First Round Preview on FOX Sports

[RonnieBrewer (Reverse Layup)]

Charley Rosen / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 17 hours ago

Utah-Houston 

Essentially this series matches Utah's offense against Houston's defense.

The Jazz won't get as many open back-door and weak-to-strong side cuts as
they usually do. But any screen/roll that involves Yao will have a high rate
of success. The trick here is for the Jazz to isolate these screen/rolls so
that the Rockets' weak-side wings can't scurry over and help, thereby
allowing Yao to drop into the lane and clog the middle.

Also, whenever Carlos Boozer mans the center spot, he can have a field day
facing-up and taking Yao off the dribble from a step past the foul-line.

In addition, the clever designs of Jerry Sloan's offense are quite capable
of moving Yao into other disadvantageous positions where his shot-blocking
prowess will be drastically curtailed.

If Mehmet Okur's outside shots are zeroed in, then Houston's defense will be
stretched to disadvantageous limits. Andrei Kirilenko and his clumsy 3-point
flings can be safely ignored.

The ferocious battles between Matt Harpring's determined offense and Shane
Battier's aggressive defense will be wonderful to behold.

Can Derek Fisher draw enough charges to compensate for his lack of size and
lack of speed? Probably not.

Deron Williams is Utah's fail-safe creator and scorer. The go-to guy who must
produce when their precision offense comes up empty and the clock is ready to
buzz. He'll have to carry a huge load for such an inexperienced second-year
player. But the kid has talent and guts.

What can be expected when Houston has possession?

Jarron Collins will pound on Yao's lower back, trying to drain the big man's
endurance. Otherwise, double-teams will be in order ─ on the move rather
than on the catch. Whatever comes at him, however, Yao should get his share
of good looks.

Since Yao is a slow-jumper who must gather himself before elevating, smaller,
quicker leapers can generally beat him to rebounds. But Boozer, Collins, and
Okur are also slow off their feet ─ so the rebounding edge goes to Yao for
his sheer size and bulk.

Unless Kirilenko's absent game makes an unexpected appearance, then Tracy
McGrady will have the free run of the entire court. If AK can get his
gangling limbs all moving in a pain-free semblance of synchronicity, then
T-Mac will have to struggle to get his points ─ but get them he will.

It's imperative for Rafer Alston to take only good shots (and hit them) and
to make good decisions. Indeed, the whole shebang could come down to which
team makes the least number of damaging mistakes.

This should be a classic confrontation: Offense vs. defense. Power vs. speed.
Execution vs. athleticism.

Houston's X-factor: Rafer Alston's decision-making.

Utah's X-factor: AK's defense.

Interest level: A+


Western Conference 1st-round playoff preview
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6706866 

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◆ From: 59.41.38.31
※ 編輯: RonnieBrewer    來自: 59.41.38.31          (04/21 00:13)
→ RonnieBrewer:大家最期待的Rosen來了
→ RonnieBrewer:他給東區的 Interest level 都很低, 西區都高
推 CarlosBoozer:有笑點
→ ammon:看他給Suns-Lakers的Interest level ..
噓 CarlosBoozer:COOL
→ CarlosBoozer:噓錯了..
推 gratitude:吃你的爆米花吧!
→ CarlosBoozer:我都吃炒米粉
推 gratitude:花蓮的風也很強?