The 2007 NBA Playoffs

[Saucemaster]

Originally Posted by Southern-Nupe

What's crazy is the fact that both have a good bench as well, with Utah likely getting the nod as the better.

Really? Oops! I just described our bench as a plus in an email to my Dad... I clearly haven't been paying enough attention to Utah this season.

 

[chronoaug]

I don't know if i'd say utah has the advantage. I mean, turiaf, sasha, farmar, and walton are pretty solid and relatively even to harpring, milsap and korver. Those 3 are really good but the lakers have been going 9 and sometimes 10 deep this season while the jazz very rarely go higher than 8. Though you could argue that the jazz's 3 bench players are better than the lakers 3 best bench players.

 

[landho]

Wha--?

I think the Lakers may have the best bench in the league. Utah's is very good, with Korver, Milsap, and Harpring, as is Boston's (with freebies Sam Cassell and P. J. Brown) and Detroit's (a very underrated and physical second unit), but the best benches in the league belong to the Lakers and the Spurs.

The Lakers' bench is the second-highest scoring second unit in the league; what's especially good about the Lakers' second unit is that it changes the tempo of the game, forcing the opposing teams to make radical adjustments to how they play. The Lakers' first unit is primarily a halfcourt team that runs the triangle, while their second unit is a more freewheeling team that scores a lot of baskets in transition and from threes. Farmar, Vujacic, and Walton are all smart players who can put up points in a hurry, and Turiaf is a really good energy player who can defend and also stick the midrange jumper. Keep in mind also that the bench will be further bolstered by the imminent return of Trevor Ariza, who is long and athletic and was brought in to defend against the Ginobilis and LeBrons of the world. If Bynum ever returns, he will come off the bench, but eventually he will return to the starting lineup and Radmanovic will start launching his wild shots with the second unit. (To be fair, Radmanovic has been more than adequate as a starter, although he still makes more than his fair share of head-scratching plays.)

The Spurs have a very good second unit headed by Manu Ginobili, who is one of the best shooting guards in the league. That skews things a bit, but they also have Udoka (basically a Bowen clone), Kurt Thomas, Brent Barry, and Stoudamire (whose minutes have taken a significantly dip of late) coming off the bench--all heady veterans who know their role.

 

[sho'nuff]

lakers vs Utah:

LAL 4 UTA 2


lakers vs San Antonio:

LAL 2 SAS 4


I really hope I am wrong. But that is what my mind tells me.

 

[Southern-Nupe]

Originally Posted by chronoaug

I don't know if i'd say utah has the advantage. I mean, turiaf, sasha, farmar, and walton are pretty solid and relatively even to harpring, milsap and korver. Those 3 are really good but the lakers have been going 9 and sometimes 10 deep this season while the jazz very rarely go higher than 8. Though you could argue that the jazz's 3 bench players are better than the lakers 3 best bench players.
Don't forget Brewer and Price....even though D. Will is the better distributer and offensive manager, Price can be a dead eye 3 point shooter, capable of creating his own shot. Either way, this will be good series....and I have no interest in seeing Utah advance, especially after annihilating my Rocks.

 

[chronoaug]

brewer starts and i don't see price getting much run against the lakers in close games. More of a regular season kinda player. I like brewer though. He has been having a great season and definitely deserves that starting gig.

 

[Southern-Nupe]

Originally Posted by landho

The Spurs have a very good second unit headed by Manu Ginobili, who is one of the best shooting guards in the league. That skews things a bit, but they also have Udoka (basically a Bowen clone), Kurt Thomas, Brent Barry, and Stoudamire (whose minutes have taken a significantly dip of late) coming off the bench--all heady veterans who know their role.
We're not even going to start on SA's bench.....

 

[Dekayte]

Originally Posted by Saucemaster

On topic: I would like to say that the Mavs won't get closed out tonight, just because I'd like to see them have a little pride, but I have to be honest, I don't see it. I think they're done.

PHX and Houston win. (I know I'm going to regret this. Once again, I reserve the right to claim that someone hijacked my computer....)

Washington is gone, and with them the best off-court drama of the entire first round.

I pretty much agree with these picks.

Dallas should win, just out of sheer drive. They have a lot more riding on this game than NO does. AJ is going to get owned if they get knocked out. Dirk + Kidd + rest of the old guys are running out of time.

Houston can do it, I believe they can pull another win out.

The only thing about PHX is that SA is one win from closing the series and they definitely know how to close. Not to mention it's in SA (but I guess that doesn't mean that much since PHX took two in the regular season)

 

[Southern-Nupe]

Originally Posted by chronoaug

brewer starts and i don't see price getting much run against the lakers in close games. More of a regular season kinda player. I like brewer though. He has been having a great season and definitely deserves that starting gig.
I was not aware exactly of how good Utah's starters and bench were, until after watching some of the latter games in the season, as well as the play-offs, they're very physical/borderline dirty. On the road, their a pretty good team, it's at home that they shine the most (only lost 5 games at home regular/post season).

 

[landho]

God, I hate San Antonio. If the Spurs can win three in a row, why can't the Suns?

Also, I kind of want the Suns to win so I can save face versus Brian278

 

[Southern-Nupe]

Originally Posted by chronoaug

brewer starts and i don't see price getting much run against the lakers in close games. More of a regular season kinda player. I like brewer though. He has been having a great season and definitely deserves that starting gig.
I can agree,
D. Williams is playing injured, but as long as he suits up, I don't see Price getting much burn.

 

[Southern-Nupe]

Originally Posted by Dekayte

The only thing about PHX is that SA is one win from closing the series and they definitely know how to close. Not to mention it's in SA (but I guess that doesn't mean that much since PHX took two in the regular season)
I know...it doesn't look to good.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Jannero Pargo made a deal with the devil!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?#????!!!????

 

[Saucemaster]

Well, there it went. CP with a triple double, and a really nice effort by the Mavs, but it just wasn't enough. Sorry there M from P, I was pulling for your guys for this game.

 

[Mark from Plano]

I'm in full panic mode. The Mavs Suk. And they aren't getting better.

What can the Mav's get for a $21MM expiring contract on a guy who's going to be 78 years old next year?