Post by djmyte on Dec 25, 2005 15:21:19 GMT -5
by BBS Scouting Services
#3 Milwaukee Bucks versus #7 Detroit Pistons
Are the Pistons the best #7 seed of all time? This years playoffs are providing some very intriguing matchups in the East as every team looks to have a legitimate chance at making a long playoff run. The Pistons are coming off a successful year considering All Star power forward Jermaine O'Neal missed most of the season due to injury. Kobe Bryant leads the team in scoring and carried them while O'Neal was out. Bryant was second in league scoring and shot attempt per game to LeBron James during the season and is again among scoring leaders in the playoffs. The Pistons rely on Kobe to provide consistant scoring and to open things up for his teammates. Kobe also provides his team with shutdown perimeter defense and is often asked to guard the teams top perimeter threat. Jermaine O'Neal is Kobe's right hand man. O'Neal gives the Pistons tough interior defense, consistant rebounding and is arguably the leagues best 2nd option. Even though he missed most of the season due to injury, O'Neal has been able to find his game entering the playoffs where he is among the leaders in rebounds, blocks and free throw attempts per game. This team also possesses an excellent supporting cast in point gaurd Chris Paul, rookie big man Herb Williams and swing men Malik Hairston and Hakim Warrick. Arguably the deepest team in the league, the Pistons have the ability to rest their starters without being punished for it.
The Milwaukee Bucks are led by 22 year old First teamer Magic Johnson. Johnson had a very efficient and productive season in which he led the Bucks to the second best overall record with 54 wins. Johnson is a complete player that, even at a young age, makes everyone around him better. At 6'8, 215lbs, Johnson plays all 3 backcourt positions and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Not only is he an inside, outside threat that consistantly creates easy scoring chances for his teammates but he plays lockdown defense as well. Johnson is backed by a strong supporting cast that boasts strong inside play and excellent perimeter production. Richard Jefferson and Derrick Rose join Magic to form an athletic and complete perimeter trio that does a little of everything. Rose is a solid distributor that feeds off of open looks created by his teammates. Jefferson, who was almost dealt at the beginning of the year, provides the Bucks with another lockdown perimeter defender that is also very efficient offensively. The Bucks interior play is solid and is led by 23 year old Andray Blathce. Blatche is a tremendous rebounder that defends and also provides a consistant interior scoring threat. The Bucks possessed the 2nd stingiest defense during the season, allowing just over 100ppg. This combined with the fact that they are efficient on offense, rebound the ball and don't waste possessions makes this team a considerable title threat.
Key Matchup;
Bryant vs Johnson...?
These two shooting guards will go head to head and which ever one plays the best could determine which team comes out on top in this series. Both players are their teams number one options and handle the ball alot over the course of a game. Both players are also their teams top perimeter defender which leads us to believe they will be spending plenty of time guarding one another throughout the series. Both players should be able to score the ball but which ever one can be more efficient will go along way in determining the outcome of this series. Johnson possesses the height and length advantage while Bryant has superior athleticism and better overall scoring ability. Both share the ball and as mentioned are tremendous defensively. Considering their similarities, it is hard to determine who should get the best of the other in this matchup. Infact, we believe these two will in effect, cancel each other out when it is all said and done.
So, what's the point?
The key matchup in this series is not the sexy one. The key matchup will involve the play of the bigmen. O'Neal and Williams versus Blatche and Hawes is the matchup that will determine the outcome of this second round series. Rebounding and interior defense are extremely important factors in determining a winner and are even more important in a 7 game series. Both combinations provide solid rebounding, but there is a distinct advantage for one on the defensive side of the ball. The Pistons duo is a superior defensive tandum which will have a major impact on this series. The Piston duo is also a superior offensive tandum mainly due to the presence of O'Neal. He is a standout low post scorer that gets to the free throw line on a consistant basis and while the Bucks have a very strong defensive team, their strength is clearly on the perimeter.
Prediction: Detroit Pistons. That is the point.
