Welcome to the latest edition of The “Buzz”: Basketball Roundtable. We pose several basketball related questions to our panel of life-long NBA fans for their candid opinions. We invite anyone to participate by answering the same questions in the “Comments” section at the bottom of this article. Our panel consists of Jordan Leung, Matt Fish (of “Fish on Sports”) and Kaine Elmy.
1) What team are you most surprised to see in the conference finals?
Jordan – Maybe I’m still bitter about the loss, but San Antonio. The Spurs looked flat in Games 1 and 2 of the Warriors series and it’s a surprise to me how they are still such a good team that can play this many playoff games. Every team in the conference finals deserves to be there, so to me there aren’t any real surprises.
Matt – To be honest with you, none of the teams that made it to the NBA’s Final Four are surprising to me. Miami and San Antonio have played more or less up to their level of dominance from the regular season, and Memphis looks like the team that was leading the Western Conference in wins through the first 30 games of 2012-2013. Maybe Indiana is a mild surprise, instead of the Knicks, to reach the Eastern Final, but then again, I’ve always said that if Roy Hibbert started playing like a above-average 7-footer, the Pacers would be a handful for any team.
Kaine – San Antonio. I honestly did not see them getting through Golden State. In recent years, the Spurs have shown their age, and have had a tendency to fizzle out during the end of the year or during the post-season. They went up against a Golden State team that were playing sensationally, and I thought the Warriors would take the series. The Spurs did come out on top in the end.
2) Which of the Pacers/Grizzlies has the better chance to pull the upset and advance to the NBA Final?
Jordan – I don’t anyone would think the Grizzlies beating the Spurs would be an upset, so in terms of a better chance, I’d say the Grizzlies. However, this Pacers team is a lot better than the one we saw last year. George has given LeBron troubles throughout the season, and the play of Hibbert will be the deciding factor in this series.
Matt – Again, I’ll go on the record as saying there won’t be any upsets en route to the NBA Finals, but if I had to pick, I say Memphis makes it a closer series, by virtue of their ability to win the rebounding battle on a nightly basis. The key in that series will be the point guard duel of Conley versus Parker. Steph Curry was brilliant in fits and starts, but Coach Pop and his squad were able to shut him down towards the end of the series. Expect the same trend to continue against the Grizzlies.
Kaine – Memphis. As much as I hate to say it, Miami is not slowing down anytime soon. BUT… do not count out Pacers. This will be a long series, and could maybe even go the full seven games. However, I just can’t see the Pacers topping the heat. Memphis though, are my pick to actually beat the Spurs in this matchup.
3) Phil Jackson has said in his book that MJ is better than Kobe. Do you agree with the assessment?
Jordan – Are people still arguing about this? Michael Jordan. Now that the guy who is most entitled to speak on this comparison has spoken, I don’t think the Jordan/Kobe argument should be ever brought up again. I think the debate is a lot closer than most people make it out to be, but still, Jordan is better than Kobe.
Matt- Is there anyone who wouldn’t? At this point, there are only three players who, statistically, compete with Jordan for “best player ever” honors: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and as of right now, LeBron James is on pace to join that conversation as well. Maybe even Bill Russell with the eleven rings on his eleven fingers. The fact remains that Kobe’s accomplishments, while very good historically, don’t come all that close to matching Jordan’s. Heck, based on the other legends I just mentioned, he’s not even the greatest Laker of all time, never mind greatest player. Good call Mr. Jackson.
Kaine- Phil Jackson coached two of the greatest players to ever walk the court; I did not. But I am picking Kobe over Michael Jordan any day. No offense intended to Jordan, but the Kobe mind-frame and work ethic is second to none and it sets him apart.
Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to follow the panel on Twitter – @giordun @aFishCalledMatt @KaineElmy. While you’re at it, give the site a follow too – @lastwordonsport.
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