The Big East: Battle of the Big Men
0 Comments Published by Ian MacLean on Saturday, November 06, 2004 at 7:57 PM.
The Eastern Conference's brand of basketball is a slow, grinding, hacking, banging, defensive-oriented slugfest. During the dynasty of the Los Angeles Lakers, these characteristics were a hindrance to the East, almost perpetually condemning them to a future as the inferior conference. In later years, however, roster changes have created a new East, featuring new, highly-skilled players in the same drudging environment. The results are evident, as the championship hardware rests in Detroit.
The obstruction to Eastern equality was always considered to be the lack of dominating big men. In spite of this, it is apparent that this obstacle is no longer a feature of the East. The most notable off-season change being the Heat's acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal from Los Angeles, attention was immediately placed on a new debate - could the East be becoming the primary conference? While this move brought consideration to such an opinion, numerous deals had to be constructed to make such a suggestion even plausible.
Therefore the focus shifts to the newly-reigning triumvirate of the East, and their respective centers and forwards. The addition of O'Neal to the up-and-coming second-year point guard, Dwayne Wade, created a powerhouse team in Miami. Jermaine O'Neal's rise in Indiana helped rejuvenate Reggie Miller's Pacers. Undrafted Ben Wallace and the proficient talent in Rasheed Wallace coalesced with guards Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton to create the reigning world champion Detroit Pistons.
The Heat would be in the upper three of the Eastern Conference with or without O'Neal, due to the downfall of the New Jersey Nets. However, Shaq's presence in Miami puts the Heat in the same league as the Pistons and the Pacers, to some extent. Shaquille is obviously a large person, and he is a veteran of the league. It can be argued that many of the trips to the charity stripe that he receives are absurd, and that the Pistons found a way to stop Shaq in the Finals. Shaq's production cannot be argued, however, and he can be counted on for 30 points, legitimate or not. It should be noted that Shaq hasn't played 80 games since the 1992 season. Udonis Haslem is a promising young power forward, especially for a sophomore. His numbers from last year (7.3 points, 6.3 rebounds) are respectable. Nevertheless, the Heat are no longer considered an overachieving, second round team. Many media "experts'" are predicting (let alone more new Miami fans) a Finals trip for the team featuring the O'Neal-Wade tandem. With the expectations higher, Haslem has to deliver, and that may be expecting too much.
The Pacers are the Eastern Conference Finals runners-up, and the reigning regular season league champs. Playing the starring role in Indiana, the 3-time All-Star who finished 3rd in MVP balloting, Jermaine O'Neal is a solid shooter and low-post threat. Expect him to be a nightly double-double performer (averaging 20.1 points and 10 rebounds last year).
What is a minor problem in the secondary big man for Miami, is a terrible dilemma in Indiana's situation. Jeff Foster, Austin Croshere, and Scot Pollard are all 3-6 point players, and pitiful rebounders. Croshere is a three-point threat (which won't help the Pacers down low), and Foster and Pollard create huge gaps in offensive production when on the floor at the same time. When it comes to who starts at center for the Pacers, it's a question of who will hurt the team the least.
The World Champion Pistons have the best situation in the middle. Ben Wallace's offense has been improving, as he can now hit a short-to-mid-range jumper. His intelligence on the floor is also developing, as he now attacks the basketball with an open lane in front of him. His defense is as impenetrable as always, and he will likely still average 3 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Ben's rebounding statistic has dropped slightly since the addition of Rasheed, but at least the team is no longer such a poor rebounding team.
Rasheed Wallace is a veteran scorer and rebounder, and his presence on the defensive end in partnership with Big Ben creates a sort of offensive black hole around the rim. He can hit a shot from virtually anywhere on the court, but that doesn't mean he will. He favors the outside, unfortunately, but if he applies himself down low, he can score at will with an impressive library of moves and turns. He has frequent scoring bursts, sometimes 5-9 points at a time, and they create a high-energy atmosphere which the Pistons thrive in.
On the tall end of the bench, Detroit depth has the clear advantage. Featuring a revived former All-Star in Antonio McDyess and veterans Derrick Coleman and Elden Campbell, any injuries in the Motor City should be an easy fix. They're main concern is Dice's health, because with him, they have a constant interior 1-2 punch. Indiana's bench is less-than-stellar, likely featuring Pollard and Croshere (and devoid of 6-9 Al Harrington.) Miami's secondary line-up includes Christian Laettner, who will provide 4-7 points, and Michael Doleac, who can barely contribute at all.
