Post#3 » by Snakebites » Sun Oct 6, 2024 11:40 pm
All NBA First:
2017-18 Paul George - 21.0 FGA
3rd in MVP Vote, All NBA First, All Defensive First, 3rd in DPOY
28/8/4/2, 6.6 VORP, 39% 3pt on 9.8 attempts,
6MOY Vote Getter:
2006-07 Manu Ginobili - 11.4 FGA
17/4/3, 61% TS, 40% 3pt on 4.3 Att, 5.1 VORP, .257 WS/48
Chicago Bulls:
1996-97 Ron Harper - 5.3 FGA
6/3/3, 36% 3pt on 2.5 Att, 2.1 VORP
New York Knicks:
1969-70 Walt Frazier - 12.7 FGA
All NBA First, All Defensive First, NBA Champion
21/8/6, .236 WS/48, 58% TS
Cleveland Cavaliers:
2015-16 Richard Jefferson - 4.2 FGA
6/2, 58% TS, 38% 3pt
Minnesota Timberwolves:
2017-18 Karl Anthony Towns 14.3 FGA
All NBA Third
21/12/2, 65% TS, 42% 3pt on 3.5 Att, 5.2 VORP
Detroit Pistons:
2002-03 Ben Wallace 6.0 FGA
All NBA 2nd, DPOY, All Defensive First
7/15/3, 7.2 DWS, 4.8 VORP
Memphis Grizzlies:
22-23 Jaren Jackson Jr 13.0 FGA
DPOY, All Star, All Defensive First
19/7/3, 61% TS, 36% 3pt on 4.5 Att
Frazier (38)/Harper (10)
Ginobili (36)/Harper (12)
George (38)/Jefferson (10)
JJJ (30)/ KAT (18)
Wallace (33) /KAT (15)
Alrighty, let’s do this. This team has FOUR players who are All NBA. And two of our remaining 4 are Manu Ginobili (5.1 VORP was #8 in the league) and Jaren Jackson Jr (DPOY All Star and very strong offensive player too).
Depth defines us, but so does our lockdown defense. We’ve got two elite rim protectors who are also both extremely versatile and mobile defenders, and we’ve also got Walt Frazier, who might be the best point of attack defender in this game, alongside Paul George while he was still an elite wing defender (third in DPOY vote in chosen year).
At first glance one might say that we don’t have a true alpha. While it is true that we don’t have a transcendent scorer like Shaq, I’d argue we make up for that with balance. Paul George averaged 28 points per game on strong efficiency and elite range, and he’s propped up by two guards who in their own ways are also terrific at initiating offense. Frazier was a great clutch scorer in his own time, and also an excellent facilitator whose stats were somewhat depressed by being on a Knicks team that emphasized unselfish play and sharing. Ginobili was also an elite scorer in his own right who was great at creating his own shot and also a solid facilitator. Together these three form as strong a perimeter attack as any in this game. They’re greatly helped by TWO ranged big men who help spread the floor and serve as fourth options when they’re on the floor.
In this matchup I think we stack up well. Our defense gives me elite answers to everyone. Frazier should be able to lock up off-peak Conley effectively, and prime Paul George has a favorable matchup with pre-prime Jimmy Butler. If anyone can guard Shaq/Love, it is without a doubt Ben/JJJ.
On the other end, Kevin Love will have a heck of a time dealing with the more athletic JJJ (assuming he keeps Shaq on Ben, it would be ill-advised to do otherwise). Young Tayshaun was a decent defender in his own right but I think he’s overmatched by this version of Paul George, especially since he won’t have the benefit Tay did in real life of having elite help at pretty much every other position. Guarding Kobe was a team effort and his potential help will be very occupied here.
I also think the bench edge shouldn’t be overlooked. These versions of Turiaf and Mbah Amoute shouldn’t be rotation players in these games, while Harper and RJ were both regulars on Championship teams. I’ve got a more impactful 6th man too.
