Over the last decade only the Spurs, Lakers, and Mavericks were able to win the Western Conference. The way the conference looks now there is a legitimate shot for all 8 teams to win the West. The question marks are Utah, Denver and the LA Clippers. These teams are young and inexperienced and lack a legitimate guy that can take over a game.
The Lakers have the best chance to come out of the west. They have Kobe Bryant, no need to elaborate. Andrew Bynum is the best offensive center in the league and took a giant step forward on defense in game one versus Denver with 10 blocks. They filled there glaring hole by adding a nice point guard in Ramon Sessions. With there interior game to go along with Kobe Bryant's will to win this team is very dangerous, but like other teams in the West they just aren't flat out dominate.
The Thunder have been everyone's favorite to emerge from the West going in to the playoffs, but after two games against Dallas they are showing that they are far from the run away favorite. They rely to heavily on the Jump Shot, and lack the depth of a championship bench. The main question is the trio of Durant, Westbrook, and Harden good enough to carry that weak bench all the way?
The Spurs have the best coach in the league now that Phil Jackson is retired and he is able to get more out of less than any coach around. Tony Parker has been great this year, but I doubt he alone is enough to carry a team. Tim Duncan is not the player he was on the past championship teams, but they aren't relying on him anymore. They have a very deep team, but they rely heavily on a few young players. Are those kids going to be able to rise to the occasion when they match up with a veteran team in round 2?
The defending champion Mavericks have a lot of veteran players that are playoff tested. The questions surrounding their age was based off how rapid the schedule was compressed. This team is old and needs rest and will get enough between games in these playoffs. Dirk Nowitzki is the key as he can score on and over anyone thrown at him. Execution during the closing minutes has plagued them all season. Will they correct it in the playoffs before it is to late?
The Memphis Grizzlies have a very nice team. They probably are not championship caliber yet, but they have some pieces that can lead to some playoff success. They have a center in Marc Gasol that most teams excluding the Lakers cannot match up with. Several good wing players in Gay, Mayo, and Allen. A nice point guard in Mike Connely and two of the ultimate X factors in Zach Randolph and Gilbert Arenas. This is a team to watch out for, but they are most likely a couple of bench pieces away from a championship. The starting line up is talented, but they lack the depth to sustain a long run.
In years past it is hard to remember the playoffs this wide open, whether it is lack over talent on the top teams or just overall talent across the league it is going to be one of the most exciting playoffs in recent memory. Don't be surprised when a team steps up and shocks everyone in rout to a championship. As Kevin Garnett said, "Anything is possible".
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Terrible Playoff Luck in OKC
After two games, anyone that has a clue can tell you that the Oklahoma City Thunder are very fortunate to be up 2 games to none on the Dallas Mavericks. Failed attempts to hold leads by the Mavs lead to both Thunder wins of 1 and 3 points.
Execution in the closing minutes was very ineffective. In game 2 the Mavs were plagued by a bad foul by Jason Terry with 2 seconds left on the shot clock which lead to two Kevin Durant free throws. The Thunder didn't make a basket in the last few minutes of the game; only able to put points on the board from the free throw line. Dirk Nowitzki missed a wide open three pointer to ice the game, and the had one rattle out that would have game them the lead with 24 seconds to go.
The Mavericks should feel as good as one could feel after losing the first two games of a seven game series. The Thunder rely so much on the Jump shot that you wonder if they can sustain any type of playoff run. As seen in the first two games where they are on fire, and then go ice cold. Ridiculous ups and downs. Yes, basketball is a game of runs, but a team that relies heavily on the jump shot it is tough for them to win a series. Russel Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden are able to get to the rim, but they would rather shoot Jumpers. Once you get into the Thunder bench they don't have good depth, and they don't have guys that can create there own shot.
The Mavs need to do a better job of capitalizing when Durant and Westbrook go to the bench. They throw out a second unit of Harden, Fisher, Cook, Collison, and Ibaka or Perkins usally. From that group there is one good NBA player, James Harden. The depth of the Maverick team should either catch up, or pull ahead during these stretches.
Dallas also has done an awful job at the end of games offensively. They try to get to cute at times and outsmart the other team, but it is really simple. When you have one of the two best closers in the game in Dirk Nowitzki you make sure he gets a touch every time down. He doesn't have to shoot every possession but he does need to put pressure on the defense and force them to double team him, and if they don't double, punish them. Isolating Vince Carter hasn't been a good move since 2006 and yes he is a good player and good shooter he isn't who you throw the ball to on consecutive possessions when you have a chance to put the game away with 3 minutes or less. The two man game with Dirk and Jet. with Kidd and Carter spotted up and either Marion or a center to rebound is the most effective way to go. (Watch 2011 playoffs and Finals).
Despite being down 0-2 the Mavs are going home to play games 3 and 4. They will surely make some adjustments as will the Thunder, but now this series isn't about how much more talented the Thunder are. It has become the best match up of the NBA Playoffs first round. Mavs need to get back to the basics and lean on number 41 and let him bring it home like he has in years past.
Execution in the closing minutes was very ineffective. In game 2 the Mavs were plagued by a bad foul by Jason Terry with 2 seconds left on the shot clock which lead to two Kevin Durant free throws. The Thunder didn't make a basket in the last few minutes of the game; only able to put points on the board from the free throw line. Dirk Nowitzki missed a wide open three pointer to ice the game, and the had one rattle out that would have game them the lead with 24 seconds to go.
The Mavericks should feel as good as one could feel after losing the first two games of a seven game series. The Thunder rely so much on the Jump shot that you wonder if they can sustain any type of playoff run. As seen in the first two games where they are on fire, and then go ice cold. Ridiculous ups and downs. Yes, basketball is a game of runs, but a team that relies heavily on the jump shot it is tough for them to win a series. Russel Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden are able to get to the rim, but they would rather shoot Jumpers. Once you get into the Thunder bench they don't have good depth, and they don't have guys that can create there own shot.
The Mavs need to do a better job of capitalizing when Durant and Westbrook go to the bench. They throw out a second unit of Harden, Fisher, Cook, Collison, and Ibaka or Perkins usally. From that group there is one good NBA player, James Harden. The depth of the Maverick team should either catch up, or pull ahead during these stretches.
Dallas also has done an awful job at the end of games offensively. They try to get to cute at times and outsmart the other team, but it is really simple. When you have one of the two best closers in the game in Dirk Nowitzki you make sure he gets a touch every time down. He doesn't have to shoot every possession but he does need to put pressure on the defense and force them to double team him, and if they don't double, punish them. Isolating Vince Carter hasn't been a good move since 2006 and yes he is a good player and good shooter he isn't who you throw the ball to on consecutive possessions when you have a chance to put the game away with 3 minutes or less. The two man game with Dirk and Jet. with Kidd and Carter spotted up and either Marion or a center to rebound is the most effective way to go. (Watch 2011 playoffs and Finals).
Despite being down 0-2 the Mavs are going home to play games 3 and 4. They will surely make some adjustments as will the Thunder, but now this series isn't about how much more talented the Thunder are. It has become the best match up of the NBA Playoffs first round. Mavs need to get back to the basics and lean on number 41 and let him bring it home like he has in years past.
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