Both Miami and Indiana could use a stronger number two, though something can be said for Haslem's future. Where we are now, at the start of the season, the Pistons have the best big men in the East. Individually, Wallace X2 is solid, yet no where near the greatest, but together they are pace to add two more rings to their collective hardware.
Please respond with all death threats, expressions of bewilderment, and extreme demonstrations of praise. Good night!
The obstruction to Eastern equality was always considered to be the lack of dominating big men. In spite of this, it is apparent that this obstacle is no longer a feature of the East. The most notable off-season change being the Heat's acquisition of Shaquille O'Neal from Los Angeles, attention was immediately placed on a new debate - could the East be becoming the primary conference? While this move brought consideration to such an opinion, numerous deals had to be constructed to make such a suggestion even plausible.
Therefore the focus shifts to the newly-reigning triumvirate of the East, and their respective centers and forwards. The addition of O'Neal to the up-and-coming second-year point guard, Dwayne Wade, created a powerhouse team in Miami. Jermaine O'Neal's rise in Indiana helped rejuvenate Reggie Miller's Pacers. Undrafted Ben Wallace and the proficient talent in Rasheed Wallace coalesced with guards Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton to create the reigning world champion Detroit Pistons.
The Heat would be in the upper three of the Eastern Conference with or without O'Neal, due to the downfall of the New Jersey Nets. However, Shaq's presence in Miami puts the Heat in the same league as the Pistons and the Pacers, to some extent. Shaquille is obviously a large person, and he is a veteran of the league. It can be argued that many of the trips to the charity stripe that he receives are absurd, and that the Pistons found a way to stop Shaq in the Finals. Shaq's production cannot be argued, however, and he can be counted on for 30 points, legitimate or not. It should be noted that Shaq hasn't played 80 games since the 1992 season. Udonis Haslem is a promising young power forward, especially for a sophomore. His numbers from last year (7.3 points, 6.3 rebounds) are respectable. Nevertheless, the Heat are no longer considered an overachieving, second round team. Many media "experts'" are predicting (let alone more new Miami fans) a Finals trip for the team featuring the O'Neal-Wade tandem. With the expectations higher, Haslem has to deliver, and that may be expecting too much.
The Pacers are the Eastern Conference Finals runners-up, and the reigning regular season league champs. Playing the starring role in Indiana, the 3-time All-Star who finished 3rd in MVP balloting, Jermaine O'Neal is a solid shooter and low-post threat. Expect him to be a nightly double-double performer (averaging 20.1 points and 10 rebounds last year).
What is a minor problem in the secondary big man for Miami, is a terrible dilemma in Indiana's situation. Jeff Foster, Austin Croshere, and Scot Pollard are all 3-6 point players, and pitiful rebounders. Croshere is a three-point threat (which won't help the Pacers down low), and Foster and Pollard create huge gaps in offensive production when on the floor at the same time. When it comes to who starts at center for the Pacers, it's a question of who will hurt the team the least.
The World Champion Pistons have the best situation in the middle. Ben Wallace's offense has been improving, as he can now hit a short-to-mid-range jumper. His intelligence on the floor is also developing, as he now attacks the basketball with an open lane in front of him. His defense is as impenetrable as always, and he will likely still average 3 rebounds and 1.5 steals. Ben's rebounding statistic has dropped slightly since the addition of Rasheed, but at least the team is no longer such a poor rebounding team.
Rasheed Wallace is a veteran scorer and rebounder, and his presence on the defensive end in partnership with Big Ben creates a sort of offensive black hole around the rim. He can hit a shot from virtually anywhere on the court, but that doesn't mean he will. He favors the outside, unfortunately, but if he applies himself down low, he can score at will with an impressive library of moves and turns. He has frequent scoring bursts, sometimes 5-9 points at a time, and they create a high-energy atmosphere which the Pistons thrive in.
On the tall end of the bench, Detroit depth has the clear advantage. Featuring a revived former All-Star in Antonio McDyess and veterans Derrick Coleman and Elden Campbell, any injuries in the Motor City should be an easy fix. They're main concern is Dice's health, because with him, they have a constant interior 1-2 punch. Indiana's bench is less-than-stellar, likely featuring Pollard and Croshere (and devoid of 6-9 Al Harrington.) Miami's secondary line-up includes Christian Laettner, who will provide 4-7 points, and Michael Doleac, who can barely contribute at all.
Both Miami and Indiana could use a stronger number two, though something can be said for Haslem's future. Where we are now, at the start of the season, the Pistons have the best big men in the East. Individually, Wallace X2 is solid, yet no where near the greatest, but together they are pace to add two more rings to their collective hardware.
Please respond with all death threats, expressions of bewilderment, and extreme demonstrations of praise. Good night!
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