[Seuss]

GM/Coach has one day to get his gameplan up. Here's a gameplan template.

Offensive Plan:
Defensive Plan:
Overall Focus:

#1 Utah Jazz:

PG: Nate Archibald
SG: Sam Jones
SF: Paul Arizin
PF: Jerry Lucas
C: Shaquile O'Neal

BENCH: Norm van Lier, Neil Johnston, Charlie Scott, Cliff Hagan, Bailey Howell

#8 Minnesota Timberwolves:

Minnesota Timberwolves Team:

PG: Gilbert Arenas
SG: Sidney Moncrief
SF: Julius Erving
PF: Derrick Coleman
C: Artis Gilmore

BENCH: Rod Strickland, Emeka Okafur, Josh Smith, Eddie Curry, Vinnie Johnson

[Sharpie]

In the division voting thread some people were picking Minnesota over Utah, I didn't, but they brought up some good points: Gilmore being strong enough to hold Shaq... Erving destroying Arizin... Moncrief against Jones... However, I'm not sure if those three can overcome the different mindsets of Arenas, Coleman, Strickland, Smith, and Curry. I'd like to read some writeups.

[Avalanche]

i dont really have time to do a big write up unfortunately guys, busy with some stuff so just ducking in and out when i can.
in this case strickland would start to spread the ball around the court a bit more... artis gilmore is one of the few guys big enough to match up with shaq (obviously no one can stop him, but he'll do good a job as any), especially with okafor coming off the bench to help if he got going too much.
on the wings i think the wolves run with this, erving abuses them for 30+ at least, moncreif would be strong enough to lock down jones.
if the offense was slacking in the back or front court then arenas and curry come in for instant offense, their scoring is undeniable in any era.
as good as archibald is, his main offensive weapons are all guarded by great defensive guys, and would make him a little less effective.
i dont think the jazz has the defense to stop the wolves in this case, they can score from any position with ease and shaq, while enough to keep them close doesnt quite ge them over IMO.
Gilmore would play massive minutes, okafor and curry would split minutes at the 4, coleman wouldnt be used a whole lot in this case.

[BadBaronRudigor]

If Minnesota had the better bench, I'd give them this one. Artis should be able to keep Shaq from completely dominating though Shaq is too quick for him to stop; Gil and Nate even out, but Erving over Arizin is the biggest advantage here. Unfortunately, while Minnesota should be able to ride Erving to an advantage while the starters are out, Utah will own them off the bench and combining that, Shaq, and the potential for Coleman and Strickland to come in not ready to play make this Utah team a bit too much for the Wolves.

[Avalanche]

Originally Posted by BadBaronRudigor

If Minnesota had the better bench, I'd give them this one. Artis should be able to keep Shaq from completely dominating though Shaq is too quick for him to stop; Gil and Nate even out, but Erving over Arizin is the biggest advantage here. Unfortunately, while Minnesota should be able to ride Erving to an advantage while the starters are out, Utah will own them off the bench and combining that, Shaq, and the potential for Coleman and Strickland to come in not ready to play make this Utah team a bit too much for the Wolves.

not ready to play? this is "prime" remember, one season where they were at their best.
the thing is all the starters would play big minutes regardless, erving, moncrief, gilmore etc.... so the bench would be used to come in and make an impact, or cover a hole whether it be on offense or D... Arenas and Curry can still score almost at will against this jazz team, and okafor/smith and great defensively regardless of who they are on

[Sunsfan81]

I think the Jazz win the series. Erving will indeed score a lot of points, but he wasn't great defensively, and Arizin who was a great scorer will score on him. The Jazz have an edge at PG, with Archibald great speed and passing and was an excellent scorer as well. Arenas is not a real PG. Also an advantage with Sam Jones over Moncrief, who was a great defender and make it hard on Sam to score but he wasn't a great scorer. Inside Lucas is miles ahead of Derrick Coleman, and while Gilmore can guard Shaq without needing much or any help from double teams, Shaq will still score.

There's a huge bench advantage. Van Lier was a great defensive player, and a very good playmaker. Charlie Scott in his prime was a very explosive scorer. And then three HOFers with Hagan, Howell, and Johnston who can score and rebound at high levels. Their bench is not that good or experienced, Curry, Josh Smith, Okafur, etc.