#3 Milwaukee Bucks versus #7 Detroit Pistons
Are the Pistons the best #7 seed of all time? This years playoffs are providing some very intriguing matchups in the East as every team looks to have a legitimate chance at making a long playoff run. The Pistons are coming off a successful year considering All Star power forward Jermaine O'Neal missed most of the season due to injury. Kobe Bryant leads the team in scoring and carried them while O'Neal was out. Bryant was second in league scoring and shot attempt per game to LeBron James during the season and is again among scoring leaders in the playoffs. The Pistons rely on Kobe to provide consistant scoring and to open things up for his teammates. Kobe also provides his team with shutdown perimeter defense and is often asked to guard the teams top perimeter threat. Jermaine O'Neal is Kobe's right hand man. O'Neal gives the Pistons tough interior defense, consistant rebounding and is arguably the leagues best 2nd option. Even though he missed most of the season due to injury, O'Neal has been able to find his game entering the playoffs where he is among the leaders in rebounds, blocks and free throw attempts per game. This team also possesses an excellent supporting cast in point gaurd Chris Paul, rookie big man Herb Williams and swing men Malik Hairston and Hakim Warrick. Arguably the deepest team in the league, the Pistons have the ability to rest their starters without being punished for it.
The Milwaukee Bucks are led by 22 year old First teamer Magic Johnson. Johnson had a very efficient and productive season in which he led the Bucks to the second best overall record with 54 wins. Johnson is a complete player that, even at a young age, makes everyone around him better. At 6'8, 215lbs, Johnson plays all 3 backcourt positions and is a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. Not only is he an inside, outside threat that consistantly creates easy scoring chances for his teammates but he plays lockdown defense as well. Johnson is backed by a strong supporting cast that boasts strong inside play and excellent perimeter production. Richard Jefferson and Derrick Rose join Magic to form an athletic and complete perimeter trio that does a little of everything. Rose is a solid distributor that feeds off of open looks created by his teammates. Jefferson, who was almost dealt at the beginning of the year, provides the Bucks with another lockdown perimeter defender that is also very efficient offensively. The Bucks interior play is solid and is led by 23 year old Andray Blathce. Blatche is a tremendous rebounder that defends and also provides a consistant interior scoring threat. The Bucks possessed the 2nd stingiest defense during the season, allowing just over 100ppg. This combined with the fact that they are efficient on offense, rebound the ball and don't waste possessions makes this team a considerable title threat.
Key Matchup;
Bryant vs Johnson...?
These two shooting guards will go head to head and which ever one plays the best could determine which team comes out on top in this series. Both players are their teams number one options and handle the ball alot over the course of a game. Both players are also their teams top perimeter defender which leads us to believe they will be spending plenty of time guarding one another throughout the series. Both players should be able to score the ball but which ever one can be more efficient will go along way in determining the outcome of this series. Johnson possesses the height and length advantage while Bryant has superior athleticism and better overall scoring ability. Both share the ball and as mentioned are tremendous defensively. Considering their similarities, it is hard to determine who should get the best of the other in this matchup. Infact, we believe these two will in effect, cancel each other out when it is all said and done.
So, what's the point?
The key matchup in this series is not the sexy one. The key matchup will involve the play of the bigmen. O'Neal and Williams versus Blatche and Hawes is the matchup that will determine the outcome of this second round series. Rebounding and interior defense are extremely important factors in determining a winner and are even more important in a 7 game series. Both combinations provide solid rebounding, but there is a distinct advantage for one on the defensive side of the ball. The Pistons duo is a superior defensive tandum which will have a major impact on this series. The Piston duo is also a superior offensive tandum mainly due to the presence of O'Neal. He is a standout low post scorer that gets to the free throw line on a consistant basis and while the Bucks have a very strong defensive team, their strength is clearly on the perimeter.
Prediction: Detroit Pistons. That is the point.
Courtney
Minerva
Lesley
Sharona
Telisa
