- Even if you have that "special" player, you need balance on defense. Sure LBJ went MJ in Game 5 and Magic in Game 6 (with a special 'sheed ending for the Cav fans), but Varejo, Z, Gooden, Hughes, Snow etc...really played tight team defense (along with LBJ). This was especially prevelent in Game 5.
- It sure helps to have "that special player"...in the East, it seems you can get to the second round any year because everyone is so up and down. Besides LBJ and maybe Dwayne Wade, there are no other stars you have to plan around on a nightly basis. For as good as Rip Hamilton played in the series against the Cavs, the key player for Detroit, Wallace, was up and down. Hence the results for Detroit...for everyone hoping to build a "team" a la Phoenix or Detroit, note the number of championships that those two teams have won (1). If Billy King plans on having a spread floor with lots of options, does that really mean he has no options at the end of the game? And I don't want a 6 foot shooting guard to score 30 points either.
- Where is the 76ers special player? Remember, the last 3 years MVPs have been drafted below 8 (Nowtizki and Nash), neither are American, and flashy athletisicm aren't part of their games. I'm convinced there are "special" players in this draft - I'll call a special player someone that instantly becomes the focus of the other teams offensive/defensive game plans - but I think b/c of the age of the kids is younger, its much tougher to see who will develop.
- While Michael Conley Jr. goes up in scouting, the fact that Jeff Green is on the fence is not good for the 76ers on two fronts:
- He could be a good fit with the Sixers THIS year
- It's one less player that will be available in the top 10 that was a sure fire high pick...that pushes the Spencer Hawes and Tiago Spitler down to 12. The pick loses some inherent value and becomes less valuable should a trade in the top 7 become available
- It sure feels like Bill the King will be moving one if not more of those picks...I hope he stays in the draft this year as much as he can...nothing like getting 2009 draft picks to fire up the fan base. Right now we need ASSETS and they come $0.70 on the dollar this year.
- The Cavs will take the Spurs to 6 games...the Cavs will get hurt by the pressure defense the Spurs will apply to Hughes and Gibson and unless LBJ knees Bowen in the onions at some point, he will wear down by the end. The Cavs have two things going for them - LBJ and good matchups with Duncan.
- Chris Webber is a dog. Maybe he can play for the Spurs or Cavs next year to get his ring. I'm sick of hearing what a good guy he is too...where are the banners in Chrysler Arena Chris?
One final note - only here on 76BigShot - a senior official on USA Basketball was talking to a colleague recently and the conversation of "How will Greg Oden be in relation to LBJ?" as a force in the NBA. This official said "Greg Oden in the best prospect to come out of college basketball and will be the best player in the NBA...soon."
1 comment:
I think Bron Bron exposes the myth that is the defensive prowess of Bruce Bowen. He's just bigger than anyone who's faster, and faster than anyone who's bigger. Like a super-athletic tight end who creates matchup problems for just about every team he faces.
The Caballeros will have a hard hard time keeping up the defensive intensity it will take to win four games against this Spurs team (let alone two)... they could use one more stiff with 6 fouls to give on Duncan, too. Too many options.
But you have to watch, just in case it happens. Miles and miles more interesting than another SA-Det series.
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