CB Draft Western Semis: (2) Blazers vs. (3) Lakers

[StartOrien]

I don't see Bonner being much of an issue. He doesn't have the strength against the starters, and if he becomes an issue for our bench guys we could always play Delfino at the 4.

edit: just saw who said the same thing

[StartOrien]

I think this series plays out on Milsap who is going to have an awfully tough time against whichever big he has.

I'd think that our primary approach would be putting his man on the block, with Rudy Gay on the Wing and the other big at the opposing elbow. That would allow us to focus in on attacking the much smaller Milsap while punishing Dwight if he were to cheat over with mid range j's and slashes to the hoop.

[jgod213]

I think this series plays out on Milsap who is going to have an awfully tough time against whichever big he has.

I'd think that our primary approach would be putting his man on the block, with Rudy Gay on the Wing and the other big at the opposing elbow. That would allow us to focus in on attacking the much smaller Milsap while punishing Dwight if he were to cheat over with mid range j's and slashes to the hoop.

If the Lakers are content to run their offense thru Horford in the post I'll take that over finding ways to get Aldridge and Gay going.

Millsap will definitely struggle in post-defense at times, but I'm just not convinced that Horford has a refined-enough post game to truly punish the smaller Millsap.

[StartOrien]

I think this series plays out on Milsap who is going to have an awfully tough time against whichever big he has.

I'd think that our primary approach would be putting his man on the block, with Rudy Gay on the Wing and the other big at the opposing elbow. That would allow us to focus in on attacking the much smaller Milsap while punishing Dwight if he were to cheat over with mid range j's and slashes to the hoop.

If the Lakers are content to run their offense thru Horford in the post I'll take that over finding ways to get Aldridge and Gay going.

Millsap will definitely struggle in post-defense at times, but I'm just not convinced that Horford has a refined-enough post game to truly punish the smaller Millsap.

I think you're sorely mistaken. Horford's a tremendous post scorer whose had to take a great  load on his shoulders playing alongside a undersized PF without a true role. Alongside another giant offense, and matchups will be easier for him. He's more than capable of punishing defenses consistently. Particularly when we're talking about a player who has his struggles on the other side of the ball

[StartOrien]

My question for the Blazers is whether they think they can score enough to beat us.

Dwight's a beast for sure, but he's never showed he's capable of dominating a series offensively. The defacto scorer, Iso Jo, appears to have started his decline and will be getting a nightmare matchup in Tony Allen.

Milsap, as talented as he is, seems like he'd struggle giving up that kind of height against two equally athletic trees.

[jgod213]

My question for the Blazers is whether they think they can score enough to beat us.

Dwight's a beast for sure, but he's never showed he's capable of dominating a series offensively. The defacto scorer, Iso Jo, appears to have started his decline and will be getting a nightmare matchup in Tony Allen.

Milsap, as talented as he is, seems like he'd struggle giving up that kind of height against two equally athletic trees.

The thing about Dwight Howard and Joe Johnson is, they've never had the reliable 2nd, 3rd, and 4th option that they have with this Blazers team.

Tony Allen will give Johnson headaches, but Joe Johnson is still going to get his at the end of the series.  Rubio and Chandler have a history of effective offensive play against their respective counterparts, and Paul Millsap will just do what he does, which is eat offensive rebounds and put 'em back in.

I don't deny that points will be at a premium, but I think there's enough offensive continuity here to get W's.

[Who]

I think the passing and playmaking skills of Ricky Rubio is huge for Portland.

Someone who can find easier scoring opportunities for the likes of Joe Johnson and Dwight Howard. Help them get back on track whenever they are struggling. JJ hasn't had that in Atlanta (and not since Phoenix with Steve Nash) and Dwight Howard has never had that (well, next season with Nash).

I think Ricky's creativity and playmaking will be great for the Blazers whenever the offense starts to get bogged down. Like it did at times in Atlanta with JJ's isolations and at times in Orlando when they became to post-centric with Dwight and didn't have enough movement.

I think Rubio is the piece that really ties all the other pieces together (offensively) for Portland.

[StartOrien]

My question for the Blazers is whether they think they can score enough to beat us.

Dwight's a beast for sure, but he's never showed he's capable of dominating a series offensively. The defacto scorer, Iso Jo, appears to have started his decline and will be getting a nightmare matchup in Tony Allen.

