The Unusual Suspects: The Best Players in the Playoffs
Jason Maxiell’s gone toe-to-toe with DwightIn the Lakers/Nuggets series it was J.R. Smith. In the Philly/Detroit series it was Reggie Evans. In the Jazz/Rockets series it was Mehmet Okur. No matter the series, there has been at least one guy that has elevated his level of play far beyond expectations to give his team a much-needed boost throughout these playoffs.
Despite seeing only 27 minutes of action per game, J.R. Smith added six full more points per game onto his season average, tallying 18.3 over the four outings. Evans‘ production tailed off during the last two games, but during the first four games of the series, he looked like Brian Dawkins on a basketball court. The guy was doing absolutely everything. He’d collected 8.7 points and 8.2 boards during those first four games, and had committed 3.2 fouls per game that the refs never saw.
It might be early in round two, but here’s who’s stepped to the dish so far…
Lakers/Jazz
While Okur has maintained a real strong level of play (21 points, 19 boards) through game one of the Jazz’s second round matchup with the Lakers, he’s not the early favorite as the surprise standout. You know the expression: offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships. And in game one of the Lakers/Jazz series, Derek Fisher nearly locked up Deron Williams. With Fish shadowing him step-for-step, Deron went 5-18 from the field. Plus, D-Fish had a ridiculous six steals. If he can keep Deron under control, maybe Kobe will let Fisher wear the MVP ring for a week.
Celtics/Cavaliers
In the fourth quarter, Sasha Pavlovic looked like Michael Cooper when he was checking Paul Pierce. Pierce tried to swing the ball through and beat him to the basket, and not once, but twice got stripped. The second time resulted in an easy lay-up. If only LeBron was as efficient as Pavolvic (7 points, 1 steal, 1-1 3FG, 14 minutes)…
Hornets/Spurs
After Jannero Pargo served as the icing to make Jason Kidd’s life a living hell during round one (14.6 points, 45% 3FG), Morris Peterson has been New Orleans’ extra weapon through the first two games of the San Antonio series. MoPete is 8-10 from the floor (3-4 3FG) for 20 points, helping to make the Spurs pay for doubling down on Chris Paul once he gets a piece of the paint.
Pistons/Magic
When someone in the Dime office posed the question, ‘Would you rather have David Lee or Jason Maxiell?,’ it seemed like a no-brainer to go with Maxiell with the way he’s played this series. After struggling against Philly, Maxiell is channeling his inner Reggie Evans en route to 11.5 points, 6.5 points, and 3 blocks through two games. We’re yet to see Lee in playoff mode, but no matter the time of year he can’t change shots like Maxiell. He’s blocked one more shot than Dwight Howard through two games.
May 7th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Sam I Am says:
Peja I think…So much has been said about D.West and Paul, and rightfully so, but I was listening to a commentary here on my local sports radio and they talked about the fall and decline of Peja and how he has risen in this year and MOST DEF in these 2008 playoffs…
Just my humble opinion
May 7th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Brown says:
I’ve been really impressed with Maxiell’s jump shot. He’s got nice form and a decent release. He’s definitely catching teams by surprise with it, cuz they’re not guarding against it.
I’m glad MoPete is playing well in NO. I think he was asked to do too much in Toronto. The Hornets are using him correctly, and he’s not even in their first 3 options, which is a perfect fit for him. He just has to play to his strengths and it’s been a huge bonus for the team.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Kermit Washington says:
“maybe Kobe will let Fisher wear the MVP ring for a week.”
they get RINGS, too??
May 7th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Amar says:
guys like Maxiell, Millsap, that guy (smith i think) for the twolves, Landry and all are ushering the new breed of Kermit Washington types . . . tough power forwards who hustle, scrap, and have more offensive game than they are given credit for.
charles oakley’s without the 20 footer.
May 7th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Amar says:
damn, speak of the devil . . . didn’t see you there, K, how’s the relief work in Africa going?
May 7th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Kermit Washington says:
@ Amar:
haha….wow…I posted a comment at the same time YOU were making a Kermit Washington reference?! What the…
May 7th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Andrew Katz says:
I’ve said it before, I think that there’s no play in basketball that inspires others like a monster block. Josh Smith on Rondo going to the basket? Maxiell has more game-changing stuffs than anyone in the League next to Dwight.
The Tyson Chandler rejection in March? The Reggie Evans block in round one?
May 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
GEE...Now everybodys rappin bout welfare lines... says:
“And in game one of the Lakers/Jazz series, Derek Fisher nearly locked up Deron Williams. With Fish shadowing him step-for-step, Deron went 5-18 from the field. Plus, D-Fish had a ridiculous six steals.”
Just putting that up again for alllllll and I do mean aaaawwwwllllll the haters that try to come at a plaiya for saying for the playoffs I would choose D Fish over some spectacular (non playing D) guards cause…….HE PLAYS D!
Can’t wait for game 2!
May 7th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Dave says:
Gee….you did call Fish one of your top 5 at some point in the last week, gotta give you credit there.
the question will be if he can do it again throughout the series. the biggest thing he did differently to DWill that other pg’s haven’t is try to make him work to his left almost exclusively. Adjustments tonight should be interesting to watch.
I would isolate on Gasol with whoever he is guarding in the post and I would post up AK once in awhile.
and I wouldn’t try and block any of Kobe’s jumpers, play off him, get a hand up, but don’t let him go by you so easily by pretending you’ll block his shot on the perimiter.
GO JAZZ!!!
May 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Homeless J says:
Do you think CP3 will get a scar on his face from eating Tony Parker?
May 7th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Amar says:
didn’t deron almost have a triple double in game one? good job, Fish. you made Deron shoot poorly, I fully expect Deron to give him the business tonight.
May 7th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
MoxWestCoastRep says:
I fully expect the Lakers to win by 20 tonight regardless of how D-will plays. Kobe is gonna be all fired up about winning MVP. Look out, might see an 81′er tonight!!
May 7th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Lady Luck says:
Cleveland has been getting big games from Big Z all season. He’s very consistent. He may be slow, but he’s efficient. Wally or Sasha really needs to step up in this series. Boston’s defense is going to be locked into Lebron, and although that won’t stop him, Cavs still need their guards to shoot well. C’s need to take the ball to the rim. Ray needs to go Rip Hamilton…run around and get some mid-range jumpers.
Utah needs Boozer to step up. The Jazz have no one to contain Kobe, Pau, or the 3pt shooters. Utah needs to work inside out.
Detroit’s in trouble! BILLUPS IS DAY-TO-DAY. NOT GOOD. HE IS THE GLUE. Rasheed needs to get 20-10 the rest of the way. Stuckey gets a big opportunity…is he ready? Orlando needs a PG. But that’s offseason talk. Dwight Howard should be DOMINATING inside. He’s great, but wait until he learns how to get position inside.
Spurs are in trouble. Chris Paul has a lot of weapons…and he knows how to use them. Spurs need the big 3 to click at the same time, and they need to shut down the perimeter shooters. They can’t stop Paul, but Tony should be able to keep up….but er uh, well CP3 IS a BEAST.
KB24-MVP