Gonna just do something quick. Snakebites, probably my favorite person to talk to in these games. He's got terrific knowledge of the game, obviously knows the formula that wins these games, and has once again built a fantastic team that's likely been the favorite since the competition started. Always fun when you're facing a worthy competitor, especially a friend where can have a little competitive banter. I wish the best of luck to you in this series, and may the best team win. Which my team FULLY intends to do so.
1. Deron Williams outplays Chaucney Billups.12 Career Games:
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Deron Williams: 20.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 10.1 APG on .477 / .316 / .854
Chauncey Billups: 19.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.4 APG on .377 / .348 / .885
*this even includes Deron Williams rookie season.
They even faced off in the playoffs last season (before we say Chauncey has declined, do keep in mind he averaged a career high in PPG last season, nearly 20 per game).
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Game 1: 26 points, 2 rebounds, 11 assists on 8-15 (1-4 from three)
Game 2: 33 points, 2 rebounds, 14 assists on 7-14 (3-4 from three)
Game 3: 24 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists on 8-14 (2-3 from three)
Game 4: 24 points, 4 rebounds, 13 assists on 6-14 (2-5 from three)
Game 5: 34 points, 4 rebounds, 10 assists on 10-20 (5-8 from three)
Game 6: 14 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists on 4-10 (0-3 from three)
Series average: 25.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 11.3 APG on .494 / .481.
Deron will have a huge impact in this series.
2. David RobinsonI don't think anyone has truly addressed this issue. Robinson is a fantastic player, and one whom in his prime had as much impact on a game defensively and offensively as any player in NBA history. So, then why does he not get mentioned in the same breath as what is widely believed to be the top 5 centers in NBA history? It's because of unfortunately his poor play in the playoffs. These are the same two seasons in which Robinson got
owned by two of his contemporaries in Hakeem Olajuwon and Karl Malone.
I think everyone knows about what Hakeem did to DRob (35-13-5 with 4 blocks, and outscoring him 81-41 in the final two deciding games), but people don't realize the effect Malone's defense had on Robinson. Check out their playoff series:
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DRob: 19.3 PPG, 9.0 RPG on .475.
Malone: 25.0 PPG, 9.6 RPG on .446
The bottom line is Robinson fails to play up to his peers. In this series, he's facing Bill Walton. I don't want to flat out say that Walton is better, but this is a guy that's not only on his level, but in fact a guy that went toe to toe with Kareem in the playoffs. Granted, Kareem in their playoff series still had a huge series, many who watched the entire series claims that Walton was the one that controlled the game for every possession.
I like this quote from Bill Simmons book of basketball:
Imagine you become GM of your favorite team and were given the power to pull any NBA center from a time machine, then stick that player on your team -- only his career would unfold exactly like it did when he played. Under these rules, would you rather have fourteen quality years of Robinson or two and a half transcendent years from Walton (one and half half as a starter, one as a sixth man)? I take Walton, and here's why: for that one transcendent year when we catch lightning in a bottle with him, I'm guaranteed a title as long I flank him with a good rebounder, a decent shooter and quick guards. How many players guaranteed you an NBA title? Jordan, Bird, Magic, Russell, Kareem, Hakeem, Duncan, Shaq, Moses, Wilt (if his head was on straight), Mikan (as long it was early fifties) . . really, that's the whole list.
....
For about eleven months from March 29th, 1977 to March 1, 1978, including the '77 playoffs, Portland finished 70-15 in an especially competitive era. And everything -- everything -- ran through Walton. Maybe some centers were better in specific areas, but none was the best passer, rebounder, shot blocker, outlet passer, defensive anchor, crunch time scorer, emotional leader, and undisputed "guy we revolve our offense around" for their team at the same time. If you made a checklist of what you want from a center, he's the only player who gets check marks in every category.
I mean, if we put these two together in a playoff series, I'd question if Robinson would actually be able to outplay him. Walton was clutch, Robinson was not, Walton was everything for a championship team, Robinson was not. Walton held his own against the likes of Kareem, while Robinson could not against Hakeem (in a playoff setting). In their respective peaks, Walton was comparable offensively, if not an edge with his passing from the high post, and comprable defensively.
If Walton is truly an "injury risk" which is entirely fair (even though he meets game requirements, and ANYONE else that meets those same requirements but plays the same amount if not less than Walton in their respective two year peak doesn't receive that same double standard, i.e. Baylor or Yao in past series); then what does that make Robinson's playoff struggles?
