quote:
That's the big problem here.
Ibaka is about as good a matchup as you could hope to get on Dirk.
But Marion is a bit slow for Durant. And are you really going to throw Kidd/Barea/Terry on Westbrook?
Westbrook is the x-factor. If he stops ball hogging and starts creating, Thunder roll. If he tries to prove he is the Alpha and Durant is there to help him out, Dirk will be able to take advantage of it.
I'm not worried about Ibaka on Dirk. While Ibaka is much more athletic than Gasol, and will put in more energy defensively than Camby/The Marcus did, I think Dirk will be able to back down Ibaka much easier. Not to mention he's a pretty young guy and
loves to swat people's shots, I can see Dirk doing his usual set of moves and getting Ibaka off his feet, drawing the foul, with a chance for and-1.
With Durant, I think the key is to be physical. He's going to get his points, no matter what. He's too great of a player. But watching how Artest got into his body and just out muscled him last year in the playoffs, I'd have Marion glued to him as soon as he touches the ball. And again, do your work defensively off the ball. Deny, deny, deny, and play the passing lanes. Durant is a great catch-and-shooter.
The more I think about Westbrook, the less I'm concerned. His explosion to the basket is Rose-esque, but Chandler is a great help defender and Perk/Ibaka don't pose much of an offense threat. I almost want him to drive the basket and put up those crazy layups with Chandler in his face than allow Durant to get going.
Harden is actually the guy that scares from a match-up standpoint. If he gets going, he's a scary dude. He flies under the radar with Durant and Westbrook on the floor.
[This message has been edited by Judge (edited 5/12/2011 5:16p).]
