Tim Legler: Projector Room: How West Playoff Matchups Would Play Out

[Findog]

There's no such thing as a Duncan Stopper or a Kobe Stopper, but the Mavs do have a Kobe Slow Downer, and his name is Antoine Wright. Too bad Avery will never play him. Also, Avery still hasn't learned his lesson from the Finals, because he rarely if ever trapped to get the ball out of Kobe's hands in the 4th Q and OT. In the first half, Kobe wasn't looking for his shot all that much and was getting his teammates involved. Anybody with a brain had to know he was going to start looking for his shot in crunchtime.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Legler's worthless. If he was picking the Spurs I'd worry. Why even write this right now? A bunch of these teams are set to play each other in the next couple of weeks, so it's pretty conceivable that one or more of them could take a tumble like the Mavs and Suns have when they faced an ugly row of opponents, and likewise that as the Mavs and Suns maybe start to gel that they could slide up a few slots.

Anyone expecting Houston to stay in the 5 slot, much less take the Jazz to seven without Yao is on so much crack that Tyrone Biggums is telling them to lay off the pipe.

[Obstructed_View]

Yes Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Derek Fisher will forget how to play basketball when they play the Spurs because they are weak pussies in the playoffs.

All this talk right now is stupid. When Bynum and Ariza get back you are going to be looking at a much different team than what you see out there right now.

Lamar Odom doesn't show up in big games. I seem to recall him missing two free throws against Dallas with six seconds to go. Kobe knew he was going to miss; it's how he got the rebound.

Andrew Bynum is running in a pool right now recovering from at least his second major knee injury and the clock's ticking on whether or not he's even going to be cleared for practice by the playoffs.

Pau Gasol has still won zero playoff games if memory serves.

Derek Fisher got destroyed pretty badly by a certain large nosed Spur last season.

They may not forget how to play basketball, but they'll have to be more than they currently are, and in a couple of cases, have ever been in order to have a positive impact on a series, and that's a lot to ask of so many key components to the team. It's almost sad that these are the wagons you're hitching your championship hopes on, but you gotta dance with who you brung. I hope for your sake that they are more than a sum of their parts.

I hope Bynum and Ariza come back 100 percent, and soon, but the fact that you predict how different the team will be with gives an indication how confident you are in the group that's out there right now.

[Obstructed_View]

Right now, the Spurs are working to get Kurt Thomas in sync; but the big advantage for the Spurs is that Kurt isn't recovering from a severe injury and unable to even walk on a treadmill.

FIFY

[DazedAndConfused]

Bynum coming back healthy and in playing shape will determine how far we go this year in the playoffs, I'm not denying that. He changes us from a good WC team into an elite one. If we don't win it all this year I won't worry too much, our window is wide open for the next 5 years as the Spurs/Suns/Mavs begin to decline.

[Galileo]

Bynum coming back healthy and in playing shape will determine how far we go this year in the playoffs, I'm not denying that. He changes us from a good WC team into an elite one. If we don't win it all this year I won't worry too much, our window is wide open for the next 5 years as the Spurs/Suns/Mavs begin to decline.

That's BS.

The window for the Mavs and Suns has already closed to a sliver, and both will be out of contention next year.

As for the Lakers, Kobe is not half the player Tim Duncan is at this time.

Duncan is only two years older than Kobe. There will never be a point in the future where Kobe exceeds Duncan in value.

The Spurs core is solid for the near future, except for Bowen. All the other old role players can be replaced. The Spurs will have plenty of cap room to help the Big Three.

When Tim does start to slow down, you can bet that some superstar young guard will clamour to go to SA, to play with the best basketball PLAYER to ever walk on the court, and win a few championships. (think Wade, think Magic)

[Allanon]

I agree that Bynum is key to the Lakers championship this year.

1) If he goes into a s , Spurs will win it
2) If he plays like he did prior to injury, there's no stopping the Lakers this year, just too many weapons. No team can realistically defend against 2 7 footers, a 6'10 small forward and Kobe.

