This post was composed by my former student,
former RP-Youth player, and current Ateneo Blue Eagle, Von Pessumal.
After an unbelievable first round
filled with clutch performances, 4-point plays, overtimes, and Game 7s, I
believe it is now safe to say that no team is a lock to advance to the next
round. The Playoffs have just started. Literally. The intensity, the
competitiveness, and the tenacity that we have witnessed through the past weeks
are all just foreshadowing. Buckle up, everybody. Things are about to go down.
The best PF today and the best PF in NBA history. It's about to get busy. (image by Steve Dykes/USA Today) |
Blazers
vs Spurs
Hmmmm. Where to start?
Youth vs Experience. Athletic Talent
vs Savvy Veterans. Old School vs New School. The Young Ones vs the Young Once.
Despite their differences, out of
the four match-ups remaining in this year’s Playoffs, I believe this is
definitely the most interesting one simply because both these teams are so
similar. It’s actually kind of strange. Not only are both teams built the same
way in terms of personnel, they play the same way, too. Both use a lot of pick
and rolls and post-ups. Even the way they space the floor seems almost
identical.
The Playoffs are all about
individual match-ups. Teams can struggle not just because their opponent is
much better than them, but because the match-ups are not in their favor (See:
Roy Hibbert vs Altanta Hawks) With that being said, here’s a breakdown of some
of the key match-ups in this series:
Tim Duncan vs LaMarcus Aldridge
Even though both players are
matched-up in the Power Forward position, it’ll be interesting to see if Greg
Popovich and Terry Stotts will use them to defend each other. I feel like
Duncan will share time with Tiago Splitter to defend LMA, although I expect
Duncan to guard him in the 4th Quarter. On the other side of the coin, I
believe Portland will use Robin Lopez to try and slow down the greatest power
forward of all-time, allowing LMA to rest his legs for offense.
Let’s take a look at their
individual numbers in the Playoffs so far:
|
PTS
|
REBS
|
ASTS
|
STLS
|
BLKS
|
FG%
|
FT%
|
TO
|
Duncan
|
17.3
|
8.4
|
1.3
|
0.1
|
1.9
|
58%
|
73.1%
|
0.7
|
Aldridge
|
29.8
|
11.2
|
2.0
|
0.7
|
2.7
|
47.9%
|
82.0%
|
1.2
|
First of all, wow. Aldridge’s
numbers are absolutely mind-blowing. Don’t sleep on what Duncan has been
putting up, though. He’s averaging fewer points, but he’s shooting at an
unheard of 58% from the field. Both these players are just so efficient. In
this series, expect Aldridge’s numbers to dip simply because of San Antonio’s
defensive schemes. Duncan’s numbers have been the same since his rookie days,
so unless his body breaks down due to old age, he’ll still be effective for
these Playoffs.
At the end of the day, if either of
these teams needs a bucket, it’s going into the hands of these two. So, what’s
more reliable? Duncan’s poise in the post, or Aldridge’s soft touch? I don’t
think there’s a wrong answer for this one.
Tony Parker vs Damian Lillard
Okay,
now things are getting really interesting.
I
would love to see how Damian Lillard stacks up against the ultimate veteran
point guard in Parker. If Tony Parker were a couple inches taller, he would be
the best post player in the world. Seriously. Parker gets buckets in the paint.
Not only that, but Lillard will have his hands full chasing Parker off screens,
staying in front of his penetration, and trying not to fall for his arsenal of
fakes and hesitations.
Inversely, Tony Parker isn’t exactly
in a good position either. Damian Lillard is an assassin. Despite his even-keeled
demeanor, you just know he’s a fierce competitor. He can pull-up from
practically anywhere, he can get to the basket and finish, and he takes (and
makes) big shots. He’s not afraid of the moment. Overall, he’s just an amazing
young player. It’s so easy to forget it’s only his second year in the league at
23 years of age.
Can Tony Parker contain Damiam Lillard in the second round? (image by Steve Dykes/USA Today) |
Here’s a closer look at their
numbers so far:
PTS
|
REBS
|
ASTS
|
STLS
|
BLKS
|
FG%
|
FT%
|
3P%
|
TO
|
|
Parker
|
19.9
|
2.6
|
4.7
|
0.4
|
0.1
|
47.2%
|
74.1%
|
33.3%
|
3
|
Lillard
|
25.5
|
6.3
|
6.7
|
2.3
|
0.2
|
46.8%
|
87.5%
|
*48.9%
|
2.3
|
*Nope, that’s not a typo.
Point guard play at it’s finest.
Both players are terrific decision
makers – in pick and rolls, fast break opportunities, and in the 4th quarter. Ultimately, I believe
it will all boil down to who can BETTER make big shots down the stretch. This
is gonna be fun.
Kawhi Leonard vs Nicolas Batum
Don’t
sleep on this matchup. These do-it-all forwards mean so much to their
respective squads. Offensively, they can shoot, finish, and pass. Defensively,
their length and athleticism allow them to defend multiple positions and cover
a lot of ground. If Batum were in San Antonio, and Kawhi were in Portland, not
only would they have the same role, I believe they would be putting up the same
numbers.
Check out their stats so far:
PTS
|
REBS
|
ASTS
|
STLS
|
BLKS
|
FG%
|
FT%
|
3P%
|
TO
|
|
Leonard
|
11.9
|
7.4
|
1.9
|
1.1
|
0.1
|
49.2%
|
59.1%
|
31.6%
|
1.9
|
Batum
|
15.8
|
5.8
|
5.2
|
1.3
|
0.7
|
46.4%
|
87.5%
|
30.3%
|
1.0
|
I would want to see both players
average more points in this series, simply because their scoring will allow
their fellow star teammates to have a lighter load in terms of offensive
responsibility. I’m more excited to see how these players will defend each
other. I believe their true value to their teams lies in their defense prowess.
The player who plays better defense will get the edge in this matchup.
X-factor: Manu Ginobili
Don’t forget about Manu. This is not
a knock on Wesley Matthews, who is a very solid starter for Portland, but Manu
is Manu. The future Hall of Famer is crafty to say the least. He gets to
basket, can hit big-time shots and creates for everybody on the floor. After a
disappointing Finals showing last postseason, it’s safe to say Manu is still
balling.
PTS
|
REBS
|
ASTS
|
STLS
|
BLKS
|
FG%
|
FT%
|
3P%
|
TO
|
|
Ginobili
|
17.7
|
3.7
|
4.6
|
2.3
|
0.1
|
45%
|
80.9%
|
37.8%
|
3.1
|
Popovich said it best: Manu is the ultimate competitor. I mean, this guy is just a winner. He will always find ways to make crucial plays, whether on offense or on defense. Expect to see Manu come up big in the clutch.
I believe that at the end of it all,
the series will come down to one thing: Execution,
particularly
in the fourth quarter. The team that can get the ball to the right players, in
the right spots, and at the right times will win this series. I guess with that
being said, I have to say the Spurs are gonna come out of this one. Grep
Popovich is a maestro. He will figure out a scheme to win, someway, somehow. He
always does. The Blazers are gonna give the Spurs a run for their money, but
the experience of San Antonio will prevail.
If I were to give my personal
opinion on the series score? Spurs in 6.
Von Pessumal picks the Spurs to win in 6. Agree or disagree? (image from ripcityproject.com) |
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