Post by Milwaukee Bucks on Jan 6, 2010 18:28:23 GMT -5
Jazz and Nets. Did you think coming into the playoffs these would be the two teams competing for basketball's holy grave. The New Jersey Nets finished knocking off Toronto the best team in the east in 6 games while the Jazz have upseted the Hornets who won 71 games in an epic series. Nash and Amare meet up again but this time on separate teams. But which one of these proven titans will take the crown
The Nets definitely have the advantage point guard wise. Kirk Hinrich is a solid defender and wont give Nash a former MVP anything without having him work for it. He is also an above shooter from downtown and wont let Nash slack on him. On the other hand though Steve Nash is Steve Nash. One of the best PG in the game who can score and facilitate at an incredible rate and can speed up any offence in an instance. Nash has the advantage here. I mean you cant just compare a solid player like Hinrich to Nash.
The key match-up of this series will be whether or not who shows up more consistently between these two. They are both the focal point of their given offense group and are elite caliber players. Kevin's volume shooting will be a pain too deal with and is a average for his position. He is legit 6'7 and wont be man handled that easily by LBJ. But what Lebron brings to the table is far more valuable. He can also rebound, assists, defend and is the leader of team. He also doesn't need to score big for his team to succeed. Note the modest 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steal stat line he put up in the game 7 clincher against the Hornets. The Jazz have this matchup down.
Small Forward are the Jazz's weakest position's with Joe Alexandar occupying that spot up. Alexandar is a young rookie who still has the opportunity to prove himself in the NBA but he doesnt seem to keen on going against the hard nosed Artest. When asked about how he felt about facing this challenge he whispered " Um I respect Mr. Artest and hope he wont kill me if I accidentally hit him with a elbow".
Artest retaliated by saying "I hope that skinny little boy doesnt think he can stop me". "I'm the Mad Cow of Basketball". "He must not know He must not know". I for one just dont think Alexandar has it in him to play with Artest skill wise or mentally as Ron is likely to talk smack about how he doesnt want any of these udders.
Another important matchup is this one. David West and Kenyon Martin. Coming into the season I wouldnt think K-Mart would be performing so well. He has a lot of big games so far throughout this postseason and is returning to his days when he balled with Kidd. David West though has been showing up throughout the post season as well and has a more valuable skillset. It will be a good matchup but in the end give me West.
At the Center we have a interesting match-up between Memo and Stoudemaire. Stoudemaire is more of a pick and roll oriented player while Memo is more comfortable shooting the 3 ball. Memo is a former all star and has a .446 from downtown. He is above average free throw shooter especially for his position so fouling him late in the game or implementing a Hack a Shaq move wouldn't benefit. Stoudemaire on the pick and roll will hurt any team a lot. He gets his share of rebounds and can has a little pick and pop game when used with suitable point guard. Even though he will be forced to play Memo on the perimeter Jazz still will have this matchup down.
On the pine the Nets have veterans who know their role and are willing to put their egos aside for the benefit of the team. Shareef and Bonzi are the first ones off the bench and contribute at an decent pace. The Jazz bench though is led by J.R Smith. A man whose ability to score in bunches rivales Kobe's and Lebron's . Frye is another decent who can stretch the floor for iso for Lebron and Fisher would be a starter for almost any team in the NBA. J.R Smith talked about his opponents on his blog. "These old geezers need to move on". "I'm gonna shake and bake and break their ankles". "Most of them belong in a retirement home but Hey it sure will make me look a WHOLE LOT better". And who can blame him either.
This is sure to be the Finals of the decade. Jazz's GM decision to call it quit if his teams doesnt win. Artest and Alex trying to settle that even a rookie nobody is better than a wacky bum. Lebron's attempt to get his first ring and shut up all the critics. The Net's bench eagerness to jump Smith after games and of course Nash vs Amare. The series sounds more like a soap opera than a basketball game. These teams are tied talent wise so I guess its up to their intagibles. What quality do they possess that pushes them over the top?
