Team ONE LOVE:
PG - Kyrie Irving / Isaiah Thomas
SG - Dwyane Wade / Wesley Matthews
SF - DeMar DeRozan / Joe Johnson
PF - LaMarcus Aldridge / David West
C - Andrew Bogut / Tyson Chandler
Team JustTheTip:
PG - Kyle Lowry / Derrick Rose
SG - Victor Oladipo / Gary Harris
SF - Giannis Antetokounmpo / Aaron Gordon
PF - Anthony Davis / Marvin Williams
C - Pau Gasol / Jahlil Okafor
ONE LOVE's Case:
Offensive Philosophy
This team is a well-balanced offensive team. Starting with Kyrie Irving at the Point, fresh off the Championship run with the Cavs averaging: 25 points, 4.7assists and shooting 44% from 3's during the 2016 playoffs.
In the wings, we have arguably the best slashers in the NBA with the dynamic duo of Dwayne Wade (19 points, 4.7 assists) and DeRozan (23.5 points, 4 asssits).
In the middle, the ever reliable scoring machine LaMarcus Aldridge is paired with the experience of Andrew Bogut who is probably the best passing big man in the NBA today passing to Wade and DeRozan cutting to the basket is deadly.
In the 2nd unit, scorers galore starting with the dynamic Isaiah Thomas (22.2 points, 6.2 assists) running the point, flanked with proven scorers in Wesley Matthews and Joe Johnson.
Defensive Philosophy
Defensively this team is anchored by Andrew Bogut who in 2016 was the 3rd Best Post Defender in the NBA (DFG%, 50 games or more). Rudy Gobert ranked #1
Bogut, Aldridge, West and Chandler form a core of tough, experience post players who would not budge against anyone.
Dwayne Wade, DeMar DeRozan, Wesley Matthews and Joe Johnson are all solid wing defenders as well.
Match-up With JustTheTip
- PG: Kyrie Irving > Kyle Lowery
- Wings: Wade/DeRozan >> Oladipo/Giannis
- Post: Aldridge/Bogut = Davis/Gasol
- 2nd Unit: Thomas/Matthews/Johnson/West/Chandler > Rose/Harris/Gordon/Williams/Okafor
JustTheTip has put together a solid team. In the post, the Aldridge/Bogut combination is equal to the Davis/Gasol combination, so that match-up is a wash.
At the point Kyrie/Isaiah pair is superior to Lowery/Rose, and will dominate the match-up.
The tipping point in this series will be the dominance of the experienced and dynamic Wade/DeRozan combo offensively in the playoff situation over Oladipo/Giannis. Giannis averaged 11 points in 2015 playoff, and Oldadipo has never made it to the playoff.
In summary, the front court is pretty equal, but the experience of Wade/DeRozan over Oladipo/Giannis will likely push my team over the top, translating to a 4-3 series win.
JustTheTip's Case:
Starters:
Kyle Lowry: coming off a career year where he averaged 21/5/6 on 43% and 39% from deep on 7 attempts a game, he's a great point to head this team. With the ability to penetrate, shoot, dish, finish and defend, he can do it all. No way Irving or IT can defend him, but he can defend them.
Victor Oladipo: Standing at 6'4 with a 6'9 wingspan, Dipo is a physical presence. As a starter he averaged 17/5/4 on 45%/37% shooting, while playing good defense. He should thrive playing next to RW, actually having a decent coach. Again, like Lowry, he can shoot, penetrate, dish, and defend. Not sure if he'll be playing DeRozan or Wade, but he'll give either one all they can handle.
Giannis Antetokounpo: Nobody can spell his name, but you all know who he is. 6'11 with a 7'3 wingspan and ATHLETIC. Post all star he put up 19/9/7 on 51% shooting. He's capable of playing anywhere from PG to C. His ability to take a rebound and get downcourt in a hurry and make a play is dangerous, and vital to this team. His ability to cut to the basket will be huge with AD and Pau Gasol as the big men. I don't know who OL has to put on him. DeRozan? Wade? Joe Johnson? It doesn't matter. Giannis swallows all of them up, and they can't guard him. Enjoy the PnR with Giannis and AD/Gasol.
Anthony Davis: Stud. Can do it all. I don't need to post numbers for you, but I will. 24/10/2/2 while shooting 50/32. And he's 24. His playoff numbers are even better at 31/11/2/3. Aldridge is good, but he's not AD good. Anything Aldridge does, AD does better. Put him on a team where everybody passes well, and we're in business.
Pau Gasol: He's old, but still effective. Last year he put up 16/11/4/2. Pretty great numbers. He's still a great offensive player, and good enough on defense. Even if he doesn't score, and he will score, his passing makes everybody on this team better. With the slashers I have, Pau is very dangerous.
Bench:
DRose: He actually was really good post all star break. 17/3/5 on 47/37% splits. He'll be a nice scoring relief off the bench.
Gary Harris: He's a dog. Good shooter, good defender, makes things happen.
Aaron Gordon: he's limited offensively yet, but he can make a defensive impact. He can guard anybody on the court, and do it well.
Marvin Williams: steady vet.
Plays solid defense, stretches the floor, makes big shots.
Jah Okafor: The guy can flat out score. His defensive shortcomings are reduced by him coming off the bench and going against backup bigs.
Strategy: 1) Get Buckets
2) Don't let you get buckets
3) Win.
