Post by brophdog88 on Jul 22, 2011 20:28:11 GMT -5
vs. 
Season Series: Knicks 3-1
What to Expect:
Look for the new look Knicks to be tested straight off. While they have great shot blockers, and solid offensive production from Jordan, Cooper, and Quincy, the defensive capabilities of the backcourt will face a tough test in Quentin Derrick, the multiple time playoff MVP, and Douglas Washington. Defensively the Cavaliers will be a tough test as well, despite putting Harrison Barnes…who is a shell of his former self on the court, her is still a good defender, and the Cavs can back that up with Russell in the post playing excellent for a rookie, and Derrick, Washington on the wings. The Knicks however bring to the table the best shot blocking team for the season, though, without the additional Shotblocking that was once provided by Larry Foust, and Bobby Cook, they may just be very good. They should still be a very tough out, but its tough to say whether they are truly as good as they have been this season following the numerous trades, and with the lack of D their players show,, I honestly believe that they could be upset in the first round.
Key Matchup:
Brady Cooper vs. Quentin Derrick
Derrick has been to the playoffs before as a starter and key player, but, don’t overlook Coopers experience that he gained last year during the Thunders title run. He was good enough following the injury to Francis that the Knicks felt comfortable moving Francis to establish more talent at another position. Still, you have to question whether Cooper can hold up over a 7 game season while playing against a complete point guard, and Derrick is assuredly that. In the three matchups since the injury and trade of Francis, Cooper and Derrick, by my judgment are 1-1-1 against each other, but the Knicks were 2-1.
Positional Matchups:
PG: Advantage-Cavs
SG: Advantage-Knicks
SF: Even
PF: Advantage-Knicks
C: Advantage-Cavs
Bench: Even
Prediction:
Cavaliers in 6
vs. 
Season Series-Bucks 3-1
What to expect:
A very low scoring series. Consider in the regular season only one game had either team scoring 100 or more points, the last game between the teams. The average score was 96.8 to 89.8 as both teams struggled to put points on the board as they are two of the worst offenses I the league, but, two of the better defenses. The Hawks have quietly plugged along, garnering a respectable but not great 49 wins, while the Bucks caught fire following the Omara deal, but, struggled mightily down the stretch due to a stagnant offense. The Hawks will have to focus on containing Sean Omara if they want to have a shot, and that is not a very simple thing to do.
There is every possibility that the Hawks could pull this series out, but I do believe the Bucks have just a bit more fire power.
Key matchup:
Bob Cousy vs. Earl Dawson
Yet again it comes down to the point guard spot, but really this one comes more down to whether Cousy can get it going at all against the Bucks. In the three games in which Cousy played, he shot 8-18, 6-16, 7-18, meaning Dawson, despite being very average of his own right, won the matchup as the inferior player. As the Bucks are relying on other players to do the scoring they can afford an even matchup offensively between the two. The Hawks will need their star to step up in the playoffs if they want to stand a chance.
Positional Matchups:
PG: Advantage-Hawks
SG: Even
SF: Advantage-Bucks
PF: Advantage-Even
C: Advantage-Bucks
Bench: Advantage-Hawks
Prediction:
Bucks in 6
Positional Matchups:
PG: Advantage-Hawks
SG: Even
SF: Advantage-Bucks
PF: Advantage-Even
C: Advantage-Bucks
Bench: Advantage-Hawks
Prediction:
Bucks in 6
Season Series: Bulls 3-1
What to expect:
The Bulls to walk away with this one. While the Pistons played them well in the regular season, the Bulls have way to much talent to go and lose this one. This Pistons are just a solid rebounding team, poor on turnovers, they don’t steal or block particularly well, but their D is solid and they have a solid offense. Meanwhile the Bulls have a starting five that should scare any team, and the depth to keep it up even without the starters. There may not be a deeper team in the league. The question is how will the young Lamont McGee, universally slammed for his inability to utilize his perceived talent, handle being in the spotlight in the playoffs as the teams weakest player. Meanwhile the Pistons will have to hope that Tracy Parker, and old man Griffin have enough gas left in them for the Pistons to ride on. They have solid players, but, each has a pretty significant flaw, Graham has turnover problems and defensive problems, not creating turnovers, and he doesn’t shoot as well as you would hope.
Key Matchup:
Play vs. Andy
Yep, it doesn’t really come down to the players, here, since the Bulls hold their fate in their hands in my opinion, the only way they lose is if Andy outclasses Play, or if Play fucks everything up. Player wise the Bulls match or better at pretty much every spot, have a better bench, so it just comes down to the coach. Ive seen Andy shock the league before taking a 44 win team to a title, but I doubt he can pull off another miracle this time. While the Pistons may win two position battles, both are very slight, while the Bulls dominate the three they lead
Positional Matchups:
PG: Advantage-Bulls
SG: Advantage-Pistons
SF: Advantage-Bulls
PF: Advantage-Pistons
C: Advantage-Bulls
Bench: Advantage-Bulls
Prediction:
Bulls in 5
vs. 
