The CSL

Following the exciting game 7 finish in the Western Conference Finals, the Houston Rockets punched the remaining ticket into the CSL Finals and will face-off against the Detroit Pistons. Both teams have had issues getting over the "final" hump in their respective conferences and now find themselves 4 wins away from a CSL Championship.

How they got here

Detroit: After finishing the season 66-16 and securing the number overall seed in the Eastern Conference, the Kemba Walker-led Pistons have maneuvered through rather easy waters to find themselves in the CSL Finals. Following a decisive 4-1 series win over the up and coming Philadelphia 76ers, the Pistons clearly showed the entire CSL universe that they had one thing in mind: the CSL Championship. LeBron James awaited them in the Conference semi-finals and despite LeBron's heroic efforts which included 2 40 point games and 2 30 point games, the Pistons quickly dispatched the Heat 4-1. Marcos Beck's Chicago Bulls have been a mainstay in the Eastern Conference playoffs and frankly might have been the front runner to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals, but the abysmal showing proved otherwise as the Pistons made quick, and easy work of the Bulls.

Houston: The Harden-led Rockets finished the year 69-13 in route to the number one overall seed in the Western Conference. The Rockets found themselves challenged through the entire playoffs - including an opening series 0-2 deficit to the 8th seeded Spurs, however the Rockets strung 4 straight wins together behind 67 and 57 point performances from James Harden to dispatch the Spurs. Minnesota proved to be no challenge as Houston swept the Wolves, winning all 4 games by double digits - including a 50 point win in game 1. Awaiting the Rockets in the WCF was the regular-season juggernaut, the Sacramento Kings. The Kings are a nicely built team and should a player take a step forward into that "superstar" paradigm, the Kings could seriously run off as champions for multiple seasons. This series was epic - no other way to put it. Both teams stole games on the road, sometimes in deciding fashion. The way the momentum shifted each game was astounding as each team won by double digits, with the exception of the Game 2 win by Sacramento on the road. Houston would prevail in 7 games behind a 45 point performance from James Harden.

Potential Key Matchups

James Harden vs. Kemba Walker

VS.
When it comes to potential singular matchups in the CSL, this one may be the one that everyone WANTS to see. This matchup is roughly on a prime-level Kobe vs. LeBron pedestal. Will Detroit match Kemba up against Harden as it's quite clear Kemba is the best guard defender in the league - this may mean Kemba at Power Forward? Is this something Jon will consider?

Serge Ibaka vs Kenneth Faried

Faried is the heart and soul of the Rockets team on the glass - if Ibaka can mitigate Faried's impact in this facet of the game the Pistons may become quite the problem for the Harden-led Rockets.

GM vs GM
VS.
Both GM's are quite hands on with their organization, consistently recommending tactics and strategies to their head coaches. It will be interesting to see what approaches each GM's take to give their respective teams an edge.

Prediction

Personally, I feel as if the Western Conference Finals may have been the true CSL Finals this year. Unless Jon can find a way to keep Kemba on Harden throughout the game, this may prove to be too difficult a task for Jon and his Pistons. I think this series goes 7 as well, with Harden proving to be the best player in the league with a dominating performance to push his team to victory.

I definitely feel for Jon trying to stop or contain Harden. I would have loved if we could set defensive lineups so I could have matched OP onto him at all times but unfortunately we couldn't.

Our defense is built on pressure though because of our strong back court defenders. We couldn't really go away from the high pressure to increase zone usage to slow him down inside. It may be something Detroit can take advantage of though.

bt wrote:I definitely feel for Jon trying to stop or contain Harden. I would have loved if we could set defensive lineups so I could have matched OP onto him at all times but unfortunately we couldn't.

Our defense is built on pressure though because of our strong back court defenders. We couldn't really go away from the high pressure to increase zone usage to slow him down inside. It may be something Detroit can take advantage of though.

Defensive matchups would bring a whole new level to DDS! Unfortunately we cannot set it without actually playing the game :/

Nice preview.
I am sticking with Detroit for the win at the end. But it will be a close one for sure!

This is the whole reason I brought Kemba to town. I haven't had anyone in years past who can shut down the opposing teams scorers and he has done that for me all playoffs. Depending on how Harden is used this series, I plan on having him shadowed by Kemba as I feel the rest of my team can carry the load if Kemba runs into trouble. Its going to be a big challenge for us, but at this point whats another lost finals appearance.

And thanks Andrew for that large photo of me you threw up there.

Should be a great series. I would love to see Detroit win and if they can dominate Houstons lack of a pg they have a good shot but something tells me that they wont be able to. Hope im wrong.

I gotta go with the East though it's gonna be tough matching up with Harden who will be spotted from PG-PF maybe even C but you have Kemba KCP Butler to chase him around all those spots.

Sidenote are those you their real pics?

I think Biz should play Harden at a guard spot. Give the people what they want!

lakeshowak7 wrote:I think Biz should play Harden at a guard spot. Give the people what they want!

I tried that last series and got shot down for mentioning it The people wanted to see if OP could stop Harden but never got the chance and probably won't with Kemba either

bt wrote:

lakeshowak7 wrote:I think Biz should play Harden at a guard spot. Give the people what they want!

I tried that last series and got shot down for mentioning it The people wanted to see if OP could stop Harden but never got the chance and probably won't with Kemba either

I absolutely hate seeing how Biz shifts Harden around from PG to SF and now PF, it's like a cheese move (like foot sweeping in Mortal Kombat the whole fight) to gain an advantage at certain positions. I don't think it was out of necessity or small ball experiment just a cheese, made me regret changing from the Rockets to Magic seeing how Harden is used as he is an excellent SG arguably the top 2 in the L.

I switched Paul George to PG vs Chicago to slow down Rose who abuses Mario Chalmers and Rose took it to George as well but once PG got hurt I went small Game 6 to try to nullify Horford and it worked. Wanted to get George back on Rose in Game 7 but didnt get DC inserted cause I didn't want to press my luck w PG on Horford and expectedly Horford killed PG.

Anyway that said, his team he is welcome to do as he likes and they're a very tough team, elite status and have a shot at the title so I ain't mad at that cause that's what we all (at least most of us) compete for so good luck to him.

Teams are so close - i'd go with Hou due to home court