Not only is it a large team, they can shoot anywhere on the court, they can defend with the best and they are athletic.

One other note is I don't believe the Spurs will be a top 4 seed. With their brutal remaining schedule against tough teams on the road, I pick them at #5.

I will say this...if the Spurs are still #1-#3 after the Lakers showdown in April, I'd say they are the favorites to win the West.

[Galileo]

I agree that Bynum is key to the Lakers championship this year.

1) If he goes into a s , Spurs will win it
2) If he plays like he did prior to injury, there's no stopping the Lakers this year, just too many weapons. No team can realistically defend against 2 7 footers, a 6'10 small forward and Kobe.

Not only is it a large team, they can shoot anywhere on the court, they can defend with the best and they are athletic.

One other note is I don't believe the Spurs will be a top 4 seed. With their brutal remaining schedule against tough teams on the road, I pick them at #5.

I will say this...if the Spurs are still #1-#3 after the Lakers showdown in April, I'd say they are the favorites to win the West.

still more BS.

Bynum is not an offensive threat, and Odom disappears in the playoffs and isn't a post player anyway.

With the zone, Duncan can guard Gasol, or whoever he needs to. Oberto and Thomas can both as well.

Bowen or Udoka can guard Kobe.

The two winners are Obama and Tim Duncan, both unstopable.

[Allanon]

still more BS.

Bynum is not an offensive threat, and Odom disappears in the playoffs and isn't a post player anyway.

The rest of your points are OK but both of these are quite wrong. Odom turns it up in the Playoffs and prior to injury, Bynum was feasting on dunks, spin moves, baby hook shots and alley-oops.

[Galileo]

The rest of your points are OK but both of these are quite wrong. Odom turns it up in the Playoffs and prior to injury, Bynum was feasting on dunks, spin moves, baby hook shots and alley-oops.

Odom has only played 25 total playoff games his entire career.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/.../odomla01.html

Basically, Odom just shoots more in the playoffs.

Bynum's garbage game might work in the regular season. It won't work in the playoffs against the Spurs. Nor will Kobe's.

[Allanon]

Odom has only played 25 total playoff games his entire career.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/.../odomla01.html

Basically, Odom just shoots more in the playoffs.

Bynum's garbage game might work in the regular season. It won't work in the playoffs against the Spurs. Nor will Kobe's.

Odom averages 18 points and 10 rebounds on 47% shooting in the last 3 years of Playoffs, to me, that's NOT disappearing.

[Galileo]

Odom averages 18 points and 10 rebounds on 47% shooting in the last 3 years of Playoffs, to me, that's NOT disappearing.

When you lose in the first round, you've disappeared.

[Allanon]

When you lose in the first round, you've disappeared.

Losing is a team fault, not an individual fault. You said originally that Odom disappears in the Playoffs which is incorrect (18 pts, 10 rebounds, 47 fg%).

You said Bynum does not have any offense, which is exactly opposite of the truth. Bynum is untested in the Playoffs, now that would be true.

Kobe+Lamar have done their part during the Playoffs all the other years but you don't get very far when:
1) Smush Parker is your starting Point Guard
2) Kwame Brown is your starting Center.
3) Luke Walton is your starting Small Forward

Last year's team had no business being in the Playoffs, this year, we shall see.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Fab can defend Gasol. He quick enough and Gasol is not a power player which is where he has his issue. The only chance that Gasol has against Thomas is if he can outquick him but given the way that the game is played in the playoffs, I see Thomas making Gasol his . Gasol is a good offensive player but hes also soft.

On defense, if Phildo decides to put Gasol on Duncan the Lakers are ed. If he is attentive he can help prevent Fab from slipping screens to the basket but hes not the most dutiful defender. From a scoring standpoint he can hang with Thomas but if i am Pop, i put in Thomas for 25+ mins with the intent of making Gasol his . Push him around in the block and outmuscle him for boards.

Bynum is the type of player that would give Fab problems but Thomas can keep him out of the lane and off the offensive boards. If Tim is matched up then his bad knee will impede his lateral mobility and hes not going to be able to push Duncan around on the block.