PG - Kyrie Irving / Isaiah Thomas
SG - Dwyane Wade / Wesley Matthews
SF - DeMar DeRozan / Joe Johnson
PF - LaMarcus Aldridge / David West
C - Andrew Bogut / Tyson Chandler
Team JustTheTip:
PG - Kyle Lowry / Derrick Rose
SG - Victor Oladipo / Gary Harris
SF - Giannis Antetokounmpo / Aaron Gordon
PF - Anthony Davis / Marvin Williams
C - Pau Gasol / Jahlil Okafor
ONE LOVE's Case:
Offensive Philosophy
This team is a well-balanced offensive team. Starting with Kyrie Irving at the Point, fresh off the Championship run with the Cavs averaging: 25 points, 4.7assists and shooting 44% from 3's during the 2016 playoffs.
In the wings, we have arguably the best slashers in the NBA with the dynamic duo of Dwayne Wade (19 points, 4.7 assists) and DeRozan (23.5 points, 4 asssits).
In the middle, the ever reliable scoring machine LaMarcus Aldridge is paired with the experience of Andrew Bogut who is probably the best passing big man in the NBA today passing to Wade and DeRozan cutting to the basket is deadly.
In the 2nd unit, scorers galore starting with the dynamic Isaiah Thomas (22.2 points, 6.2 assists) running the point, flanked with proven scorers in Wesley Matthews and Joe Johnson.
Defensive Philosophy
Defensively this team is anchored by Andrew Bogut who in 2016 was the 3rd Best Post Defender in the NBA (DFG%, 50 games or more). Rudy Gobert ranked #1
Bogut, Aldridge, West and Chandler form a core of tough, experience post players who would not budge against anyone.
Dwayne Wade, DeMar DeRozan, Wesley Matthews and Joe Johnson are all solid wing defenders as well.
Match-up With JustTheTip
- PG: Kyrie Irving > Kyle Lowery
- Wings: Wade/DeRozan >> Oladipo/Giannis
- Post: Aldridge/Bogut = Davis/Gasol
- 2nd Unit: Thomas/Matthews/Johnson/West/Chandler > Rose/Harris/Gordon/Williams/Okafor
JustTheTip has put together a solid team. In the post, the Aldridge/Bogut combination is equal to the Davis/Gasol combination, so that match-up is a wash.
At the point Kyrie/Isaiah pair is superior to Lowery/Rose, and will dominate the match-up.
The tipping point in this series will be the dominance of the experienced and dynamic Wade/DeRozan combo offensively in the playoff situation over Oladipo/Giannis. Giannis averaged 11 points in 2015 playoff, and Oldadipo has never made it to the playoff.
In summary, the front court is pretty equal, but the experience of Wade/DeRozan over Oladipo/Giannis will likely push my team over the top, translating to a 4-3 series win.
JustTheTip's Case:
Starters:
Kyle Lowry: coming off a career year where he averaged 21/5/6 on 43% and 39% from deep on 7 attempts a game, he's a great point to head this team. With the ability to penetrate, shoot, dish, finish and defend, he can do it all. No way Irving or IT can defend him, but he can defend them.
Victor Oladipo: Standing at 6'4 with a 6'9 wingspan, Dipo is a physical presence. As a starter he averaged 17/5/4 on 45%/37% shooting, while playing good defense. He should thrive playing next to RW, actually having a decent coach. Again, like Lowry, he can shoot, penetrate, dish, and defend. Not sure if he'll be playing DeRozan or Wade, but he'll give either one all they can handle.
Giannis Antetokounpo: Nobody can spell his name, but you all know who he is. 6'11 with a 7'3 wingspan and ATHLETIC. Post all star he put up 19/9/7 on 51% shooting. He's capable of playing anywhere from PG to C. His ability to take a rebound and get downcourt in a hurry and make a play is dangerous, and vital to this team. His ability to cut to the basket will be huge with AD and Pau Gasol as the big men. I don't know who OL has to put on him. DeRozan? Wade? Joe Johnson? It doesn't matter. Giannis swallows all of them up, and they can't guard him. Enjoy the PnR with Giannis and AD/Gasol.
Anthony Davis: Stud. Can do it all. I don't need to post numbers for you, but I will. 24/10/2/2 while shooting 50/32. And he's 24. His playoff numbers are even better at 31/11/2/3. Aldridge is good, but he's not AD good. Anything Aldridge does, AD does better. Put him on a team where everybody passes well, and we're in business.
Pau Gasol: He's old, but still effective. Last year he put up 16/11/4/2. Pretty great numbers. He's still a great offensive player, and good enough on defense. Even if he doesn't score, and he will score, his passing makes everybody on this team better. With the slashers I have, Pau is very dangerous.
Bench:
DRose: He actually was really good post all star break. 17/3/5 on 47/37% splits. He'll be a nice scoring relief off the bench.
Gary Harris: He's a dog. Good shooter, good defender, makes things happen.
Aaron Gordon: he's limited offensively yet, but he can make a defensive impact. He can guard anybody on the court, and do it well.
Marvin Williams: steady vet.
Plays solid defense, stretches the floor, makes big shots.
Jah Okafor: The guy can flat out score. His defensive shortcomings are reduced by him coming off the bench and going against backup bigs.
Strategy: 1) Get Buckets
2) Don't let you get buckets
3) Win.
