JET won't start out guarding Paul, but if the Mavs were able to force switches that resulted in JET guarding Dirk (they were), then i'm sure Doc will take the first 14 seconds of the shot clock to run picks that create mismatches. If Paul gets back to 100%, i think you have to vary the looks you give him. Switch here, fight through here, go under (every now and then) here. But back to the point - we may start off with JET guarding Matt Barnes but if Doc is half the coach Carlisle is, the Clips will run a Paul-Barnes pick and roll to force the switch.
Prigioni is an underrated defender and player in general. Looks for him to be big during this series.
I am starting to feel the way I did way back when Houston prepared to play Orlando in the finals. Figured the two big men would somewhat cancel each outher out. But what to do about Penny Hardaway. Back then he was a new breed of big tall point guard, match up nightmare who could do it all. I was in a panic about how we would handle him - well, you are fans, you know what I mean/felt. But then it hit me. We have Clyde Drexler on our team and they don't have anybody who can stop him. Today I see Chris Paul as a handful that we could not stop back when he was on a crappy New Orleans Hornets team. I'm still scared of what he can do to the Rox even on one leg. But they have to stop Hardin. Both of those players are basically unstopable. But I feel we are better equiped (both primary defender and bench) to slow CP down then they are to hindering Beard. And for any of you who may need a history lesson, Rockets went on to sweep the Magic.
I think most people are comparing injured during the season Dwight with healthy Deandre. If Dwight has the same athletic spring and juice as he did in round one, they are ~ equal.
I met DJ once. He is a little taller and possibly longer than Dwight. But DH is much MUCH stronger. DJ looked like a string bean in person. Super cool though! I'd post the pic if I knew how.
I actually think the key to stopping the Clips is limiting Reddick. CP3 and Blake are going to get theirs...the key will be forcing them to continue to hit the mid range jumper. But if Reddick is lighting it up from 3, the integrity of our D will collapse. I don't think we can switch with LA like we did with Dallas. Maybe I'm wrong on that, but I don't think Ariza and Harden will fair well guarding Griffin. Harden has to show up on the defensive end this series. We won't be able to hide him at the end of games with Cp3, Crawford, and Reddick on the floor.
Not really on topic, but I'd like DJ to come play for the Rockets one day. Just think of what The Dream could teach him...
Yeah, Reddick's and Crawford's outside shooting VERSUS Ariza's, Terry's, Brewer's etc might be the key.
Harden did a good job guarding Blake in the regular season. I remember him constantly stripping blake a few times.
I wonder what it'll be like to throw the double team at Blake occasionally...He's turnover prone, and we could capitalize big time there.
