Post by Akomplice on Jul 13, 2010 18:58:49 GMT -5
Looking back in history the Lakers had their way with the Blazers in real life. Game 7 of 2000 playoffs will go down as one of the worst officiated, collapses and comebacks of all time. With sim leagues we get to pretend to be general managers of our respective teams and try to rewrite the course of history. In the second round of this years playoffs the Blazers will attempt to finally slay the dragon that goes by the name of LA Lakers. However these Blazers have an all new look that the real life Lakers never had to face.
Shaquille O'Neal vs Arvydas Sabonis
There is no way around it, O'Neal is going to be a force to handle. He is averaging 28 and 14 for the playoffs thus far. Sabonis can only try and slow him down and the Blazers have a lot of fouls to use on him. The only thing Sabonis can really do is try and stretch the floor and take O'Neal out of the paint. O'Neal is swatting away three shots a game and hopefully with him out of the paint the Blazers can attack more.
Patrick Ewing vs Brian Grant
This might be Ewing's final chance to win a title in this league. Ewing brings some tough interior defense and can still score the ball when his number is called. Both Ewing and Grant sort of have the same role for their respective teams, both are relied on to pitch him with some points and rebound the ball. They both also need to bring some tough interior defense. Another key will be the backup play of Davis and Cato.
Cliff Robinson vs Michael Finley
Michael Finley was the hero for the Blazers in round one with him coming back in game seven to help lead the Blazers to three straight victories. Finley though needs to continue his great play this series. Robinson can stretch the floor as a big and tall small forward and brings solid defense. However we have to wonder if he will be able to keep up with Finley. Robinson was brought in because of this role, the crafty veteran defender. Finley on the other hand can score inside/outside and handle the ball. Finley needs to win this match up easily.
Ron Mercer vs Jerry Stackhouse
Mercer is playing shooting guard for the Lakers because of the injury to Rod Strickland. Mercer brings some solid defense and can score the ball a little bit. Stackhouse will be a free agent this offseason and probably be seeking big money. Well to the Blazers this is a show me series. Stackhouse will need to come up big this series in order to get his money. Matched up with Ron Mercer he should be able score easily. Stackhouse needs to show the Blazers front office something this series.
Kobe Bryant vs Terrell Brandon
This right here will be the match up of this series. Kobe masquerading as a point guard averaged 22/11 in the first round. Brandon is coming off a season in which he averaged 17/10/5 and became a leader in the second half for the Blazers. Kobe will be a terror in this series but Brandon can probably create some turnovers on Kobe. Brandon should be able to get to the rim on Kobe, but lets just sit back and enjoy.
Shaquille O'Neal vs Arvydas Sabonis
There is no way around it, O'Neal is going to be a force to handle. He is averaging 28 and 14 for the playoffs thus far. Sabonis can only try and slow him down and the Blazers have a lot of fouls to use on him. The only thing Sabonis can really do is try and stretch the floor and take O'Neal out of the paint. O'Neal is swatting away three shots a game and hopefully with him out of the paint the Blazers can attack more.
Patrick Ewing vs Brian Grant
This might be Ewing's final chance to win a title in this league. Ewing brings some tough interior defense and can still score the ball when his number is called. Both Ewing and Grant sort of have the same role for their respective teams, both are relied on to pitch him with some points and rebound the ball. They both also need to bring some tough interior defense. Another key will be the backup play of Davis and Cato.
Cliff Robinson vs Michael Finley
Michael Finley was the hero for the Blazers in round one with him coming back in game seven to help lead the Blazers to three straight victories. Finley though needs to continue his great play this series. Robinson can stretch the floor as a big and tall small forward and brings solid defense. However we have to wonder if he will be able to keep up with Finley. Robinson was brought in because of this role, the crafty veteran defender. Finley on the other hand can score inside/outside and handle the ball. Finley needs to win this match up easily.
Ron Mercer vs Jerry Stackhouse
Mercer is playing shooting guard for the Lakers because of the injury to Rod Strickland. Mercer brings some solid defense and can score the ball a little bit. Stackhouse will be a free agent this offseason and probably be seeking big money. Well to the Blazers this is a show me series. Stackhouse will need to come up big this series in order to get his money. Matched up with Ron Mercer he should be able score easily. Stackhouse needs to show the Blazers front office something this series.
Kobe Bryant vs Terrell Brandon
This right here will be the match up of this series. Kobe masquerading as a point guard averaged 22/11 in the first round. Brandon is coming off a season in which he averaged 17/10/5 and became a leader in the second half for the Blazers. Kobe will be a terror in this series but Brandon can probably create some turnovers on Kobe. Brandon should be able to get to the rim on Kobe, but lets just sit back and enjoy.
