NBA Finals Preview

This is a Diddy and BigPapa collaberation.

Point Guards: Payton/Fisher vs. Billups/Hunter/James

BigPapa: Payton has lost a step and Fisher is undersized but clutch as hell. If you want to talk clutch Chauncey has to be mentioned. Mr. Big Shot a speed/quickness advantage and a size advantage over Fisher. He must step up for the Pistons to have a shot at winning this series. James and Hunter provide stellar defense off of the bench. Advantage Detroit.


Diddy: This seems to be a very key match-up in this series. The Pistons need for Chauncey to have a huge series. At the same time Derek Fisher is clutch, and clutch is everything in life. Gary Payton still has the ability to hit open threes, and he will get open threes in this series. Lindsey Hunter and Mike James will play well, and force at least a few turnovers. Mike James needs to hit open threes.Slight Advantage Detroit


Shooting Guards: Kobe vs. Rip Hamilton

BigPapa: Kobe is the best SG in the league. The task of guarding him is going to fall to Tayshaun Prince. Good luck. Rip has been HUGE for the Pistons in the playoffs, but not good enough to make me say anything else besides; Advantage Lakers.


Diddy:Rip Hamilton has been amazing, and will once again lead the Pistons in scoring in this series. Kobe, cannot be stopped when on his game. The advantage is obvious, but Rip could really make a name for himself by the leading the Pistons offensively to an NBA Title.Advantage Lakers


Small Forwards: Devean George vs. Tayshaun Prince

BigPapa: Devean George knows his role on this team. Play good "D" & hit open shots. Tayshaun Prince is another player who must step up, not only defensively, (he'll be trying to check Kobe) but on the offensive end too. Advantage Detroit.


Diddy:This appears to be a who really cares match-up. Not the case if you care who wins this series. Both players will make impacts on who wins games. The winner of this match-up will be the player who makes the BIGGEST shots. Both players are very inconsistent. Slight Advantage Detroit because Tayshaun is a better defender.


Power Forwards: Karl Malone vs. Rasheed Wallace

BigPapa: I have a special type of loathing towards Karl Malone. That being said he has been great in the playoffs. He has slowed down the last 2 MVP's. Rasheed must play better offense. Advantage Lakers.


Diddy:I refuse to say advantage Karl Malone. I won't do it. He is not that good anymore. He has played good D, but he will be getting attacked in the post in this series. Rasheed's length will be the difference. Advantage Detroit.

Centers: Shaquille O'Neal vs. Ben Wallace

BigPapa: I'm gonna keep this simple. I love Ben Wallace as a player but its freaking Shaq. Advantage Lakers.


Diddy:Shaq is an unstoppable force. For the Pistons to win Ben must have an impact on BOTH ends of the court. Advantage Lakers.


Bench(not including PG's): Kareem Rush/Medvedenko vs. Memo/Corless/Elden

BigPapa: This is an area where the Pistons HAVE to dominate. Look for Elden Campbell, Mehmet Okur an possibly even Darko to get minutes against Shaq. Advantage Detroit.


Diddy: Here is the difference between these two bench squads. The Pistons bench rarely makes plays in the fourth quarter. Kareem Rush, Medvedenko, and Fisher all play fourth quarter minutes for the Lakers. The Pistons will win this battle in the first three quarters. The Lakers will have players off the bench hitting BIG shots. Advantage Lakers.

Predictions

BigPapa: Pistons in 7.
Diddy: Pistons in 6. They will win one of two in LA, then 2 of 3 in Detroit, then game 6 in LA.