Cavs vs the wannabe bucks tonight!

• Sage

  

  The thing is, the Lakers have already proven they can win a championship with pretty much getting nothing from Andrew Bynum.
  
  The Cavs? Oh, that's right. That's why they brought Shaq in during the first place.
• lhslep134

  

  Sage wrote: Also, Cavs fans seem to forget, that a 7 game series, which is pretty much every other night, is going to be a huge advantage for guys like Bynum and Dwight Howard. Because, after Shaq---who's going to guard them again?

  I'm stretching what you're saying.
  
  You're using Bynum in a sentence with Howard talking about Shaq's defense. An objective person would say that you're comparing Bynum and Howard....
  
  Considering how dominate Howard it I took your statement to mean that Bynum is at least somewhat dominating...
• Sage

  

  Ah yea, I see I see.
  
  I would say that Andrew Bynum has a much better offensive game than Dwight Howard. However, he lacks Howard's ability to dominate the paint on the defensive end (something that the Lakers staff have been trying to pound into him his entire career). I haven't seen Bynum dominate a game like I have seen Howard. Although, I would argue that neither of them really dominate on the consistent basis that they could. Bynum, however, is probably the 3rd or 4th best player on his team. So at least he has somewhat of an excuse.
  
  Bynum has it in him to be a force. If Shaq was out, Pau and Gasol would eat up the likes of Z and Varejeao. Especially Pau.
• KR1245

  

  Sage wrote: Ah yea, I see I see.
  
  I would say that Andrew Bynum has a much better offensive game than Dwight Howard. However, he lacks Howard's ability to dominate the paint on the defensive end (something that the Lakers staff have been trying to pound into him his entire career). I haven't seen Bynum dominate a game like I have seen Howard. Although, I would argue that neither of them really dominate on the consistent basis that they could. Bynum, however, is probably the 3rd or 4th best player on his team. So at least he has somewhat of an excuse.
  
  Bynum has it in him to be a force. If Shaq was out, Pau and Gasol would eat up the likes of Z and Varejeao. Especially Pau.

  
  Arent Pau and Gasol the same guy?
• hangonsloopy

  

  Sage wrote: Bynum has it in him to be a force. If Shaq was out, Pau and Gasol would eat up the likes of Z and Varejeao. Especially Pau.

  Pau AND Gasol? Interesting.
  
  For the record, he is soft.
• Sage

  

  har har har u know whats i meanz bruh
• devil1197

  Not saying it would happen again
  
  Shaq played 22 minutes and Pau played 39 the first game, Pau went 4/10 for 11 points which leads me to believe that he didn't eat up the other big men of Cleveland. Especially since he was guarded by Z and AV for most of the night.
  
  Pau wen 5/14 for 13 points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes. Shaq played 28 minutes and rarely guarded Pau as JJ Hickson went for 11 and 14 against Pau playing great defense basically pushing Pau around the court. Specifically remember that game as I noted how big of a pussy Pau played against a young Hickson.
• Sage

  

  Pau Gasol is still the most skilled big man in the league. And without Shaq, it's not like you guys have a bunch of bangers coming at him. Z is decrepit, Pau can shoot over the likes of Powe and AV.
• KR1245

  

  I dont understand why people think that Gasol has this whole new attitude and toughness. Shaq didnt play the entire game when the Cavs played the Lakers this year. First game Shaq played 21 minutes and Gasol played 38 and only managed 11 points. So Pau wasnt exactly taking advantage of the other guys when Shaq was resting
• Sage

  

  Pau didn't play his best games against the Cavs this year, that's for sure. He played like shit against the Nuggets last year, but finally ended up doing the damn thing.
  
  We'll see what happens.
• lhslep134

  

  Sage wrote: Ah yea, I see I see.
  
  I would say that Andrew Bynum has a much better offensive game than Dwight Howard. However, he lacks Howard's ability to dominate the paint on the defensive end (something that the Lakers staff have been trying to pound into him his entire career). I haven't seen Bynum dominate a game like I have seen Howard. Although, I would argue that neither of them really dominate on the consistent basis that they could. Bynum, however, is probably the 3rd or 4th best player on his team. So at least he has somewhat of an excuse.
  
  Bynum has it in him to be a force. If Shaq was out, Pau and Gasol would eat up the likes of Z and Varejeao. Especially Pau.

  The problem is that neither of them can dominate like they should. Bynum never will until Kobe leaves, because the best way for a big to dominate is to run the offense through them. Shaq was dominant on another level, in a stratosphere I don't think Howard or Bynum can ever reach, which is why playing with Kobe didn't affect his dominance.
  
