Quote:
Originally Posted by RollWithEm
(3) 2001
G Gilbert Arenas
G Joe Johnson
F Gerald Wallace – 2006 – 21.3 PER
F Zach Randolph
C Pau Gasol
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G Tony Parker
G Jason Richardson
G Jamaal Tinsley – 2005 – 26.1 Ast Rate
F Richard Jefferson
F Mehmet Okur
C Tyson Chandler
C Brendan Haywood – 2008 – Most Improved Player Candidate
VS.
(6) 1993
G Sam Cassell
G Penny Hardaway
F Jamal Mashburn
F Chris Webber
C Vin Baker – 1997 – 20.1 PER, 21 PPG, 10 RPG, 3 APG, 1.4 BPG
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G Nick Van Exel
G Allan Houston
G Isaiah Rider
G Lucious Harris
F Rodney Rogers
F Chris Mills
C Shawn Bradley
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I just realized I got so caught up talking about who would be on the teams that I have never even given my opinion on who would win this match-up.
Jamaal Tinsley is the best true playmaker on the 2001 squad. He might not even get the chance to get off the bench for this team, though. The 1993 team has 3 or 4 better distributors in their top 8 guys. That being said, I don’t think either team has a decided advantage in quickness. Tony Parker might be the fastest player on either team, but Van Exel and Hardaway are easily the next two in that department. I don’t think the 2001 team has much of an answer for Penny, but the 1993 team has no real answer for Jefferson or Richardson. In terms of outside shooting, I give 1993 the edge. Houston, Harris, Rogers, Mills, Van Exel, and Cassell were all above-average from long range at their peak levels. The best outside bomber on the 2001 team is arguably a 7-footer.
In my opinion, both teams have 2 of the top 4 back-to-the-basket scorers in this match-up. Neither team should experience many scoring draughts with all of these competent one-on-one players with the shot clock running down. The 2001 team has the slightly better defensive front court, but I don’t think any of them would slow down Webber. Chandler/Haywood might give Baker some trouble, but neither is quick enough to guard cutters if Webber is in the high post area. I’m really intrigued by the Mashburn vs. Wallace/Jefferson match-up. I think those are the types of defenders that always gave Mashburn the most trouble. I think Mash would probably be rendered relatively ineffective in this one.
I think this match-up will basically come down to two unstoppable forces. Penny and Gilbert were both completely unguardable at peak level. Whichever one of them is hot on a given night will probably determine the outcome of this game. In the clutch, I think putting Gerald Wallace on Penny could be effective in spurts, but who on the 1993 team can guard Arenas? Isaiah Rider was arguably the “best” perimeter defender of this group, but he couldn’t stay in front of Gil.
I’m torn, but I think the 1993 team’s offense would just move smoother. Mashburn and Rider are the only real ball-dominators in their top 10 guys. The 2001 team has Randolph, Arenas, Richardson, and Okur. I guess I give the edge to 1993 in a high-scoring nail-biter.