BadBaronRudigor

G Isaiah Thomas
G Rolando Blackman
F Mark Aguirre
F Tom Chambers
C Larry Nance
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G Danny Ainge
G Kelly Tripucka
F Eddie Johnson
F Orlando Woolridge
F Buck Williams
F Steve Johnson
C Danny Schayes

(6) 1976
G John Lucas
F Alex English
F Adrian Dantley
F Mitch Kupchak
C Robert Parish
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G Dennis Johnson
G Sonny Parker
G Johnny Davis
G Quinn Buckner
F Terry Furlow
F Scott May
C Lonnie Shelton

Analysis:
Big man scoring -- Parish/May/Kupchak v. Williams/Chambers/Nance. I used groupings of threes here because Kupchak would be the most likely 6th man for the 76ers and Nance for the 81s despite the fact that they are better than May/Chambers respectively. However, May moves the ball well and has a nice outside shot to allow Dantley to work inside. Parish will be the best player in this grouping and the only true postup threat, but Buck Williams will keep him from getting too much. Chambers and Nance are both great open court players; if this turns into a running game the edge would change over to the 81 team but in playoff basketball, halfcourt play tends to be emphasized. Edge 76ers.

Wing and guard scoring. Lucas/DJohnson/Dantley/English v. Thomas/Blackman/Aguirre/E.Johnson. The 81ers have the volume scoring in Thomas and Aguirre, the 76ers with Dantley and 6th man Alex Engish who was very comfortable playing the 2/3/4 positions. Blackman outscored Johnson but both sides have enough scoring to get 150 points per game so you have to look at efficiency and playing style. Thomas and Lucas are similar in efficiency and shooting range, Thomas was stronger driving to the hoop. Neither Blackman nor DJ had great shooting range either but Blackman was the more efficient scorer with the more consistent shot. Aquirre and Dantley are the most efficient and highest volume scorers on their respective teams and while Aguirre was outstanding, Dantley was probably arguably the most efficient great scorer that didn't play center. English is the equivalent of Aguirre in efficiency but with a more versatile game and would get starter minutes as 6th man. Eddie Johnson gives the 81s a true long range threat to open things up.

The question to my mind is how much Isiah would be willing to play pass first point and let the more efficient Aquirre and Blackman (and inside guys) be the primary scorers. His history in Detroit with both Dantley and Aquirre says to me that he needs to be the first option, if that is the case, the fact that he is both a volume shooter and the least efficient scorer on his team would actually be a detriment for the team. Lucas was always a pass first player. Edge 81 if Isiah's ego gets sublimated to his team; 76ers if it doesn't and you have Isiah v. Dantley as the leading scorers.

Passing. Isiah is the best playmaker on the floor. Lucas was very good though and Dennis Johnson gives the 81ers a strong second point. All the main scorers were also very good passers; the only average passers in the main rotation were Kupchak and Nance. Both Dantley and Aquirre slow down the passing game with their styles, Aguirre a little less so. No clear edge.

Rebounding -- Buck Williams and Parish are both very good rebounders, Chambers has an edge on May, Kupchak and Nance are even. Outside the rebounding edge goes to the 76ers whose other players were more active on the boards, edge 81.

Defense -- Williams is the best man defender inside, Parish the best help defender, Nance is an excellent help defender too, Kupchak was solid before his injury, May a bit better than Chambers. Outside, DJ is the only true stopper, Blackman and Isiah were both good, Lucas and English a bit above average, Aquirre bad and Dantley worse. For that matter Eddie Johnson was pretty weak too. No clear edge.

Bench -- For the 76ers, 6th man Alex English is in the HOF for a reason. He was a great scorer, efficient and able to take players both inside and out while playing solid defense. Mitch Kupchak before his injury was one of the great energy guys with good offensive skills and the size to play both 4 and 5 but was cut down early (he and Lucas would be significantly downgraded if we weren't looking at best years only). Buckner gives a defensive stopper at guard, Davis another playmaker, Shelton is another big body. For the 81ers, Larry Nance is also a 3 position player who was a great help defender and super efficient finisher. Eddie Johnson, Kelly Tripuka, and Danny Ainge offer outside shooting, Schayes and Steve Johnson some more fouls. Edge 76ers.

Intangibles -- Parish and DJ were great winners for the 76ers, Isiah for the 81 team. The 76 team has better defined roles and balance, the 81 team more stars and more guys that can step up and take over a game. John Lucas was a good player before the coke but can you count on a guy like that in the clutch? Edge 81

Overall -- I give the overall edge to the 76 team because I feel that it will play more like a team with Dantley being the go to guy offensively and plenty of secondary scoring (Parish, DJ, English). I think the 81 team is more talented and if they can merge their egos and focus the offense around the Aquirre/Blackman/Chambers combination, they would be my choice, I just don't see Isiah giving up the lead man role nor do I see that team being strong enough defensively to allow him to be the primary scorer and beat a team with as many strengths as the 76 team. Parish inside, DJ outside is too good defensively and Dantley leading the offense is too much. Edge 76.

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