If you can’t tell by the massive updates…I absolutely love the playoffs. This year still won’t beat out the greatness of 06, but we’re up there.
(Also, if you have time go read Marc Stein’s piece on ESPN.com on the ‘Best 1st Round’s’ ever. It’s a good read even if you aren’t a hardcore nerd like me who just went plain giddy halfway through. Kudos to Stein for playing the role of a Sour Patch Kid. He was definitely sour by throwing an unnecessary mention of the 2000 Lakers/Blazer Game 7 in a piece on First Rounds. But he was definitely sweet by throwing in the 03′ near-comeback against Dallas which ranks as the last hurrah for the Blazers during my adolescence when games meant a little too much.)
Onto tonight’s games…there are three of them. One of them is stuck on the island called NBA TV. That would be Toronto/Orlando. No complaints there, I would much rather watch Dallas/New Orleans than the Magic and the Raptors.
Toronto/Orlando
-The easy and somewhat popular thing to do would be to write the Raptors off completely. Not so fast. Who knows what would have happened in this game if the Magic didn’t go 9-for-11 from behind the arc in the first quarter? Remember, Toronto still ended up cutting that lead to 5 in the fourth quarter before the Magic put them away for good. If I’m Toronto I have a subtle confidence going into this game. Looking at your own team you know that neither of your point guards showed up at all. You also know that Bargnani and Delfino were relative non-factors. And that Jameer Nelson cannot possibly keep playing at this level. And that the Magic shot the lights out. There is no reason to panic. However for them to win there are explicit things that NEED to happen.
The first is…they should be starting Jamario Moon. I have never been a fan of completely adjusting your lineup for the first game of the series. By doing that, in my eyes you’re essentially in a way saying, “we think you’re a little better than we are so we’re going to change up what we did all season just to try and matchup with you.” Moon started 75 games for Toronto this year and ended up playing less than 5 minutes in Game 1. In makes no sense especially when you consider his athleticism and his hustle play. There is a reason why the Magic scored 43 in the first quarter: no D. Sam Mitchell must have stolen Avery Johnson’s playbook from last year.
Secondly, the Raps need their PG’s to play like the two-headed monster we have been talking about for the last two years. Last year they were supposed to wear out Jason Kidd…the opposite happened. This year they are having trouble with Jameer Nelson. They have to show up on both ends tonight if the Raps want to have a chance. Here is a fun-fact: including Game 1, the Magic are 6-2 on the season when Nelson scores 20+ points and are 21-7 when Keyon Dooling scores 10+ points. Both happened in Game 1. Considering the power of Dwight, Hedo and Rashard, production from these two is like putting icing on a cake. TJ and Jose have got to a) knock down shots and b) find a way to defend.
Third, the Raps need to figure out how to free Bosh. They have to find a way to counter the Magic’s move of putting Rashard on Bosh and Dwight on Rasho. If Dwight were guarding Bosh, Dwight would be in foul trouble. Bosh is just too quick for him. Lewis on Bosh evens the speed and height matchup and allows Dwight to roam. An underrated move by SVG. If I’m Sam Mitchell I bring in Bargnani at the 5 off the bench to sub in for Rasho. He of course would have to knock down shots to suck Dwight from out of the paint, but still.
Speaking of Bargnani he absolutely has to produce today. Raptors are 7-15 when he scores 5 or less.
For the Magic they just have to keep hitting threes. It will be interesting what happens if those shots aren’t falling and Jameer isn’t running around rabid.
I can’t believe I wrote that much on this series. Yikes.
Dallas/New Orleans
-Dallas’ biggest weakness is perimeter defense. No one likes to talk about it but it is true. It showed last year and it is showing this year. Unfortunately they are facing Chris Paul, probably the best penetrator in the league. Get your mind out of the gutter. I can’t think of a Maverick who can guard him. J-Kidd doesn’t have the quickness to keep up with him consistently for 48 minutes. Eddie Jones and Devean George are both too old, too slow and somewhat offensive liabilities. You could try Josh Howard but seeing as how he was somewhat ‘fresh’ and went 4-for-16 last game I’m not sure you want him tired. They have to figure out a way to keep Paul out of the paint. Or if he gets in the paint, hack the ever living crap out of him. We all know they won’t do that, but if they did an inexperienced team like New Orleans could possibly get caught up in the wrong thing.
Could.
The Mavs have to attack the rim against NO. They did in the first half and got to the line. Then they started jacking up jumpers. If they aren’t in attack mode and don’t stop dribble penetration they have no chance.
Also…Dallas has no inside presence. Contrast David West and Tyson Chandler to Dirk and Dampier. We all know Dirk is good but all know he isn’t putting anyone on the floor (except for AK) and he definitely got punked by David West. Chandler killed Dampier. He had more offensive rebounds (7) than Dampier had rebounds (4). That can’t happen if Dallas wants to be successful. Avery should just have him punch him in the mouth or something.
San Antonio/Phoenix
-You would think I would have paragraph after paragraph to say about this game. I don’t. I probably will after, but I’m just excited to watch. This game is going to answer a lot of the questions that came up after Game 1. Are the Spurs back to being the Spurs? Or was that just a heroic effort before they crash back down to reality? Realistically, I don’t think Duncan is getting 40 again so someone not named Manu or Tony has to step it up. Phoenix controlled the majority of the game, so tonight will they show that they are the better team? Or did the Spurs take their best shot? There really isn’t a lot to be said…can you argue with Phoenix’s strategy? No. Can you argue with the Spurs? No. Let’s all just sit and enjoy this one.