Is the importance of a point guard in the NBA overrated. Look at the top point guards, Paul, DWilliams, they are out of the playoffs or soon to be with minimal chance to make the finals.

 

And look at the teams that will most likely be the final 4 teams. Williams at Cavs, Fischer at Lakers, Nash at Suns, Nelson at Magic.

 

While Nash is a wonderful offensive point guard, he is a major liability on the defensive end.

 

I am a coach that at the MS, HS, Collegiate level feels that if you don't have a point guard, you are in trouble. But it seems that in the NBA, the point guards do not have as much direct line to the team success as in the other levels.

 

Not any one player is capable of winning the title on their own IMO. You're only as good as your top 2 or 3 players. The thing about these teams you aren't mentioning is the Cavs have LBJ, the Lakers have Kobe and others, and the Magic have the best center in the game and they are a matchup nightmare.

 

If Wade goes to Chicago everyone will understand why Rose is so good. You have to have help.

^Celtics? I thought they were too old and had no chance against the Cavs.

 

I'm usually pretty good with my NBA predictions...(see last year )

 

In fairness, I'd say most people fare better with NBA predictions. It's easily the most predictable of the big three sports. Going into the season, who were the favorites...LA, Orlando and Cleveland were the top three. Boston, Denver and San Antonio were mentioned. Five of those 8 are left, they'll account for at least 3 and possibly all four of the semi-finalists. That's a common thing for the NBA, but not the others.

 

Everybody looks like idiots when you compare the pre-season football predictions to the actual results. :lol:

In fairness, I'd say most people fare better with NBA predictions. It's easily the most predictable of the big three sports. Going into the season, who were the favorites...LA, Orlando and Cleveland were the top three. Boston, Denver and San Antonio were mentioned. Five of those 8 are left, they'll account for at least 3 and possibly all four of the semi-finalists. That's a common thing for the NBA, but not the others.

 

Everybody looks like idiots when you compare the pre-season football predictions to the actual results. :lol:

 

And yet I was the only one who could see that the Magic were the best team in the East last year...:idunno:

 

I was one of only a few that said the addition of Carter was an improvement, and that they wouldn't miss Hedo...:idunno:

Not if they play like that they can't. 2 quick fouls for him and it's game over for the Magic. Lakers will eat them alive down low any time he is out of the game.

 

:confused: If the Magic play like that, the can't beat the Lakers? I mean come on HT, we all know you're a big LA homer, but seriously? :ohbrother:

But they got their big time playoff reps last year. That's big IMO. They won't be bothered by the big stage.

 

If I had to list favorites right now I'd go:

 

Lakers

Magic

Cavs

Suns

Spurs.

 

Getting their last year would be enough for me for Orlando if they had any answer for the Lakers height. They don't is the issue. If Bynum isn't above 80% at any time they slide below Cleveland IMO.

 

 

The Lakers have Odom (6'10"), Gasol (7'0"), and Bynum (7'0")....The Magic have Lewis (6'10"), Howard (6'11"), and Gortat (6'11"). What Lakers height am I missing?

The difference IMO, is neither the Thunder or the Jazz have anywhere near the talent to surround Westbrook or Williams as the Magic do around Nelson.

 

:thumb:

 

I strongly agree with that statement. I don't agree with the previous statement that LA won't have a chance if Nelson scores 20-25 against them. I would say Orlando needs Nelson to do that, because it will be the biggest mismatch they have.

 

I'm sure Cats was just in the heat of the discussion, but the Magic proved they could compete with LA last year. The Lakers may have won in 6, but that was a very competitive series. Orlando is better this year with Vince Carter and a healthy Jameer Nelson.

 

I'm just not confident that LA can play motivated for 7 games...and, if they give one or two away, they'll have a hard time repeating.

 

I don't think Orlando is a lock to reach the finals, but of the remaining options, they're the team I'd least like to see the Lakers face.

The Lakers have Odom (6'10"), Gasol (7'0"), and Bynum (7'0")....The Magic have Lewis (6'10"), Howard (6'11"), and Gortat (6'11"). What Lakers height am I missing?

 

Lewis is more of a perimeter player, isn't he? And, Gortat isn't quite as good as what LA has. Outside of Howard, Orlando doesn't have a big time presence in the paint regardless the players heights. Both Gasol and Bynum play down low and Odom is versatile enough to do either.

 

I think Orlando can fare well enough in the paint as long as Howard is on the court, but if he gets in foul trouble, the advantage swings to LA in a big way.

Lewis is more of a perimeter player, isn't he? And, Gortat isn't quite as good as what LA has. Outside of Howard, Orlando doesn't have a big time presence in the paint regardless the players heights. Both Gasol and Bynum play down low and Odom is versatile enough to do either.

 

I think Orlando can fare well enough in the paint as long as Howard is on the court, but if he gets in foul trouble, the advantage swings to LA in a big way.

 

Odom is versatile enough, but Lewis isn't? Since when? They're the same type of player with Lewis being a MUCH better scorer.

And yet I was the only one who could see that the Magic were the best team in the East last year...:idunno:

 

I was one of only a few that said the addition of Carter was an improvement, and that they wouldn't miss Hedo...:idunno:

 

The Magic have accomplished nothing so far. Absolutely nothing. They have yet to face a team that can compete with them for 4 quarters, which is where Hedo made his big impact last year.

 

:confused: If the Magic play like that, the can't beat the Lakers? I mean come on HT, we all know you're a big LA homer, but seriously? :ohbrother:

 

Pot....meet kettle.

