Jazz-Warriors series a contrast in style

[RonnieBrewer (Reverse Layup)]

Jazz-Warriors series a contrast in style
Charley Rosen / Special to FOXSports.com
Posted: 4 hours ago

This series presents a matchup of polar opposites: Organization versus chaos.
Cool discipline versus unbridled passion. Yesterday versus tomorrow.

Obviously, the Jazz embody all of the first-named characteristics, and their
aim will be to slow the games down. Just as clearly, the Warriors want to
uptempo every play and every game. That's why the team's respective point
guards will have such a huge impact on the series.

Baron Davis has the strength and the skills to simply overwhelm Deron
Williams on offense, so the Jazz must take measures to at least keep Davis
out of the middle as much as possible. Since the Warriors' post-up threats
are negligible, Utah should, in fact, have an easier time providing both
interior and lateral help for Williams than they did trying to contain Tracy
McGrady in the Houston series.

On the other side of the equation, Davis also has the goods to lock-up
Williams on defense. However, Davis will probably be so intent on scurrying
around the court looking for interceptions, tips, rips and steals that
Williams' disciplined routes will generate enough free shots to make him a
factor.

Whereas Derek Fisher could get into McGrady's body and cause a modicum of
distress, he'll have a hard time catching up with (and escaping from) the
speedy Monta Ellis. The kicker here is that Ellis was so awed by the advanced
competition in the first round that he was practically useless. So there's no
reason to assume that Ellis will be any less discombobulated when the level
of play gets even more intense and more demanding.

Despite the disparity in skills and quickness, give Fisher the edge in this
particular confrontation. As long, that is, at it lasts.

The other possible matchups are not as neatly defined.

If Nellie replaces Ellis with either Matt Barnes and Mickael Pietrus,
then Fisher will be hard-pressed to combat their individual strength and
forcefulness. The Jazz could counter with either Gordan Giricek (a
surprisingly good defender) or Matt "Gut Buckets" Harpring, who will make
up in grit what he lacks in foot speed.

Presumably Andrei Kirilenko will start off facing Stephen Jackson, a terrific
catch-and-shoot player who has difficulty when he stubbornly attempts to
dribble the ball into traffic. Look for AK to do a good job crowding SJ and
forcing him to do what he does worst.

That leaves Mehmet Okur to defend against Jason Richardson ─ which is a
total mismatch. Given Okur's weakness as a low-post scorer, there's no way
he'll be able to utilize his size and weight to overpower Richardson. At the
same time, Richardson is much too quick and too tricky for Okur to contain.

Again, look for Giricek or (probably) Harpring to make early appearances
opposite Richardson. The ferocious Harpring-Richardson battle will likely
quiver the seismograph needles as far south as Los Angeles.

The focus of Golden State's defense will have to be Carlos Boozer. Swarming
him with Lilliputian defenders will not be as effective as this tactic was
against Dirk Nowitzki ─ simply because Boozer is stronger, has more heart,
and operates within a system that maximizes his talents.

That said, Andris Biedrins ─ with his speed, quick hops and long limbs ─
will be do an adequate job, until he invariably gets into foul trouble. When
that happens Boozer will absolutely abuse Al Harrington.

The Warriors' only recourse is to routinely two-time Boozer, and then
rotate to close-out open shooters ASAP. However, Utah's precise, unselfish
ball-movement will undoubtedly come up with plenty of open shots. The trick
is to make them.

And this is one of the keys to the series. Can the likes of Williams, Fisher,
Giricek, and Okur repeatedly fill the basket with enough long-range goodies
to stretch the Warriors' defense to the vanishing point?

In any event, Boozer will score, even if he has to climb the glass to get
free shots. And Davis will score, from out-there or from in-here.

It's also inevitable that Nellie will mix and match his lineup trying to
establish even the smallest advantage ─ which he will then milk for as
long as he possibly can. With Okur on the bench, however, Jerry Sloan can
neutralize Golden State's small-ball lineups with some combination of
Williams, Harpring, Giricek, Kirilenko, and Fisher to go along with Boozer.

Also, Utah's carefully constructed offense could force the impatient Warriors
to play defense for 15 to 20 seconds on each possession. Longer than the
underdogs are used to, and are willing, to do so. Every itchy gamble into a
passing lane, every eagerly turned head, could be costly.

Or, could the Warrior's superior speed and overall talent simply be so
overwhelming as to make the Jazz play at a quicker pace than they can handle?
Forcing the Jazz to accelerate their decision-making to their team's
detriment.

The series will ultimately come down to will power. The Warriors will be able
to maintain whatever cohesion is necessary for them to successfully scramble
the game in the face of Utah's stubborn, rock-hard precision. Or the Jazz
will impose their version of rationality on the Warriors' frenzied
catch-as-catch-can game plan.

This shapes up as being more than just another playoff series. It's also a
contest between basketball as it was and basketball as it is rapidly
becoming. Which is more effective in today's madcap, thrill-a-minute culture?
Which system (or lack thereof) will endure?

At stake here is the very future of the game itself.



                                http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6782518 

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