Matchups:C: Chris Kaman vs. Boris DiawPF: Elton Brand vs. Shawn MarionSF: Quinton Ross vs. James Jones (Mobley might be the one guarding him though, while Q guards somone in the backcourt, probably Nash, we'll see though.)SG: Cuttino Mobley vs. Raja BellPG: Sam Cassell vs. Steve NashI think the Clips have the advantage simply because of the frontcourt matchups. Brand is a lot stronger than Marion and Kaman has a big height advantage on Diaw and will look to shut him down.
Clippers in 6Brand and Kaman will abuse the suns interior [unless KT makes some sort of return]. Cassel will make nash play defense. Finally their a great defensive team.
If the Clipps can slow down Phoenix's fast break game, they will win the series. But they have to get back on defense in order to do that. In my opinion, the key matchups are:Elton Brand vs Shawn MarionEach player has their advantages and disadvantages. The advantage for Brand is that he has such a strong and powerful frame inside, that Marion wont be able to contain him that deep underneath the basket. The disadvantage for Brand is that when he's guarding Shawn Marion, Marion will force him to come defend him at the perimeter. Brand is a pretty good interior defender, but Marion's range will force him to come out the paint. It will be interesting what will happen between the two of them in this series. Chris Kaman vs Boris Diaw As you can see, I'm taking the big man matchups in this series. Mainly because Phoenix is missing Kurt Thomas and Amare Stoudmire's presence in the paint. In the 1st round, the Lakers found Phoenix's weakness and kept attacking the rim. Kaman is 7'0, and Diaw is only 6'8. I know Kaman has a solid jumper from 15 feet out, but he better post up on Diaw inside because he has about 4 or 5 inches on him. This is where Kaman uses his height advantage and where Diaw uses his quickness. If I were to choose who'd be taking this series, I'm really liking the Clippers' chances of beating Phoenix in 6.
I like the Clippers in 6 games, but I still like the Suns chances. Kind of weird to say Clippers in 6 but I'm confident, but still....
Your a suns fan right? anyway yeah I missed the MVP handout if they did it already hopefully I could catch it on the half time show.
Phoenix leading 45 to 41. They were leading by 10 but the Clippers came back, pretty good game by both teams, but surprisingly the Suns are leading in points in the paint
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DaCaliHustla50 @ May 8 2006, 10:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Phoenix leading 45 to 41. They were leading by 10 but the Clippers came back, pretty good game by both teams, but surprisingly the Suns are leading in points in the paint</div>Both teams are playing great offensively, but are just having a hard time on defense. The Clippers are just to slow compared to the Suns. The Suns keep driving to the lane, and getting into the paint with the guards. The reason for their points in the paint being higher is because of this, their big men are playing farter out from the basket, so Kaman and Brand are not down low as much to try to be able to alter the Suns shots. Also Brand is getting alot of his points from his mid range shot, and just off the block not in the paint.
This was a good game, i enjoyed the entire game. A couple of things i noticed was that the Clippers are just way to slow compared to the Suns, especially Kaman. The Suns spaced the floor, and pulled the Clippers big men out onto the wings then would drive to the lane, if someone closed in they would kick it out, and try again if they wasn't open. The ball movement was outstanding, and the pick and roll between Diaw and Nash killed the Clippers. The Clippers were confused all night on what to do to try to stop this, and never found an answer. Offensively the Clippers did well tonight, they got the ball to Brand alot who punished anyone that guarded him. Maggette shot the ball well the first half, but seemed to settle down in the second half and not play as well. The problem i really see with the Clippers, is that they need their three point shooting to get better this series. Once the other team figured out that Ross, Mobley, Livingston and Radmanovich were not hitting, the Suns had an easier time denying the ball to Brand which was shown in the fourth quarter. The man that was guarding Livingston and Ross and Maggette started backing off of them in front of Brand not allowing the Clippers to pass inside to Brand as much. Should be an exciting series, lets see what adjustments are made come the 2nd game of the series.
I'm starting to think the Clippers are too big and they lose some of their speed because of it. Both teams should have their way on offense. This will be a very high scoring series.
Suns in 6. experience counts for alot at this stage and Clippers don't have much of it.The Suns are just too good together.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Milgod @ May 9 2006, 01:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Suns in 6. experience counts for alot at this stage and Clippers don't have much of it.The Suns are just too good together.</div>The Clippers have just as much playoff experience as the Suns do... if not more.
The Suns as a whole might have more playoff experience, but having Cassell on the team who has more playoff experience than anyone else in this series, will help make up for that. I was surprised in game one to see Cassell take some of the quick shots he did, and try for one or two of the passes he did because he is so much smarter of a player than that. I picked the Clippers in six on another board, and i am going to stay with the Clippers in 6 games. I expect them to come out in the next game, slow down the game, have Cassell and the other wing men stop taking the quick shots that they took in game 1, and hit more open jump shots. Specifically Radmanovich and Mobley, the two best three point shooters on the team, they need to start hitting their shots, so that the defenses can not post one mand behind Brand, and one man in front of him before he can even get the ball. The Clippers will have to figure out a way to guard the perimeter and those threes while also being able to guard against penetration. If game one is any indication, Kaman even though he has the most height in this series, will not be a factor at all and will probably hurt the Clippers more than anything else.The Suns need to keep doing what they did yesterday, and this series is theirs for the taking. As everyone knows, the key to this series is pace and shot clock, yesterday proved it. If the Suns can keep it fast paced, keep taking open shots early in the shot clock, and keep the penetration going this is their series. If the Clippers can keep the game at a snails pace, use lots of time off the shot clock each posession, and keep the game below 100 points, this will be their series.
Though Kaman is big he doesn't seem to be that comfortable around the basket as he should be. Kinda like Dirk though he is stronger. If Kaman can get more reliable around the basket, he will be a force like Brand. This series definitely favors Brand but it also favors Nash so both teams will be offensive forces.
Your right, he doesn't seem comfortable around the basket. The big difference between him and Dirk though, is that Dirk has a great outside game as you know, and is decently fast for being a 7 footer. Kaman is slow, can't shoot from the outside at all, and really doesn't like to be touched. The slightest touch while going up causes him to miss his shot. This guy should be much better than he is, but he is just to slow, bad around the basket, and soft. Dirk even takes it up around the basket these days better than Kaman does.
I'd like to see Cassel make Nash play defense should be an interesting matchup there.They need to continue what they did with Brand yesterday and pound it inside.However they need to make sure they stop the Suns shooters from getting on fire like Barbosa did yesterday,he was struggling and hit 1 bucket and wasn't missing after that shot.
The first game the Clippers only lost by like what 7pts.?. I think the next game will be close i think the Clippers will take the next match. You never know till the final buzzer and see who takes it home.
