NBA SIMS LEAGUE |
Portland (15 - 33) | Expert Pick 0% ><···················· 100% |
Phoenix (25 - 23) |
Blazed Up, or Sun Burnt?
Portland Trail Blazers v Phoenix Suns Portland Trail Blazers What can be said about the trailblazer season that hasn’t already been said? They have been ever-changing and dynamic. Holds a large stock in the upcoming draft, they have danced the lines of the weekly matchups; winning and losing with methodical precision. The Trailblazers are an organisation that is cognizant of the needs of the team, the fans and the future. With Bradley Beal at the helm, they can beat teams that would have seemed out of their league. The versatile roster leaves them in a position to reshape and tinker for the future. They haven’t stopped in their adjustments and currently sit 12th in the West. GM JMac has been transparent about his plans for this team, but has proven time and again that the plan can change on a dime. Without young gun Jaden Ivey and defensive pest Lu Dort, the Blazers are in a tough position as they head into this matchup. How have they avoided the big write up for this long? Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are up and about! They have high aspirations and the acquisition of Dame has been a master stroke. GM Laddas has manufactured a team that is now over .500, and sits 7th in the West. Moves have been meticulous and targeted to build a deep roster that covers positions. The absence of Jakob Poeltl, Khris Middleton and Herb Jones will hurt the team, as all three add towards the success of this organisation. Sharpe, KCP and Carrington will have their work cut out for them in this one, but the weight lies heavily on the shoulders of their All-Star guard, Damian Lillard. In the top 20 in numerous league statistics, Lillard has been instrumental in guiding this organisation into relevance in season 24/25. GM Laddas has never ceased to add towards this roster, and rethink the team structure for the now and the future. There seems a genuine belief and desire in the Phoenix camp that they can push teams, and they have. How have they avoided the big write up for this long as well!?
KEY MATCHUPS
Point Guards Nick Smith Jr vs Damian Lillard In many ways, this match-up and the next are the most imperative. NSJ will have to cut down the influence of Damian Lillard, and that is a monumental task. Lillard has been ruthless and the ability to lock him down has been a tall order for the best of guards. NSJ will have to keep him sub 30 to have a win here, I think. Lillard has to be restricted for the Blazers to succeed. Laddas will be hoping that Dame gets free, as Beal on the other end hasn’t proven to be a defensive presence. A tall order for the young guard, but one that is not outside the realms of possibility. 0-1 Shooting Guards Bradley Beal vs Kentavious Caldwell-Pope KCP is pure defence in this engine, and he will need to be that in order to stop the influence of Bradley Beal. He has been excellent at times, and then invisible at times. Beal can light it up, we have seen him drop big numbers (e.g. 52 on the LA Clippers). KCP will need to be at his lock down best, and a presence to free up his alpha Damian Lillard. I feel like that matchup could result in a stalemate. The two of them haven’t been able to be their best respectively. KCP’s defensive stats are down. While Beal has been up and down, he can still light it up and put down 30 plus points. I expect Beal to win the matchup here, by the slightest of margins. 1-1 Small Forwards Johnny Juzang vs Shaedon Sharpe Sharpe continues to have a season and has been thrust around the court to add towards this team. The Suns organisation and their GM have been high in their praise of Sharpe, and he continues to impress. He has added to the consistency of this team on both ends, and has been a tough match up for many. Enter Johnny Juzang (or Johnny Bravo) to his friends - he will have a tough task here. Sharpe has been able to work even the most seasoned of forwards, and Juzang might be outmatched here. It is interesting to see him in the starting lineup - especially given the presence of Max Strus at Small Forward and Power Forward (last week). Juzang will answer the call, but I think international charges might be on, and he will have to pay a hefty bill. 1-2 Power Forwards Kris Murray vs Dean Wade As previously mentioned, Strus shook the world last week in his ability to work the slot, and takes a backseat this week on the bench. Young forward Kris Murray will suit up in the starters role, this could be a big night for him, as the Blazers will need first usage. Against seasoned brute, Dean Wade, the need to box out and create the shot for others is imperative. Murray has the ability to make his own, which is one of the big assets to his style. This could end up a draw, as Dean Wade has proven to be a consistent force on the defensive end. I am calling this a draw. 2-3 Centers Ulrich Chomche vs Moussa Diabate Big body boys! Chomche and Diabate at the center slot for each is exactly what this league is about. Two players that in normal circumstances would be seen as lesser than, however each have such 2K and NSL value in this matchup. Both players have been super helpful to the cause for each organisation. Chomche winning the big man battle on Claxton last week, Diabate having proven his worth again many others. What is going to be interesting is to see their play - I think they are evenly matched. I lean toward Chomche for his sheer ability to outperform other juggernauts at the center spot. But I think this week, they will both be evenly matched. 3-4 |
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| X-Factor |
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| Settings... I genuinely think that it will be a matter of playbooks, matchups and analytics here. Who gets the most minutes? How matches up on who? Lillard has the takeover ability to hit any team. Beal has the take over ability to hit any team. Both teams have a depth in their bench rotation to influence this matchup. Strus, Black, Walker and Micic are all helpful to the cause for Portland. Carrington, Minott, and Dunn, likewise for Phoenix. It will come down to stifling the opponent and locking down those settings. Both teams have seen a downturn in the early makings of this match week. Is it Lillard or Beal? Is it Diabate or Chomche? Is KCP a defensive unit? Is Kris Murray better than Max Strus at PF? |
| Injury Report | |
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| Injured Players: Herbert Jones (Shoulder) - 35 NBA Games missed this season Jakob Poeltl (Illness/Groin/Hip) - 10 NBA Games missed this season Khris Middleton (Ankle/Injury Management/Rest/Personal) - 29 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Pacome Dadiet (returning from Toe) - 7 NBA Games missed this season Dean Wade (returning from Illness/Ankle/Knee) - 19 NBA Games missed this season Damian Lillard (returning from Concussion/Calf/Illness/Groin/Hamstring) - 9 NBA Games missed this season | Injured Players: DaRon Holmes II (Achilles) - 55 NBA Games missed this season Jaden Ivey (Toe/Knee/Leg) - 25 NBA Games missed this season Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) - 47 NBA Games missed this season Caleb Martin (Back/Shoulder/Groin/Hip) - 21 NBA Games missed this season Luguentz Dort (Ankle/Knee/Back) - 4 NBA Games missed this season Marvin Bagley III (Illness/Knee) - 26 NBA Games missed this season Returning Players: Dalen Terry (returning from Knee) - 5 NBA Games missed this season |
| Prediction |
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| This will be a tight affair. I expect it to be in single digits difference. There will be swings in scores within this matchup. GM Laddas will want the win desperately. GM JMac will be ever difficult to overcome. Beal will drop 20-25. Lillard will drop 35-40. I expect Dame to unleash somewhat. Strus and Dunn will top score off the bench. Each will add 15-20 points each with little to no coverage. Phoenix by 4. |
| Comments (1) | |||
| laddas 02/19 03:59 am | Thanks for the write up! Best of luck joel | ||