  As much as I hate the Magic, from a pure basketball fan standpoint I would love it if they gave Howard the ball 30 times a game, whether he passed it or developed an offensive repertoire, because he's the most athletic big in the game. But since the Magic don't, and Howard is more offensively inept than he should be, he can't take over a whole series like he should be able to.
  
  Pre-Shaq, if I were Phil or Stan I would just feed the ball to Howard/Bynum/Gasol because those three were unguardable (to an extent), especially Pau. Whether or not Pau makes the all star team, he's got an all star caliber game. I love Varejao and Z, but I will agree that over a 7 game series they're no match, but I think that because of the way the Cavs have used Shaq, I think he can be an answer down low defensively.
• devil1197

  Cleveland has enough big men to frustrate the talented Gasol and push him around. All they have to do is play physical and he'll get frustrated.
• Sage

  

  Man, Sleps post has me YouTubing some old ShaKobe Lakers clips. Shaq was the most dominant dude ever!!!!!! THEY SHOULD HAVE A RING FOR THEIR DICK BY NOW.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Anderson Varejao can't handle Pau Gasol?
  
  1st team defense candidate, DPOY candidate and 6th man of the year candidate...you're right, he ain't shit.
• Sage

  

  You also forgot Hall of Fame Candidate.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Yeah you also read what you wanted to read when I said I think Andy could make the HOF.
• Sage

  

  I guess it is as likely as him making 1st team all defense and DPOY.(which aint happenin)
• lhslep134

  

  SQ_Crazies wrote: Anderson Varejao can't handle Pau Gasol?
  
  1st team defense candidate, DPOY candidate and 6th man of the year candidate...you're right, he ain't shit.

  Over the course of a 7 game series I'd bet that Pau would get the best of Varejao.
  
  That's why we got Shaq.
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Do you know the definition of the word candidate? Dumbass. No shit, he has no chance in hell at DPOY--but being a candidate speaks for itself. No one should even come close to Howard for that award.
  
  And he may get 1st team defense, but being a CANDIDATE is good enough for me. I never said he'd make it--I personally don't think he will make that either but his name is part of the discussion.
  
  lhslep--You're probably right--but we don't need him to shut Pau down completely or out score him. Just to do his thing.
• devil1197

  The reason we got Shaq was for Howard and possibly Bynum.
  
  Shaq wouldn't guard Pau, he hasn't really guarded him during the two games this season. It was a combo of Z/AV the first game and then JJ/Z/AV the second game. Both of which he was ineffective and soft.
• Sage

  

  I guess Derek Fisher is a candidate as well for DPOY, since he plays in the league, and that seems to be how you're defining candidate.
• lhslep134

  

  SQ_Crazies wrote:
  
  lhslep--You're probably right--but we don't need him to shut Pau down completely or out score him. Just to do his thing.

  
  I just try and be objective. That's why I stay away from a lot of arguments on here, but I'm also a big Pau fan (fantasy purposes), so when he got traded to the Lakers for next to nothing I knew Kobe had his missing piece, I mean let's face it, Pau has all star talent, and Varejao has gotten a lot better, a LOT better both offensively and defensively, but I'd still take the crazy Spaniard, but don't get me wrong, I'm aware Varejao is no slouch either.
  
  And I guess back to this thread topic, the Bucks are a nice niche team, but there are a lot of people who thought Atlanta could give us trouble last year before we swept them.
• Sage

  

  Slep, you see the SI article on Pau Gasol? You'll like him even more.
  
  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1167642/index.htm
• SQ_Crazies

  

  Trust me, if you put them both in front of me and tell me to pick one for my team--I'd take Gasol too. He's amazing. But I've seen Anderson Varejao frustrated Kevin Garnett like no one else in the league for 4-5 years now. He's not as good of a player all around--but he can hold his own with Gasol. He's physical as hell, and this year much improved at playing straight up without fouling--IMO, he's the best defensive 4 in the league right now. And Gasol is soft. That's the best way to play him and it's what Andy does well. I agree Gasol as All Star talent, he's a great player, but even with all the credit Andy has received this year, I still think he's underrated defensively.
  

  I guess Derek Fisher is a candidate as well for DPOY, since he plays in the league, and that seems to be how you're defining candidate.

  http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/page/Awards-100316/nba-awards-watch
  
  Check DPOY, right under most improved.
• Sage

  

  We'll see when the votes are tallied.