[123fakestreet]

How they got here: Atlanta got ahead of New Jersey by a slim margin, while Toronto struggled at first, was rejuvenated, but came out on the losing end of the battle for the 4-5-6-7 spots.

Rosters: http://www.basketballboards.net/foru...d.php?t=310276

Atlanta:
Starters: Mo Williams, Jason Richardson, Samuel Dalembert, Jermaine O'Neal, Caron Butler
BENCH: Marcus Banks, James Posey, Lorenzen Wright, Hakim Warrick, James Jones, Keith Bogans, Solomon Jones

Toronto:
Starters: Delonte West, Andre Iguodala, Yao Ming, Lamar Odom, Wally Szczerbiak
BENCH: Derek Fisher, Kirk Snyder, Dikembe Mutombo, Robert Horry, Ryan Gomes, Julius Hodge, Linton Johnson III

I encourage both teams to write a write-up of how they will handle this matchup. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO VOTE FOR YOUR OWN TEAM.

Anybody is allowed to vote, regardless of conference, or whether you're in the draft or not. We invite everybody and anybody to vote.

[ravor44]

I don't see why the Raps are only 7th seed...they should be ranked higher than that...but anywayz, the Hawks will win it in a very close series...Hawks in 7...

[123fakestreet]

On offence, the Raptors have many options. They can play an inside-outside game with Yao and Wally (and Fisher) or this team can run through the high post with Lamar Odom as the point-forward. Of the two benches, the Raptors have a stronger bench with Mutombo, Horry and Fisher. Although the three of them are getting up there in age, there is still no doubt that they are solid performers. Horry and Fisher are still two of the clutchest players in NBA playoff history.

The Hawks' main scoring threats are Jermiane O'Neal and Jason Richardson. Iguodala is a good solid defender who can hold Richardson down, while Jermaine is forced to go up against Yao and Mutombo. Although O'Neal is playing PF, Yao will still be the one covering him because Dalembert is not even the third option on offence for the Hawks and therefore, the Raps can stick Odom on him. If we can shut those two down, and force other players to try and step up then the Raps should win this close series in 6 or 7. Any close games coming down to one or two shots will go our way.

[fruitcake]

JO and Dalembert wll slow down Yao considerably.

Odom and Butler should be a great matchup, the Raptors have no answer for Jason Richardson (and ya i think igoudala is overated in both offense and defense). Mo Williams is better than West.

The benches are pretty even, Toronto's might be better by a bit.

It will be a close series. Atlanta in 7.

[123fakestreet]

Originally Posted by fruitcake

the Raptors have no answer for Jason Richardson (and ya i think igoudala is overated in both offense and defense).

The benches are pretty even, Toronto's might be better by a bit.

What makes you think Iguodala is overrated? In what way? He's on this team to play perimeter D on the opponent's swingmen and to hit the open shot or drive when needed to. In what way do you think that Iguodala is overrated? If you have nothing to back it up, that's just your own opinion, and we all have differing opinions so I guess I won't be able to change your mind that way.

The benches are not really that even. My bench may be older, but that means experience, and proven performers

Marcus Banks vs. Derek Fisher: Fisher's got the advantage here as Banks has potential, but hasn't shown anything yet
James Posey vs. Kirk Snyder: Posey has the clear advantage here, but Snyder may not even get any playing time anyway
Lorenzen Wright vs. Dikembe Mutombo: Mutombo has the inside presence and a much better overall game than Wright
Hakim Warrick vs. Robert Horry: Horry has the better shot, and the clutch factor to him. Warrick is more athletic, but Horry is the proven performer here.
James Jones vs. Ryan Gomes: Once Gomes was given an opportunity last year, he proved he had game. James Jones is also a solid player, so I think this matchup is a tie

So I don't really see how the Atlanta bench is better.

[fruitcake]

Originally Posted by 123fakestreet

So I don't really see how the Atlanta bench is better.

I said your bench was better....