Post by Stevie B on May 28, 2020 19:57:45 GMT -8
***Disclaimer: Who knows the actual DCs but was going off of what I think would happen or off the last DC submitted. I'm sure there will be differences!***
Eastern Conference Playoff Series Breakdown
1st Round Edition
Nets (1) vs. Wizards (8)
PG: Ward vs. Williams
Advantage: Nets
Why: This is a matchup that doesn’t really catch the eye so to speak, but I would lean Ward and the Nets here. He just does a tad more and is easily a better defender. Williams does take care of the rock extremely well which is a plus.
SG: MJ vs. Redd
Advantage: Nets (by a mile)
Why: Michael is still kicking it…and he is still doing it a very high level. 29/8/5/3+ Stocks with less than 2 turnovers is absurd. Redd is a young kid who doesn’t stand a chance.
SF: M Miller vs. Peja
Advantage: Wizards
Why: I like Mike Miller for the role that he plays, but I’m absolutely taking Peja who is a very nice player. He’s an excellent offensive player who doesn’t turn it over too much either. He should feast on Mike Miller.
PF: Wallace vs. Walker
Advantage: Nets
Why: This is such a huge advantage. Ben Wallace. Samaki Walker. Yep.
C: Mutumbo vs. Collins
Advantage: Nets
Why: Mutumbo is an absolute beast. Rebounds the shit out of the ball…only Duncan better (shocking!) and is one the best defenders in the game. Collins is underrated, but everything he does at a decent rate, Mutumbo does significantly better. No contest.
Bench: Christie/George vs. Terry/Haywood
Advantage: Wizards
Why: This isn’t close…Nets bench is legitimately bad, folks. Terry will make a mark in this series, but it probably won’t matter.
GM: Greeme vs. Jah
Advantage: Greeme
Why: Ugh. Yeah, I gotta go with Greeme for now. I’ve seen how he operates in baseball sim leagues, and he’s doing good things here. I think he’s the better tactician.
Series Prediction: Nets in 4…can’t see the Wizards taking a game here.
Cavs (2) vs. Pistons (7)
PG: Payton vs. Van Exel
Advantage: Cavs
Why: I believe Van Exel is a very talented offensive player, but he just gets destroyed defensively and almost negates everything he does well on the offensive end. I think there is a reason Erbes moved on from him so quickly. This matchup is terrible for him with Payton who is an excellent defender and surely will negate Van Exel on the offensive end, too.
SG: KVH vs. Penny
Advantage: Cavs
Why: KVH is one of the dominant 2 guards on the offensive end and controlling the boards. He leaves quite a bit desired on the defensive front, but you must give KVH the edge here. Penny is solid, but not on his level.
SF: Hill vs. Mason/Spree/Thomas
Advantage: Cavs
Why: I’m not entirely sure who Galo will matchup here…he had Mason in his last DC, but it won’t matter. Hill will certainly have his way with whomever.
PF: Cato vs. C Webb
Advantage: Pistons
Why: C Webb should be able to feast in this matchup, but Cato is a sound defender. However, I feel like this is the matchup the Pistons must exploit to pull off the upset.
C: KG vs. McIlvaine
Advantage: Cavs
Why: KG should absolutely dominate this matchup, but he’s not been the truly dominant figure most thought he would be in this league like Duncan has been. Still, KG is a damn good player who is averaging over 5 stocks per game! Get ya stocks here!
Bench: Othella/Skinner/Richmond/Armstrong vs. Vlade/Spree/T Thomas
Advantage: Pistons
Why: Not particularly close here. The bench is a weakness for the Cavs. Pistons are extremely deep. This could be problematic for the Cavs.
GM: Svedda vs. Galo
Advantage: Cavs
Why: Galo has some talent on that roster which begs me to question the record and overall GMing ability. That team should be much better than 41-41. What if Play was the GM…would that team be 41-41? Not a chance in hell. Greeme gets the edge here. Svedda has a great looking core, but I wonder if he did enough with his bench. I still give him the edge here.
