I got to thinking, and just couldn’t stop myself from making an NBA version today, after filling out my own lineups. I thought I owed it to my audience to bring you a few guys here to grab and avoid.
Guys to Grab
Tony Parker-Parker is selling on fan duel leagues at 5,200. That’s insanely low considering his vast playoff experience. Additionally, I think we’ll see Kawhi Leonard all over CP3 on defense, and CP3 will use up a lot of energy on that end. I think a natural move is to attack him on the defensive end, and completely take him out of the game if possible. Look for Tony Parker to attack, attack, attack at least this first game, and see how Chris Paul handles constant pressure on both ends.
Tony Parker-Parker is selling on fan duel leagues at 5,200. That’s insanely low considering his vast playoff experience. Additionally, I think we’ll see Kawhi Leonard all over CP3 on defense, and CP3 will use up a lot of energy on that end. I think a natural move is to attack him on the defensive end, and completely take him out of the game if possible. Look for Tony Parker to attack, attack, attack at least this first game, and see how Chris Paul handles constant pressure on both ends.
Tim Duncan-Duncan rebounds almost 27% of the defensive rebounds available for his team while on the floor. I expect the Spurs to put DeAndre Jordan on the line as often as possible-perhaps as many as 25+ times-creating a lot of rebounding opportunities for Duncan to clean up, without an opposing center to battle him for them. Addtionally, his minutes will go up from the 28 mpg he’s been playing all year to probably about 32 mpg. I’m looking for his rebounding numbers to go from 9 per game to at least 13 during this series.
Kevin Love-I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lebron take it easy in the Cavs’ first playoff game. He wanted his teammates to learn the hard way earlier in the year, and he may have similar ideas in their first playoff series. The Celtics present no real threat to the Cavs, so they could go down a game or even two before he turned it on and won four straight to move on to the next round. With great defensive guards in Boston, and not a whole lot of great big guys, Kevin Love may have some opportunity to play the lead role and put some points on the board.
Guys to Avoid
Kyrie Irving-Irving heads this list as the Cavs gear up to play Boston in the opening round. Boston features perhaps the best defensive backcourt in the league, in Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley. Brad Stevens is a smart coach. He may just have his two young guards shut down Kyrie to the best of their significant ability, blanket Kevin Love on the exterior, and let Lebron get his, figuring he can’t beat them on his own, or something to that effect. Either way, I expect Irving to have a rough day today in his first playoff game ever.
Kyrie Irving-Irving heads this list as the Cavs gear up to play Boston in the opening round. Boston features perhaps the best defensive backcourt in the league, in Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley. Brad Stevens is a smart coach. He may just have his two young guards shut down Kyrie to the best of their significant ability, blanket Kevin Love on the exterior, and let Lebron get his, figuring he can’t beat them on his own, or something to that effect. Either way, I expect Irving to have a rough day today in his first playoff game ever.
DeAndre Jordan-The “Hack a lousy free throw shooter” strategy has been widely talked about, and this game promises to be it’s coming out party in the postseason. Jordan struggles at the line, and his frustration may spill over to the rest of the court, or keep him off it entirely. Either way, he’s no a risk I’m taking today.
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