We’re within the endgame now. The remaining eight San Antonio Spurs are All-Stars and Corridor-Of-Famers. The Candy Sixteen introduced intriguing matchups, however finally the voting was lopsided for the winners. This spherical needs to be a lot nearer with some heavy hitting matchups.
The official outcomes, with voting percentages is within the bracket under:
Here’s a reminder of the principles earlier than we get into the matchups:
Vote within the polls under for the winners of the Elite Eight spherical.
Tim Duncan (1) vs. LaMarcus Aldridge (8)
Marilyn: It’s particularly useful that we really noticed this matchup a lot in particular person, together with with each at or close to the primes. It’s price noting that the Path Blazers had one of many higher information in opposition to the Spurs through the Duncan period (though not a successful one), and Aldridge wasn’t a simple cowl, however Tim would nonetheless personal this matchup one-on-one. LMA will get some factors, however he can’t defend prime Duncan together with his banker and put up sport.
Jacob: That is the one matchup of this spherical that I don’t suppose will likely be shut. Aldridge is an superior scorer and probably the most enjoyable post-players of the 2010s, however he has nothing on the very best energy ahead of all time. Duncan is the higher defender, and has sufficient offense to take out Aldridge on his solution to the Remaining 4.
Jesus: Aldridge was a Spurs killer when he was in Portland. The protection actually struggled to comprise large males who might shoot from the perimeter, and LA was the most effective ever on the lengthy twos. That stated, this can be a one-on-one battle, and prime Tim Duncan was much more cellular than individuals who noticed him late in his profession suppose. Timmy was additionally a a lot better one-on-one participant than folks give him credit score for. At one level, the offense was “stroll the ball up and go it to Tim within the put up.” I can see Aldridge hitting some powerful turnaround jumpers on Huge Enjoyable, however a locked-in Duncan ought to win this comparatively simply.
J.R.: I keep in mind watching LaMarcus Aldridge mild up the Spurs in (what appeared to me) such an everyday means that I used to be able to pencil LMA down for 40 each time I noticed Portland on the schedule. So I believe it’s vital to acknowledge that the Spurs protection in The Age of Duncan typically targeted on letting gamers take lengthy twos. One other level: Aldridge beloved that over-the-right-shoulder turn-around jumper like I really like my youngsters, and it was like he forgot to overlook each time he lined up in opposition to Timmy. All that to say that there’s not a doubt in my thoughts that Huge Enjoyable is ready to trouble Aldridge sufficient whereas guarding him, and it goes with out saying that he’ll rating at will when he has the ball. Tim advances.
Manu Ginobili (5) vs. Kawhi Leonard (4)
Marilyn: Nicely, this hurts. Manu is likely one of the most artistic scorers of his period, but when there was a participant constructed to cease him, it’s Kawhi. Painful as it’s to say, if he might cease LeBron, Durant, and so on., he can cease Manu. He additionally has the offensive sport to counter Manu’s distinctive scoring, so that is sadly a type of instances I’ve to go together with mind over coronary heart and choose Kawhi.
Jacob: This can be a brutal pull for Manu. Towards among the different guards left, like Gervin and Parker, I believe he stands an opportunity. Kawhi is one other beast. At his Spurs peak, Kawhi was a Finals MVP and common season MVP candidate. He was the very best defensive participant within the NBA. Manu is a fan favourite, and an superior, artistic participant who ought to thrive in 1-on-1 settings. That is only a dangerous matchup for him, and I’ve to go together with Kawhi.
Jesus: Manu made the individuals who doubted him look foolish extra typically than most stars all through his profession. I wouldn’t utterly depend him out, even in opposition to Kawhi. However Leonard needs to be a heavy favourite on this matchup. Even the Spurs model was an unstoppable midrange murderer who used his energy to get to his spots in opposition to faster guys and his elevation to shoot over taller defenders. He was additionally probably the most dominant perimeter defenders anybody has ever seen. Ginobili would combat and would discover methods to get buckets and stops, however finally, I believe Kawhi advances.
J.R.: This matchup comes down to 2 issues: quickness and energy, and as a lot because it pains me to say it, I believe Leonard has the sting in each classes. Even when Manu can get Kawhi momentarily off-balance, The Nephew is ready to use his superior mass to shove Ginobili off his path. It brings me no pleasure to say this, as a result of Manu is my favourite participant of all time. However I don’t see him successful this matchup extra typically than 20 instances out of 100 — and that may nonetheless be excessive as a result of my fan’s coronary heart gained’t let me go any decrease. Leonard advances.
