spycam1:
PG: Magic Johnson / Kyrie Irving
SG: Joe Dumars / Victor Oladipo
SF: Andre Iguodala / Rashard Lewis
PF: Larry Bird / Kevin Love
C: Alonzo Mourning / Marcus Camby
Write-up:
I think Wes has one of the best teams in this tournament. Both teams have defense, spacing, intangibles, and chemistry. I think it would be a great series. It would be full of trash talk and physical play.
Having said that, I think my team would win for a few reasons:
1. I have the two best players in the series: Magic & Bird.
Both are Mt. Rushmore candidates. When you have not only the best player in the series but the
two best players, chances are you're going to win. There are very few exceptions to this principle.
2. Mismatches at the PG and PF positions.
This series showcases the types of positional mismatches Magic and Bird create. Traditional PGs can't match up with the size of Magic, and prototypical PFs can't match up with the perimeter play of Bird.
Thomas was only 6'1, while Magic was 6'9. This would cause problems on both ends of the court for Thomas.
When they faced each other in the 1988 Finals, it was Magic who won. In that series, Magic averaged: 21 PPG, 13 APG, 6 RPG, 2 SPG, and shot 55% from the field (meanwhile, Thomas shot less than 43%).
The following season, the Pistons and Lakers faced each other again in the Finals, but Magic was out for the series with a hamstring injury. In Magic's absence, it wasn't Thomas who stepped up; it was Joe Dumars. Dumars went on to average 27.3 PPG, 6 APG, while shooting 58% to lead Detroit to a title, and take home Finals MVP. In other words, Isiah never beat Magic in a series; the one time he beat the Lakers, it was because Magic was out, and even then, Dumars was the best player on his team.
Having said all that, Bird would create the biggest mismatch in the series: Bird vs Bosh.
Chris Bosh has no chance of guarding Larry ****ing Bird on the perimeter (or even in the post for that matter). Bird could play this series left handed and still make Bosh cry.
This mismatch is so bad for Wes' team, his options would be this:
1. Have Bosh guard Bird, allowing Bird to dominate for 40+ every game.
2. Have Kawhi guard Bird, which would result in Bosh guarding Iguodala. Iggy would then have laughably easy drives to the basket:
3. Bench Bosh, starting Joe Ingles or Khris Middleton--neither of whom deserve to start in a competition like this.
3. Defensive Match-Ups
Wes' top three scorers are David Robinsnon, Kawhi Leonard, and Reggie Miller, who will all be guarded by world class defenders: Alonzo Mourning, Andre Iguodala, and Joe Dumars.
David Robinson (and anyone entering the paint) has to score on 2X DPOY Alonzo Mourning.
Reggie Miller has to score on Joe Dumars (5X All-Defense).
Kawhi has to score on Andre Iguodala (2X All-Defense).
Kawhi would also see time against Larry Bird (3X All-Defense; 25th all time in Defensive Win Shares; 9th all time in Playoff Defensive Win Shares).
In sum, my team would have a much easier time stopping Wes' than his would have stopping mine. Wes' top scorers will all be guarded by world class defenders. On the other hand, Thomas/Bosh cannot guard Magic/Bird; Thomas and Bosh have combined for zero all defensive teams. Magic and Bird are the two best players in this series, and they would have a field day against those defenders.
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