Burning questions: Can Blazers hack it?
ESPN.com
The mega-showdown in the Western Conference finals continues tonight with Game 2 between the Blazers and Lakers at the Staples Center.
After watching the hack-a-Shaq festival in Game 1, we return to our Q&A series with ESPN's NBA experts. And today's question deals with ... you guessed it, Shaquille O'Neal.
During the regular season, Shaq averaged "only" 20.5 points per game against the Blazers -- nine points below his scoring average. Even though he scored 41 in Game 1, why has Shaq struggled at times against Portland?
Ramsay |
NBA analyst Dr. Jack Ramsay
Portland usually defends Shaq well. The Blazers do it with good double-teaming. Shaq got fewer shots against Portland than every team but one (Chicago) this season. The Blazers will double-team him without rotating. In other words, they will double from the top. But when Shaq passes the ball back out, the Blazers get to their own matchups without doing a lot of switching. Portland's player are long and quick enough to do that probably better than any team in the league. The Blazers really don't have anybody who can defend Shaq one-on-one. He is much too quick for Arvydas Sabonis. If the Blazers go with the small lineup, Shaq can overpower any of the other players. Plus, Shaq has become a much better passer. |
Carter |
NBA analyst Fred Carter
It's a pretty good matchup between Shaq and Arvydas Sabonis. Remember, Sabonis is equal to Shaq's height and probably his weight. So it's not an easy thing to bounce Sabonis around. He can put a body on Shaq and somewhat prevent him from getting deep in the lane and catching the ball where he can score at will. With Sabonis there, he'll have a hand in Shaq's face when he jumps and shoots. Shaq must have a lot of respect for Sabonis because of his size. |
Aldridge |
NBA reporter David Aldridge
Portland is capable -- perhaps more than most teams -- of keeping Shaq from scoring big. The Blazers can bring Rasheed Wallace or Brian Grant over to help Arvydas Sabonis in the paint. But I think Shaquille can correctly get the ball to the open players. He realizes Portland can make it more difficult on him in terms of double-teaming than most because the Blazers have size and depth in the frontcourt. |
Jackson |
NBA 2Night's Jason Jackson
Shaq's regular-season numbers against Portland, 20.5 points per game, are still impressive, but Arvydas Sabonis is a big body to play against. When Rasheed Wallace moves over to the center position, he creates a mismatch only because he's small and fast. If Shaq begins to chase Wallace, he'll get into foul trouble. |
Bucher |
ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher
Portland's strength is in its frontcourt. The Blazers can throw different sorts of matchups against Shaq and run the floor, which will make him more fatigued. And Arvydas Sabonis is the only legitimate big body who can keep him from getting great position. That's a factor. In terms of the Lakers, they see their advantage being Kobe Bryant against Steve Smith or Scottie Pippen. So they will look to Kobe more than they would necessarily for Shaq? That would mean fewer opportunities for Shaq.
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