All-Stars Galore!

A whole entire off-season of build up leads us to week one of the NLL season. Sleepless nights over free agency, contract negotiations, trade possibilities, injuries, playbook and coach settings are common place, and every second of the ‘quiet’ period of the NLL calendar is a build up to the game of the season. Some teams get it right, or better yet, surprise themselves, and grab a hold of that sweet, valuable momentum coming right out of the gate. It’s so important to get a good start to the season. To set a pace rather than try to catch up to it. For others, it’s not so good. Months of promise and optimism can be squashed in a handful of 12 minute quarters, or with one cruel injury, or in some cases, poor management and strategic decisions.

These two teams, however, fit entirely into the former category of teams. Cleveland, the most successful NLL franchise in the last decade in terms of championships won, brings back the same tried and trusted core that has rolled out for the best part of 3 years, and over their opponents (sans Caron Butler).

Atlanta, after some lean, ‘treading water’ type years, finally struck gold with an acquisition last season. It wasn’t a player, mind you… GM Ryan brought a level of savvy, intelligence and brashness that has not been seen in ATL for a long time, possibly ever. He wasted no time in condensing assets into star players, seeking out efficient trading partners and acquiring these rare, impactful game changers for cents on the dollar.

This season, Cleveland kept the status quo of the last half a decade and rolled out an undefeated week. They pummelled the underperforming Boston and easily outmatched a handful of .500-esque teams. Terrence Ross, filling in the injured Stuckey, blitzed from the perimeter, and possibly put his hand up for regular starting duties in the future. for Atlanta, hit for .500 with a 2-2 week. They lost tough matches to powerhouses PHI and IND. Atlanta has a clean bill of health, and shouldn’t feel any shame in losing to the teams they did. They are still in the process of figuring out player roles and integrating two new starters into the line up.

All in all, these two teams went deep into last season’s playoffs and I’d bet my best player*** on the fact that both will be there when it’s there to be won (barring catastrophic injury). Two of the most talented squads in the league, facing off… should make for a classic week two match up.


***Not a legally binding statement; Durant a Celtic until he’s 40.


 
MATCH-UPS:

Point Guard: Tony Parker vs Chris Paul

The French sweet-stepping, finger-rolling, mid-range maestro Parker has multiple championship rings and has been a super consistent performer over his 10+ years in the NLL. He is, however, on the downhill side of his career at 33 years of age. His passing, shooting and athleticism have declined. He is averaging around 13 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists on the first week of the season. With James on his team, he doesn’t need to create or score; he is a complementary player. Chris Paul, the perennial all-star, MVP candidate, steals the ball like Cinderella stole the gaze of everyone at the ball that night. The rock is his. He is in the prime of his career and is incredibly effective and efficient; 20+ points, 2 threes, 2 steals, 5+ dimes. Paul is the engine that drives the Atlanta Hawks. His quickness and agility are uber-elite and he should be able to get past Parker at will.

Edge: Chris Paul




Shooting Guard: Terrence Ross vs Dwyane Wade

Atlanta is like a $100 bill; so much value on paper. If Chris Paul wasn’t a big enough advantage, they also roll out ANOTHER perennial all-star and MVP candidate in Dwyane Wade (which they probably traded some doritos, salsa and grated cheese for, without even having to combine, prepare and grill the nachos). Wade is ALSO averaging 25+ points (do they play five quarters in ATL games?), 3 rebounds and four dimes. Wade has excellent strength and agility and is strong in the slashing and post-up game. Terrence Ross, the third-year wing, has great three and DD potential (DD is for dunking AND defense), and hit the ground running with his surprise start in week one. Ross has been lighting it up from the arc, hitting around three treys per game, and becoming another weapon for James to distribute to if he is double teamed. A slasher vs a shooter. I think they will likely break even, somewhat, but have to give the edge to the DW3 based on illustrious career.

Edge: Dwyane Wade




Small Forward: LeBron James vs Justice Winslow

Isn’t justice supposed to be blind, not dead? R.I.P. Justice Winslow, we hardly knew ye. While promising, he is only a lil’ pup, and he’s about to have a run in with the biggest, baddest, Rottweiler X Pitbull dawwwwg in the land. LeBron James, the most decorated and revered player of the last decade, is a walking championship. Never has there been a more intimidating athlete in the NBA. Atlanta will have to get really creative to guard James, and he might go off for 40, even with Winslow biting his ankles.

Edge: LeBron, LeBron, LeBron, LeBron… #prayforJustice




Power Forward: Serge Ibaka vs Dwight Howard

Can you see now why I just had to do this game for the GOTW? With more star power in this team match up than a freshly forged galaxy, Ibaka and Howard should be a cracker, with two more current of past all-stars on the bill, to go with Paul, Parker, Wade, James. Howard is out of position somewhat at the 4, but he is quick and strong. So far, it has been a non-issue, as he has averaged a sickeningly large amount of rebounds (15+) while putting in 18+ points per game (do only three people shoot on this team?). When healthy, Howard is ANOTHER MVP candidate. Serge Ibaka, a perfect fit in the Cleveland team, averages an understated 13 points and 9 rebounds per game. However, the devil is in the detail… in this case, how well he fits into the ‘team’ Cleveland has created. He blocks, rebounds, runs and hits jump shots, adding to the great balance and versatility that they have.

Edge: Dwight Howard




Center: Andre Drummond vs Rudy Gobert

It just keeps getting more exciting! Arguably the two most exciting, up-and-coming bigs in the game today, Dre and Rudy both boast extreme size, length and bounce-a-bility. Rudy is a bit more raw than Drummond and pretty much just catches rebounds for the Hawks. Drummond, however, will get you around 13-13 a game with ridiculous FG and great defensive statistics. Both great, young big men, but Drummond is just a bit stronger and further ahead on the development curve. Both will get rebounds and blocks and protect the paint.

Edge: Andre Drummond




For those of you scoring at home, that’s 3-2 position battles in ATL favour.


Benches:

Cleveland will be wielding a bench of something like Thomas Robinson, Andre Miller and Solimon Hill. A far cry from the stronger benches Cleveland has had over the last couple of seasons. Stuckey being hurt is a big loss, because Ross’ bench spark is now in the starting line up. For Atlanta, Booker, Mills, Ajinca, Blake will be their guys in the rotation. To be honest, both benches match up quite evenly in regards to talent, with no clear sixth man or spark off the bench. Whichever bench has the better chemistry on the night will get the edge.