Team T team writeup
When you look at a wildcard team, look no further than Team T. A team high on intangibles, playmaking, athleticism and defense they make for a tough opponent for any opposition. Picture the starting lineup, Chris Paul in transition, with Kobe and Penny filling the lanes. CP3 gives it off to Penny, who then lobs it up to Kobe for the alley. That, matched with the elite defense of CP3, Jerry West, and Kobe Bryant makes for a matchup nightmare for Team M. Team M, though a very powerful offensive backcourt has very weak perimeter defense in Steve Nash, Book, and Donovan Mitchell. Though Gordon Hayward was a respectably well rounded player in his prime, he is completely out of his element on the floor with Kobe Bryant. Let's have rewind time to the time a hobbled 38 year old Kobe Bryant (on one good leg) destroyed a prime Hayward for 60 points in his final game ever.
Now, let’s imagine him in his prime. Kobe would have a field day with Gordon Hayward and Robert Horry, and the weakness will leave gaps in team M's defense that will lead to easy scoring opportunities for the rest of the team. Team M will likely be desperately trying to run the ball through LeBron James, whom with the dynamic that our team possesses can run zone to keep KB24 and Penny on the perimeter guarding LeBron, and the powerhouse of Kevin McHale and Bob McAdoo to handle him in the post. The Admiral, though a physical phenom on the interior will have to adjust to guarding out to the perimeter on Joel. If Joel has issues in the post, he can adjust his game and play out to 35 feet, if needed.
Kevin McHale is without a doubt one of most underrated post players in NBA history, and it gets disregarded too much. A multi-time MVP candidate McHale would have a field day posting up LeBron and breaking him down with his superb post moves when handed the ball down low. Defensively, McHale was elite on the interior, and possessed a massive 7'11 wingspan and for a big man could actually hold his own on the perimeter.
Altogether Team M does not match up well defensively with team T. Team T has a number of utility guys that can be thrown into the lineup, to cause problems for Team M. The amount of Championship experience, All NBA and All Defensive accolades carried among the team will empower them to get the job done.
