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SPORTS ZONE 2: NBA Finals: Paper Preview

With the match-up for this year's NBA Finals decided; I decided to make the actual playing of the series redundant by analyzing on paper the two rosters; thus determining the inevitable outcome of the series. I call it the Paper Preview and below is a summary of the San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets, position by position

Center:  The Spurs' David Robinson is one of the best all-time at his position but his career is quickly coming to an end and his advanced age has rendered him mediocre. If time has made Robinson less effective than he once was then the Nets' Jason Collins has no excuse. The second year big man is much quicker and more agile than his counterpart but lacks the necessary skill to make him an impact player at the NBA level. Collins will be a solid NBA center but he can't hold a candle to Robinson in his prime. Of course Collins doesn't have to since Robinson is nearing his 38th birthday. In the end both players have similar playoff stats this year and thus giving one team the edge at this position is made more difficult. Robinson brings experience and leadership to the court; Collins brings athleticism. Neither player is going to be all that important come tip-off time anyways so...
EDGE: EVEN

Power Forward:  By far this is the most intriguing match-up of this years Finals. On paper this match-up doesn't appear to be all that interesting or tightly contested. After all the Spurs have the current and two-time MVP in Tim Duncan. Duncan is putting up dominant numbers in almost every statistical category and is cool, calm, and collected in the clutch. He rarely makes mistakes and has shown a knack for coming up big at pivotal times. Duncan can take over an entire game with his offensive and defensive prowess and can jeopardize his counterpart by drawing fouls. Tim Duncan stacks up favorably against virtually every PF in the game today. So, it comes as no surprise that he should dominate this series as well-though his advantage will be less pronounced against New Jersey's Kenyon Martin.

Martin is an explosive second year man who is far more athletic than Duncan but less skilled. Martin relies on his athleticism to dominate lesser players, often going around, or right over them. He wont be able to dominate Duncan in this fashion though as Duncan is far too good defensively. Martin nevertheless possesses an intense competitive desire which, if harnessed, allows him to dominate at both ends of the court. If Martin can avoid foul trouble and control his temper he will give Duncan all he can handle.
EDGE: SPURS

Small Forward:   This match-up is a little more clear cut than the last two. New Jersey boasts one of the bright young stars of the game in Richard Jefferson. Jefferson is a second year player who is as explosive as teammate Kenyon Martin. Jefferson is a dangerous slasher who can become almost impossible to defend when his jump shot is working. Jefferson will be matched-up with Bruce Bowen who led the NBA this year in three-point field goal percentage. Bowen is the Spurs best defensive player but his presence on the court at crunch time is often a liability--as he is a horrendous free-throw shooter. Bowen is a better defensive player than Jefferson, but not by enough to make up for what he lacks on the offensive end.
EDGE: NETS

Shooting Guard:  Again the comparisons are similar. San Antonio's Stephen Jackson and New Jersey's Kerry Kittles are role players who score when they get the chance, play solid defense, and protect the ball. Every team needs players like Jackson and Kittles who do the little things but do them well. Kittles was a highly touted prospect coming out of college who can still score in bunches when he gets hot, though he has a history of disappearing at crunch time. Jackson is an emotional player who can energize his teammates with pivotal buckets and defensive stops. Neither player is going to dominate this series let alone a single game, but their presence will be felt, Jackson's a bit more than Kittles's.
EDGE: SPURS

Point Guard:   Besides the Power Forward position this is the series best match-up. New Jersey's Jason Kidd is largely acknowledged as the NBA's best point guard. He is a regular on the all NBA, and All-NBA Defensive teams. He led the entire NBA in assists this year while still averaging over 18 points per game. And he has been even better in the playoffs averaging close to a tripe-double per game. Kidd exhibits the type of court vision and play-making ability that frustrates opposing coaches to no end. San Antonio's Tony Parker will draw the unenviable job of trying to slow Kidd and the New Jersey fast-break down. The task falls on competent shoulders though as the 21 year old court general is quickly making a name for himself arriving from France two years ago. He is a lightning quick penetrator who can penetrate, pass, or shoot. Parker will no doubt develop into a perennial all-star, but he is not there yet and he hardly compares to the superstar Kidd. Still it should be fun to watch.
EDGE: NETS

Coaching:   Greg Popovich for the Spurs has been to the Finals before and won. Byron Scott for the Nets got to the Finals last year and lost. Popovich has the experience; Scott the motivation. Too close to call.
EDGE: PUSH

Bench:   San Antonio's Malik Rose, Manu Ginobili, Speedy Claxton, and Kevin Willis can do more than just give the starters a break. These guys can all score, defend, and save for Willis provide the Spurs with a fast breaking option to challenge the Nets transition defense. New Jersey is O.K. off the bench with Lucius Harris, Aaron Williams, and Rodney Rogers. Harris is a fine player who will split time with starter Kittles. Williams brings some toughness and when Martin or Collins get tired and Rogers can knock down the three-ball when he gets the chance. The Spurs have better bench players and more of them.
EDGE: SPURS

The analyzing is done, and the Spurs have won the battle of the Paper Preview, 3-2. Thus it is undeniable that the Spurs will be the NBA Champions for the second time in 4 years. Not only did they win the Preview but San Antonio also comes from the stronger Western Conference and they had the NBA's best record. They are led by two 7 footers-one of whom is a lock for the hall of fame and the other is the current MVP. They boast the league's top three point shooter and one of the NBA's future stars at point guard. Sprinkle in some seasoned veteran role players and a coach who has already won the big one and you might as well bring out the brooms.

But hold on....Put the brooms back in the closet. This New Jersey team is not going to be swept by anyone, not again at least. The Nets have been playing with a purpose during these playoffs and are motivated to avenge last years embarrassing sweep. They've had an easier road to the Finals than the Spurs; thus far losing only once. The Nets are well rested, healthy, and hungry to win a Championship. If the Nets can continue to motivate themselves and elevate their play I believe they will upset the Spurs, no matter what the Paper Preview says.

I guess that's why they play the games.

--Written by By Rob Hawkins

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Read SPORTS ZONE 1: Mighty Big Trouble in Anaheim