CB Draft Playoff Matchup - (3)Hawks vs (6)Pacers

[wdleehi]

This series will be won by tempo. 


Hawks do not have a guy that can stop Rondo from controlling the Tempo.


Kobe a few years ago, maybe. 



My team has more speed, more depth, and a better defense.  Kobe will be facing multiple defenders.  (Bradley, Batum, Pietrus, Bell, Hinrich) 



Hawks was a title contender 3 years ago.  Now, to old. 


And unlike some of the older team we see in the NBA, there is not energy star out there to push this team.  No Rondo.  No Parker. 





Meanwhile, every years, Rondo takes his game to a new level in the playoffs.  We saw what he did last year, imagine him this year with an old Kobe trying to stay in front of him. 

[Who]

The biggest problem for Atlanta is certainly trying to contain Rajon Rondo.

The Hawks big men are too slow to step out on the pick and roll and limit Rondo's driving lanes (Mbah a Moute their best pick and roll defender, may be worth longer minutes at PF). They also lack the imposing size and length of an Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. So while Kobe (or Mbah a Moute) can do some work on Rondo, there is still a deficit in team defense from the big men in terms of containing Rondo that will limit their utility.

It's hard to see Rondo being anything other than the best and most dominant player on the court in this series.

[wdleehi]

Team Indiana

PG  Rondo  11.9 points, 11.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds 1.8 steals.  (we all saw what he did in the playoffs, upping his numbers to 17.3, 11.9 and 6.7)
SG  Bradley  (as a starting SG) 12.3 points, FG .504.  3FG .465
SF  Batum  (as a starter)  15.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, FG .452 3FG .369
PF  Scola  15.5 points 6.5 rebounds
C  Monroe  15.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, FG .521

Bench
PG  Hinrich  6.6 points, 2.8 assists (due for a bounce back year)
SG  Beal   Rookie.  Should develop into an all-star level shooter
SG/SF  Raja Bell   6.4 points, 3FG .391
SF/SG Pietrus   6.9 points, 3FG .335 
PF  Landry  12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, FG .503
PF/C Seraphin  (post all-star)  11.8 points, 6 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, FG .553
C/PF  Kanter  4.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, FG .496
C   Kwame Brown   (10-11 season)  7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, FG .517

owns the rights to Greg Oden for next season.


Coach Danny Ainge (136-90; .602 winning %)

[Rondo2287]

This series will be won by tempo. 


Hawks do not have a guy that can stop Rondo from controlling the Tempo.


Kobe a few years ago, maybe. 



My team has more speed, more depth, and a better defense.  Kobe will be facing multiple defenders.  (Bradley, Batum, Pietrus, Bell, Hinrich) 



Hawks was a title contender 3 years ago.  Now, to old. 


And unlike some of the older team we see in the NBA, there is not energy star out there to push this team.  No Rondo.  No Parker. 





Meanwhile, every years, Rondo takes his game to a new level in the playoffs.  We saw what he did last year, imagine him this year with an old Kobe trying to stay in front of him.

I imagine he would do what he has done in the past which is produce less than his playoff averages when kobe is in front of him. in 2010 finals Rondo's ppg dropped by over 2 points and his assists dropped by just under 2 per game when this strategy was put in place against him.  His Jump shot hasn't improved enough to make it stop working now. 

Your team has athleticism yes, but they have probably the worst shooting back court in the playoffs.

[wdleehi]

We expect Beal to have found his way offensively by the time the playoffs have rolled around.  This is the 1st round matchup we want for him.  The offensive weakness at PG and SF allows him to not have to guard Kobe when he is out there. 

[Kane3387]

Can we see the pressers? It'd make it a little easier.

I don't think Kobe can check Rondo, however. I wonder if Rondo can guard Kobe though...

Who defends Kobe better? Rondo or AB?

[Who]

I think Indiana would be better off changing their starting lineup and playing Pietrus ahead of Bradley in order to matchup better against Atlanta's bigger wings (Kobe, Grant Hill) ... both of whom (Kobe, Grant Hill) are clearly fully capable of posting up and punishing the smaller Bradley.

Pietrus would put a stop to that. Make Indiana a much more formidable defensive opponent.

[wdleehi]

This series will be won by tempo. 


