Well, the conference finals are both official. A playoff that started off with 16 teams is now down to four. Only one will be left standing when all is said and done, and there will be a lot of emotions that fly before we find out who the best truly is. First, the Detroit Pistons will go to battle with the “Big Three” in Boston. In the West, Phil Jackson’s Lakers are going to do battle with Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs. In this preview, I am going to look at each match up in a position versus position manner. The end result will be my prediction.
Comment: Duncan has proven that he may be the most fundamental player in all of basketball by being the most boring superstar ever to grace the NBA. That is not an insult, but he doesn’t seem to glow when he excels, if that makes any sense. Gasol has been very good in the playoffs, averaging 20 points to go along with nine rebounds per game. Another impressive result from him has been his 4.5 assists. This has been the biggest pickup for the Lakers, and he has filled the void and then some that was left when Andrew Bynum was floored with an injury. Duncan is just the classy veteran who gets it done. He is averaging 19 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks per game. He just knows how to be the well-rounded player that everyone in San Antonio has watched him be for so long. This is close, but I like Duncan in the clutch. He is a winner, and people would be foolish to bet against him.
Advantage: Spurs
Comment: Odom is by far the more valuable of these two players. Thomas is known for his defensive expertise, and is not counted on by the Spurs for much scoring. Thomas has scores only 4.2 points per game compared to Odom’s 15.6. While Thomas will probably rebound more, Odom’s versatility makes him more valuable for the Lakers. I look for Odom to control this battle, but I don’t think it will be enough to propel the Lakers into the next round..
Advantage: Lakers
Comment:While many of you may be screaming at me because Radmanovic scores more, think about the big picture. Bowen has been known as one of the masterminds of defense in this league for years. As the phrase says, defense wins championships. In that respect, Bowen is your ideal player.
Advantage: Even
Comment: Well, you can’t say that the advantage does not lie with the best player in the NBA, but these two guys give him a pretty good run, and I believe having Manu Ginobili as the sixth man will be the difference in this series. Ginobili averaged 20 points per game and Finley averages seven, but Kobe is outdueling them with 33 of his own per game. Possibly the best thing about Kobe is his ability to take attention away from his teammates. That opens up the floor for the other guys to create plays. Containing Kobe will be the biggest obstacle for the Spurs.
Advantage: Lakers
Comment: Parker may be the MVP of the post season thus far. He has dazed and dazzled opponents thus far with his ability to score and create plays for his teammates. Fisher has 11 points per game, but Parker has been sensational. The numbers explain it all. 23.7 points and six assists per game have catapulted his team into this round. He has been the best point guard and maybe even the best player in the playoffs, and many of the people who underestimated him are not looking smart because of it.
Advantage: Spurs
Comment: I know Phil Jackson is very accomplished with the Bulls teams and the Lakers teams that he has coached, but I think it all goes back to fundamentals. I feel like Jackson’s teams were more loaded with stars, and Popovich’s teams were taught the fundamentals by their head coach. There is not a more fundamental coach in sports, and his teams prove that fact true. It’s evidenced by their play, and will continue to be into the next round.
Advantage: Spurs
Prediction: Spurs in Seven Games.
CENTER
Tim Duncan vs. Pau GasolComment: Duncan has proven that he may be the most fundamental player in all of basketball by being the most boring superstar ever to grace the NBA. That is not an insult, but he doesn’t seem to glow when he excels, if that makes any sense. Gasol has been very good in the playoffs, averaging 20 points to go along with nine rebounds per game. Another impressive result from him has been his 4.5 assists. This has been the biggest pickup for the Lakers, and he has filled the void and then some that was left when Andrew Bynum was floored with an injury. Duncan is just the classy veteran who gets it done. He is averaging 19 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks per game. He just knows how to be the well-rounded player that everyone in San Antonio has watched him be for so long. This is close, but I like Duncan in the clutch. He is a winner, and people would be foolish to bet against him.
Advantage: Spurs
POWER FORWARD
Kurt Thomas vs. Lamar Odom Comment: Odom is by far the more valuable of these two players. Thomas is known for his defensive expertise, and is not counted on by the Spurs for much scoring. Thomas has scores only 4.2 points per game compared to Odom’s 15.6. While Thomas will probably rebound more, Odom’s versatility makes him more valuable for the Lakers. I look for Odom to control this battle, but I don’t think it will be enough to propel the Lakers into the next round..
Advantage: Lakers
SMALL FORWARD
Bruce Bowen vs. Vladamir RadmanovicComment:While many of you may be screaming at me because Radmanovic scores more, think about the big picture. Bowen has been known as one of the masterminds of defense in this league for years. As the phrase says, defense wins championships. In that respect, Bowen is your ideal player.
Advantage: Even
SHOOTING GUARD
Michael Finley/Manu Ginobili vs. Kobe BryantComment: Well, you can’t say that the advantage does not lie with the best player in the NBA, but these two guys give him a pretty good run, and I believe having Manu Ginobili as the sixth man will be the difference in this series. Ginobili averaged 20 points per game and Finley averages seven, but Kobe is outdueling them with 33 of his own per game. Possibly the best thing about Kobe is his ability to take attention away from his teammates. That opens up the floor for the other guys to create plays. Containing Kobe will be the biggest obstacle for the Spurs.
Advantage: Lakers
POINT GUARD
Tony Parker vs. Derek FisherComment: Parker may be the MVP of the post season thus far. He has dazed and dazzled opponents thus far with his ability to score and create plays for his teammates. Fisher has 11 points per game, but Parker has been sensational. The numbers explain it all. 23.7 points and six assists per game have catapulted his team into this round. He has been the best point guard and maybe even the best player in the playoffs, and many of the people who underestimated him are not looking smart because of it.
Advantage: Spurs
COACHING
Greg Popovich vs. Phil JacksonComment: I know Phil Jackson is very accomplished with the Bulls teams and the Lakers teams that he has coached, but I think it all goes back to fundamentals. I feel like Jackson’s teams were more loaded with stars, and Popovich’s teams were taught the fundamentals by their head coach. There is not a more fundamental coach in sports, and his teams prove that fact true. It’s evidenced by their play, and will continue to be into the next round.
Advantage: Spurs
FINAL THOUGHTS
Comment: The x-factor in this series is going to be Manu Ginobili. I don’t think the Lakers have the equivalent sixth man. If Andrew Bynum was healthy and playing, I may think differently. But, the fact is that Bynum is unavailable, and this is going to be a solid series, but I think the Spurs will win it, and then advance to the NBA finals. This will be one for the ages. Prediction: Spurs in Seven Games.
