Post by Heebs on Feb 27, 2017 8:59:57 GMT -6
Good morning sim GMs. Today we're bringing you a special edition playoff preview of the Cuban Report presented by Cuban Report Media Company, an independent company specializing in first-class journalism and unbiased reporting.
Enjoy!
PS - we've got some unpaid interns working on finding and sizing images for this edition of the Report.
PPS - Ankly, check your work email.
Eastern Conference
1. Sixers v. 8. Bulls
Season Series - 3-1 (Sixers)
The Bulls managed to pull one game out at home. By a point. Not a promising stat for this series. Chicago's only hope is that Drummond goes off on a short-handed Sixers front court. This should be a bloodbath with the mighty Sixers sweeping the Bulls in 4, but the Bulls could win a game with ZBo injured for 9 days. To be honest, the Sixers would probably win 4-2 starting their backups. I'm not sure I've ever seen a team this deep in TMBSL.
2. Hornets v. 7. Hawks
Season Series - 2-2
This season's surprise team was the Charlotte Hornets. Vince Carter has made a case for most improved player, going from a solid starter to a superstar after getting a max deal. He is the best player in this match up. The Paul Pierce vs. Detlef Schrempf matchup is intriguing and is the only matchup where the Hornets don't hold a clear advantage. This shouldn't be a test for the Hornets, who will win in 6.
3. Knicks v. 6. Cavs
Season Series - 4-0 (Knicks)
The reigning champions come into this series with a commanding season series lead, but don't be fooled. The Cavaliers were without their best player for a lot of the season. They are a better team than their record suggests, and will test the Knicks in the first round. As good as Epstein is, he will need a lot of help from Elie and Kleiza to keep up with Sam Jones and Jimmy Jackson. If the Cavaliers can get the Knicks stars into foul trouble early they could win this one. This is my favorite first-round matchup in the East and I think the Knicks will win it in 7.
4. Nets v. 5. Pacers
Season Series - 2-2
An even matchup based on the season series, the Pacers had some unfortunate luck at the end of the season with a 16 day injury to Hal Greer. Jerry West is going to be asking a lot of Peyton Perkins and Marcus Paige to contain MVP Tyronn Lue. The Pacers best shot is to get the Nets bigs into foul trouble. With limited depth, if Ewing, Bynum, and Brown can limit AD and Bogut's minutes, they could feast inside on improvised big men OG Anunoby and I guess Carey Scurry. Ultimately Lue takes over and the Nets win in 5.
ROUND TWO!
1. Sixers v. 4 Nets
Season Series - 3-1 (Sixers)
The eastern conference semi-finals will go about how the season series went. Lue may be the best player on the court, but Ridnour isn't far behind. The Sixers have the clear advantage on the wings with Theus and Hondo. With the bigs being a wash, this matchup comes down to depth, which favors the Sixers. Sixers in 7.
2. Hornets v. 3. Knicks
Season Series - 3-0 (Knicks)
Don't let the season series fool you - the Hornets match up very well with the Knicks. Each team's big 3 are essentially a wash. This match up will come down to the much-maligned Pau Gasol. For years the target of abuse by the Fake News of New York Hamlettown, Pau is going to need to prove the doubters wrong and be a difference maker in this series. We're going for the Hornets in 7.
ECF!
1. Sixers v. 2. Hornets
Season Series - 2-1 (Sixers)
While the season series looks almost even, the scoreboards tell a different story. The only blow out win belonds to the Sixers, in Charlotte. And the other two games were decided by an average of 2.5 points. The Sixers are a complete team with incredible depth. Have we mentioned how deep this team is? The Hornets are going to need to get an incredible performance from Detlef to pull this series out. Sixers in 6.
Western Conference
1. Jazz v. 8. Clippers
Season Series - 4-0 (Jazz)
Jazz sweep both the season series and the playoffs. The Clippers best shot is a very slow inside offense and let Green feed Webber and Kandi man. Even then, the Jazz likely average 20+ ppg differential.