Also lets not forget how a bad wheel will impede Bynum's ability to defend. He is going to have issues getting over from Horry, Fab and Thomas who will space him out of the lane. If hes matched up on Duncan then that knee better hold up when Duncan dropsteps to the basket or cuts across the lane.

Lamar Odom will either be guarded by Ginobili or Finley. Gino is a good defender but Odom's length could give him problems. The only thing is that with Bynum and Gasol down low hes not going to post much. Which means outside jumpshots and drives to the basket. Finley and Manu can defend him well enough to funnel them to our bigs. This is where Pop's defense excels.

On defense, Odom is in a very good position to neutralize Bowen and Finley on the perimeter. I actually expect Phildo to use him to double off the weakside to help control Duncan. If this is the case then it will open up shots for Finley, Barry and Bowen. Agaisnt Manu its a pretty good matchup as well but quite frankly with the rules against handchecking I don't see how he is going to be able to keep him out of the lane.

Kobe Bryant will primarily be defended by Bruce and Udoka. Bowen is got some of the best lateral agility I have ever seen but again with the rules against handchecking, youre going to have a very difficult time keeping him from penetrating. Both need to try and deny him the ball to limit his oppurtunities and take time off the shot clock. The guy is a matchup nightmare regardless.

On defense i imagine he will be matched up against Bowen and the like to keep him fresh on offense and keep him out of foul trouble. It is paramount that our outside shooters are able to hit their shots or youre going to allow Bryant to sag off his man or leave them to double. Hes an excellent help defender.

As for Derek Fisher, he is more of Parker's than Eva. He relies on others to create for him and Tony isn't going to be asked to double so he is not going to get open and hes not strong or quick enough to get to the rim. I expect another performance like the turd he laid against us last year.

On defense he is also ed. He cannot keep up with Parker coming off of screen and rolls and as such he is going to get his bigs into foul trouble. Quite frankly this is where the lakers are really really ed and Phildo cannot use Odom a la Pippen to control Parker because Parker will break his ankles running up the floor and penetrating to the basket. i actually see Farmar as the Lakers best option here but then theyre still ed.

Then we come to the bench Walton, Farmar, Ariza, Radmonovich against Finley, Barry, Stoudamire, Udoka, Thomas and Horry.

Basically the Lakers have a bunch of smaller scorers on the bench. Their frontcourt depth is absolute . When they put in their bench players they lose out out on a bit of offensive production but take a huge hit on defense and rebounding. Spurs have a more of a roleplaying bench. Need defense put in Udoka or Thomas. Need rebounds go for Thomas or Horry. Need shooting gor for Stoudamire, Barry or Finley.

if the lakers need rebounding or defense of their bench, theyre ed.

In order for the Lakers to make a run at us they need Bynum at close to 100% and Odom and Bryant to play their balls off. Of that i expect only Bryant to go off.

Spurs in 6.

[Allanon]

FuzzyLumpkins, aside from the "Spurs in 6" that's a damn fine assessment.

[PM5K]

it will hinge on which team makes plays down the stretch and Kobe Bryant is unmatched in crunch-time situations

We have an ENTIRE TEAM that knows how to deal with crunch-time situations, big threes from guys like Finley and Barry, easily three offensive go-to guys in Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili, and a lock-down defender in Bowen (not to mention experienced vets in Thomas and Stoudamire)

He's good but he doesn't match our entire team, other than Kobe Fish is the only other legit crunch-time guy they have.

[tim4mvp!]

all these debates about who is better is bull, we need just poeple with a little brain and say, heck the spurs did it with timmy leading the way and he will do it again

[itzsoweezee]

gasol is a horrible defender. why is everyone ignoring this?

and fisher has been playing like lately, and, in general, is nowhere near as good as parker. i don't see how the lakers match up well with the spurs.

[DazedAndConfused]

Because Gasol won't be defending Duncan when Bynum gets back. He gets to guard Oberto or Kurt Thomas who aren't offensive threats.