It could end like this
www.youtube.com/watch?v=et9IU1TRG4I
Or this
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fD1MNjkPFs
That's for you to decide.
The Nets definitely have the advantage point guard wise. Kirk Hinrich is a solid defender and wont give Nash a former MVP anything without having him work for it. He is also an above shooter from downtown and wont let Nash slack on him. On the other hand though Steve Nash is Steve Nash. One of the best PG in the game who can score and facilitate at an incredible rate and can speed up any offence in an instance. Nash has the advantage here. I mean you cant just compare a solid player like Hinrich to Nash.
The key match-up of this series will be whether or not who shows up more consistently between these two. They are both the focal point of their given offense group and are elite caliber players. Kevin's volume shooting will be a pain too deal with and is a average for his position. He is legit 6'7 and wont be man handled that easily by LBJ. But what Lebron brings to the table is far more valuable. He can also rebound, assists, defend and is the leader of team. He also doesn't need to score big for his team to succeed. Note the modest 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steal stat line he put up in the game 7 clincher against the Hornets. The Jazz have this matchup down.
Small Forward are the Jazz's weakest position's with Joe Alexandar occupying that spot up. Alexandar is a young rookie who still has the opportunity to prove himself in the NBA but he doesnt seem to keen on going against the hard nosed Artest. When asked about how he felt about facing this challenge he whispered " Um I respect Mr. Artest and hope he wont kill me if I accidentally hit him with a elbow".
Artest retaliated by saying "I hope that skinny little boy doesnt think he can stop me". "I'm the Mad Cow of Basketball". "He must not know He must not know". I for one just dont think Alexandar has it in him to play with Artest skill wise or mentally as Ron is likely to talk smack about how he doesnt want any of these udders.
Another important matchup is this one. David West and Kenyon Martin. Coming into the season I wouldnt think K-Mart would be performing so well. He has a lot of big games so far throughout this postseason and is returning to his days when he balled with Kidd. David West though has been showing up throughout the post season as well and has a more valuable skillset. It will be a good matchup but in the end give me West.
At the Center we have a interesting match-up between Memo and Stoudemaire. Stoudemaire is more of a pick and roll oriented player while Memo is more comfortable shooting the 3 ball. Memo is a former all star and has a .446 from downtown. He is above average free throw shooter especially for his position so fouling him late in the game or implementing a Hack a Shaq move wouldn't benefit. Stoudemaire on the pick and roll will hurt any team a lot. He gets his share of rebounds and can has a little pick and pop game when used with suitable point guard. Even though he will be forced to play Memo on the perimeter Jazz still will have this matchup down.
On the pine the Nets have veterans who know their role and are willing to put their egos aside for the benefit of the team. Shareef and Bonzi are the first ones off the bench and contribute at an decent pace. The Jazz bench though is led by J.R Smith. A man whose ability to score in bunches rivales Kobe's and Lebron's . Frye is another decent who can stretch the floor for iso for Lebron and Fisher would be a starter for almost any team in the NBA. J.R Smith talked about his opponents on his blog. "These old geezers need to move on". "I'm gonna shake and bake and break their ankles". "Most of them belong in a retirement home but Hey it sure will make me look a WHOLE LOT better". And who can blame him either.
This is sure to be the Finals of the decade. Jazz's GM decision to call it quit if his teams doesnt win. Artest and Alex trying to settle that even a rookie nobody is better than a wacky bum. Lebron's attempt to get his first ring and shut up all the critics. The Net's bench eagerness to jump Smith after games and of course Nash vs Amare. The series sounds more like a soap opera than a basketball game. These teams are tied talent wise so I guess its up to their intagibles. What quality do they possess that pushes them over the top?
It could end like this
www.youtube.com/watch?v=et9IU1TRG4I
Or this
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fD1MNjkPFs
That's for you to decide.