Ah yes, once again in the Playoffs we have a Bulls Pistons match up.
The last time we had this was in 1991, it was the launching pad for the Jordan Dynasty.
It was the year that the Bullies had finally broken through their barrier and beaten the Bad Boy Pistons and the Jordan Rules.
It was the beginning of the brightest years of my young life.
Now the Baby Bulls+Ben Wallace and PJ Brown will look to continue their march towards the Finals against a much tougher foe than the regular season head to head records indicate, the Pistons.
The Bulls took the regular season match up 3-1, but as we all know the playoffs are a different beast.
Position by position breakdown:
C:
Ben Wallace V. Chris Webber
If this was the Webber of old it'd be a no doubter, but he plays limited minutes now and doesn't score as much as he used to. Ben Wallace's offense has come alive of late, but he is too spotty at the charity stripe to give him the edge. What gives Big Ben an edge is his defensive prowess and his rebounding ability.
Slight Edge goes to Webber however.
PF:
PJ Brown V. Rasheed Wallace
No brainer this goes to 'sheed. Better O and he gets dirty in the paint. PJ is nice, but his effectiveness is limited by his age. What will make this a push is whether Tyrus Thomas can play to his potential.
Edge Wallace
SF:
Tayshaun Prince V. Luol Deng
The runner up in exciting matches of this series. Prince's long arms and athletic ability v. Deng's long arms and athletic ability. Deng has been a monster in the post season, so I will give the edge to Deng.
But this will be entertaining to watch.
Edge Deng
SG:
Rip Hamilton V. Ben Gordon
Marquee.
Rip has the experience, Gordon the youth and both possess explosiveness. Crucify me if you like, I like Gordon in this match up. Both make big shots at big times, but I can see Gordon making more.
Edge: Gordon
PG:
Chauncy Billups V. Captain Kirk
Close, but not close enough. Billups is a smarter and better basketball player. Hinrich is a coaches son and plays like one, but he still has some learning to do.
Edge: Billups.
Bench:
Nocioni/Thomas/Sefolosha/Allen V. Hunter/McDyess/Hunter/Mohammed.
Edge to the Bulls.
This will be the difference maker in the series. Sure the Bulls don't have that one guy you have to key on, but that's what makes them dangerous. They get help from all sides and off the bench especially when Noc comes in.
Prediction:
Sticking to it, Bulls in 7.
3 comments:
The Bulls will in win the series, but don't get it twisted. The matchup advantages are ALL WRONG. Chris Webber is a bum, and after Wallace gets physical with him he'll have his "my puppy just died" face and he'll crumble. And while I love Ben Gordon, a Richard Hamilton he is not.
And in the most crucial mistake, the biggest bench contributor for the Bulls will be from Chris Duhon. His defense will shut down Billups in the critical moments, and he runs the offense as smooth as any PG in the league. That's right David, any PG in the league!
Is it just me, or does the Pistons player #53 in the photo with MJ look like he could be Rasheed Wallace's father? It's unreal how much they resemble one another!
#53 is James Edwards and no, he looks nothing like Rasheed. And by the way, dude had a 19 year career!
Sal, you're right. According to multiple NBA GM's I talked to, the point guard rankings are 1)Chris Duhon, 2)Steve Nash and 3)Jason Kidd. They universally agreed that Duhon was the best young point guard in the league, well above Paul and Williams.
I think the Pistons win this one in six or seven. It took Jordan's Bulls FOUR times to defeat the Pistons, and similarly I think the Baby Bulls are still a year or two away.
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