Series Prediction: Cavs in 6…Pistons make this a little bit more interesting than ya think.
Heat (3) vs. Celtics (6)
PG: Atkins vs. Bibby
Advantage: Heat
Why: Atkins is just so solid, man. Does so many things well. I like Bibby, but he’s still a TC away.
SG: Mashburn vs. AI
Advantage: Celtics
Why: Iverson’s ability to take over games is scary…but he has tailed off a bit. Mashburn is an excellent player as I know too well. He is efficient and can play either wing position well. I worry about his ability to defend Iverson, though.
SF: Laettner vs. Battier
Advantage: Heat
Why: Battier is just too young at this stage, but he will be a good contributor towards future postseasons. I give Laettner the edge, but I’m not that big on him.
PF: Zo vs. Sheed
Advantage: Heat
Why: Alonzo Mourning is one of the best bigs…period. He did 23/13/nearly 5 stocks…he’s a beast. Wallace is a stretch 4 who to me is just overrated. I wasn’t a fan in Milwaukee, and I’m certainly not trusting Brian to get the best outta him.
C: PJ vs. Smith
Advantage: Even
Why: Based off numbers, you’d say Smith, right? I think PJ is going to neutralize him and maybe even get the better of him. I think calling this one even is a fair judgment call.
Bench: Davis/Bo vs. Miller/Magloire...
Advantage: Heat
Why: Ricky Davis and Bo destroy anything the Celtics have on the bench. Brian has a terrible bench if we are being honest. Yikes.
GM: Kobe vs. Brianh
Advantage: Heat
Why: Kobe and it’s not even close. He’s made smart moves time after time. Brianh…he hasn’t made terrible moves, but it’s the lack of fire under his ass that concerns you. At least he reset his CY, but I’m just not a fan of his team and outlook.
Series Prediction: Heat in 5…They are just flat-out better. AI will steal a game. It goes 6 at worst.
Knicks (4) vs. Bulls (5)
PG: Crawford vs. Eisley
Advantage: Knicks
Why: I genuinely fear for Eisley’s safety in this series. Crawford should have his way big time. What’s truly incredible about Crawford is his ability to score and ask questions later. Averaging 28 in 32 minutes is bonkers.
SG: Kittles vs. Alexander
Advantage: Bulls
Why: I really like Kittles, but he just doesn’t shoot for volume…extremely annoying. Alexander is an extremely efficient player, but this is a really compelling matchup here. Was thinking of calling this even, but I think Alexander’s offensive abilities and how efficient he is gives the edge here.
SF: Posey vs. Finley
Advantage: Bulls
Why: I mean, come on now…but Posey is underrated. Efficient as hell and doesn’t turn it over. A Skillz staple!
PF: Massenburg vs. Camby
Advantage: Bulls
Why: Massenburg is an efficient player through and through, but Camby is a defensive force. If Camby had high turnovers, I would’ve thought about giving Massenburg the edge…
C: Murphy vs. Davis
Advantage: Bulls
Why: This is an interesting matchup, but Murphy is still super young and isn’t efficient enough to garner an edge over the defensive player that Davis is.
Bench: Mihm/K-Mart/Smith/Delk vs. Moiso/Gill/Harper
Advantage: Knicks
Why: They just have way too many pieces coming off the bench and I think it’s a significant edge especially on the perimeter.
GM: Skillz vs. Play
Advantage: Even
Why: Both are fantastic. I obviously know Skillz from SLOR and see what he does on a day to day basis, and I’ve seen Play own me in BBSBL3. From what I’ve heard…legend has it, Play was pretty damn good in BBS, too. I think both are fantastic, and this is what makes this such a damn fun series to really tune in for. Bulls had some early season struggles and it looked like Play got them out of it…not sure what insane is doing these days. Skillz is winning with a roster centered primarily around J Craw…both unique seasons which sets up a fun series!
Series Prediction: Bulls in 7…think this series goes 7 regardless…I just think the Bulls are playing really good basketball right now and that gives them the edge.
