Everyone has been saying that the East is weak and the real championship series is the Western Conference Finals. But NJ has been playing exceptionally well. This is a very good team, both offensively and defensively and very underrated. K-Mart is a monster, one of the best and most underrated defenders out there. J Kidd is well J Kidd. Jefferson is a great player on both sides of the boards. Collins is a solid center and Kittles can go hot and shoot lights out if he gets open. Most importantly though they play team ball and not selfish me-score first ball. I won't say that NJ will win it all but I think NJ is definitely much improved and just as they have shocked people by steamrolling over BOS and DET, they may shock people come NBA Finals time.
I dont agree. Even with LA out of the mix, there is still a big difference between the elite in the West VS the elite in the East. Had the Nets played in the West, my guess is that they would be no better than a 7th seed. Sure they are steamrolling Detroit, and had no problems with Boston, but do either of those teams compare to, say, Dallas or San Antonio or even Minnesota for that matter? I imagine that the Nets will have a better showing in this years Finals, but IMO there is no way they will come close to beating either San An or Dallas.
EC sickness......symptoms....thinking that rolling over teams that have not much is a big deal; thinking any PF playing in the EC compares to WC PF play; thinking that any EC team or the entire conference combined can do anything but be slaughtered by the WC champion....... the only hope for NJ is that both TD and Dirk get a 1 month injury in the 7th game of the WC finals....ONLY hope.
The nets are like a dallas team that doesnt shoot near as well. they play better defense though. the games will be closer, but i dont think the west has much to fear in the nets.
Not bad...but perhaps a little better? Season series vs the WC: SAS.. 1-1 DAL.. 0-2 SAC.. 0-2 MIN.. 2-0 LAL..2-0 (both games w/ Shaq) POR.. 2-0 Utah.. 0-2 PHX.. 1-1 SUBT: 8-8 HOU.. 1-1 GS.. 1-1 SEA..1-1 MEM.. 1-1 DEN..2-0 LAC.. 1-1 SUBT:7-5 TOT:15-13 15-13 = 53.6% * 56 games = 30-26 Versus EC: actual 34-20 = 63% estimate for 28 games vs EC = 28 * .63% = 18-10 COMBINED ESTIMATE 30-26 + 18-10 = 48-36 = 57.1% * 82 = 47-35 47-35 was Utah's 7th place finish record but... Observe for the most part that they had trouble with running teams (DAL, SAC) and not so much trouble with half court teams. I think the Spurs (or Mavs) would be favored, but I don't see a sweep or even 4-1. IMHO, 4-2 or 4-3.
The Nets will have trouble scoring against SA. Bowen would be able to neutralize Kidd, which would throw a monkeywrench into NJ's offense. NJ's lack of a go-to SCORER is what will get them wiped out by Dal or SA.
kr8 - playing Devils' Advocate - I'm not sure Popovic would do what you suggest but if Bowen is on Kidd in a half court set and K-Mart has enough range that Duncan must honor him out to the weakside FT extended, what keeps Jefferson (or Kittles) from abusing Parker in the strong side low post? I know RJ is not known for low post play, but against a 6' Tony Parker? Plus, with this assignment Parker would have to pickup Jefferson or Kittles in transition. Kidd (although not as athletic or as much a scorer) IMO is much smarter and faster than Kobe in transition from D to O and Bowen had a lot of trouble matching up in transition vs the Lakers. I really like Bowens D but I think you are giving him too much credit. Kidd is exceptionally fast from coast to coast. The other reason I think NJ has a fighting chance against SA is that the Spurs go through those droughts where they resemble the Rockets - low post to Duncan, no player movement, Duncan gets doubled and forces a shot. Sound familiar?
Nets will have a fighting chance in the Finals. Kidd is too good. I personally am rooting for them. Go Nets.
I think the Nets take the championship in 6 from the Spurs. Kenyon Martin is good enough to stop Duncan defensively and the Spurs have no one that can stop Kidd unless they put Bowen on him. In that case, Jefferson would score 20-30 points a game. Nets will win.
Parker vs. Kidd. Parker......you little kid. Sorry kid but....Jason Kidd is the best point guard in the NBA. Jackson and Ginobili vs. Kittles and Harris. Well the battle of the roleplaying shooting guards..........hmm......they're even. Bruce Bowen vs. Jefferson. Well Jefferson is main offensive guy....Bowen is main defensive stopper. CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT. Tim Duncan is MVP. Best power forward in the NBA. Maybe best player in the NBA. Kenyon Martin is one of the best defenders in the NBA.......will stop TD and will get abused at times. He will need help. On offense....Martin can't do anything...maybe some easy layups or dunks...that's it...or hopefully make open perimeter jumpers. Duncan is better. Robinson vs. Mutombo. Wow......well they cancel each other out. This will actually be close......but Spurs will win in 5 or 6.
It is going to come down to K-mart and TD--and I just don't think K-mart can hold his own. 2 reasons: #1 height. TD shoots at will over 6'8" type players. kmart can jump out of the gym, but TD has a kind of set shot and other quick shots w/o jumping where I just don't think Kmart will be able to get to. #2 strength. TD is no beast, but he is pretty strong in the lower body. Corliss pushes around Kmart using his lower body--I just see Duncan doing the same. Kmart is going to have to have the offensive series of his life--doing a lot of damage and out quicking the Spurs front line to get fouls--otherwise the damage TD does on the Spurs offensive end will be too much. Kidd is great and the Nets will put up a fight--but I doubt they can win with their front line match-ups. Any chance Mutumbo plays? That would help a lot if he could give them 15-20 minutes.
the only reason they have mutombo, would be for the finals series. i see him getting about 20-25 mins each game. I think K-Mart will do fine with TD. Hes a great one on one defender. And if NJ comes with a quick double team every now and then, even better. Wasnt it just last night, the Double Team did wonders against TD. I think it was 3 FGA through the first half. And that was just with Raef, Walt Williams, Najera with a double team. NJ's Legit big ment in KMart, Collins, Mutumbo + a double every so often to keep the honesty there will be just fine. I think its going to be a good series. 1 of the better ones the last few years. I Think SA will win in 7.
mutumbo may play but he may also continue to get DNPs has David Robinson kicked everyone's butt in the playoffs??? Mutumbo can't guard Duncan and anyone can guard Robinson these days, Mutumbo can't guard Rose and even Willis will be too quick. Don't forget the Nets defense has been great so far, and Collins and Williams have been doing a great job, especially Collins with his defense and boards. Williams may get some time at the 4 guarding Duncan to give K-mart a break and Rogers is too small to play against TD, so maybe Mutumbo might play, my guess is he so out of place with the Nets running game and even there half court offense that Scott will have Rogers guarding Robinson before he puts Mutumbo in. Mutumbo is out the rotation cause he is slow and just doesn't fit the offense, especially after missing so much of the season.
The Nets have a chance, and I would love for them to win it, but of course the Spurs will be big favourites. The Keys for me to the Nets being a chance are *Tempo *Spers turnover count *Kidd's scoring production *K-Marts foul count *Kittles, Jefferson, Harris and Rogers need to outplay/score Manu, Jackson and Bowen.
