DETROIT vs. HOUSTON

[Sun Scorched]

DETROIT vs. HOUSTON
The Titans Will Collide – A Team against Team Breakdown

In the interest of getting the leagues pulse on the potential (obvious) matchup between Detroit and Houston, I thought I’d outline the three key components to victory (as I see them) and see who each of you see winning each component.

#1 – Kemba Walker vs James Harden
Let’s lead with the title bout.

DET: Kemba Walker @ 33.5mpg – 23.9ppg (1.33 PPSA), 4.3rpg, 4.3apg, 2.6spg, 0.6bpg, 2.2tpg
HOU: James Harden @ 31.6mpg – 29.2ppg (1.61 PPSA), 4.8rpg, 4.6apg, 1.4spg, 0.5bpg, 2.5tpg

Let’s first give credit where credit is due. Harden’s 1.61 PPSA is just insane. To give this some context, NBA great Michael Jordan’s best TS% season was the 88-89 stint and he only shot 1.46 PPSA. Yup. Exactly.

But if Harden is CSL’s offensive God, Walker holds court opposite him on the defensive side of that coin. And Walker’s defense shouldn’t be underrated here, he will absolutely obliterate anyone assigned to score against him, Houston will effectively be playing 4 vs. 5 while on offense.

SS’s Opinion: I was looking for every reason to go Kemba’s way here, but Harden is just a bit better offensively than Walker is defensively. HOU wins, 1-0.

#2 – Front Court Wars
Another pretty comparable match-up, interesting enough.

DET: Thompson + Ibaka @ 60.3mpg – 16.2rpg, 3.6bpg, 1.8spg
HOU: Young + Faried @ 51.4mpg – 15.2rpg, 1.6bpg, 2.7spg

Call it personal taste, but I’ve always gravitated towards more traditional front courts. I was surprised at how close this was, honestly, as I thought Thompson + Ibaka would have looked statistically dominant.

SS’s Opinion: Since I think the only way to beat Houston is to zone the ever loving crap out of them, and since I think Thompson and Ibaka will do a better job on the glass and at protecting the rim in that scenario, I have to give the nod to the Pistons. DET wins, 1-1.

#3 – The Role Players
Here we highlight the unsung heroes and, possibly, one of the most important aspects of any championship run. This includes only players averaging more than 20 minutes per game.

DET: Ricky Rubio + Kentavious Caldwell-Pope + James Young + Mitch McGary
HOU: Andre Igoudala + Roy Devyn Marble + Brandon Knight + Al-Farouq Aminu

SS’s Opinion: This is so tough. Obviously both teams are stout, they wouldn’t be here otherwise. And perhaps we finally have to realize that the CSL is going the positionless way of the NBA and tip our hats to Biz…. But that day is not today! (haha). I still like the talent distribution more for Detroit, and that their role players include a legitimate front court player will inure to their benefit. DET wins, 2-1.

And Jon finally completes his masterstroke!

So, based on the above categories, who do you have winning each and who do you think takes the CSL Crown this year?

[Jestor]

HCA + Harden = Houston in Game 7. Rockets also have enough 3 point shooters that zoning them is a bad move.

[hardenwithnod]

That will be an epic series, and I think Jon can pull it off if he has computer access. Great breakdown.

[mgtr81]

I wouldn't be so sure that's the Finals ... both Toronto and Utah can make it there and that would be no surprise. In fact, I'm voting for the Raptors.

[andrei]

I wouldn't be so sure that's the Finals ... both Toronto and Utah can make it there and that would be no surprise. In fact, I'm voting for the Raptors.

Agreed and same. Houston and Detroit are favorites sure but both Toronto and Utah have been playing some exceptional ball during these playoffs so I would not count them out yet

[Chilikonkarne]

No respect in this article
But the analysis is well done

PS : nice to see 2 votes for our Raptors! I voted Houston

[drumr]

That Detroit team looks like they could do it with that defense. How did they end up with a potential lotto pick in the draft as well?

[Sun Scorched]

No respect in this article
But the analysis is well done

PS : nice to see 2 votes for our Raptors! I voted Houston

I needed a league insider.

I'll be writing about your upset next!

[hardenwithnod]

I think Toronto definitely has a chance, as Jon doesn't have DDS access for this week, correct?

[donaldtrump666]

We cannot allow Canada to steal our jobs. They cannot win. My son Eric has a plan that will make us win again. We cannot let Canada beat us folks. No more. I will bomb the hell out of them if they threaten us.

[KW]

We cannot allow Canada to steal our jobs. They cannot win. My son Eric has a plan that will make us win again. We cannot let Canada beat us folks. No more. I will bomb the hell out of them if they threaten us.

You managed to write this during the debate?

[emplep7]

Houston is playing out of their mind right now and we are not. It's gonna be an uphill battle for me to make it there let alone beat Houston, but we're gonna give it the old college try.

[donaldtrump666]

We cannot allow Canada to steal our jobs. They cannot win. My son Eric has a plan that will make us win again. We cannot let Canada beat us folks. No more. I will bomb the hell out of them if they threaten us.

You managed to write this during the debate?

Jesus could do it, so can Trump.