I'd like to say the both of you built terrific teams, and at this point, after reading the writeups don't have a real clue towards who will win this matchup.
I think the Nets did an underrated job in building a team around Erving. Miller4ever tried to replicate a team similar to that of the 83 Sixers squad that won the championship. At the guard spot he has tremendous depth, Taylor one of my favorite guards from the ABA, and guys like Goodrich/Bing/Scott being three of the top scoring guards of this era. Defensively though, aside from Taylor, it can be exploited, and the Knicks boast an impressive guard rotation themselves. I feel like Chenier should have got more minutes, reducing Monroe's, for more a defensive balance with similar offensive production, but overall, I think the Knicks backcourt would be more productive because of Frazier's all rounded-ness.
The thing for Moses in this scenario is as Snakebites notes, he's still very young, an 18 year old rookie in the ABA. He'd be going up against an in peak form Bob Lanier whom was arguably at the top of his game. I don't think Moses was as advanced a defender or as polished an offensive player at this point in his career. But on the other end of spectrum, Moses did still contribute and at a high level for the Stars. While for the Knicks, starting PF Lucas is also a mere rookie logging over thirty minutes per game as well. The difference between the two is Moses is expected to get the better of, or match the production of Lanier, while Lucas's job is to slow down Kenon. I still think Kenon has his way, but I'd much rather put my money on Lucas getting under Kenon's skin than a young Moses matching the production of Lanier, who was better in nearly every aspect of the game at this point. I remember reading one story that was on Lucas's "Remember the ABA," page:
"I covered the Kentucky Colonels for the Louisville Times and they're as much a part of my happiest days as my family. One memory that stands out: One night at Freedom Hall, Maurice Lucas of the Spirits got under Artis Gilmore's skin. Artis, normally the most gentle of giants, started trying to punch Lucas. Artis had superhuman strength, but he wasn't much of a boxer. His blows were almost slaps. Lucas, one of the league's most feared fighters, backpedaled the length of the court. When he got to the baseline, he planted his feet and hit Artis with a straight right to the jaw. Artis went down in sections. First his knees crumpled, then his waist folded, then his arms flailed and then his trunk and head found the floor. By then, teammates had broken up the fight. Those who knew Artis were shocked and saddened, not that Artis had lost a fight but that he had even been in one.
Anyway, I do like Paultz more than what Snakebites has to offer the bench. He was an underrated rebounder, good shot-blocker, and had a nice mid-range jumper which would keep defenses honest. Like Lanier would do to Moses, Paultz could come in off and the bench, and take bigs out of rebounding position. But when you have Lanier playing 40 MPG, it also comes to question how much Paultz can take advantage of Snake's backups ESPECIALLY when Lucas is his backup center.
Now we come to the point, I can't seem to decide on. The Erving factor. He's most likely the best player in this series, and as he's shown can absolutely dominate a game. Walker was a solid defender, an integral part of those dominant Bull defensive teams (though Van Lier, Love, all got more publicity), but he'll get worked by Erving, plain and simple. Erving in his ABA peak dominated the likes of Bobby Jones in the finals, Walker won't phase him. Then again, it's also not an individual effort, the Knicks have an elite team defense with two post defenders upfront, and an amazing defensive guard like anchor in Frazier in the backcourt.
The question is can Erving against an elite defense do enough to outweigh the edge the Knicks have in the other facets of the game. Honestly speaking, I do think he makes up for things in the backcourt, giving the Nets the perimeter edge (even though as I said, Walker is underrated). But the frontcourt edge would still go to the Knicks.
This is tough...
Small Breakdown:
Rebounding: I DO think it's interesting to note that Moses didn't really have any competition on the boards on his own team. Not that it's a hit against him (since Lanier is a similar case), but a guy like Maurice Lucas still grabbed over 10 boards with Marvin Barnes, and Kenon grabbed his rebounds despite playing with Erving. Nonetheless rebounding is something that generally translates, and Moses would probably out-rebound Lanier. Frazier is an elite guard rebounder, but I think Erving gives the Nets the slight edge here. Edge: Nets
Play-Making/Passing: The Nets have ridiculous play-making guards, all of whom can create their own shots. But none of them, aside from maybe Bing (and I'd argue not), are all really moreso scorers for themselves. I like Frazier more as a floor general more than anyone else on the Nets. What I love about Erving though is his ability to dominate a game without having the need for the ball in his hands. I do think, in this regard though, Lanier is the best passing big man, he's accustomed to double teams, was a good passer, while Moses for his career generally was never the greatest post passer, and I wouldn't expect it to be better as a rookie. Edge: Slight edge Knicks.
Offense: This one is tough, Erving is the best perimeter player in this, but I feel, due to the defensive edge, the Knicks have the edge in the backcourt offensively, the Nets might potentially in the frontcourt. Edge: Wash, possible slight edge to Nets, would say wash
Defense: I think the Nets have underrated defenders, but aside from Erving, mediocre at best. On the flip side, the Knicks have elite defenders at the one, and up-front. Edge: Easily Knicks
I think that's ultimately what it comes down to. When it's this close, I generally tend to go with the better player, but in this regard, I think both teams are comparable enough offensively, that the Knicks defense is better by a margin that it gives them the edge in this matchup. Their post play, overall defense from the inside/outside, and lack of enough defense from the Nets is ultimately what decides the series IMO.
Vote: Knicks
Could have easily gone the other way, and that's why I hate to judge, but since nobody else has, and personally felt bad I couldn't put a writeup in to face one of these guys, felt it was at least an obligation to put a judging in. Hopefully more can come in before the deadline tomorrow.
As for the Colonels v. Celtics matchup, sabas did not put a writeup, and I liked how penbeast addressed the changing of the Celtics identity. Still though, would have been a very interesting matchup IMO, but since I'm not able to see how sabas would counteract penbeast's argument, by default, my vote goes to the Colonels..
) in 7.