George Gervin (3) vs. Tony Parker (6)
Marilyn: We’ve got two of the higher, extra artistic scorers in Spurs historical past, however this time Tony’s measurement actually will likely be his downfall. The Iceman is simply too lengthy, artful and artistic for Tony to face an opportunity on protection. He might sustain for some time on offense, however he gained’t be capable of get the stops to drag off the upset.
Jacob: TP has been underestimated for a lot of the event, and is coming off a detailed victory over Sean Elliott. His run ends right here in opposition to the larger, and extra prolific Gervin. This can be a battle, although. I finally don’t suppose Parker can guard the Iceman 1-on-1. Parker places up some factors with some artistic finishes inside to maintain it shut, however he can’t pull off the upset as Gervin strikes on to the ultimate 4.
Jesus: Each guys would rating simply in opposition to one another, and in such an offensively-oriented battle, The Iceman ought to prevail. The scale benefit is just too huge, to the purpose I don’t suppose Tony would even trouble Gervin, who might merely pull up and hit jumper after jumper or muscle his solution to the rim. Parker also needs to have a simple time scoring on Ice, however the 6’7 body of Gervin a minimum of provides him an opportunity to contest some photographs. It might be an insanely enjoyable matchup to see, and few stops means it will be shut, however Gervin ought to win,
J.R.: Finger-roll in opposition to Teardrop. Silky easy jumper vs. full-speed 360 spin strikes. Man, would this be a matchup to savor. Our oui-Frenchman would give it his all, however I don’t suppose Gervin can be bothered by Tony’s protection as a lot as Parker can be stymied by George’s. I’d gladly pay the admission to look at this battle, as a result of I do suppose it’d be laborious fought, however I see The Iceman Prevailing.
David Robinson (2) vs. Victor Wembanyama (7)
Marilyn: And right here is. This might simply as simply have been the Finals if Wemby had landed on the opposite aspect of the bracket. The similarities and variations between these two are wild. Each are 7-foot-plus freaks of nature, high-flying dunkers, prolific blockers, and are each DPOY and MVP-caliber/successful gamers. As for his or her variations, Robinson would overwhelm Wemby bodily and within the weight room, however Wemby has the peak benefit, in addition to a greater means to shoot away from the basket — which very nicely stands out as the key to countering the Admiral’s superior energy. Bizarre as it’s to say, the third-year participant upsets the legend by a hair.
Jacob: Ah. The matchup we’ve all been ready for. I’ve been desirous about this for just a few days. Wembanyama struggles in opposition to large, bodily defenders, even when they’re shorter than him. He can defend anybody, however scoring is a matter. I believe which will have extra to do with the staff scenario, moderately than his one-on-one capabilities. Finally my resolution comes right down to this: I like Wemby extra. It’s laborious to seek out one thing on the basketball courtroom he can’t do, and I refuse to guess in opposition to a 7-foot-4 participant who can hit step again three-pointers. The Admiral is an all-time nice, however I believe Wemby has extra expertise, and may win this matchup whilst a youthful participant. That is powerful. The longer term is now, outdated man. Wembanyama advances.
Jesus: The alternative of the Parker vs. Gervin matchup. A defensive battle for the ages. Wembanyama has the sting when it comes to vary on offense, whereas Robinson has a major energy benefit. It might come right down to the little issues, and the extra skilled participant ought to be capable of prevail. Peak Robinson confronted among the finest facilities ever and whereas he didn’t at all times come out on high, all that have ought to turn out to be useful. Wemby has a free deal with. He struggles with physicality at instances. The Admiral would crowd him and get him uncomfortable. He would simply muscle his means inside and go proper into Wemby’s chest to get him out of place. A extra mature Wembanyama would in all probability beat 50, however the 21-year-old model would actually battle in opposition to somebody who has equally freakish bodily instruments and likewise the information to provide him hassle.
J.R.: The deciding issue to me on this matchup is vary. It might be powerful sufficient for David if this event was twos and threes, however this can be a ones and twos sport, and all the pieces Wemby makes from behind the arc is price twice considered one of David’s commonplace photographs. In a matchup with so many similarities, it doesn’t take a lot to tip the scales. On this case, the issue isn’t slight. Wemby lives to go off from deep, he rises to a problem, and he could make a number of in a row. David can’t sustain in opposition to a man who can trouble him all around the courtroom, whereas taking his finest strain and dribble side-stepping right into a fadeaway three. Wemby advances.
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