My Take...
My Take...
To all posters I respect what you have to say and taking time out to post and give your opinion. It's nice to have a place to do that and for the most part people respect each others opinion. I rarely post but do follow along daily to see what certain cappers post and to gain additional confidence with my own picks. I would like to share a couple of thoughts on this series after reading earlier post in this thread. With that said here is my take (yes I'm a Lakers fan):
I won't go over the one on one match ups but more on the team defense, as it truly comes down to executing schemes and rotating. When Orlando pounds the ball inside, do you double team or guard the perimeter? A question the Lakers haven't face this playoff. They have been able to find a middle ground, as most teams they faced always had a sub par shooter or two on the floor. That allowed our guards (ideally Kobe) to roam and use his bball IQ and athleticism. Unfortunately that is not the case in this series which makes things interesting. In general PJ is not a double team type of coach. I personally wouldn't double either, I would guard and deny the perimeter. I rather have Howard score 40+ every night and the rest of the team have to work very hard for their points. I don't see Orlando as a team with scorers, taking people off the dribble and pulling up (kobe type). If you double team and Orlando gets going with the threes, we've seen what they can do the previous 3 series. You know Orlando will use a lot of high pick n roll with Hedo and Howard, which most of the league knows Lakers are the not the greatest at defending. But using Howard for the pick makes life easier for the Lakers to defend it in comparison to other teams that have used a perimeter shooter as the pick person. Lakers need to make sure to go over the pick trailing Hedo and the post defender flash/show on the pick so Hedo can't pull up for a shot. It is important not to show to much because Howard could slip the pick for a lob or mismatch down low. If those two things happen (trailing and showing), then the rest of the Lakers can stay home on the perimeter shooters as I mentioned before I don't really see Orlando as a successful off the dribble pull up shooting team but more of a very successful catch and shoot team. Furthermore, I think another important defense for the Lakers is their offense, meaning if you attack the middle you can get Howard in foul trouble which makes life easier on the defensive end. Additionally, if Orlando is taking the ball out of the basket it makes it harder for transition 3s. I know easier said then done but that is the scheme. As far as the other key scorers like Lewis or Hedo, I do feel confident with Ariza on them after guarding a craftier player/scorer in Carmelo.
How will Orlando defend the Lakers? How will they defend Kobe AND Pau? Do they double them or let them go one on one? It was an easier question for Orlando to address when facing Cleveland. You had one guy to worry about, which was even easier considering the rest of the Cleveland team that stood around while watching Lebron, very stagnant. The league has shown us that in general a 40 point scorer doesn't equate to wins. If I were Orlando, I would double team and commit to it (not walk over or go half way) and rotate. I would rather see if Ariza can continue to hit from the outside, if Fisher can hit an outside shot, or which Odom shows up. Regardless of Orlando's defensive scheme, if the Lakers are patient and execute as they did in Game 5 and 6 vs. Denver, Orlando will be in trouble.
Last thought, I've been reading a lot that the Lakers haven't face a team like Orlando in the playoffs, i.e. both an inside and outside presence. Which is very true and I agree. But have they face a team like Lakers. Two prolific scorers in Kobe and Gasol, along with a deep bench that plays excellent at home. Philly-no, Boston-no (bench), Cleveland - no (one scorer, no bench).
I think this should be an entertaining series and not as easy for Lakers as some expert might believe.
GL to everyone with the bets. I hope we all make that money and take it to the man.