Playoffs Matchup 1
Paul Forrester (fourth place 42-40)
C Shaquille O'Neal (6)
PF Bob Pettit (35)
SF Walt Frazier (26)
SG Dominique Wilkins (46)
PG Jerry West (15)
6 Elvin Hayes (55)
7 Kevin Johnson (66)
8 Tracy McGrady (75)
9 Artis Gilmore (86)
10 Kevin Durant (95)
11 Chauncey Billups (106)
12 Joe Johnson (115)
Chris Ballard (first place 46-26)
C Bill Russell (3)
PF Charles Barkley (23)
SF Dennis Rodman (43)
SG Reggie Miller (38)
PG LeBron James (18)
6 Chris Mullin (58)
7 Arvydas Sabonis (63)
8 Deron Williams (78)
9 Tiny Archibald (83)
10 Carmelo Anthony (98)
11 Shawn Marion (103)
12 Bill Laimbeer (118)
The Matchup
In the frontcourt, team Forrester has Shaq and Bob Pettit. Both players at their prime could go for around 26 points and 17 rebounds a night making this an imposing frontcourt. Matching up with them on the low block is Bill Russell and Charles Barkley. Russell is a Celtics legend with 11 championships, and while Barkley never won a chip he is one of the best rebounders pound-for-pound (not a fat joke) of all time. The two best undersized rebounders are both on team Ballard with Rodman and Barkley, and this compensates for the height they give up (Shaq 7'1"/ Russell 6'9" and Pettit 6'9"/ Barkley 6'6"). Shaq is a winner and a charismatic game-changer, but the finals MVP is named after Russell for a reason. This would be a titanic clash. Forrester can bring Elvin Hayes and Artis Gilmore off the bench, while Ballard brings Arvydas Sabonis and Bill Laimbeer.
Advantage: Forrester
On the wings, team Ballard has Reggie Miller and Chris Mullin to surround LeBron James who would start at point guard. LeBron would, at times, relinquish ball-handling duties and run the wing as well. Mullin and Reggie netted a combined 3375 three-pointers and this wouldn't let defenders sag off them giving LeBron a path to the basket. If they tried to double or triple-team Bron he could kick it to either capable wing player for an automatic three points. On team Forrester, Walt Frazier and Dominique Wilkins can score, but it is the bench of a T-Mac in his prime and Kevin Durant and Joe Johnson that really impresses. The wings on team Ballard are dependent on LeBron doubling as a scorer and distributor, but Carmelo and Shawn Marion are great late-round pickups in this draft. Scoring comes in a variety of ways for team Forrester, while team Ballard's gameplan relies on hefty doses of LeBron.
Advantage: Forrester
At point guard, Ballard has done an interesting thing by starting Bron out of his natural position, but also putting the ball (and the team) firmly in his hands. Deron Williams is a capable backup and Tiny Archibald is the gravy on the cake. Jerry West (AKA the Logo) will not be able to defend LeBron, Kevin Johnson was an overrated pick and Chauncey is solid, but unspectacular.
Advantage: Ballard
Result: Ballard wins - LeBron would dominate the small guards of team Forrester and even the variety of wing options couldn't match up with James. The frontcourt of Shaq, Pettit, Hayes and Gilmore is almost a tipping point, but cannot control the game like Ballard's team strategy. With Mullin and Miller shooting away, Rodman can shut down whoever gets hot on team Forrester whether it's T-Mac, Dominique or Durant.
Playoffs Matchup 2
Alex Wolff's team (third place 43-29)
C David Robinson (20)
PF Dave Cowens (40)
SF Michael Jordan (1)
SG Dwyane Wade (21)
PG Chris Paul (61)
6 Nate Thurmond (60)
7 Joe Dumars (41)
8 Dennis Johnson (80)
9 Robert Horry (81)
10 Terry Porter (100)
11 Ben Wallace (101)
12 Maurice Cheeks (120)
Joe Posnanski's (second place 45-27)
C Wilt Chamberlain (2)
PF Dirk Nowitzki (42)
SF Julius Erving (19)
SG John Havlicek (39)
PG Isiah Thomas (22)
6 Dwight Howard (59)
7 Dolph Shayes (62)
8 Mark Price (79)
9 Grant Hill (82)
10 Vince Carter (99)
11 Jerry Lucas (102)
12 Michael Cooper (119)
The Matchup
For his frontcourt domination, Wilt Chamberlain should have gone #1 overall in my opinion. With career averages of 30 points and 23 rebounds per game, The Dipper is an incomparable offensive force (see: 100 point game) that can haul in the rebounds for team Posnanski. "The Admiral" David Robinson is great but cannot match up with Wilt. Dave Cowens is no Dirk Nowitzki either as we saw Dirk explode in this past year's playoffs. As an inside-out weapon to complement Wilt's post game, Dirk will have the space to roam and shoot over the 6'9" Cowens. Dolph Shayes was undersized at 6'7" in the paint against Nate Thurmond but Dwight Howard would be able to counter him. Dwight and Wilt together would be scary too.
Advantage: Posnanski
On the wings, Jordan and Wade is a dream team. Wade is Chicago born, the next in line for team Jordan, and plays LeBron's Pippen (or is the other way around?). It's hard to argue against the GOAT with Wade too, and Dr. J and Hondo would match up respectibally, but not effectively. Carter, Hill, Lucas and Cooper provide points off the bench, but not defensive matchups.
Advantage: Wolff
At point, Chris Paul vs Isiah Thomas is an epic matchup. Both gritty guards they can defend and create steals. Both seem to suit their teams as well. Joe Dumars has a slight advantage over Mark Price. I think Chris Paul was a steal at pick #60.
Advantage: Wolff
Result: Posnanski wins - This matchup comes down to dynamic wing players versus a dominating frontcourt. How frustrating would it be for Jordan to watch as Wilt dominated and Dirk killed them softly. Julius Erving would put up points to supplement to onslaught in the post, and the height around the rim would force Jordan and Wade to become shooters. Dirk took down Bron and Wade without Wilt, and Wilt is every bit as impactful as Jordan.
Finals Matchup: Posnanski vs Ballard
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