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Class of '79 vs. Class of '92
It's a shame that either a Shaquille O'Neal-led or a Magic Johnson-led team will be knocked out of the first round, but that's the reality here. This is definitely going to a "meet me in the lane"-type affair -- a lot of post-ups, hard fouls and some serious chest-bumping. The '92 team has the massive and physical Shaq and one of the most intense interior players in 'Zo; the '79 group has no shrinking violets with Laimbeer, Cartwright, Natt, Eaton and Donaldson.
The Class of '92's biggest problem is not ball-handling, but play-calling. Jackson had a good handle for a shooting guard, but he had more of a scorer's mentality (and at a fairly low efficiency at that). The same holds true with Williams, who was worse in both categories. Sprewell was a volume scorer with a decent handle who was more effective in transition. Moreover, Jackson, Williams and Christie were decent to slightly above average outside shooters, but not quite good enough to keep the '79 group from packing it in.
Moncrief may not be exclusively an on-the-ball-pressure defender in this game. I feel he also will help double down on Shaq and 'Zo and occasionally play the passing lanes with Magic. Shaq will get his (26 points, 11 rebounds), but he's going to be separated at least once from Laimbeer before a fight breaks out and he's going to be irritated by Cartwright's flying elbows ('Zo likely will need to separated from Cartwright). There will be a lot of bumping in the lane with Donaldson as well.
The Class of '92 actually may have to run on the break more to have a chance of winning. Jackson, Christie, Sprewell, Williams and Gugliotta are more effective in open space and a younger version of The Big Fella can run down the floor in transition well (Shaq will make at least one cartoonish expression after running back after a slam). Magic was arguably the greatest I've ever seen at orchestrating the break, but outside of Moncrief and Paxson there aren't any runners on the Class of '79 team.
In the end, I have to give it to Magic over Shaq. The Class of '79 has the bodies to spare to go into Hack-a-Shaq mode and his free-throw shooting woes will play a major role in the outcome (missing the shots, being substituted for 'Zo in closing minutes). Magic (20 points, 9 rebounds, 12 assists) is going to have the ball in his hands and can control the game, while Shaq's dominance is dictated by someone who can get him the ball -- and I don't feel the '92 group has someone who can do that consistently. Plus, Magic is one of the best closers ever (take THAT, Robert Horry).
FINAL SCORE: Class of '79 102, Class of '92 97.
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"(Mike) Tyson got a bad rap. He's NEVER messed with anyone outside of boxing. ... What normal person has Tyson blown up on?"
TRAGEDY, who made arguably the most inexplicable quote of 2008.
Last edited by Najee : 05-30-2008 at 08:42 PM.
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