2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

[AlexBrady]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

The problem is that the Warriors are regularly referred to as being among the top ball clubs in history. The Lakers and Spurs really were not viewed as being among the top ball clubs in history when they won their titles in the early 00s. I just presented compelling reasons why those teams match up well with Golden State and would be tough to overcome.

Shaq, Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Paul Pierce, Shawn Marion, Tracy McGrady, Mike Bibby, Michael Finley, Ben Wallace, Gary Payton, John Stockton, Andre Miller, Stephon Marbury, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Elton Brand, Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace represent a fine bumper crop of stars. Today's group isn't any better than that.

Any team led by Jason Kidd's powerhouse all-around game plan is going to be a serious contender. Philadelphia's hard-working defense and clutch time miracles by Iverson would likely advance deep into the Eastern Conference playoffs even today.

For all of his flaws, Jalen Rose did exhibit explosive shooting during his playoff run and his side kick was an all time great bomber in Reggie Miller. Also Rik Smits was still viable when catching incoming entry passes with a foot in the paint.

[cima]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

In a hypothetical 00's Lakers/Warriors matchup, to me it depends which era of rules they're playing with.

If they're playing the 00's rules with illegal defense and no zone allowed, I think LA would cook them because Warriors have no answer for Shaq or Kobe. Today's rules though? Well ****, it's favored towards offensive players anyways, Kobe would score much easier in today's game. Give me the Lakers in 7 but it'd be hella fun to watch.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

I just want to see Shaq power-dunk on Draymond and destroy his family line.

[AlexBrady]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

LeBron still exists lol

Sent from my Z971 using Tapatalk

LeBron's million dollar first step is gone. His shooting remains erratic. His defense is now a sometimes thing. His sphere of influence isn't as impactful as Kobe or Kidd in their salad days.

Those Lakers teams struggled with any team that could pull their defense away from the rim, pull Shaq out of the paint, and shoot from the outside, and push the tempo, and get passing from their bigs.. GS does all of that at an all time level.

Peja and Hedo killed Rick Fox.. I think KD will be just fine.

Rip Hamilton and Allen Iverson gave them fits off ball, having Curry and Klay moving like that at the same time with another 30 point scorer on the floor presents big problems for that Lakers group.

Kobe couldn't even contain Antonio Daniels, Mike Bibby, or Chauncey Billups..

Kobe at 21, 22, wasn't torching anyone at a consistent level just yet. He had his moments, and against good defenders.. But when players had length and enough speed to prevent blow-bys he struggled. Reggie Miller and Tayshaun Prince both shut him down.

Lakers lone shot is could Shaq be so dominant that it negated the 3's and counter the fact that he can't defend Boogie when he goes high, can't matchup if they go small, and he and Grant would be sitting dunks on high ball screens... Is he so dominant against them that it completely nukes their ability to ever push the tempo.. Because otherwise literally every other advantage is in GS's favor.

We are talking about the 2001 Lakers, the best version of their little dynasty. You do realize they swept the Kings 4-0 right?

The Warriors would undoubtedly point high screen/rolls at Shaq knowing that he would never switch or show on the shooting side. Would they be able to make enough jumpers to win the series though? Unlikely.

The triangle would allow the Lakers to always set the tempo. The Warriors would be forced into a slow down game.

Passing from the bigs? The Lakers loved it when Webber and Divac came out high to throw passes. Much better to have them up there than wreaking havoc in the paint.

Say what? Rick Fox quite often cooled down Peja's explosive scoring. He never dominated him in 2001.

Kobe would crowd Curry's handle and force him to drive to the rim. The triangle is a jump-shooting offense which gave Kobe fewer opportunities to drive and dish. He functioned as a deliver to Shaq.

Cousins is a highly erratic shooter who the Lakers would gladly let play high and shoot as much as he likes. If he tried to attack Shaq with his version of a cross over he would be quickly doubled. Cousins rarely does anything productive without the ball and is reluctant to bang in the paint. Shaq would obliterate him.

The Lakers would average at least 40 free throw attempts per game. The Warriors three pointers cannot make up the difference for all the easy points the Lakers will get.

[TMagic]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

I don't know man. I might have to lean in the warriors favor here.

