NBA Trade & Orlando Look Out!

Golden State Shipping Al Harrington to the Knicks for Jamal Crawford:

At first it looks like the Warriors get the better of the deal especially since Crawford has been shooting the ball better this year.  But then you take a look at the positions each one fills.  This trade is actually bad for both teams in my mind.  Golden State is stacked on the wings at the 2& 3 and they trade what could have been a starting 4 for another 2-guard.  This means they have Stephen Jackson, Anthony Murrow (who’s been the most surprising rookie with how well he can score), Marco Bellinelli (can’t give up on because he’s only 22), Corey Magette, Kelenna Azubuike, Anthony Randolph and now Jamal Crawford.  That’s 7 guys fighting for PT at 2 spots.  Compared to only Brandan Wright, Richard Hendrix and Rob Kurz (all young & inexperienced) at the PF spot. 

The knicks have the same problem.  They already have enough post players.  They need wings.  Now technically they only have one shooting guard in Mardy Collins.  I’m sure Quentin Richardson can play the 2 while Wilson Chandler plays the 3.  The only other option would be starting 2 point guards with Duhon and Robinson. 

The only reason this move makes since is because Harrington and Don Nelson were not getting along well enough to get him playing well on the court.  It worked well for the Knicks because he has 2 years less on his contract than does Crawford.  They get cap room a little bit sooner than they expected, which is that the Knicks franchise needs to get rid of all the overpaid players currently on that team.

Orlando Preview:

TJ Ford v. Jameer Nelson

TJ Ford has the advantage in the stats columns and on the court.  He is quicker.  He sees the floor better.  Can penetrate better than Jameer.  He has a better all around game compared to Nelson.  The one thing Nelson does have on Ford (just like every other PG in the NBA) is size.  Nelson isn’t much taller but he is much stronger.  I doubt he’ll post up much just because Dwight Howard will always be down there, but that could be the way to take advantage of TJ’s lack of size.  This matchup should go to Ford.

Marquis Daniels v. Mickael Pietrus

This matchup also leans the Pacers way.  Daniels might actually play Turkoglu on D purely because of his tenacity on the defensive end but this is the position matchup so we’ll stick to that for this analysis.  Mickael has fit in well with the Magic’s system purely because he played the exact same way before he got there.  Shooting threes.  Marquis does a much better job on the defensive end as well as having a better all-around game.  He gets people involved better than Pietrus.  He’s also averaging 6 boards a game, which is very good coming from the 2-guard.

Danny Granger v. Hedo Turkoglu

The Pacers are 3-0 after this matchup.  Granger gets the edge because he has the ability and at times has shown the drive to take over games.  He needs to do exaclty what MJ and Kobe do: get teammates involved early on and take over late.  He must be the go to guy at anytime during the game and especially late in games.  In addition he must try to facilitate a little more.  Turkoglu actually has the advantage 4.2-2.0 in assists per game.  Danny must up his numbers in that category not just in this game but throughout the season.  Despit all the criticism on Granger, it does go to him especially when you consider defensive skills.

Troy Murphy v. Rashard Lewis

Now we’re getting into the part where it’s not even a competition anymore.  This clearly leans to Orlando.  Though he isn’t worth the high price tag the Magic paid for him, Rashard is the much better player.  I would consider Murphy to have a size advantage but it doesn’t really help him since he plays along the perimeter on offense.  Lewis is long enough to prevent Murphy from getting open threes and definitely quick enough to keep up with Troy when he goes off the dribble.  On the other end, Troy will have his hands full if he is matched up against Rashard because Rashard is a 3 with the length and athleticism of a 4.  The one place Troy does get the edge is crashing the boards.  He’s leading this Pacers squad in rebounds and is almost averaging a double-double. 

Dwight Howard v. Rasho Nesterovic

This of course goes to Superman and Orlando, but this matchup is quite deceiving.  On the offensive end Dwight Howard will be unstoppable.  (See Amare Stoudemire) There is not matchup for Howard especially when it is a defender who is slow and has no vertical.  I don’t think Howard will have as big a presence on the defensive end as he does against other teams.  The Pacers have done a good job of using Rasho and Troy at the top of the key as facilitators to people cutting to the basket.  I expect them to do this again to draw Howard away from the basket and free up lanes for Danny, Marquis and TJ. 

Pacers Bench v. Magic Bench

This one definitely goes to the Pacers.  The Pacers have 8 players averaging at least 6 points compared to the Magic’s only 6.  The Pacers will goe deeper with much better talent off the bench.  This is the aspect where they must take advantage of because Orlando’s starting lineup has a good chance of out performing the starting 5 for the Pacers.

Overall:

I gave Orlando the advantage in only 2 starting spots but the differences within those 2 positions are huge!! That’s a full tilt toward Orlando.  That could be enough to swing things in there favor.  The Pacers must (yet again) take care of the ball and try to create fouls while not fouling themselves.  They should be able to use a deep bench in order to try to get Orlando tired. 

In my mind, this Pacers squad matches up really well with Orlando.  Against the magic, they can put any 5 on the court.  Danny can easily play the 4 against Rashard to free up a spot for Brandon or Jarrett.  I actually expect them to play Danny quite a bit at the 4 just because it is a much easier matchup on the defensive side of the ball.  Danyn and Rashard are similar players and will be a great matchup to watch.