Who poses the greatest matchup threat for Utah in playoff?

davidhero · 03-23-2007, 11:43 PM

OK, I've been peeking in Utah Jazz's forum for a while since we're almost clinched for a first round playoff matchup with the Jazz. Now they're having this "What is the toughest part of the Houston matchup?" poll on their board (link: http://jazzfanz.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=21684). Their current poll result really surprised me - 72% goes to T-Mac and %12 goes to Rockets' stifling defense; only 3% goes to Yao.

Well, so I figured why don't we have a similar counter-poll on our clutchfans bbs to see what Rox fans are . To me T-Mac and Yao are going to literally be a 1-2 punch in this playoff series. They both have the potential of posing a great matchup threat against their counterparts on Jazz team (Fish/AK/Giricek for T-Mac and Okur/Boozer for Yao), so it's pretty much a matter of "pick your poison" for the Jazz. I think the chance that they can cover both of our superstars in any game is next to zero. Of course they have their share of mismatch on us (primarily on PG and PF, and to a less extent on C on offensive end), but that's a different story (which deserves maybe a couple of seperate threads as well).

So jury please take your time, and it'd be an interesting thing to compare the poll results of two difference fanbases before the series start. Then let the fact do the talking.

kkuu · 03-23-2007, 11:45 PM

I agree. Tmac is the key. But we can't lose Yao.

Hayesfan · 03-23-2007, 11:47 PM

I think you know what Yao is going to bring night in and night out. He isn't as likely to run as hot and cold as Tmac

Plus, Tmac has levels of play that we have yet to see this season.. and I think they are probably right in saying that he is the X factor on whether or not they can beat us in a best of 7 series.

AstroRocket · 03-23-2007, 11:58 PM

They chose T-Mac simply because the Jazz have been absolutely horrible at defending opposing swingmen and shooting guards all season. I'm sure they believe that Okur/Boozer are enough to cancel out Yao.

freemaniam · 03-24-2007, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidhero

... Their current poll result really surprised me - 72% goes to T-Mac and %12 goes to Rockets' stifling defense; only 3% goes to Yao.

...

I wish their Coach think of the same way too.

Boozer is a tough matchup to us though.

ClutchCityReturns · 03-24-2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidhero

To me T-Mac and Yao are going to literally be a 1-2 punch in this playoff series.

Wait, they're going to throw punches at Jazz players?

Sorry but it's a pet peeve of mine when people say "literally" and follow it with something that's not literal.

Anyway, I voted T-Mac. They have one of the best front courts in the league, which can at least give Yao trouble (foul trouble at the very least) and slow his production to somewhere around his average. As for Tracy, he always kick things up a notch in the playoffs, and you can add that to the fact that he always seems to enjoy above average success against the Jazz anyway. They have no one who can stay with him the entire game, although Kirilenko can D-up now and again.

So I would definitely agree with the results of their poll. Even having Yao at 3%.

tracymingreedy · 03-24-2007, 12:02 AM

"The glare off of JVG's head." According to a Jazz fan

MightySparrow · 03-24-2007, 12:03 AM

..to be honest..luther will be the pinpoint to send Utah home,cuz last night i had a dream that he nailed down 8 3pts in the last quarter in the seventh game!..

MacGreat · 03-24-2007, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidhero

only 3% goes to Yao.

Does that mean they are not going to double Yao and throw single coverage at him every game? I love this strategy. Let's hope Jerry Sloan agrees with the fans on that board.

A_3PO · 03-24-2007, 12:07 AM

OT: During the Pistons game tonight against the Spurs, they did a poll of 4 WC teams the fans did not want the Pistons to face in the Finals. It should be noted they included the Rockets and not the Jazz. 47% said the Mavs, 20% each said Spurs & Rockets and 13% said the Suns.

TheBornLoser · 03-24-2007, 12:07 AM

I am sure they remember T-Mac's 44 points against them at the Toyota Centre.

Don't worry about Yao... if he stays out of foul trouble, the Jazz will be in deep trouble. :D

nyquil82 · 03-24-2007, 12:09 AM

Assuming one on one, I think there is a larger mismatch between okur and yao, that and there's no one worthy as a backup. But it depends, AK47 might have a crazy night and defend T-mac really well, and other nights he won't. Harpring is also backing him up, and while I don't think he can keep up athletically, he is a smart player. We just have to hope that boozer doesn't destroy chuck hayes and that williams won't crush alston (I think the latter is more likely than the former because alston can't match the quickness).

for me, its like a 60 point mismatch between yao and okur, and a 50 point mismatch between tmac and whoever is guarding him, assuming both players are at 75% of their peak at the time.

chenglug · 03-24-2007, 12:25 AM

Deron Williams is so much better than alston. He is stronger and quicker. Boozer too is a big mismatch for us. This series is gonna be very interesting

NewYorker · 03-24-2007, 12:26 AM

I think T-mac does cause a lot of problems - but Yao is the nightmare for any team. His high fg% is what causes so many problems coupled with his remarkable ft%.

Yao's only weakness statistically is TO's which eat into his offensive efficiency in a non-insignificant way.

MONON · 03-24-2007, 12:27 AM

It really depends on who they doubleteam. I think they will double Yao since his shooting % is higher than TMac's. Therefore TMac should get fairly open shots & KILL them. If they double TMac, Yao will do them in. If they double both, Shane & Luther will have a field day.

Rox in 4.

playlife · 03-24-2007, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MightySparrow

..to be honest..luther will be the pinpoint to send Utah home,cuz last night i had a dream that he nailed down 8 3pts in the last quarter in the seventh game!..

We need a seventh game???

bluepart · 03-24-2007, 12:41 AM

I feel the fear from Utah's fans

krnxsnoopy · 03-24-2007, 12:48 AM

I think its TMAC..

Utah has a very good talent in many positions.. But they lack a SUPERSTAR guard of the Mcgrady-Wade-Kobe mold.. They have two Bigs who can play in Okur and Boozer, who'll give Yao fits at times.. They also have a very long Kirilenko.. Overall I believe we have a better team and better prepared for the playoffs.. Still, we will need a BIG series from Tmac no doubt about it.

rocketgo · 03-24-2007, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluepart

I feel the fear from Utah's fans

So do I!
Rox is the type of team which Utah fears.

doublehh03 · 03-24-2007, 01:00 AM

it has to be mac. utah has shown they have NO ability to guard even a borderline star guard. tmac scored 44 pts on them w/ relative ease. tmac did it once so he must be confident. and what is his ppg v. AK47? he has OWNED that dude ever since he came to orlando.

the reason why yao will be tougher b/c he actually has to play defense every minute in this series either guarding okur/boozer. okur might give yao foul trouble b/c by bringing yao out, when yao goes to help w/ the penetrators, he could be slow to rotate and get dumb fouls.

if he guards boozer, boozer's quickness could give yao trouble.

yao CANNOT get in foul trouble and this team could give it. just can't.

alston will lose to deron and hayes will be destroyed w/ foul trouble w/ boozer/okur.