Our previous battle of the bracket was victory from the Kevin Durant-led “Biedrins Buddies” team over the “Roaracle Rookies”. Today’s matchup features a ferocious backcourt of Klay Thompson and Tim Hardaway against a formidable frontcourt of Wilt Chamberlain and Draymond Green.
Wilt's team probably has more straight up talent, mainly due to Wilt being such a singular all-timer, but it's a very awkward oncourt fit. No shooting, and it's just hard to center an offense around a post up big. Illegal defense is gone and it'll be hard to get Wilt the ball. If you can't consistently feed him, I don't what this team is doing on O.
Klay's team is a beautiful fit. Can I watch this team? It doesn't have a weakness.
Klay's team wins in a walk. The series starts competitively with the two teams splitting the first two. Wilt starts to get frustrated with Bogut's physical D and teammate's inability to get him the ball. Openly pouts. Draymond screams at him and they engage in fisticuffs while Klay's team sets NBA records for made 3's in a 5 game playoff series.
Keeping in mind that as GM I will NOT be hiring Mark Jackson as coach, Mama's team — while old-school with its emphasis on defense — has some tools to get creative. I'm looking at some 4/5 high pick and roll/pop, trying to pull Bogut away from the bucket and running Draymond down the throat to look for back cuts from Runy and "Pork Chop" Jeff Mullins.
Also expect a lot of Horns, with Runy as primary ball handler and Livingston taking Timmy to the block if he has the switch. Wilt is going to need to hit jumpers from the elbow, but he's gonna get a ton of them.
And honestly I think this team has sneaky fast break potential against the GTO squad — Bogut and Donyell can't keep up with Draymond and Wilt.
Defensively, Klay and Timmy will be problems. I think Prime Draymond is going to wreak havoc as a help defender off of Marshall, but those guys can get going, and JRich is going to have some open looks from the arc. If my team can recover to shooters and hold them to a low percentage, I think I can overcome the long-distance disparity.
May 19, 2020Liked by Ivan, punk basketball, Daniel Hardee
Now this is a matchup! Compelling strengths on each side. Adjustments during the series (you’re already talking switching guard assignments.) And some serious down low punishment. I would love to see this one play out. I have to think it’s coming down to values.
The Great Times have legit star power at the guard spots taking on backups. Add in Bogut’s passing and I can see a legit flow to the O going against one of the toughest defensive teams out there.
For Mama’s Picks If Livingston plays the point, the Green/Livingston Pick and roll isn’t going to put a ton of pressure on the D, so the offense will probably be dump it to Wilt and hope he can hit the open shooter, if he’s not able to get to the rim. Fortunately dumping it in to Wilt is a viable offense in its own right!
Ultimately, I think this series comes down to Whether you believe in Bogut’s defense enough to believe Wilt will have to work hard for his buckets (I do.) And which team’s pieces fit together the best: I’m leaning towards the Great times rolling in game 7 from my own personal experience playing as a big with overmatched guards on the blacktop. When the pressure mounts, and the passes stop coming on time, or in the right spot, or at all, and you’re left with a mounting sense of futile frustration that you weren’t able to get a starting caliber guard to keep things humming with the game on the line.
But I do think Donny goes into a deep depression during this series as he’s abused in every legal way you can be on a basketball court by Dray.
Great Times over Mama’s picks in a 7 game classic. Klay is unstoppable in a game 6 nail biter and the Great Times roll through game 7!
> "The question is, can Chamberlain’s teammates knock down enough outside shots to punish the opposition? "
If it was me, I'd go the opposite strategy and look for cutters. IDK how soon they'll be sending help at Wilt (or even how good of a passer he could be), but both Liv and Dray should be working off of off ball screens to cut through behind the action and get easy layups. You know JRich and Donyell are going to be easy to catch napping
Wilt's team probably has more straight up talent, mainly due to Wilt being such a singular all-timer, but it's a very awkward oncourt fit. No shooting, and it's just hard to center an offense around a post up big. Illegal defense is gone and it'll be hard to get Wilt the ball. If you can't consistently feed him, I don't what this team is doing on O.
Klay's team is a beautiful fit. Can I watch this team? It doesn't have a weakness.
Klay's team wins in a walk. The series starts competitively with the two teams splitting the first two. Wilt starts to get frustrated with Bogut's physical D and teammate's inability to get him the ball. Openly pouts. Draymond screams at him and they engage in fisticuffs while Klay's team sets NBA records for made 3's in a 5 game playoff series.
Keeping in mind that as GM I will NOT be hiring Mark Jackson as coach, Mama's team — while old-school with its emphasis on defense — has some tools to get creative. I'm looking at some 4/5 high pick and roll/pop, trying to pull Bogut away from the bucket and running Draymond down the throat to look for back cuts from Runy and "Pork Chop" Jeff Mullins.
Also expect a lot of Horns, with Runy as primary ball handler and Livingston taking Timmy to the block if he has the switch. Wilt is going to need to hit jumpers from the elbow, but he's gonna get a ton of them.
And honestly I think this team has sneaky fast break potential against the GTO squad — Bogut and Donyell can't keep up with Draymond and Wilt.
Defensively, Klay and Timmy will be problems. I think Prime Draymond is going to wreak havoc as a help defender off of Marshall, but those guys can get going, and JRich is going to have some open looks from the arc. If my team can recover to shooters and hold them to a low percentage, I think I can overcome the long-distance disparity.
Now this is a matchup! Compelling strengths on each side. Adjustments during the series (you’re already talking switching guard assignments.) And some serious down low punishment. I would love to see this one play out. I have to think it’s coming down to values.
The Great Times have legit star power at the guard spots taking on backups. Add in Bogut’s passing and I can see a legit flow to the O going against one of the toughest defensive teams out there.
For Mama’s Picks If Livingston plays the point, the Green/Livingston Pick and roll isn’t going to put a ton of pressure on the D, so the offense will probably be dump it to Wilt and hope he can hit the open shooter, if he’s not able to get to the rim. Fortunately dumping it in to Wilt is a viable offense in its own right!
Ultimately, I think this series comes down to Whether you believe in Bogut’s defense enough to believe Wilt will have to work hard for his buckets (I do.) And which team’s pieces fit together the best: I’m leaning towards the Great times rolling in game 7 from my own personal experience playing as a big with overmatched guards on the blacktop. When the pressure mounts, and the passes stop coming on time, or in the right spot, or at all, and you’re left with a mounting sense of futile frustration that you weren’t able to get a starting caliber guard to keep things humming with the game on the line.
But I do think Donny goes into a deep depression during this series as he’s abused in every legal way you can be on a basketball court by Dray.
Great Times over Mama’s picks in a 7 game classic. Klay is unstoppable in a game 6 nail biter and the Great Times roll through game 7!
Upvote this comment if you think It’s A Great Time Out is the better team
Upvote this comment if you think Mama There Goes That Draft Pick would win
> "The question is, can Chamberlain’s teammates knock down enough outside shots to punish the opposition? "
If it was me, I'd go the opposite strategy and look for cutters. IDK how soon they'll be sending help at Wilt (or even how good of a passer he could be), but both Liv and Dray should be working off of off ball screens to cut through behind the action and get easy layups. You know JRich and Donyell are going to be easy to catch napping