Boston or Orlando, who will be the tougher team to beat?

[JordansBulls]

Boston or Orlando, who will be the tougher team to beat in a series?


Boston
PG Rondo/Pruitt/Hudson
SG Allen/House/(Tony Allen/Giddens)
SF Pierce/Daniels/(Bill Walker)
PF Garnett/Big Baby/Powe
C Perkins/Sheed/(Swift)


Orlando
PG - Jameer Nelson/Anthony Johnson
SG - Vince Carter/Michael Pietrus, JJ Redick
SF - Rashard Lewis/Matt Barnes
PF - Brandon Bass/Ryan Anderson
C - Dwight Howard/Marcin Gortat

[AlencoaoFCP]

for me orlando. D12 keeps getting better, as Boston's Big 3 continues to get older.
I know the matchup problems are kind of solved and Delonte has done a hell of a job on guarding Carter but VC is better than Hedo and it will be more dificult to beat them this year.

I think we're the better team, though.

[Rise Against]

We still match up very well with Boston. The obvious answer is Orlando.

[Redphilly]

Orlando

[B Mac]

Its obviously Orlando but they wont be as tough of a matchup as last year for us.

[landphil]

Just wondering how everyone thinks the Magic create some matchup problems this year? Im not saying they dont but what did they do last year that they can do again this year? Obviously Lewis at the 4 creates problems for us but it appears up in the air that he might play the 3 or 4 so what else still creates problems for us?

I said Boston by the way cause they took the Magic to 7 games without their best player (KG) and got more depth with Daniels and Sheed but they are still very old and injury prone at times. I think both will present a similar level of difficulty but Boston might be a bit tougher. Orlando lost a key piece in Hedo and their matchup problems have, in my opinion, been lessened. We also got better wing players and more guard depth which was a problem in the Orlando series so hopefully we will have a easier time with Orlando this year.

[Benedict_Boozer]

Without Hedo ORL just doesn't worry me anymore. They have a very good team but in terms of their match up against us, defensively we should be able to match up with our regular defensive rotations against them rather than trying gimmicky stuff like LBJ on their PG and triple teaming Howard in the paint. Again overall they will excel I'm talking specifically in their match up against us.

BOS is always tough but I think we can take them now as well. We almost took them with a MUCH weaker squad during their title run. The match ups are good, and it will come down to the same stuff as last time - containing Rondo's penetration, slowing down Pierce, staying on Allen. KG will be KG.

If I had to rank who would be harder....tough to say. Lebron can light up ORL to the tune of 40ppg so if we can match up defensively better this year, I think they would be an easier playoff opponent. BOS defense will be VERY GOOD this year, I think they would be harder to beat.

[Niko23]

If we dont get another PF who can defend its going to be Boston. KG will destroy the soul of D Block or Hickson. Varejao cant play 40 mins plus.

I am already having visuals of Barnes going Mike Pietrus and draining threes

[1bhcavsfan]

They don't get those 3's this year!! No gimmicks, just straight up D. Advantage Cavs
Boston would say that we are the tougher match-up also {check out their board} for the same reason that I stated. VC is highly guardable. LBJ would slow down Rashard Lewis. D12 & the Witness Protection Plan, is a wash. Now who will Orlando shut down

[Gordon Bombay]

Without Hedo ORL just doesn't worry me anymore. They have a very good team but in terms of their match up against us, defensively we should be able to match up with our regular defensive rotations against them rather than trying gimmicky stuff like LBJ on their PG and triple teaming Howard in the paint. Again overall they will excel I'm talking specifically in their match up against us.

BOS is always tough but I think we can take them now as well. We almost took them with a MUCH weaker squad during their title run. The match ups are good, and it will come down to the same stuff as last time - containing Rondo's penetration, slowing down Pierce, staying on Allen. KG will be KG.

If I had to rank who would be harder....tough to say. Lebron can light up ORL to the tune of 40ppg so if we can match up defensively better this year, I think they would be an easier playoff opponent. BOS defense will be VERY GOOD this year, I think they would be harder to beat.

im definitely still worried about orlando...they've had a helluva an offseason over there

boston still is boston and come playoff time we match up better with boston than probably any of the other great teams

i would, however, like to see a road victory against one of these two teams...seems like forever since we won in either city

[The Penguin]

1) Boston- there's a ton of ifs surrounding Boston (if KG is healthy, if Rasheed & Ray Allen have anything left in the tank, if Rondo can continue to progress on his current trajectory, if Pierce can play close to equaling LBJ out) but if all of those play out for Boston, they'll be tough for anyone to beat. Cleveland has the best player, but Boston has 4 starters better than the Cavs' counterparts.

2) Orlando- Delonte guarding VC is one thing when he's got Devin Harris & Brook Lopez next to him, it's something else when D-Howard is present. Orlando will run pick & roll with VC & Howard right at Delonte (or LBJ) and Shaq, with Howard starting up top and drawing Shaq away from the hoop. I have to think the Cavs will have trouble defending that, given that Shaq's always struggled on the P & R. Assuming Rashard at the 4 and Pietrus in, the Cavs again have the best player, but the Magic also have 4 starters better than the Cavs' counterparts.

I think all three teams will be better (although 66 wins again will be tough), there's a lot of things left to happen and I'm pretty sure a series involving any combo of these teams would be tight likely with a bounce or two deciding it.

[Benedict_Boozer]

If we dont get another PF who can defend its going to be Boston. KG will destroy the soul of D Block or Hickson. Varejao cant play 40 mins plus.