Season Series: Magic 3-1
What to expect:
A very close series. The injury to Jarrett Jordan kills a Nets team that already has shown issues with this Magic team. While the Nets added McClutchan and still have Connors, Jordan was a huge piece of the team due to his amazing efficiency, he is a very good rebounder, passer, shoots amazing percentages takes care of the ball and blocks a bit, and steals. The ability of the rest of the Nets to replace the missing Jordan will be key, and while McCallum led the Thunder to the title last year, and is still a top tier player, its doubtful he will be able to carry the team without Jordan. Meanwhile, the Magic are a very nice team, riding the backs of some very talented youth, and depth…lots of depth. They really don’t have a standout #1 option, but, Jones is a very good point, Thompson is solid all around, Erving sucks but they have talented backups, Petit is a top tier rebounder and very good defender, at least positionally. Rask too is a good defender, and provides some shooting. The worry is a lack of shot blocking, and steals, and rebounding. But they take very good care of the ball, and without Jordan they should be able to make a run at the Nets.
Key matchup:
Andryunas Raskauskas vs. Alf Sjoberg
While Jones and McCallum should play pretty even, if the Magic are to pull the upset the super efficient Alf must be slowed. While Rask is not an extraordinary shot blocker, he is solid, and he is very likely a great post defender. Both players are massive, but as long as Alf plays, the Nets have a chance. Alf is, like McCallum, a former playoff MVP, and always seem to come to life in the playoffs. With the injury to Jordan the Nets will need Alf to step up and dominate this matchup so as to move on to the next round and get a shot at the Bulls.
Positional Advantage:
PG: Advantage-Nets
SG: Advantage-Magic
SF: Advantage-Magic
PF: Advantage-Nets
C: Advantage-Nets
Bench: Advantage-Magic
Prediction:
Nets in 7
Round 2:
vs. Season Series: Tied 2-2
What to Expect:
A tight, low scoring series. The Bucks for the second projected opponent in a row failed to allow their opponent to score 100 in the regular season, but, against the Cavs they managed to pull out 100 twice. The teams both play off two big time shot blockers in the post, with high steal low turnover Point Guards and a Veteran Wing. There are so many intriguing matchups, The Rookie Russell against the still dominant O’Mara, the Dominant Point in Derrick vs. another great ball hawk at PG, and the two vets on the wing in Gilchrist and Barnes. Both teams block shots well, but, the Bucks are a better steals blocks and turnovers team, and a better rebounding team. This series will come down to whether the Bucks frontcourt can outplay the Cavs backcourt.
Key Matchup:
Bill Russell vs. Sean O’Mara
It has to be the Rookie Vet matchup in the post. The Bucks offense revolves around O’Mara, so if the Rookie can stop him, the Bucks are in big trouble. Russell has shown impressive defensive ability this year, but can he handle having to step up in the playoffs against one of the best bigs in the league? The answer to that question probably decides this series.
Positional Matchup:
PG: Advantage-Cavs
SG: Advantage-Cavs
SF: Advantage-Bucks
PF: Advantage-Bucks
C: Advantage-Bucks
Bench: Even
Prediction:
Bucks in 6
vs. Season Series: Bulls 3-1
What to Expect:
The injury to Jordan to doom the Nets chances. Any team that is gonna beat the Bulls will need to be at full strength. While Purnell has been on cruise control all season, I fully expect him to be unleashed at some point this playoffs, and that should scare every team. Meanwhile the Nets will still be without Jordan for most if not all of this series, and the advantage Paulson on the backups will provide will most likely doom their chances. The All-around scoring the Bulls can bring down on every team is just too much to be beaten by a team not fully healthy.
Key Matchup:
Alf Sjoberg vs. Evan Dickerson
Alf has always had success against other bigs in the playoffs, and last year he destroyed Dickerson through three games, before suddenly disappearing. The Nets will need a complete series from Alf in order to be competitive, rather than just the three games he decided to play in the series last year. Dickerson is the best big in the league, by fbb, and really just plain obviously. Its very possible whoever wins this matchup wins the series.
Positional Matchups:
PG: Advantage-Bulls
SG: Advantage-Bulls
SF: Advantage-Bulls
PF: Advantage-Nets
C: Advantage-Bulls
Bench: Advantage-Bulls
Prediction:
Bulls in 6
Conference Finals:
What to expect:
The Bulls to win in 7 thanks to home court (and having a better overall team). The Bucks had managed to climb within one game of the Bulls before the final sim, and even beat the Bulls in the final sim, however, otherwise they looked terrible, and as such were unable to grab the #2, and probably cost themselves a shot at the Finals. While both teams are very good defensively, the Bulls have a far superior offense, and as such should be able to pull away. Both teams rebound, the Bulls are slightly worse at shot blocking, but otherwise it seems balanced. It will be fun to watch Omara and Dickerson go at it, as the first and second team bigs, however, I would bet Dickerson wins. Both teams have only played once fully healthy since the teams were completed, that being an 11 point road win for the Bucks in the last week of the season, however, with DC changes, and over a 7 game series its tough to see the Bulls losing.
Key Matchup:
Sam Jones vs. Vince McCracken
Omara and Dickerson will get there, so it will come down to whether Sam can contain McCrackenlike he did during the regular season in there matchups, and still provide offense, which he didn’t. The Bucks will need all hands on deck in order to pull off the upset, and with the offense struggling the emergence of another scorer would go a long way towards the derailing of the Bulls. If McCracken goes off, the Bucks have virtually no shot.
Positional Matchups
PG: Advantage-Bulls
SG: Advantage-Bulls
SF: Advantage-Bulls
PF: Advantage-Bucks
C: Even
Bench: Advantage-Bulls
Prediction:
Bulls in 7
