#3 New York v #6 Chicago

 

Let�s get ready to rumble! We have the veteran GM smokey holding the reins of the New York Knicks versus the Chicago Bulls and their always successful GM, merencio! The head to head matchups this season heavily favored the Knicks, going 4-0. This should be a very interesting matchup between two very talented teams! Let�s break it all down.

 

New York Knicks

Record: 57-25

The Knicks started off hot and kept it going all year. They had a couple of 3 game losing streaks but that was it. This team came a long way since last season where they finished 23-59 and 14^th in the East. Throughout the season, there were some savvy trades made that incrementally added value to the roster. Back in November, smokey turned Lonnie Walker (and picks) into Spencer Dinwiddie and a 1^st. In February, he then flipped Spencer Dinwiddie and his upcoming FA situation into Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas started 29 games for the Knicks this season and only continued his excellent play with a 13.8/14.3 stat line. This roster is primed for the playoffs with talent displayed across the starting 5 and into the bench. They will be a tough out for any team.

 

Chicago Bulls

Record: 48-34

Would one consider this a �down� year for merencio and his beloved Bulls? They finished 63-19 last season to claim 1^st in the East. Fast forward one year and they are sitting at 48-34 and in 6^th place. This is likely due to Anthony Davis missing a lot of time, playing in just 36 games. A playoff spot is certainly respectable but were expectations a little higher? Regardless, this is a very talented squad that saw a bit of a makeover this season. After the playoffs last summer, the Bulls bid farewell to Julius Randle and D�Angelo Russell, two key contributors, and welcomed in Bradley Beal. He was as advertised, a scoring machine.

 

Matchups:

Center: Hassan Whiteside vs Deandre Jordan

This was a close matchup in the teams� last matchup. I�ll give the edge to Whiteside and the Bulls here due to his greater offensive game.

Edge: Slight edge to Chicago

 

Power Forward: Javale McGee vs Dario Saric

This is a position that I think will be tweaked throughout the series. Maybe AD spends some time here, maybe Zeller. For now, I think Merencio goes big. McGee will provide shot blocking prowess down low but Saric can also hit the 3, pulling him out to the perimeter, where I think he�ll be less effective.

Edge: Push

 

Small Forward:  Anthony Davis vs Brandon Ingram

When these two players were slotted at the 3 in their last matchup, they both had 19 points. Will that happen again? I�m not so sure. I believe AD will take advantage of this matchup. Ingram is no slouch though, he can get hot at any time.

Edge: Chicago

 

Shooting Guard: Bradley Beal vs Khris Middleton

This will be a key matchup to this series. When these players faced off last, Beal went off for 49 and Middleton had 37. Will Middleton be able to step up defensively and slow down Beal at all?

Edge: Slight edge to Chicago

 

Point Guard: John Wall vs De�Aaron Fox

This is the battle that could decide the series. John Wall was hampered with a grade 2 hamstring injury but looks to be good to go for the playoffs, which is huge for Chicago. In 54 games, Wall put up 18.9 points and 7.7 rebounds. Wall is a very fast guard but I�m not sure he�ll keep up with Fox the entire game. Averaging 21.7 points per game and 7.8 assists per game, Fox is one of the best young offensive players in the game and good luck keeping up with his 97 speed and 97 acceleration. He�s a blur.

Edge: New York but it�s another close one

 

 

Keys to Victory:

For the Bulls, it begins and ends with Anthony Davis. Will he be healthy for this series? If he�s healthy, the Bulls have a chance. He played in 2 games in the head to head matchups (at SF and PF) but they still came up short. If he�s out, Chicago is going to be in a lot of trouble.

For the Knicks, the priority is to slow down Davis, Beal and Wall. I�m not sure anyone can truly stop those 3 so containing them and limiting their damage will be key. This will be much easier said than done.

 

Prediction: Knicks in 6

Looking at the rosters and the team�s matchups this season, I think the Knicks and smokey will advance to the next round. If Davis is eligible to play, I think Chicago will pull off a couple of wins but ultimately, I believe the Knicks have the firepower to pull this one off. Both teams have very bright futures and here�s a quick word from each GM who chimed in on the series!

Merencio: �Going up against Smokey is a huge honor. He�s one of the best to ever do it! I�m just happy to be in the playoffs and competing after the year we�ve had.�

Smokey: �The excitement throughout the whole franchise is electric. We have worked extremely hard from the front office to on the court and we feel we deserve to be here. Nothing but respect for the Bulls and Merencio. There is no easy opponent in the east this season and the challenge in front of us will be grueling and definitely go the distance. There will be no shame in losing a seven game series to a GM like Merencio but hopefully the ball bounces our way this time.�

Truly class acts, both of them. Enjoy the series everyone!