LA struggled with the Webber/Bibby Kings. Their offensive sets/player movement always gave LA trouble from what I remembered (seemed like they scored at will and at times couldn't miss. Couldn't stand that Bibby/Webber two man game as a kid lol). And I don't think that there's any debate that the warriors have a better team with about as equal ball/player movement. Those same mistakes the Lakers made on defense against the Kings would only be amplified playing the Warriors. Instead of cashing in all those long twos. The warriors would be splashing threes.

I'd have to go with the warriors.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Operation Sports mobile app

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

I hate to break up EssayFest2019....but who’s playing tonight? In today’s NBA, not 20 years ago NBA.

[lilteapot]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

Going to Cavs/Knicks today. See if they make it 3 in a row. Hopefully it's a close game

Sent from my SM-G955U1 using Tapatalk

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

If they're playing the 00's rules with illegal defense and no zone allowed, I think LA would cook them because Warriors have no answer for Shaq or Kobe. Today's rules though? Well ****, it's favored towards offensive players anyways, Kobe would score much easier in today's game. Give me the Lakers in 7 but it'd be hella fun to watch.

For Pack

Spoiler

How could the Lakers defend Curry, Klay, KD all at the same time with no zone defense if guys like Rip, AI, Peja, Antonio Daniels, etc hurt them so bad? And this is 3 of them all on the same team, not just one guy to chase around.

Who needed an answer for Kobe at 21-22 years old. The season prior Reggie Miller held him to 15 a game, 2 years after further into his prime Prince held him to a bit over 20 on 30something percent. They absolutely have an answer for him, a trio of Klay, KD, Iggy...

I don't even think he would score easier with today's rules, especially not if they were still running the triangle. Part of what made that so successful at the time was the illegal defensive ruling. In the Bulls case, player had to stick close enough to Rodman, Longley, you wouldn't have to do that in today's game. 57 year old Horace Grant could be left alone, leaving a defender on Kobe, one in help, and then another near the rim by default because Shaq is camped there. In today's defensive schemes so much cushion could be given to Grant and Fox that you could have virtually half your defense just a step from the lane.

Today's defenses force 3's, part of the reason it has become such a large part of today's game, why their needs to be spacing, why stretch bigs became a thing in the first place. Shaq only compounds that problem by giving even less driving space than a "zone" already gives.

This:
download.jpg

To This:
Inkeddownload_LI.jpg

Simply slide the top key guy down to take all driving space and offer a quick double, let the back guy play zone and either rotate up or down depending on where the ball went.. Might give up the occasional back to door pass to Grant, or a running contested look for Fox, but I'm assuming that's what you would want.


Like I said, Shaq might be so dominant that it doesn't even matter, but at a glance Kobe's team with Pau being a threat to shoot, and Odom or Artest either one being capable of playing the 4 against Draymond matches up better purely from a stylistic standpoint.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

I hate to break up EssayFest2019....but who’s playing tonight? In today’s NBA, not 20 years ago NBA.

Russell Westbrook will be testing his powerful, yet deft drives against the crafty, sturdy Ben Simmons in what will prove to be quite the entertaining match up of young, headstrong teams.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

Knicks playing the Cavs tonight... A part of me doesn't hate the idea of some kinda tournament between the top 4 teams or something for the top pick. Feel like we've played these guys enough to have had a preview anyway.

[23]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

Russell Westbrook will be testing his powerful, yet deft drives against the crafty, sturdy Ben Simmons in what will prove to be quite the entertaining match up of young, headstrong teams.

AlexBrady, come get your mans.

[TheFinalEvent97]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

The only game winner I've seen that is more ridiculous than Wade's.
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v-8hvhKmEo0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[areobee401]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

So is Miami the sentimental favorites to land the final playoff seed seeing as this will be Wade’s last season?

Heat and Magic current trail the Hornets by half a game. Strength of schedule heavily favors the Magic although I don’t think it matters all that much.

[Sportsforever]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

Wait...the Lakers team that lost the NBA Finals 4-1 to those Pistons would take out these Warriors? Hmmm...

[Themayorofawsometown]

Re: 2/26 - 3/4 Games Discussion Thread

So is Miami the sentimental favorites to land the final playoff seed seeing as this will be Wade’s last season?

Heat and Magic current trail the Hornets by half a game. Strength of schedule heavily favors the Magic although I don’t think it matters all that much.

After last night the fanbase is divided on rather or not to tank or give Wade his last dance in the playoffs and honestly I'm kinda torn on it after last night myself

Sent from my Z971 using Tapatalk