I am already having visuals of Barnes going Mike Pietrus and draining threes

Yeah we need another PF bad. No doubt about it.

Problem is the only guys left in FA are Joe Smith / Gooden.

That would help but not really put us over the top? Ferry will have to look at trades.

[rjgraca]

If Boston can stay healthy with their aging players like KG and Allen...then they would be the choice.

While Orlando has become better on paper which is basically fantasy league stuff...we will have to see during the regular season and into the playoffs if their switch to a more traditional line-up will be as effective as last season's squad.

[1bhcavsfan]

I can live with that. We still have to beat a healthy C's team, I think that we are up to the task however.

[L&H_05]

Well, I think a healthy Boston team will be a tougher matchup..When they go to that Garnett/Wallace lineup at some point you now have two guys that will take it to your post defenders.. They can also space the floor for guys like Rondo and Pierce as well.. That will be tough, as you can't lay off a guy like teams would do with Perkins..

That will benefit Pierce, especially if the game is close.. Paul Pierce is a fantastic clutch performer when the game is on the line... Now that Turk is gone, I don't see that guy for Orlando ?? Turk is/was a matchup nightmare down the stretch.. His ability to drive right, but at the same time catch defenders off guard due to him actually favoring his left drive, the ability to get to the rim, or hit that step back jumper on his drive made him a nightmare... It's primarily the reason why Lewis was open at the end in our series.. The switches were in regards to Hedo...And if you recall, before LBJ hit that shot, Hedo was the guy to break down the defense, and just shoot over the top of the defender.. That's no longer there.. I am glad Turk is off the Magic, that's all I'll say... Now that he's in Toronto, it's harmless, because, well, the Raptors are the Raptors, and we know that's not much of a concern...

[SOUL]

Well, I think a healthy Boston team will be a tougher matchup..When they go to that Garnett/Wallace lineup at some point you now have two guys that will take it to your post defenders.. They can also space the floor for guys like Rondo and Pierce as well.. That will be tough, as you can't lay off a guy like teams would do with Perkins..

That will benefit Pierce, especially if the game is close.. Paul Pierce is a fantastic clutch performer when the game is on the line... Now that Turk is gone, I don't see that guy for Orlando ?? Turk is/was a matchup nightmare down the stretch.. His ability to drive right, but at the same time catch defenders off guard due to him actually favoring his left drive, the ability to get to the rim, or hit that step back jumper on his drive made him a nightmare... It's primarily the reason why Lewis was open at the end in our series.. The switches were in regards to Hedo...And if you recall, before LBJ hit that shot, Hedo was the guy to break down the defense, and just shoot over the top of the defender.. That's no longer there.. I am glad Turk is off the Magic, that's all I'll say... Now that he's in Toronto, it's harmless, because, well, the Raptors are the Raptors, and we know that's not much of a concern...

I thought getting Vince was an answer to our late game woes.. Hedo really couldnt get a shot off that was a great one (he made a bunch of tough ones - kudos to him), but we never had somebody in the mold of Pierce/Kobe/LeBron that could manufacture points easily.

Not saying Hedo wasn't a big mismatch, but if you don't think Vince can get it done, or Shard (who IMO saved more games than Hedo in that series, and a healthy Jameer.. Im fine with that..

[L&H_05]

Shard (who IMO saved more games than Hedo in that series)

But that's just it, Shard had that opportunity due to the attention Turk got.. Not saying VC can't get it done, but Turk was the guy that garnered the attention due to his versatility..

Game 1

Shard gets the look because LeBron is on Turk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hklNPmgjeQ4

Game 4

Same thing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwSTcp2RSI0

Game 2

When the Cavs went with the smaller defender on Turk, he made them pay by going over the top...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugatKLted_g

Again, not saying VC can't get this done... However, the Cavs now have the luxury of going to a smaller defender like West, or now sticking a Moon or Parker on VC without the advantage to just go over the top...

It's a little thing that has the potential to make a big difference...

[Ballah]

I'll worry about Orlando until we beat Orlando. Orlando is worried about the Lakers, the Lakers were worried about Boston.

[Spadez23]

Magic fan here: I honestly think that it goes down like this: Yall can beat Boston because no one can guard LeBron and if Orlando doesnt get another big body.. I think that we worry about Boston and I still think we can beat yall... With all due respect and I honestly think that yall shouldve gotten a bigger guard in the backcourt a la Jason Kidd, VC, or Ron Artest... Then in the frontcourt yall shouldve pressed more for Antonio McDyess because he compliments great with Shaq and then yall would come outta of the east.. I like Jamareo Moon and Anthony Parker but none of those guys are legit scoring threats... Shaq will help but he doesnt play any defense and complains... That is another reason why Boston dont want to see Cleveland... I think that we still can beat yall but its going to be a better series because Dwight wont dominate as much versus Shaq... I rather face yall than Boston.. May the best team win.. Also Parker and Moon arent consistent scorers but their length will help...

PS: Not being mean or anything... tonight @ 6:45 pm on TMZ, they have the footage of LeBron getting dunked on by Jordan Crawford... Everyone has gotten dunked on and he should take his lumps like a man like Phillip Rivers

[rjgraca]

^ The CAVs got Anthony Parker at 6' 6" who is known for his defense as is Janerio Moon who is 6'8" who the CAVs have an offer sheet out who is a good defensive player. You really don't follow the CAVs do you? You have gotten a little better...but you are still Trolling because CAVs fans don't care about this dunk issue that you seem to be enjoying so much. It has NOTHING to do with the up coming season.