2. Warriors v. 7. Thunder
Season Series - 2-2
This season series was tight. With four games decided by an average 1.25 ppg differential, this has the makings of an upset. Star PG in White Chocolae? Check. Underrated wings in Wroten and Jamison? Check. A couple of d/reb bigs? Check and check. It's basically the mid 30s Knicks squads that surprised many on runs to the conference and league finals. But don't break out the popsicles yet. The Warriors are riding the hot hand of Sergey Karasev, who probably should have won MVP if the software didn't overvalue assists. In the end, Sergey will be too much for Tony Wroten and the Warriors will win in 6.
3. Rockets v. 6. Blazers
Season Series - 3-1 (Blazers)
It's been a given recently that the Blazers will be a top 3 seed, so we expect many prediction participants will pick this as an upset. And it may happen, but let us tell you why the Rockets will win this series. Rashard Lewis. The league's leading scorer is Baylor when Baylor was the best wing in the league. But Gilbert Arenas is still lacing 'em up for the Blazers, which means that the Blazers could beat anyone. In the end we're giving the edge to Rashard and will predict the Rockets in 7.
4. Kings v. 5. Wolves
Season Series - 3-1 (Wolves)
We were ready to predict a Kings sweep and to complain that the Wolves are on their way to wasting another elite talent. But let's look a little closer as Minnesota holds the season series lead and they actually blew the Kings out a couple of times. First, the Wolves hold the point guard edge with Lillard/Hinrich over Deane/Price. Next, John Long has a slight edge of Oladipo. We expected Long to have had a much better year, but for some reason he's fallen off a little. Once we get to the front court, this is the matchup that will determine the outcome: Lebron vs. wait for it . . . Luke Walton. Walton looks nice. He blocks shots well for a wing. But he's going to get exposed bigly. After seeing that, I'm not going to bother with the bigs. Kings in 5.
ROUND TWO!
1. Jazz v. 4. Kings
Season Series - 2-2
The season series looks even. The average margin of victory is .75 pts in favor of the Kings. That said, we're going to predict that the Jazz handle the Kings with ease. In their first playoff matchup, Bird and James will be the marquee names in this series. We expect Bird to get the best of the youngster this time. After that, the Jazz roster is just better than the Kings at this point. Benjamin "better than Jesse Epstein by a mile" will neutralize the Kings front court and Henderson will exploit Deane's aging quickness and strength. Jazz in 5.
2. Warriors v. 3. Rockets
Season Series - 2-2
Another even matchup out West. The Warriors big men are on a different level than the Rockets. However, Jonathan Bender is set to be exposed by Rashard Lewis, who will turn the tide of this series in favor of the Rockets. Rockets in 7.
Third Place Game
1. Jazz v. 3. Rockets
Season Series - 4-0 (Jazz)
Rashard, meet Larry. He's like you, but with 6 more TCs and a bunch of +3 championship points. The Rockets star, and the reason they've pushed to the conference finals, will be neturalized by Larry Legend. The rest of the Jazz's roster is just plain better than the Rockets and will carry the day in this series. Jazz in 6.
FINALS
1. Sixers v. 1. Jazz
Season Series - 1-1
This is the match up we all want to see. Two juggernauts on a collision course. They split the season series with an average margin of victory of .5 pts. Let's go position by position to get a feeling for how they match up. At point guard, we're giving Ridnour a solid edge over Henderson. At shooting guard, Hondo and Chet are a wash. At small forward, Bird has a solid edge over Theus (think about that - how good is Bird? Yes, as a Jazz). Big men is where the difference is - NOT. ZBo and Benjamin? Wash. Woods and Leonard? Slight edge Woods for the no-shoot, but it's close. Now depth. At big, we're giving Bosh a solid edge over West. But it's at the wing and point guard where the disparity lies. The Sixers trot out Middleton, Crowder, and Phegley as back ups. Any of those three would start for over half of the teams in the playoffs. Think about that. On the other hand, The Jazz have Mike Farmer and Bonzi Wells. We're going go give the edge to the Sixers because of their incredible depth. Sixers in 7.
