NBA, a series of individual awards are selected, such as the first team, second team, rebounding champion, blocked shot champion, etc. These honors also reflect the strength of a player. Perhaps in the regular season, the gap between the first-rate superstars and the second-rate stars is not so obvious, but in the playoffs, especially in direct match-ups, the performances of stars at different levels will be very different. Here we come. Take a look at a few classic cases.
▼2001 Finals O'Neal vs. Mutombo
In the 2001 Finals, the unbeaten Lakers faced the 76ers who had only been promoted in two consecutive rounds of tiebreakers. The O’Neill facing the "African Mountains" Mutombo. Although Mutombo is 34 years old, he can be said to be strong. He averaged 13.5 rebounds per game and was elected as the rebounding leader during the season. He was also named the best defensive player.
Even with so many titles added, when Mutombo defended O'Neal, he still felt desperate. Six finals:
O'Neal averaged 33.0 points, 15.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists
Motto Mbo averaged 16.8 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game. Later, Mutombo admitted in an interview: "Shaq almost killed me."
The finals were also calm. Although the 76ers relied on Iverson's unsolvable 48 points to win the game, the successor was weak. The Lakers won 4 consecutive games and took away the series. O'Neal was second in a row. Crowned FMVP in the year.
In front of the Sharks, the best defensive player-level center is also helpless.
▼Duncan VS Martin in the 2003 Finals
Martin in 2003 has not suffered a serious injury yet, and his physical fitness is very strong. By the pass master Kidd, Martin is even more comfortable . In the Eastern Conference playoffs, Martin played very well, averaging close to 20+10 per game, as if he was the second leader in the team.
But when the finals started, Martin's power was completely defeated by Duncan. His offensive misfire and defense was ineffective. In the face of the rock-solid Stone Buddha , Martin became helpless. After six games:
Martin averaged 14.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.3 blocks per game, shooting 34.3%
Duncan averaged 24.2 points, 17.0 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 5.3 blocks per game, and shooting 49.5% per game
Martin was completely crushed, especially in the last game, Duncan scored 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, 8 blocks and a quasi-quadruple-double data, while Martin is 6 points, 10 rebounds, 23 shots in the audience only hit 3 goals, performance can be described as "disaster".
In the end, the Nets also lost 2-4, achieving Duncan's single-core victory.
▼2008 Western Conference Finals Duncan VS Gasol
2008 Finals Garnett VS Gasol
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This is the most classic matchup in the NBA. On the stage of the 2008 Finals, this yellow-green battle was staged. It's just that the winners and losers are not the appearance of the two teams Kobe and Pierce , but Garnett and Gasol who joined this season.
Before the start of the 2007-08 season, the Celtics made a big deal that shocked the league. They almost broke up the entire team in exchange for Garnett and Ray Allen, forming the Big Three with Pierce. The Celtics successfully won the first place in the regular season and stood out in the East.
On the Lakers' side, starting from the 2007-08 season, Kobe's playing style has become more mature. Bynum Although the offense is still immature, the defense is already a bit different. Power forward Odom is also gradually Changed my lack of concentration.
Outside, point guard Fisher Although not a master of organization, he understands the true meaning of the triangle offense, has a good grasp of the team's rhythm, and is one of the few players who can make Kobe obey. Therefore, after the start of the game, this team The Lakers' record has climbed all the way, and once played first in the Western Conference.
But then, Bynum was injured, the team has no candidates for the inside line, and the record also slipped to fourth in the West. At this time, the "robbery trade" called by Popovich was born. The Lakers traded for Gasol from the Grizzlies. Finally, the final piece of the puzzle for the championship was assembled.
In the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Lakers won the Nuggets and Jazz without much effort. The Spurs led by Popovich stood in front of them in the Western Conference Finals.
This series of games played a total of five games. It seems that the Lakers won without suspense, but the process was not like that. The Lakers faced a big lagging situation in many games. Because of the regular play, Gasol The axis was held down by Duncan.
Gasol averaged only 13.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game
Duncan averaged 22.4 points, 17.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.
scored, rebounds, and assists.In front of Duncan, Gasol could no longer use his soft touch and flexible footwork, so the Lakers triangle offense was restrained, and the opening was always passive.
Of course, the Zen master responded fast enough. He has the ace Kobe under his team. In that series, Kobe defeated the Spurs' defense with an unsolvable mid-range shot. The high pick and roll between him and Gasol worked very well, and finally reached the total. finals.
But facing the Celtics, there is no such good luck.
Gasol was firmly suppressed again against Wolves, a total of six games
Gasol averaged 14.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists
Garnett averaged 18.2 points, 13.0 per game Rebounds, 3.0 assists
The data gap is not even enough to reflect the misery of the scene. Gasol was "bully" miserably by Garnett. The Lakers' triangle offense was once again blocked, and this time Kobe was also unable to recover.
On the one hand, the reimbursement of Ariza forced Kobe to defend Pierce. Pierce’s tonnage made Kobe very tired of defense. On the offensive end, he has to face the close wait of Ray Allen . The high pick-and-roll used by the Spurs was also disturbed, because Garnett’s range was larger than Duncan's. When Kobe held the ball on the free throw line, Garnett was able to save, and Ray Allen formed against Kobe. The double-team, forcing Kobe to make a strong shot or pass the ball in a wide range.
This defensive strategy was very successful. The Celtics finally won the Lakers in 6 games.
Although Pierce finally raised the FMVP trophy, many media said that the Celtics can win the championship, and Garnett is also an important contributor. He completed the restriction on Gasol and Kobe alone.The combination of personal single defense and assisted defense is the ultimate.
The above cases are all series that fans are familiar with. There are many such cases in the NBA. First-rate superstars and second-rate stars are facing each other. When the age and physical condition of both sides are similar, the gap is very obvious. No wonder some people say , The NBA is a "strictly hierarchical" sport.
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