Hawks do not have a guy that can stop Rondo from controlling the Tempo.


Kobe a few years ago, maybe. 



My team has more speed, more depth, and a better defense.  Kobe will be facing multiple defenders.  (Bradley, Batum, Pietrus, Bell, Hinrich) 



Hawks was a title contender 3 years ago.  Now, to old. 


And unlike some of the older team we see in the NBA, there is not energy star out there to push this team.  No Rondo.  No Parker. 





Meanwhile, every years, Rondo takes his game to a new level in the playoffs.  We saw what he did last year, imagine him this year with an old Kobe trying to stay in front of him.

I imagine he would do what he has done in the past which is produce less than his playoff averages when kobe is in front of him. in 2010 finals Rondo's ppg dropped by over 2 points and his assists dropped by just under 2 per game when this strategy was put in place against him.  His Jump shot hasn't improved enough to make it stop working now. 

Your team has athleticism yes, but they have probably the worst shooting back court in the playoffs.

2010 Kobe was better then 2013 Kobe.

2013 Rondo is better then 2010 Rondo. 


Kobe has lost some speed and Rondo has gained experience. 

Rondo will abuse Kobe if he tries to defend him for a 7 game series. 


It is plus for my team.  An old Kobe wastes his energy chasing Rondo effects his offense as fresh defenders are rotated to cover him. 

[Rondo2287]

The biggest problem for Atlanta is certainly trying to contain Rajon Rondo.

The Hawks big men are too slow to step out on the pick and roll and limit Rondo's driving lanes (Mbah a Moute their best pick and roll defender, may be worth longer minutes at PF). They also lack the imposing size and length of an Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. So while Kobe (or Mbah a Moute) can do some work on Rondo, there is still a deficit in team defense from the big men in terms of containing Rondo that will limit their utility.

It's hard to see Rondo being anything other than the best and most dominant player on the court in this series.

I understand what you mean who but unfortunately other than Batum who shot 39% from 3 last season the Pacers don't really have anybody capable of spreading the floor.  Monroe and Scola had Efg% of 33.6% and 40.9% on jump shots last year.  When you compare that with the shooting ability of Bass and KG you really have to imagine that Rondo won't have anywhere near as much room to operate.

[wdleehi]

I think Indiana would be better off changing their starting lineup and playing Pietrus ahead of Bradley in order to matchup better against Atlanta's bigger wings (Kobe, Grant Hill) ... both of whom (Kobe, Grant Hill) are clearly fully capable of posting up and punishing the smaller Bradley.

Pietrus would put a stop to that. Make Indiana a much more formidable defensive opponent.

Not a chance.  We do not panic. 

Pacers are going to start wearing out these older guys from the beginning.  Bradley can defend larger foes.  He and Batum will switch back and forth on Kobe. 


Then after making the soon to be retired chase the quicker guys, bring in the strong vet defenders off the bench and lean on them. 

[Who]

I think Indiana would be better off changing their starting lineup and playing Pietrus ahead of Bradley in order to matchup better against Atlanta's bigger wings (Kobe, Grant Hill) ... both of whom (Kobe, Grant Hill) are clearly fully capable of posting up and punishing the smaller Bradley.

Pietrus would put a stop to that. Make Indiana a much more formidable defensive opponent.

Not a chance.  We do not panic. 

Pacers are going to start wearing out these older guys from the beginning.  Bradley can defend larger foes.  He and Batum will switch back and forth on Kobe. 


Then after making the soon to be retired chase the quicker guys, bring in the strong vet defenders off the bench and lean on them.

I think starting Avery Bradley could be a series deciding decision against Indiana.

[Rondo2287]

This series will be won by tempo. 


Hawks do not have a guy that can stop Rondo from controlling the Tempo.


Kobe a few years ago, maybe. 



My team has more speed, more depth, and a better defense.  Kobe will be facing multiple defenders.  (Bradley, Batum, Pietrus, Bell, Hinrich) 



Hawks was a title contender 3 years ago.  Now, to old. 


And unlike some of the older team we see in the NBA, there is not energy star out there to push this team.  No Rondo.  No Parker. 





Meanwhile, every years, Rondo takes his game to a new level in the playoffs.  We saw what he did last year, imagine him this year with an old Kobe trying to stay in front of him.