Fisher will turn it on for the playoffs, no worries there. As for Parker Phil will probably employ the same strategy of forcing him to hit those outside shots by going under every screen. With 3 7 footers in the paint Parker won't have it easy getting to the rim.

Both teams just matchup very well against each other. It's not going to be an easy series for either team.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Because Gasol won't be defending Duncan when Bynum gets back. He gets to guard Oberto or Kurt Thomas who aren't offensive threats.

Fisher will turn it on for the playoffs, no worries there. As for Parker Phil will probably employ the same strategy of forcing him to hit those outside shots by going under every screen. With 3 7 footers in the paint Parker won't have it easy getting to the rim.

Both teams just matchup very well against each other. It's not going to be an easy series for either team.

How can you say any of your PGs match up with Parker or Stoudamire? jesus thats just a homer taling. Even if Fisher turns it on what does that mean when he cannot out quick or outmuscle Parker. And its not like every damn team tries to undercut Parker on pick and rolls. What makes you think the slower than average Fisher is going to fare any better?

Fab has and can guard Gasol and a defender like Thomas will really give him fits. hes a spare on defense. Duncan versus any big on your team is a clear advantage on our part and you guys dont have the depth in bigs to throw enough bodies at him.

In fact the only matchup you have an advantage on is Bryant over Bowen but even then there is no one id rather have guarding Bryant than Bowen.

Then we talk about depth. You guys have ZERO front court depth and while you may think Farmar and Radmonovich are world class they suck ass on D and are at best average on offense. Your starters would have to go 40+ minutes each and in a series that goes past 4 games that plays a serious disadvantage. Really the Lakers would need to beat teams in 4 or 5 games leading up to the WCF so they can get some rest or youre going to be gassed.


We match up against all your guys but you have no answer for Parker and unless Bynum miraculously becomes 100% you have no answer for Duncan.

[Southwest Texas Fan]

The rest of your points are OK but both of these are quite wrong. Odom turns it up in the Playoffs and prior to injury, Bynum was feasting on dunks, spin moves, baby hook shots and alley-oops.

The last time the Spurs played the Lakers Udoka did a nice job on Odom.

[DazedAndConfused]

If the Spurs were so unguardable you wouldn't struggle to score 90pts every night. You wouldn't be scoring a season low 5 pts in a quarter. You wouldn't consistently be shooting in the low 30's in terms of FG%.

[Allanon]

The last time the Spurs played the Lakers Udoka did a nice job on Odom.

Lamar shot 4 of 7 for 57% and 11 points (no Bynum, no Pau). The game before that with Bynum in, he was 7-14. Spurs were without TP and Duncan.

Odom has done much better with Pau or Bynum in.

The other problem is you can't have both Udoka and Bowen on the court at the same time to guard Odom and Kobe. You could but that's suicide on offense because that would mean Manu's on the bench.

The major problem the Spurs have is how to guard Pau, Bynum, Odom and Kobe at the same time while still keeping your Big 3 in the game. I suppose you can put Manu on Kobe but most likely Kobe will still get his points and Manu will be in foul trouble. Putting Manu on a much bigger Odom will lead to a serious O Rebound advantage for the Lakers and easy baskets for Odom.

Odom, a small forward, is as big as the Spurs Center. There's a problem with that picture...if you put a small guy on him, he's going to average 15-20 rebounds per game.

So it's hard to say at this point, neither team has been at full strength...yet. Both teams should be full strength April 13th, we'll see then.

ps. Stouds is nowhere as good as Fisher or Farmar

[Southwest Texas Fan]

You are right, about Odoms stats and no Udoka was not defending him all night but when he did he was effective especially in the post. And by the way Udoka 5 reb and 18 points in 23 min on 7 of 10 70%

[DazedAndConfused]

People here are forgetting just how good Bynum has been this year and what kind of impact he brings to the game. Let me educate you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efsJ...eature=related

Wanna see how well the Spurs frontcourt is able to stop him..........(scroll to the 3:00 minute mark to find out)