That's true about Curry (and the other guys with injuries). I agree with you. I was thinking more about the World Championships in 2014 and Olympics in 2016.
Curry would be a great addition to team USA. There will be a lot of competition for playing time with the guards, though. CP3, D Rose, D Will, Westbrook, Harden, Curry.
Hibbert dominated the boards. He was over double digit rebounds in every game of the series except one, I believe. Tyson was the inverse. He had double digit rebounds just once the whole series.
You are right that Hibbert dominated the defensive paint and clogged up the paint. Tyson didn't do that either. His effect on the defensive end just wasn't felt like it should have been. He was thoroughly outplayed.
And Tyson could maybe do something about Melo not having any room to operate in the post if he developed any sort of offensive skill besides catching an alley oop.
Chandler was DOMINATED by Hibbert. I think more than anything else that is why the Knicks lost the series. They spent big money on Chandler so he could be a defensive anchor and stop opposing centers from doing exactly what Hibbert did to him. He hasn't done anything in the playoffs since he was with the Mavs.
The Pacers are a slightly better version of this Bulls squad that Miami just faced. If they can't get to 95 points every night against Miami, they will have no chance of winning the series.
Don't get me wrong, it will be a hard fought series with hard fouls and tough play. Just like with the Bulls. But any team that is going to beat the Heat is going to have to be able to put points up.
Yeah, unfortunately for GS, Steph is going through another ankle situation. He just wasn't able to be himself Tuesday night with that injured ankle. If they have any hopes of pushing this to a game 7, he is going to have to have a really big night tonight.
Huh? Chris Paul gets a pass for NEVER taking a team to the Finals/Conference Finals because he is the best player on his team? That seems a little backwards.
Boozer has averaged 17 ppg and 10rpg for his career. He has been an all star and has been, at worst, the number 2 guy on many playoff teams. He actually has been on a team that has made it to the Western Conference Finals before. He led a Utah team there with Deron Williams.
He had Toronto in the playoffs a couple years and he didn't have ANY help. He played with no one memorable. You are right that he might not be a number 1 guy, but he is a very good number 2.
Chris Paul has never gotten a team to the Finals, let alone the conference finals, either. That's not stopping everyone from calling him the best pg in the world and trying to give him 100 mil this offseason.
I really don't understand this either. Everyone keeps saying "amnesty Boozer". For what? He carried the Bulls - offensively - most of this season. He may not be the best defensive player, but he can score and rebound. He ain't the biggest problem the Bulls have.
That's crazy talk. The team would definitely be a playoff team without Durant. Westbrook is a superstar player. As JGB said earlier, he is the best all around player on the Thunder. If he was drafted the year before Durant (and not the other way around) this would be HIS team for sure.
1. I never said that being able to guard all 5 positions makes someone a lockdown defender. LBJ guards all five positions well. Miami is able to excel defensively because he is able to guard multiple positions. That is what makes him a great defender and that versatility is what someone like Tony Allen lacks.
2. He should not be able to just steal the ball out of the hands of the person he is guarding. He is guarding an NBA player. They should be able to protect the basketball. The best steals leaders are the ones who play the passing lanes and/or "sneak up" on opposing players.
3. At the end of basketball games, LeBron always guards the best offensive player on the other team. That player rarely has success in those situations because LeBron is a great one-on-one defender.
Also, does having a "great coach" take away from a player's greatness?
You are right that Hibbert dominated the defensive paint and clogged up the paint. Tyson didn't do that either. His effect on the defensive end just wasn't felt like it should have been. He was thoroughly outplayed.
And Tyson could maybe do something about Melo not having any room to operate in the post if he developed any sort of offensive skill besides catching an alley oop.
That should be the takeaway for every team that doesn't end their season as champions.
Don't get me wrong, it will be a hard fought series with hard fouls and tough play. Just like with the Bulls. But any team that is going to beat the Heat is going to have to be able to put points up.
Boozer has averaged 17 ppg and 10rpg for his career. He has been an all star and has been, at worst, the number 2 guy on many playoff teams. He actually has been on a team that has made it to the Western Conference Finals before. He led a Utah team there with Deron Williams.
2. He should not be able to just steal the ball out of the hands of the person he is guarding. He is guarding an NBA player. They should be able to protect the basketball. The best steals leaders are the ones who play the passing lanes and/or "sneak up" on opposing players.
3. At the end of basketball games, LeBron always guards the best offensive player on the other team. That player rarely has success in those situations because LeBron is a great one-on-one defender.