RollWithEm

Onward and sideways, we move back into the Jay Williams Region. Here’s the semi-interesting 2/7 match-up. I will, of course, include my own personal picks after the statistically chosen team.

(2) 1977
G Ray Williams
G Walter Davis
F Marques Johnson
F Bernard King
C Jack Sikma
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G Norm Nixon
G Otis Birdsong
G Rickey Green
F Greg Ballard
F Cedric Maxwell
C Tree Rollins
C James Edwards

I actually wouldn’t change this team much at all. Although they lack size, this team is stocked with scorers. That’s probably the only reason I’d leave Edwards on the team over Fast Eddie. I’d start Norm Nixon, but that’s about it. This team goes 9 or 10 deep with all-stars.

VS

(7) 2004
G Jameer Nelson
G Kevin Martin
F Luol Deng
F Emeka Okafor
C Dwight Howard
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G Devin Harris
G Ben Gordon
F Andre Iguodala
F Josh Smith
F Anderson Varejao
C Al Jefferson
C Andris Biedrins

This is a team without a lot of experience under its belt. I’d probably change this team slightly to look like this:

PG Jameer Nelson
SG Kevin Martin
SF Andre Iguodala
PF Josh Smith
C Dwight Howard
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G Devin Harris
G Ben Gordon
G Josh Childress
F Luol Deng
F Al Jefferson
C Emeka Okafor
C Andris Biedrins

I think this line-up balances the rotation quite nicely. I’d love to start Al and Dwight together, but they just don’t compliment each others’ games. Regardless, this squad should have ample amounts of interior defense, shooting, ball-handling, athleticism, and versatility. The only thing they’re lacking is experience. I know prime Bernard was unstoppable, but did he ever see a defender like Josh Smith? Who do you think would win?

__________________
But that's just me.

BadBaronRudigor

I'd put Cedric Maxwell in there instead of Marques Johnson (if you can assume healthy Bernard King) and yes, Norm Nixon. You need the dirty work guy. I wouldn't start the superathletic but poor judgement Josh Smith over Okafor nor Jameer Nelson over Devin Harris.

Still and all, 1977 has more explosive scoring, more efficient scoring, better playmaking, and better court intelligence; the 2004 team has better rebounding and defense. Although I usually go for defense and believe that the 2004 team will probably end up the better team particularly if Howard continues to improve, I don't think they have the smarts yet to take advantage of the 97 team. Sikma is a good answer for Howard, Deng and Igualada aren't a good answer for King and Marques Johnson. Plus Norm Nixon and Ricky Green are superior to Nelson/Harris. 97 should win.

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If you have to shoot, shoot, don't talk

RollWithEm

I think Okafor and Howard just have styles that conflict too much. I’d rather have a fast-paced team to start and then bring in the bangers (Okafor and Jefferson) off the bench. I decided to go with Jameer over Devin because he’s familiar with playing with Howard and because that gives them an extra shooter to compensate for Iguodala and Smith.

All that being said, I still like the 1977 team to win this match-up. They have too much scoring for the 2004 team despite their defensive disadvantage. At this point in the careers of the 2004 squad, there’s a skill mismatch in this game.

__________________
But that's just me.