CB Draft Eastern Finals: (1) Bulls vs. (2) Pistons

[Fafnir]

I've noticed that people have been really down on Landry Fields for a while now...

Is he really that far gone from his rookie year, where he put up 10/6/2 on 50% from the field and 39% from 3?

I just love the kid's attitude.  I know he was just aweful last year, but people really don't think he's worthy of rotation minutes and wouldn't improve with a few minutes next to Chris Paul?

Seems like the kind of dirty-work player that a team needs at some point in the playoffs.  I dunno...the Raptors still see something there.

I think a large part of it was his poor showing in the playoffs for two years.

Plus his rebounding didn't survive a move to a more traditional line up, his shooting fell off as well when guarded by other SGs/SFs.

[Who]

I've noticed that people have been really down on Landry Fields for a while now...

Is he really that far gone from his rookie year, where he put up 10/6/2 on 50% from the field and 39% from 3?

I just love the kid's attitude.  I know he was just aweful last year, but people really don't think he's worthy of rotation minutes and wouldn't improve with a few minutes next to Chris Paul?

Seems like the kind of dirty-work player that a team needs at some point in the playoffs.  I dunno...the Raptors still see something there.

If Fields can get back to how he was shooting the ball prior to Melo joining -- when the Knicks had ball movement and excellent spacing in that D'Antoni SSOL offense like this Pistons team will with Chris Paul and Co. ...

I think that would make Fields a better starter than Wes Matthews.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Fields take Wes' minutes from him over the course of the season. Push Matthews into a reserve role.

[Kane3387]

I've noticed that people have been really down on Landry Fields for a while now...

Is he really that far gone from his rookie year, where he put up 10/6/2 on 50% from the field and 39% from 3?

I just love the kid's attitude.  I know he was just aweful last year, but people really don't think he's worthy of rotation minutes and wouldn't improve with a few minutes next to Chris Paul?

Seems like the kind of dirty-work player that a team needs at some point in the playoffs.  I dunno...the Raptors still see something there.

I've noticed that this draft often has a "what have you done for me lately" way of thinking. I think more often then not that is fair.

Right now I like Chicago. I think CP3 has the ability and teammates to win this series, but I have not seen anything from Detroit on why that is.

Come on Detroit. Where you at? Let's see some strategy and detailed thoughts on why you win this series. 

[jgod213]

If Fields can get back to how he was shooting the ball prior to Melo joining -- when the Knicks had ball movement and excellent spacing in that D'Antoni SSOL offense like this Pistons team will with Chris Paul and Co. ...

I think that would make Fields a better starter than Wes Matthews.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Fields take Wes' minutes from him over the course of the season. Push Matthews into a reserve role.

Who, I had noticed that you scratched Fields' name out from the roation so I was under the impression you wanted him axed.

I think there's an arguement to be made for him, but it does seem like he and Ridenour are a bit redundant - probably just go with the hotter hand at the backup-2 come playoff time I guess?

[Kane3387]

I think a large part of it was his poor showing in the playoffs for two years.

I definitely agree with this. I think the end of one season can easily be connected to the rest of the next season if the caliber of play is relatively the same.

[dark_lord]

im reading this over and i am likely picking the bulls.  prior to today, i was thinking this series would be very difficult to choose between the bulls and hawks.

[jgod213]

I think a large part of it was his poor showing in the playoffs for two years.

I definitely agree with this. I think the end of one season can easily be connected to the rest of the next season if the caliber of play is relatively the same.

Yeah Faf raises a good point. 

I do remember him looking extremely lost in confused in that series against Boston, and he never really recovered until he had a chance to play with Jeremy Lin.

Still, if you play the way that kid plays CP3 will reward you.  I still think he's worthy of a few backup-2 minutes.