 

If both teams are on their games I don't see how the Lakers would not be the better team on paper. Nelson and Howard have an advantage at their positions, but the Lakers are better at 2 guard with Kobe and at the 4 with Gasol. If you want to match Carter and Artest up, it's probably a push. The Magic have no one off their bench that is anywhere near as good as Odom. The others on their bench are not extremely talented, but they are proven and tested and have came up big so far.

 

:thumb:

 

I strongly agree with that statement. I don't agree with the previous statement that LA won't have a chance if Nelson scores 20-25 against them. I would say Orlando needs Nelson to do that, because it will be the biggest mismatch they have.

I'm sure Cats was just in the heat of the discussion, but the Magic proved they could compete with LA last year. The Lakers may have won in 6, but that was a very competitive series. Orlando is better this year with Vince Carter and a healthy Jameer Nelson.

 

I'm just not confident that LA can play motivated for 7 games...and, if they give one or two away, they'll have a hard time repeating.

 

I don't think Orlando is a lock to reach the finals, but of the remaining options, they're the team I'd least like to see the Lakers face.

 

No I stand by that. The Lakers won 4 games to 1 and the series was never even remotely in doubt after the tip of game 1. How is that competitive?

The Magic have accomplished nothing so far. Absolutely nothing. They have yet to face a team that can compete with them for 4 quarters, which is where Hedo made his big impact last year.

 

 

 

Pot....meet kettle.

 

If both teams are on their games I don't see how the Lakers would not be the better team on paper. Nelson and Howard have an advantage at their positions, but the Lakers are better at 2 guard with Kobe and at the 4 with Gasol. If you want to match Carter and Artest up, it's probably a push. The Magic have no one off their bench that is anywhere near as good as Odom. The others on their bench are not extremely talented, but they are proven and tested and have came up big so far.

 

 

 

No I stand by that. The Lakers won 4 games to 1 and the series was never even remotely in doubt after the tip of game 1. How is that competitive?

 

 

When have I ever came out and said that if the Lakers play like they just did, after winning a game by 43 in the playoffs, they can't beat someone? :confused:

The Lakers have Odom (6'10"), Gasol (7'0"), and Bynum (7'0")....The Magic have Lewis (6'10"), Howard (6'11"), and Gortat (6'11"). What Lakers height am I missing?

 

When the game starts who's guarding Gasol? That's a mismatch? LA has 3 guys plus Kobe who can get Howard to give up dumb fouls like he did in the Charlotte series. Atlanta has 0.

 

Orlando really wants Boston to win their series. Shaq will bait Howard into a contest he shouldn't get involved in.

When the game starts who's guarding Gasol? That's a mismatch? LA has 3 guys plus Kobe who can get Howard to give up dumb fouls like he did in the Charlotte series. Atlanta has 0.

 

Orlando really wants Boston to win their series. Shaq will bait Howard into a contest he shouldn't get involved in.

 

Sure that'll be a mismatch, but no where close to the one the Lakers are going to be dealing with when Fisher tries to guard Nelson.

 

As far as Howard getting in foul trouble, well duh that would create a Laker advantage. Just like Kobe, or Gasol in foul trouble would create a Magic advantage. Not sure what your point with that is....:confused:

Sure that'll be a mismatch, but no where close to the one the Lakers are going to be dealing with when Fisher tries to guard Nelson.

As far as Howard getting in foul trouble, well duh that would create a Laker advantage. Just like Kobe, or Gasol in foul trouble would create a Magic advantage. Not sure what your point with that is....:confused:

 

You have to be joking man. Gasol is possibly the best offensive post player in the league and is a mismatch for true post players (look at what he's doing to Boozer), let alone for Rashard Lewis. Nelson is no where close to the best PG in the league. Fisher may not be good defensively, but he hits some big shots and that will make up for some of his problems against Nelson IMO. Jameer Nelson is not good enough to single handedly beat the Lakers. Gasol could be the difference in this hypothetical series. The Lakers have become numb to PG's having big series against them, it's just going to happen.

 

And let's not go too far with Nelson, he lit up Raymond Felton and Mike Bibby, not exactly HOF'ers. Rondo would easily get the best of him if they played in the next round IMO.

You have to be joking man. Gasol is possibly the best offensive post player in the league and is a mismatch for true post players (look at what he's doing to Boozer), let alone for Rashard Lewis. Nelson is no where close to the best PG in the league. Fisher may not be good defensively, but he hits some big shots and that will make up for some of his problems against Nelson IMO. Jameer Nelson is not good enough to single handedly beat the Lakers. Gasol could be the difference in this hypothetical series. The Lakers have become numb to PG's having big series against them, it's just going to happen.

 

And let's not go too far with Nelson, he lit up Raymond Felton and Mike Bibby, not exactly HOF'ers. Rondo would easily get the best of him if they played in the next round IMO.

 

I couldn't disagree more about Gasol. Will he be able to score on Lewis, sure. How do you expect him to guard Lewis though? I would love for him to come out on the floor and try to defend. You talk about a guy being made a fool, that's exactly what would happen.

 

I guess we have different opinions on Nelson. I put him in the upper echelon of PGs in the league, you put him in the 2nd tier. It's a matter of opinion I guess.

Odom is versatile enough, but Lewis isn't? Since when? They're the same type of player with Lewis being a MUCH better scorer.

 

They're both tall.

 

Lewis is a better scorer, and he's specifically superior from the perimeter. Odom is a better inside player, a better ball-handler, and a better playmaker with regards to setting his teammates up. I don't think their games are all that similar.

 

I don't see one guy as clearly better than the other, but I do see them as different players.