Milsap, as talented as he is, seems like he'd struggle giving up that kind of height against two equally athletic trees.

The thing about Dwight Howard and Joe Johnson is, they've never had the reliable 2nd, 3rd, and 4th option that they have with this Blazers team.

Tony Allen will give Johnson headaches, but Joe Johnson is still going to get his at the end of the series.  Rubio and Chandler have a history of effective offensive play against their respective counterparts, and Paul Millsap will just do what he does, which is eat offensive rebounds and put 'em back in.

I don't deny that points will be at a premium, but I think there's enough offensive continuity here to get W's.

I said in our previous series something to the effect of 'it's my opinion you can't limit superstars, just hold them to the averages.' I don't think Joe Johnson is a superstar anymore, and I don't think he's a guy you can just count on to 'get his.'

He shot .373 from the field against the Celtics (career .413 in the playoffs), and I don't remember a single play he made. He's going to shoot his shots, that's for sure. But with the legs going, and Tony Allen defending - I don't think you can pencil him in for 20, unless you want him to take 30 shots.

And with a pretty limited bench, I think you NEED him to be productive.

------

What's the deal with Wilson Chandler's health? I did a quick google and couldn't find anything

[StartOrien]

Also - Dwight Howard is a jerk, you guys

[jgod213]

I said in our previous series something to the effect of 'it's my opinion you can't limit superstars, just hold them to the averages.' I don't think Joe Johnson is a superstar anymore, and I don't think he's a guy you can just count on to 'get his.'

He shot .373 from the field against the Celtics (career .413 in the playoffs), and I don't remember a single play he made. He's going to shoot his shots, that's for sure. But with the legs going, and Tony Allen defending - I don't think you can pencil him in for 20, unless you want him to take 30 shots.

Yeah I think that's fair to say he isn't the player he once was, but I'm not ready to say he's falling off the cliff just yet.

Over the course of 60 games he still shot 45% / 39% / 85% from the field, deep, and stripe, respectively.  Over the course of 6 games against the Celtics, yes he played poorly.

But, in my view, adding a pure point guard to the mix will be big for him.  Rubio will become familiar with Johnson's favored spots over the course of the season and find ways to maximize his touches there.  Rubio's ballhandling and offensive IQ will cut down on the necessity for Joe to clear out the court and find his own looks.  Also, not having to see Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett on the other sideline is a bit of a relief itself.

What's the deal with Wilson Chandler's health? I did a quick google and couldn't find anything

Should be fully recovered from hip surgery come October.  Certainly by April.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/1403/wilson-chandler

Also - Dwight Howard is a jerk, you guys

I'll concede this point.  I'd even say he's a borderline Turd Sandwich.

[StartOrien]

But, in my view, adding a pure point guard to the mix will be big for him.  Rubio will become familiar with Johnson's favored spots over the course of the season and find ways to maximize his touches there.  Rubio's ballhandling and offensive IQ will cut down on the necessity for Joe to clear out the court and find his own looks.  Also, not having to see Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett on the other sideline is a bit of a relief itself.

Not that much of a relief, instead of seeing Avery Bradley continuosly have to Lethal Weapon 3 (?) his shoulder and Ray Allen he's going to get a health dose of Kyle Lowry, Tony Allen and Rudy Gay with Horford and LMA protecting the rim

[Roy H.]

Hate Dwight Howard?  Hate the Lakers?

Vote Dallas in the next round!

Seriously, though, these are both great teams.

[KCattheStripe]

Hate Dwight Howard?  Hate the Lakers?

Vote Dallas in the next round!

Seriously, though, these are both great teams.

Hate the idea of Roy Hobbs gloating for a whole year, vote PHX in this round!

[Roy H.]

Hate Dwight Howard?  Hate the Lakers?

Vote Dallas in the next round!

Seriously, though, these are both great teams.

Hate the idea of Roy Hobbs gloating for a whole year, vote PHX in this round!

Roy H. is a jerk, but Edgar is a saint. 


(Yep, that's Saint Edgar The Peaceful.)

[StartOrien]

I saw that picture of Dwight and said a lot of bad things under my breath.

VOTE ALL AMERICAN NICE GUYZ, WE LOVE THIS COUNTRY AS MUCH AS YOU DO (except for Rebus)