If we don't trust Walton's health, nor should we Robinson's proven track record against comparable/superior centers. The same Bill Walton that also played an entire playoff run, averaged 19/19/5 with 4 blocks in the Finals, and a 20/23/8 and 7 block game in the deciding game to clinch the championship for the Blazers.
If this series is close, I trust Walton far more in the deciding game, than I do with Robinson.
3. Rest of the PerimeterWhile we've already gone over the advantage of Deron over Billups, and the main matchup in the middle, we ask of what about the Artest/Drexler, and Dandridge/Barry matchup.
Oddly enough, it's quite similar, except we feel Barry has a greater ability to dominate a series than Drexler (again, 30/6/6 while leading his team to the champion? Give me that over advanced stats any day of the week), while Artest is a more superior defender to put against Drexler (that's subjective however), but Artest in his peak was considered to be in the class of Moncrief's sort defensively. He had the size, lateral quickness, and intensity/toughness defensively to guard the likes of ANY perimeter player. Again, as mentioned in previous series, Artest during his two year peak held Kobe Bryant, and Tracy McGrady to sub 40% shooting. Even if you were to include players like Pierce, Carter, Iverson, Allen, Redd, their overall shooting % would dip to under 40% from the field (this is a true fact, not stating this would happen, lol).
Artest and Dandridge have similar roles in the offense, subjugated to spotting up from superior players, and cleaning up couple of garbage possessions. In terms of volume, both output similar amounts. Neither of their offense will determine the outcome of the series.
Snake counters the "Barry effect" by going right at him with Alex English. That brings it's own matchup advantages, but it also brings defensive holes in Snake's team as well. Barry will go off against English. Alex wasn't a bad defender, but he wasn't great either, and that's enough for Barry to take over a series. I think that's the last thing Snake would want. English will score on Barry no doubt, but Barry is more dimensional in his game, he'll pick apart the game with his passing, AND scoring. I think this would be the same even if Drexler were to handle that responsibility.
He described English's game as "was a lanky forward who never seemed to get hot -- he'd score 7-8 points per quarter and end up around 30 every game, only you barely noticed him." English was sound, Barry was dominant. So if they do find themselves matching up against eachother, if Deron's rolling, Walton is playing standstill with Robinson, and add that with a dominating series by Barry, the offensive firepower is most definitely there.
4. Defensively --> We're fine with Walton on Robinson.
--> We've gone over Artest's defensive prowess in the past, and there's not much better to put on Drexler. He'll have a good series, but it'll be tough, no mistake about that.
--> When English is in the game, we won't stop him, we admit that, but we counter that with what is likely to be superior production from Barry.
--> Deron on Billups, as noted, Deron has the size to defend Billups, and that's shown in his FG% when playing Deron (even his 3 pt% as well).
--> Pettit should have a nice series, but Cowens intensity defensively , and his knack for getting under players skin, we're completely fine with single coverage there as well. And when Cowens is out, we bring in another elite defender in Nance, who should have a more profound effect on the series than Sheed.
Also, it'll be interesting to see how Pettit/Robinson work as both share similar spots on the floor, from mid-range an in. That's quite similar to Drexler, and Dandridge's game as well. That brings up the
spacing issue, as Billups in the starting lineup is the only one with elite shooting range. I understand the notion that since Robinson or Pettit weren't post players so there's no need for elite spacing, but spacing could also help avoid issues of players getting in each others way, with those that share similar spots on the floor. If MRR is in the game, we'll no doubt zone up, and force them to beat us from the perimeter.
Overall, I think why Snakebites has such a terrific team is because he has tremendous balance, with both offense/defense from the perimeter and post options. However in this series, Barry will be the most dominant offensive player (especially when English is in the game, which is expected to happen in a decent amount), Deron will outplay Billups, not only because of their head to head matchups, but because he's a better player. Drexler should have a nice series, but ultimately with Artest checking him, not enough of one to give Snakes team a perimeter edge. Upfront, Cowens/Pettit is an interesting matchup, they have similar roles, and similar games, and while Pettit should have the edge, as he's greater in volume, we feel confident Cowens can limit his averages.
Walton v. Robinson is the interesting one, and one that's been for the most part discussed. Similar players with weaknesses, Walton with his durability (while Robinson was durable), and Robinson's with his lack of "take over" in big games (which Walton was known for). I personally think with Walton still meeting the game requirement, as it is for any other player, deemed to be not much an issue. However voters can interpret that anyway they'd like, but from a rules perspective, Robinson's issue might be more pressing issue.
I'll leave it with this. In a close series, I trust Barry and Walton to close it out over the duo Snake has in Drexler and Robinson.
It's time for Walton to win one of these games. Best of luck Snake, and let the best team win.