34DEEP SIX ’EM!
Underdog Nets out to shock talented Philly in opening round of NBA playoffs
The Nets are the gritty underdog in this matchup, a team of overachievers that prefers playing fast and loose with their 3-pointers. The Sixers are stacked, perhaps more so than any other team in the Eastern Conference, but haven’t figured out how to play together. If it clicks, they can sweep the Nets. If the foundation cracks – if Joel Embiid struggles with health issues and Jimmy Butler isn’t happy about his role — they’re prone to implosion.
Below we take a look at the individual matchups, which clearly favor the Sixers. But
as the Nets can hope, talent doesn’t always translate to victory in the postseason.
Point guard: D’Angelo Russell (Nets) vs. Ben Simmons (Sixers)
They’re different types of players and it’s an unfair comparison, but Simmons is a better overall player. He is one of the very best in the NBA going downhill and finishing in transition, a potential tripledouble on any given night and is a strong defender when motivated. His problem is shooting from anywhere outside of the paint – that is to say, he can’t really do it. Russell is also an AllStar with different flaws – inconsistency and defense being the most glaring – and he must carry his team, whereas Simmons has the luxury of deferring.
Edge: Sixers.
Shooting guard: Joe Harris (Nets) vs. JJ Redick (Sixers)
They’re both elite 3-point shooters, and Harris led the NBA this season by shooting 47.4 percent from beyond the arc. Redick, 34, does a little bit more than Harris – he’s a pinball running off screens a la Steph Curry – and averaged a career-high 18.1 points this season. He also has more playoff experience than anybody in this series.
Edge: Sixers
Small forward: DeMarre Carroll (Nets) vs. Jimmy Butler (Sixers)
If activated, Butler remains one of the best twoway wings in the NBA. But with his free agency on the horizon and rumors Philly may cut him loose, you have to wonder if he’ll be happy with his secondary role, getting 13.6 shots per game. Carroll carries the most playoff experience on the roster, but he’s not on Butler’s level.
Edge: Sixers
Power forward: Rodions Kurucs (Nets) vs. Tobias Harris (Sixers)
Kurucs was drafted 40th overall last year and now he’s charged with holding down the paint against one of the strongest teams in the NBA. Good luck. The Latvian is starting because the Nets’ options are slim in the frontcourt, and he’ll be giving up size, experience and skill to Harris and Joel Embiid. Kurucs is generously listed at 210 pounds. Harris stretches the floor and presents matchup problems no matter
the Nets lineup.
Edge: Sixers
Center: Jarrett Allen (Nets) vs. Joel Embiid (Sixers)
If Embiid is healthy, this is a wipeout for the Sixers. Of course, health (and fitness) has often held back Embiid’s career and now he’s dealing with a knee injury. His availability for Game 1 is questionable. Allen looks like Gumby next to Embiid, and can’t handle Philly’s 7-footer in the paint – so this will be defense-by-committee. The Nets’ would be best-served running Embiid into exhaustion, which isn’t especially difficult.
Edge: Sixers Bench
The Nets are deeper and it’s not too close. Sixth Man Spencer Dinwiddie dropped over 30 points in two separate games against Philly this season, and the Nets also have Caris LeVert coming off the bench. The Sixers are top heavy with Mike Scott, TJ McConnell and Boban Marjanovic leading the second unit. Also watch out for Jonathon Simmons. Two years ago he took off in the playoffs for the Spurs.
Edge: Nets
Coaches: Kenny Atkinson (Nets) vs. Brett Brown (Sixers)
Atkinson has no playoff experience and Brown’s is slim (1-1 in two series last year). But overall, Atkinson is the better coach and has utilized the type of successful adjustments that can make-or-break a playoff series. Atkinson has done more with less and that needs to happen again for the Nets to have a chance.