[dark_lord]

the biggest thing i see between these two teams are star power and post season experience.  i think a lot of people here over value role players and young talent with upside.  however in the post season, experience is vital to a team's success.  the bulls have the star power, compared to the pistons role players.  the bulls also have 3 world champions, 2 of which are finals mvps.  thats a big advantage in my book

[nickagneta]

My play on this series is that CP3 takes the PG position, Wade takes the SG position and the SF is almost even, maybe slightly in favor of the Bulls. But I think of the big men, the Bulls have 3 of the top four big men in Bosh, Young and Splitter. Nene is good but boy was I disappointed in what he did in Washington, when he did play, and what he did in the Olympics. Seems like he aged very quickly for a younger type big guy.

I am not a big believer in Haywood but if he can be limited in minutes and be effective defensively when in there then Bulls take this in 6. I think the Bulls small ball lineup with Bosh at center can be devastating.

[Fafnir]

I think a large part of it was his poor showing in the playoffs for two years.

I definitely agree with this. I think the end of one season can easily be connected to the rest of the next season if the caliber of play is relatively the same.

Yeah Faf raises a good point. 

I do remember him looking extremely lost in confused in that series against Boston, and he never really recovered until he had a chance to play with Jeremy Lin.

Still, if you play the way that kid plays CP3 will reward you.  I still think he's worthy of a few backup-2 minutes.

He clearly has the potential to be a high level role player, he showed that when he was rocking with D'Antoni, Amar'e, Gallo, and Felton.

Just hard for me to assume he'd get back there after a full year of meh ball. Of course now he's stuck on the Raptors roster so he's not likely to have  great shot there to settle this for us either.

[Kane3387]

I think a large part of it was his poor showing in the playoffs for two years.

I definitely agree with this. I think the end of one season can easily be connected to the rest of the next season if the caliber of play is relatively the same.

Yeah Faf raises a good point. 

I do remember him looking extremely lost in confused in that series against Boston, and he never really recovered until he had a chance to play with Jeremy Lin.

Still, if you play the way that kid plays CP3 will reward you.  I still think he's worthy of a few backup-2 minutes.

He clearly has the potential to be a high level role player, he showed that when he was rocking with D'Antoni, Amar'e, Gallo, and Felton.

Just hard for me to assume he'd get back there after a full year of meh ball. Of course now he's stuck on the Raptors roster so he's not likely to have  great shot there to settle this for us either.

I think his play will improve this season, but it won't get any pub because he is in Toronto. Playing with Jose and Lowry should allow for him to play off better ball movement then he saw with Melo.

[indeedproceed]

Wade and Matthews points scored last 3 games (in which both played 30+ minutes):

Wade: 33
Matthews: 15

Wade: 38
Matthews: 10

Wade: 35
Matthews: 13

Wade's career #s against Matthews: 53.8% fg, 5.2 Rebs, 6.2 assists, 29.2 pts

This is a matchup that defines the series.

[Kane3387]

Wade and Matthews points scored last 3 games (in which both played 30+ minutes):

Wade: 33
Matthews: 15

Wade: 38
Matthews: 10

Wade: 35
Matthews: 13

Wade's career #s against Matthews: 53.8% fg, 5.2 Rebs, 6.2 assists, 29.2 pts

This is a matchup that defines the series.

This above supports the statement Wade will more then double Was Matthew's scoring output.

Wade is greater then Wes. No question. But geez Detroit is it really this one sided of a SG matchup and if it is, is there any strategy you have to counter that somewhat?

[RebusRankin]

While Wade has outplayed Matthews, Portland won 2 out of the last 3 games. So we still use Matthews. Mix in some Fields. When Chicago goes to Jack at SG, we use Ridnour.

[RebusRankin]

As well, Pierce shot under 44% in 3 games out of four last season versus Granger and Indy, so we're not worried about that matchup.

We push the tempo, allow Paul to run the show, use Nene down low versus Bosh, allow Ersan to stretch the flour against Young or Haywood. When Chicago uses Jack, we counter with Ridnour. I also like using Johnson versus Young.