I imagine he would do what he has done in the past which is produce less than his playoff averages when kobe is in front of him. in 2010 finals Rondo's ppg dropped by over 2 points and his assists dropped by just under 2 per game when this strategy was put in place against him.  His Jump shot hasn't improved enough to make it stop working now. 

Your team has athleticism yes, but they have probably the worst shooting back court in the playoffs.

2010 Kobe was better then 2013 Kobe.

2013 Rondo is better then 2010 Rondo. 


Kobe has lost some speed and Rondo has gained experience. 

Rondo will abuse Kobe if he tries to defend him for a 7 game series. 


It is plus for my team.  An old Kobe wastes his energy chasing Rondo effects his offense as fresh defenders are rotated to cover him.

Unfortunately Rondo isnt significantly better jumpshooting now than he was in 2010.  He still can be defended effectively by playing off him and daring him to shoot.  Infact his efg% has actually dropped from 37.5% in 2010 to 35.5% now.  If we let rondo get in the lane and get to the basket yes he could torch us, but without the proper floor spacing among his teamates and without his ability to make  jump shot we can just play off of him and make him become a jump shooter.

[wdleehi]

I think Indiana would be better off changing their starting lineup and playing Pietrus ahead of Bradley in order to matchup better against Atlanta's bigger wings (Kobe, Grant Hill) ... both of whom (Kobe, Grant Hill) are clearly fully capable of posting up and punishing the smaller Bradley.

Pietrus would put a stop to that. Make Indiana a much more formidable defensive opponent.

Not a chance.  We do not panic. 

Pacers are going to start wearing out these older guys from the beginning.  Bradley can defend larger foes.  He and Batum will switch back and forth on Kobe. 


Then after making the soon to be retired chase the quicker guys, bring in the strong vet defenders off the bench and lean on them.

I think starting Avery Bradley could be a series deciding decision against Indiana.

Correct.


There is a reason put votes in on him for defensive awards with his play in less then a season.

There is a reason Ray Allen was no longer a starter. 

[wdleehi]

This series will be won by tempo. 


Hawks do not have a guy that can stop Rondo from controlling the Tempo.


Kobe a few years ago, maybe. 



My team has more speed, more depth, and a better defense.  Kobe will be facing multiple defenders.  (Bradley, Batum, Pietrus, Bell, Hinrich) 



Hawks was a title contender 3 years ago.  Now, to old. 


And unlike some of the older team we see in the NBA, there is not energy star out there to push this team.  No Rondo.  No Parker. 





Meanwhile, every years, Rondo takes his game to a new level in the playoffs.  We saw what he did last year, imagine him this year with an old Kobe trying to stay in front of him.

I imagine he would do what he has done in the past which is produce less than his playoff averages when kobe is in front of him. in 2010 finals Rondo's ppg dropped by over 2 points and his assists dropped by just under 2 per game when this strategy was put in place against him.  His Jump shot hasn't improved enough to make it stop working now. 

Your team has athleticism yes, but they have probably the worst shooting back court in the playoffs.

2010 Kobe was better then 2013 Kobe.

2013 Rondo is better then 2010 Rondo. 


Kobe has lost some speed and Rondo has gained experience. 

Rondo will abuse Kobe if he tries to defend him for a 7 game series. 


It is plus for my team.  An old Kobe wastes his energy chasing Rondo effects his offense as fresh defenders are rotated to cover him.

Unfortunately Rondo isnt significantly better jumpshooting now than he was in 2010.  He still can be defended effectively by playing off him and daring him to shoot.  Infact his efg% has actually dropped from 37.5% in 2010 to 35.5% now.  If we let rondo get in the lane and get to the basket yes he could torch us, but without the proper floor spacing among his teamates and without his ability to make  jump shot we can just play off of him and make him become a jump shooter.

Did that prevent him from putting up 17.3, 11.7 and 6.7?

[Rondo2287]

Also, the Pacers really don't have an answer for my front court, even at Duncans old age he has outplayed Monroe and I expect that pattern to continue in Monroe's first playoff series.

And West has taken Scola to the woodshed in 15 career matchups to the tune of

22.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, 2.1 apg and .481 fg %

vs

11.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.5 apg and .404 fg%

With wests team winning 9 out of the 15 matchups