Enjoy!
PS - we've got some unpaid interns working on finding and sizing images for this edition of the Report.
PPS - Ankly, check your work email.
Eastern Conference
1. Sixers v. 8. Bulls
Season Series - 3-1 (Sixers)
The Bulls managed to pull one game out at home. By a point. Not a promising stat for this series. Chicago's only hope is that Drummond goes off on a short-handed Sixers front court. This should be a bloodbath with the mighty Sixers sweeping the Bulls in 4, but the Bulls could win a game with ZBo injured for 9 days. To be honest, the Sixers would probably win 4-2 starting their backups. I'm not sure I've ever seen a team this deep in TMBSL.
2. Hornets v. 7. Hawks
Season Series - 2-2
This season's surprise team was the Charlotte Hornets. Vince Carter has made a case for most improved player, going from a solid starter to a superstar after getting a max deal. He is the best player in this match up. The Paul Pierce vs. Detlef Schrempf matchup is intriguing and is the only matchup where the Hornets don't hold a clear advantage. This shouldn't be a test for the Hornets, who will win in 6.
3. Knicks v. 6. Cavs
Season Series - 4-0 (Knicks)
The reigning champions come into this series with a commanding season series lead, but don't be fooled. The Cavaliers were without their best player for a lot of the season. They are a better team than their record suggests, and will test the Knicks in the first round. As good as Epstein is, he will need a lot of help from Elie and Kleiza to keep up with Sam Jones and Jimmy Jackson. If the Cavaliers can get the Knicks stars into foul trouble early they could win this one. This is my favorite first-round matchup in the East and I think the Knicks will win it in 7.
4. Nets v. 5. Pacers
Season Series - 2-2
An even matchup based on the season series, the Pacers had some unfortunate luck at the end of the season with a 16 day injury to Hal Greer. Jerry West is going to be asking a lot of Peyton Perkins and Marcus Paige to contain MVP Tyronn Lue. The Pacers best shot is to get the Nets bigs into foul trouble. With limited depth, if Ewing, Bynum, and Brown can limit AD and Bogut's minutes, they could feast inside on improvised big men OG Anunoby and I guess Carey Scurry. Ultimately Lue takes over and the Nets win in 5.
ROUND TWO!
1. Sixers v. 4 Nets
Season Series - 3-1 (Sixers)
The eastern conference semi-finals will go about how the season series went. Lue may be the best player on the court, but Ridnour isn't far behind. The Sixers have the clear advantage on the wings with Theus and Hondo. With the bigs being a wash, this matchup comes down to depth, which favors the Sixers. Sixers in 7.
2. Hornets v. 3. Knicks
Season Series - 3-0 (Knicks)
Don't let the season series fool you - the Hornets match up very well with the Knicks. Each team's big 3 are essentially a wash. This match up will come down to the much-maligned Pau Gasol. For years the target of abuse by the Fake News of New York Hamlettown, Pau is going to need to prove the doubters wrong and be a difference maker in this series. We're going for the Hornets in 7.
ECF!
1. Sixers v. 2. Hornets
Season Series - 2-1 (Sixers)
While the season series looks almost even, the scoreboards tell a different story. The only blow out win belonds to the Sixers, in Charlotte. And the other two games were decided by an average of 2.5 points. The Sixers are a complete team with incredible depth. Have we mentioned how deep this team is? The Hornets are going to need to get an incredible performance from Detlef to pull this series out. Sixers in 6.
Western Conference
1. Jazz v. 8. Clippers
Season Series - 4-0 (Jazz)
Jazz sweep both the season series and the playoffs. The Clippers best shot is a very slow inside offense and let Green feed Webber and Kandi man. Even then, the Jazz likely average 20+ ppg differential.
