans vehemently disagree with me here, so what do I know?)

[indeedproceed]

Yeah man everything I read from anyone kinda looks at Meeks as an average placeholder, and with the way Williams plays and the way Turner might play, Meeks kinda looks like chopped liver.

[indeedproceed]

ah, I see it. Ip gave himself the one spot. Now I see why I couldn't get the eight.

I see you are shocked that I think my team is the best. I can assure you, I am also shocked. This has literally never happened. I have never, ever thought that my team is the best team in the contest. But this one is special.

[StartOrien]

ah, I see it. Ip gave himself the one spot. Now I see why I couldn't get the eight.

I see you are shocked that I think my team is the best. I can assure you, I am also shocked. This has literally never happened. I have never, ever thought that my team is the best team in the contest. But this one is special.

I'm saying you're ducking me, homebyo

[indeedproceed]

Matchup 1:

Knicks (1, H) vs Wizards (8, A):
Lowry V Wall
Rush V Martin
Prince V Dudley
Millsap V Ibaka
Howard V Noah
-Bench-
Ridnour V Kemba Walker
Thompson V Kenyon Dooling
Brewer V Michael Beasley
Brockman V Markieff Morris
Birdman V Johan Petro

Key Match-Up: Howard V Noah
Dwight Howard goes through Joakim Noah like a hot knife through butter. The last time these two played, both guys as starters, both guys over 30 minutes of courtime, Howard shot 61% from the field, and ended up with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Noah is a terrific defender against centers who don't have 60 lbs of muscle on him, but when they start getting bigger he becomes much less ineffective. Ibaka won't be able to help much either, because Millsap will be such a danger.

Key Match-Up: Kyle Lowry V John Wall
Kyle Lowry is one of the toughest defenders at the point in the entire NBA, but you'd never know it when he's playing against John Wall. Wall has never once beaten Lowry when both guys were starters, but he has sure beaten up on Lowry personally. 22 points, 7 boards, 8 assists, 50% shooting from the field, Wall has been pretty darn effective against Lowry so far in his career. Dwight Howard will help to mitigate that for Lowry a little, but this is a big win for Washington.

Other Starting Matchups: Ibaka/Millsap plays out like you'd think it would; Millsap scoring 17 points at around 55%, Ibaka getting his 10 pts in 25 minutes, but also getting 3 fouls in the same time, rebounding is close.  Kevin Martin shoots around 40% when he plays Rush, Tayshaun Prince is getting his typical ninja-esque 15 points, 6 boards, 3 assists against Dudley (and dominating him when they're both starters).

Benches: Beasley and Morris are both winners in terms of talent against their bench counterparts, but Brewer has been the better player (than Beasley) this season, and in lifetime matchups they've actually had quite a few. Brewer hasn't been lights out vs Beasley or anything but he's held SuperBeas to 37% shooting, which is not a good sign. Morris is obviously the better talent than Brockman, but Brockman's a down and dirty kind of player, who fouls hard and plays defense with high-energy and high-motor. I don't think Morris can be a difference makers here.

How I think it will play out: Howard dominates Noah, gets the big fella into foul trouble often. Ibaka is forced to cover the 5, because Petro can't be trusted there against Howard, but Ibaka doesn't fare much better, while Millsap just works Morris over. John Wall has a very good series, but it ultimately just isn't enough.

Knicks in 5 games.

[Roy H.]

IP must have decided that focusing solely on H2H stats gives NY the best chance at a championship.

Seriously, though, good effort.  Just remember that H2H isn't everything, nor are individual matchups.  

Also, I have to tweak you with this:  is there any reason in particular that you went with the "Kevin Martin shoots around 40% when he plays Rush" stat, rather than the "Kevin Martin outscores Brandon Rush by 18.0 points per game when they play H2H one"?

The last three times those guys have played:  Martin 28, Rush 10.  Martin 20, Rush 2.  Martin 20, Rush 2.  The bulk of Martin's 40% shooting comes from one terrible game, where he shot 3-for-16.  Otherwise, he's abused Rush.

So, I take back what I said about you being objective.  I think we all know how this one is going to end.   

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'm happy my team is not in last place unlike the first one. Improvement is there. That's good enough for me.

[celticpride07]

Matchup 1:

Knicks (1, H) vs Wizards (8, A):
Lowry V Wall
Rush V Martin
Prince V Dudley
Millsap V Ibaka
Howard V Noah
-Bench-
Ridnour V Kemba Walker
Thompson V Kenyon Dooling
Brewer V Michael Beasley
Brockman V Markieff Morris
Birdman V Johan Petro

Key Match-Up: Howard V Noah
Dwight Howard goes through Joakim Noah like a hot knife through butter. The last time these two played, both guys as starters, both guys over 30 minutes of courtime, Howard shot 61% from the field, and ended up with 28 points and 15 rebounds. Noah is a terrific defender against centers who don't have 60 lbs of muscle on him, but when they start getting bigger he becomes much less ineffective. Ibaka won't be able to help much either, because Millsap will be such a danger.

Key Match-Up: Kyle Lowry V John Wall
Kyle Lowry is one of the toughest defenders at the point in the entire NBA, but you'd never know it when he's playing against John Wall. Wall has never once beaten Lowry when both guys were starters, but he has sure beaten up on Lowry personally. 22 points, 7 boards, 8 assists, 50% shooting from the field, Wall has been pretty darn effective against Lowry so far in his career. Dwight Howard will help to mitigate that for Lowry a little, but this is a big win for Washington.

Other Starting Matchups: Ibaka/Millsap plays out like you'd think it would; Millsap scoring 17 points at around 55%, Ibaka getting his 10 pts in 25 minutes, but also getting 3 fouls in the same time, rebounding is close.  Kevin Martin shoots around 40% when he plays Rush, Tayshaun Prince is getting his typical ninja-esque 15 points, 6 boards, 3 assists against Dudley (and dominating him when they're both starters).

Benches: Beasley and Morris are both winners in terms of talent against their bench counterparts, but Brewer has been the better player (than Beasley) this season, and in lifetime matchups they've actually had quite a few. Brewer hasn't been lights out vs Beasley or anything but he's held SuperBeas to 37% shooting, which is not a good sign. Morris is obviously the better talent than Brockman, but Brockman's a down and dirty kind of player, who fouls hard and plays defense with high-energy and high-motor. I don't think Morris can be a difference makers here.

How I think it will play out: Howard dominates Noah, gets the big fella into foul trouble often. Ibaka is forced to cover the 5, because Petro can't be trusted there against Howard, but Ibaka doesn't fare much better, while Millsap just works Morris over. John Wall has a very good series, but it ultimately just isn't enough.

Knicks in 5 games.

honestly i think this series would be a lot closer then you think.  Yes you have dwight, but noah and ibaka aren;t no slouches defensively, and wall martin dudley>>>lowry rush prince...i think the wizards have a more talented and impactful bench. i think it could be a 7 game series easily. outcome knicks because of homecourt.

i could also seing this series playing out like warriors dallas of a few years ago.