2013 CB Draft: Western Finals: Minnesota(1) vs Oklahoma City(2)

[McHales Pits]

So is Kyle Korver who has 4 inches on him and led the league in 3-PT % last season and is better defensively.

[Roy H.]

I don't know how you (as an assumed Celtics' fan) can criticize Davis' performance against Howard in the past or what his offensive strengths are. But that's your opinion.

Davis played competent defense against Howard.  That doesn't mean he played starting caliber defense on him.

As for Davis' offensive contributions, you can probably find several hundred posts by me expressing frustration at his regular brick-laying.

[Roy H.]

So is Kyle Korver who has 4 inches on him and led the league in 3-PT % last season and is better defensively.

Korver is certainly better than Gordon at this stage.

[nickagneta]

Oh and PS: it's not 2009 anymore, Ben Gordon is a shell of his former self.

Can't agree with this much. His shooting percentages may have dipped a bit last season, but he's still perfectly capable of pouring in 15 points a night in this series, if not more.

Disagree with you here, Lucky. Gordon hasn't been the same since leaving Chicago both offensively and defensively. Defensively he's become a net negative and his TS% is dipping down towards 51% and that's with being an 85% FT shooter.

Gordon is simply not even close to being the player he once was. If he is scoring 15 PPG he's taking 15 shots to do it and giving up 20 points being on the floor that long.

[McHales Pits]

I'll take competent defense. There aren't many who can provide dominant defense on him...

[McHales Pits]

Yeah, Nick!

Coming to my side!

[Roy H.]

I'll take competent defense. There aren't many who can provide dominant defense on him...

Right, but Jordan plays better defense, both man-to-man and team defense.  Plus, he'll help your offense more (since he can finish at the rim if Howard leaves him; Davis doesn't do this as well).  Jordan is a better rebounder, as well, and he brings a legit shot-blocking presence to help block penetration.

I mean, straight up:  why would you start the inferior player in terms of offense, defense, rebounding, efficiency, and athleticism?  How does that make any sense at all, especially when Lucky indicated that D12 won't leave the paint to defend Davis and his anemic jumper?

[Lucky17]

Oh and PS: it's not 2009 anymore, Ben Gordon is a shell of his former self.

Can't agree with this much. His shooting percentages may have dipped a bit last season, but he's still perfectly capable of pouring in 15 points a night in this series, if not more.

Disagree with you here, Lucky. Gordon hasn't been the same since leaving Chicago both offensively and defensively. Defensively he's become a net negative and his TS% is dipping down towards 51% and that's with being an 85% FT shooter.

Gordon is simply not even close to being the player he once was. If he is scoring 15 PPG he's taking 15 shots to do it and giving up 20 points being on the floor that long.

Dysfunctional teams, all of them. Overmatched head coaches (John Kuester and Mike Dunlap), point guards who don't pass (Rodney Stuckey, Kemba Walker), woeful offenses and porous defenses.

Put Gordon back next to Rose as the third option in the offense with plenty of help defenders around him, and he's fine. And in this series, he's not going to be severely tested on defense.

[McHales Pits]

His jumper isn't anemic...his man to man defense on Howard has been seen in real life...he is good at drawing fouls and hitting his free throws. They (Jordan and Davis) have different strengths and will play equally.

[McHales Pits]

Rose doesn't pass much either - similar to Stuckey and Walker. Rose's options are score first, score second, and pass third.

[nickagneta]

Rose doesn't pass much either - similar to Stuckey and Walker. Rose's options are score first, score second, and pass third.

Rose is no Nash or Rondo but neither is he Allen Iverson. He is a very good floor general and adept passer.

I'm still not buying Lucky's assertion that Gordon's decline in play is due to outside factors as I have always felt Gordon a bit of a head case and so he let those outside factors get to him and effect his game. But his game has slipped and I don't think being next to Rose again will help.

That said, I think your strategy to start baby is wrong and I am letting you know it is probably going to effect my vote.

[McHales Pits]

Well I think it's a mistake. Playing Davis/Jordan at 23/21 MPG as opposed to 16/24 will not effect the outcome of the series moreso than LeBron having Budinger and Shumpert guarding him.

[Lucky17]

Well I think it's a mistake. Playing Davis/Jordan at 23/21 MPG as opposed to 16/24 will not effect the outcome of the series moreso than LeBron having Budinger and Shumpert guarding him.

Ibaka is playing the remaining 4 minutes at C, yes?

[McHales Pits]

Yes

[indeedproceed]

Well I think it's a mistake. Playing Davis/Jordan at 23/21 MPG as opposed to 16/24 will not effect the outcome of the series moreso than LeBron having Budinger and Shumpert guarding him.

Ibaka is playing the remaining 4 minutes at C, yes?

General Akbar looks up from his squid omelet and says, 'Itf a twrap'

His mouth was full.