NBA Player Draft Playoffs Game 1

[Nosferatu]

Please vote for which team you think is better.

Every player drafted is to be looked at like they are in their prime today!


Team A

Starters
PG - Rajon Rondo
SG - Ben Gordon
SF - LeBron James
PF - Kevin Love
C - Serge Ibaka

Bench
PG - Monta Ellis
PG - Patrick Beverley
SG - Wesley Matthews
SG - Kevin Martin
SF - Nicolas Batum
PF - Boris Diaw
C - Andrew Bynum
C - Robin Lopez

OR

Team B

Starters
PG - John Wall
SG - Joe Johnson
SF - Kevin Durant
PF - Pau Gasol
C - LaMarcus Aldridge

Bench
PG - Ricky Rubio
PG - Isaiah Thomas
SG/SF - Kyle Korver
SF - Andrew Wiggins
SF - Gordon Hayward
PF - Derrick Favors
PF - Zach Randolph
C - Enes Kanter

 

[Pack 500]

Very close but would swung me to team A is that Aldridge is not a center

 

[Ritzarmy]

Very close but would swung me to team A is that Aldridge is not a center

According to the always accurate Wikipedia, Aldridge is a PF/C.

 

[Pack 500]

According to the always accurate Wikipedia, Aldridge is a PF/C.

That's why they're Wikipedia

 

[wlk3]

According to the always accurate Wikipedia, Aldridge is a PF/C.

He's played C a lot his career... JJ Hickson, was PF I believe before they got Lopez... Before him I can't think of off the top but I believe it was a PF... Pryzbilla? Was there somewhere... But he has been the C for seasons if not just games...

 

[Pack 500]

He's played C a lot his career... JJ Hickson, was PF I believe before they got Lopez... Before him I can't think of off the top but I believe it was a PF... Pryzbilla? Was there somewhere... But he has been the C for seasons if not just games...

Yeah well good luck with him as your rim protector against Lebron

 

[Ritzarmy]

He's played C a lot his career... JJ Hickson, was PF I believe before they got Lopez... Before him I can't think of off the top but I believe it was a PF... Pryzbilla? Was there somewhere... But he has been the C for seasons if not just games...

Basketball Reference.com has it

Position: Power Forward and Center ▪ Shoots: Right
Height: 6-11 ▪ Weight: 240 lbs.

 

[wlk3]

Slight, and I mean slight lean to Team B... I think there could have been different pieces around Lebron to use his strengths more... I really wanted Rondo but to go with Lebron, not so much... Chalmers is the better shooter and his disappearance was big when Bron kicked on the drive... Also the inside game is a bit slanted to B... Bench is pretty even... Imo

 

[wlk3]

Yeah well good luck with him as your rim protector against Lebron

I don't disagree, I was just saying he played Center... That's a good point though...

 

[Nosferatu]

Guys please remember to send me your rankings in a PM of best team to worst team, do not include your own team.

 

[bksballer89]

Going with team A. I think the starters are even but I like Team A bench better

 

[ehb5]

Rondo v Wall is close
Gordon v Johnson is close
Lebron > Durant
Love > Pau
Aldridge > Ibaka

But like others said theres no rim protection against Lebron and I like team A's bench better.

 

[blstoker]

He's played C a lot his career... JJ Hickson, was PF I believe before they got Lopez... Before him I can't think of off the top but I believe it was a PF... Pryzbilla? Was there somewhere... But he has been the C for seasons if not just games...

Actually, when Hickson was here, he was the center in Portland. Aldridge has played center, but honestly he just isn't very good at it. Personally, I would have played Pau at center (he's got a lot more experience and I think he's better suited for it). I really think it's a mistake starting Aldridge at center, as I think he's the 4th best center on his roster, but he is the best power forward. IMO.

 

[wlk3]

Actually, when Hickson was here, he was the center in Portland. Aldridge has played center, but honestly he just isn't very good at it. Personally, I would have played Pau at center (he's got a lot more experience and I think he's better suited for it). I really think it's a mistake starting Aldridge at center, as I think he's the 4th best center on his roster, but he is the best power forward. IMO.

You're right...

 

[broncosmitty]

This is Kevin Loves first playoff game! (Gordon has only started over half his games three times. Nice 6th man, not a starter IMO.)

 

[wlk3]

Rondo v Wall is close
Gordon v Johnson is close
Lebron > Durant
Love > Pau
Aldridge > Ibaka

But like others said theres no rim protection against Lebron and I like team A's bench better.

Not sure if prime Love is better than prime Pau...

 

[ehb5]

Not sure if prime Love is better than prime Pau...

Paus a better defender but im gonna take 26 and 12 over 20 and 10 especially when love adds 3 pt shooting.

 

[blstoker]

Rondo v Wall is close
Gordon v Johnson is close
Lebron > Durant
Love > Pau
Aldridge > Ibaka

Even as a Blazers fan, I can't say that Aldridge is a better center than Ibaka, though I already explained that was because center isn't his position. Here's how I see it:

Rondo > Wall (I prefer pass first PGs)
Gordon < Johnson
James > Durant
Love > Gasol
Ibaka > Aldridge

Ellis, Beverley > Rubio, Thomas
Matthews, Martin > Kyle Korver
Nic Batum > Wiggins, Hayward
Boris Diaw < Randolph, Favors
Bynum, Lopez > Enes Kanter

Offensively, I think the two teams match up well together, but defensively I feel team A is better.

I understand that putting Pau at PF may have more to do with Love than anything, but all that does is allow Love to take him out from being able to help on James or leave Love's distance shot open. It focuses on the individual matchups over team defense.

 

[Nosferatu]

Not sure if prime Love is better than prime Pau...

Settle down Lakers fan!

 

[wlk3]

Settle down Lakers fan!