JustCame wrote:TBH I'm surprised how I didn't finish above the Hornets in the regular season standings. They're basically a watered down version of the current Clippers, and I basically have the real life Celtics + Dray. But that's just my opinion. Nonetheless, congrats to the top 4! You all have excellent teams.
Fwiw...
Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers
Isaiah Thomas (40) | Yogi Ferrell (8)
Iman Shumpert (33) | Langston Galloway (12) | DeAndre Liggins (3)
Demarre Carroll (36) | DeAndre Liggins (11) | Iman Shumpert (2)
Draymond Green (40) | Willie Reed (8)
Brook Lopez (29) | Nene (19)
Atlanta Hawks
Eric Bledsoe/Jason Terry
Kyle Korver/Jonathon Simmons/Alex Abrines
Lebron James/Amir Johnson
Pau Gasol/ TJ Warren/Okaro White
Robin Lopez/Brandan Wright
WINNER : Atlanta Hawks (4-3)Another long, hard-fought, physical battle for LeBron, with the same result. Though in this series, he has much more help from not just his Robin in Bledsoe, but his actual Robin...Lopez.
Bledsoe physically outmatches IT and will put a ton of pressure on both he and Brook Lopez offensively in penetration. The Hawks with Bledsoe/LeBron will most certainly abuse IT+Brook in the pick n roll. Carroll+Dray are going to have to really step up defensively, sharing man responsibilities against Bron. But with LeBron's BBIQ and Bledsoe's development as a PG, the Hawks can force switches and exploit the mismatches offensively.
I really like the match-up between the Lopez twins and think it is the underrated and unheralded match-up of this series. The Pacers are such a dynamic offensive team, much due to the creativity and shot-making of IT, the playmaking and floor-stretching of Dray and BLopez' low-post ability and new found 3-ball...but with RoLo's post D, coupled with his unique ability to box out his opponent, he helps win on the boards, highlighting BLopez' weakness rebounding the basketball and forces BLopez to rely on his set 3/midrange game.
I see this series going 7 again...there is so much energy/big shot making and big shot taking from IT, that in close games, with the season he's having, IT wills his Pacers to victories at Home. I give the Hawks the advantage in depth/experience over the Pacers untested bench and really believe that is what sinks them in having a shot to knock off what I believe to be the #1 seed in the East.[/quote]
Also, I had you ranked 4th in the East. I really loved the moves you made (mainly acquiring Dray to allow IT to focus more on going ham than running the offense and masking some of BLopez' inabilites defensively).
4. Indiana Pacers – I think you’ve done an excellent job working deals to not just recover from your roster flaws, but to make some of those flaws actual strengths. Isaiah Thomas has been Curry-esque this season and one of the most underrated superstars in our game. Pairing him with Draymond allows him even more the ability to BE the Curry in this offense and just go ham, while Dray plays to his strengths offensively as a playmaker. With Lopez’ new found range, the Dray/Lopez duo makes better sense with Lopez behind the line as the trailer in transition and Dray’s defensive versatility/intensity is needed next to Lopez. While the offense is one of the best in the game, it will be a difficult task to make up for deficiencies defensively at the two attack positions with IT and BLopez. I think you did a solid job bringing in defensive minded guys like Shump and Carroll, but both present their own set of flaws. While I love the compliment of this starting lineup, aside from defensive concerns, my biggest issue is with your bench. There is no compliment to guys like IT/Brook, just poorer versions of them in Yogi/Nene. Very inexperienced as a bench unit, with no real spark. This team would be a fun watch, but is not Championship caliber as designed.
Your bench sank you from elite status...IT/Brook deficiencies defensively and all.