2. Warriors v. 7. Thunder
Season Series - 2-2
This season series was tight. With four games decided by an average 1.25 ppg differential, this has the makings of an upset. Star PG in White Chocolae? Check. Underrated wings in Wroten and Jamison? Check. A couple of d/reb bigs? Check and check. It's basically the mid 30s Knicks squads that surprised many on runs to the conference and league finals. But don't break out the popsicles yet. The Warriors are riding the hot hand of Sergey Karasev, who probably should have won MVP if the software didn't overvalue assists. In the end, Sergey will be too much for Tony Wroten and the Warriors will win in 6.
3. Rockets v. 6. Blazers
Season Series - 3-1 (Blazers)
It's been a given recently that the Blazers will be a top 3 seed, so we expect many prediction participants will pick this as an upset. And it may happen, but let us tell you why the Rockets will win this series. Rashard Lewis. The league's leading scorer is Baylor when Baylor was the best wing in the league. But Gilbert Arenas is still lacing 'em up for the Blazers, which means that the Blazers could beat anyone. In the end we're giving the edge to Rashard and will predict the Rockets in 7.
4. Kings v. 5. Wolves
Season Series - 3-1 (Wolves)
We were ready to predict a Kings sweep and to complain that the Wolves are on their way to wasting another elite talent. But let's look a little closer as Minnesota holds the season series lead and they actually blew the Kings out a couple of times. First, the Wolves hold the point guard edge with Lillard/Hinrich over Deane/Price. Next, John Long has a slight edge of Oladipo. We expected Long to have had a much better year, but for some reason he's fallen off a little. Once we get to the front court, this is the matchup that will determine the outcome: Lebron vs. wait for it . . . Luke Walton. Walton looks nice. He blocks shots well for a wing. But he's going to get exposed bigly. After seeing that, I'm not going to bother with the bigs. Kings in 5.
ROUND TWO!
1. Jazz v. 4. Kings
Season Series - 2-2
The season series looks even. The average margin of victory is .75 pts in favor of the Kings. That said, we're going to predict that the Jazz handle the Kings with ease. In their first playoff matchup, Bird and James will be the marquee names in this series. We expect Bird to get the best of the youngster this time. After that, the Jazz roster is just better than the Kings at this point. Benjamin "better than Jesse Epstein by a mile" will neutralize the Kings front court and Henderson will exploit Deane's aging quickness and strength. Jazz in 5.
2. Warriors v. 3. Rockets
Season Series - 2-2
Another even matchup out West. The Warriors big men are on a different level than the Rockets. However, Jonathan Bender is set to be exposed by Rashard Lewis, who will turn the tide of this series in favor of the Rockets. Rockets in 7.
Third Place Game
1. Jazz v. 3. Rockets
Season Series - 4-0 (Jazz)
Rashard, meet Larry. He's like you, but with 6 more TCs and a bunch of +3 championship points. The Rockets star, and the reason they've pushed to the conference finals, will be neturalized by Larry Legend. The rest of the Jazz's roster is just plain better than the Rockets and will carry the day in this series. Jazz in 6.
FINALS
1. Sixers v. 1. Jazz
Season Series - 1-1
This is the match up we all want to see. Two juggernauts on a collision course. They split the season series with an average margin of victory of .5 pts. Let's go position by position to get a feeling for how they match up. At point guard, we're giving Ridnour a solid edge over Henderson. At shooting guard, Hondo and Chet are a wash. At small forward, Bird has a solid edge over Theus (think about that - how good is Bird? Yes, as a Jazz). Big men is where the difference is - NOT. ZBo and Benjamin? Wash. Woods and Leonard? Slight edge Woods for the no-shoot, but it's close. Now depth. At big, we're giving Bosh a solid edge over West. But it's at the wing and point guard where the disparity lies. The Sixers trot out Middleton, Crowder, and Phegley as back ups. Any of those three would start for over half of the teams in the playoffs. Think about that. On the other hand, The Jazz have Mike Farmer and Bonzi Wells. We're going go give the edge to the Sixers because of their incredible depth. Sixers in 7.
