This is another difficult one.
I'm gonna assume either Vucevic or Allen starts at the center for Gas, Mo just isn't ready. I've got Mo as my 'rookie homer pick' this year, so I know what I'm talking about. But if you want instant offense in the post just drop the ball to Vucevic, he'll get it done for you. Even with Adams there I think he'll still get something. Either that or Allen who played really well at the end of last year. I know cos I had him in my fantasy team and watched him grow. Adams isn't all that offensively, so I think Allen could match up pretty well defensively there. So I'm gonna assume the center position is a wash.
Curry vs Rubio. Rubio was really good at the end of last year, but Curry is GREAT and his long range 'bombs' when connected could negate some of Rubio's one-on-one effectiveness. I still think Curry is crafty enough to get his in this match up. Defensively Curry is pretty average, but without any 3pt shooters for Rubio to pass to I think Curry will do fine here. Curry with an edge for sure.
Holiday vs DeRozan. Interesting match up. DeRozan shrunk in the playoffs last year like every other year when his mid range wasn't going in. Meanwhile Holiday showed he could step it up and play big along side Rondo. I think it's is a close one. I think they'd probably ended up cancelling each other out here.
Tatum vs Butler. Heart says Tatum, but head says Butler. Butler is still better right now, he'll give you 21/5/5 any day of the week and defensively he'll be effective yet again even against the talent of Tatum. But Tatum has the 3pt shooting edge. Still, it's Butler with an edge here.
Kuzma vs Favors. Really hard one. Kuzma obviously the more versatile with the 3pt shooting and Favors with the solid defense and rebounding. I really think Kuzma could make a quantum leap next season playing along side LeBron. Learning from him, getting good shots from LeBron's passing. He has all the tools. LeBron had already said that he really like Lakers young guys and Kuzma has to be at the top of that list. I think it's another tie here.
Bench: Neither here nor there, I'm gonna call it an even match on the bench.
Overall: Ellis team is full of attack the basket/mid range, iso players, I really think Rubio is wasted on this team because DeRozan and Butler are gonna hold the ball A LOT. And if Rubio isn't gonna be handling the ball not sure how effective he is as a spot up shooter. Like Cy said, Ellis has a very talented team that doesn't seem to fit all that well together.
I'm sure most voters will go with Ellis though with Rubio, DeRozan, Butler, Favors.. 2 Jazz players flanked by 2 legit All Stars, but I really like the Curry/Holiday combo. And factoring in Kuzma and Tatum's improvement next year I think there's enough inside/outside scoring to keep things interesting.
Gas for me.
