Post by Indiana on Jun 24, 2015 18:24:40 GMT -6
The competitive American conference was always going to throw up some interesting results and the first round of the 2027 ABCA finals didn't fail to disappoint. Here we see a star studded team get swept, 2 teams seeded lower then their opponent advance to the next round and an un-fancied 8th seed show some fighting spirit.
(1) NEW YORK KNICKS vs INDIANA PACERS (8)
4-1
The matchup that seemed a foregone conclusion before it had even begun. The Indiana Pacer's were seen more of a speed hump for the high flying and ruthless Knicks, however the Knicks here had to work hard for their pay and no one can say they had an easy ride into the second round. The Pacers did well slowing down the Knicks scoring rate but ultimately the Knicks deadly scoring power, particularly from behind the arc was to much for the Pacers to handle with Zoran Slavnic getting off the chain in in a number of games. The Knicks were also dominant in the paint which was an area the Pacers needed to own if they were to take this series to death. Shaq, whilst solid defensively against Elvin Hayes needs to contribute more then the 20 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks to carry this team further. The Knicks progressing here was a predictable result but the Pacers can walk tall knowing they showed up and gave it all they have.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - ZORAN SLAVNIC
PPG 25.8, REB 4.6, AST 12.8, STL 3.2, BLK 1.2, TO 5.2
Slavnic was the real difference in this series. Game 1 he went off for 41 point, 14 assist outing to open the series and he then decided to close the series out with a 36 point, 14 assist night. Simply amazing.
The matchup that seemed a foregone conclusion before it had even begun. The Indiana Pacer's were seen more of a speed hump for the high flying and ruthless Knicks, however the Knicks here had to work hard for their pay and no one can say they had an easy ride into the second round. The Pacers did well slowing down the Knicks scoring rate but ultimately the Knicks deadly scoring power, particularly from behind the arc was to much for the Pacers to handle with Zoran Slavnic getting off the chain in in a number of games. The Knicks were also dominant in the paint which was an area the Pacers needed to own if they were to take this series to death. Shaq, whilst solid defensively against Elvin Hayes needs to contribute more then the 20 points, 11.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks to carry this team further. The Knicks progressing here was a predictable result but the Pacers can walk tall knowing they showed up and gave it all they have.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - ZORAN SLAVNIC
PPG 25.8, REB 4.6, AST 12.8, STL 3.2, BLK 1.2, TO 5.2
Slavnic was the real difference in this series. Game 1 he went off for 41 point, 14 assist outing to open the series and he then decided to close the series out with a 36 point, 14 assist night. Simply amazing.
(4) SAN FRANCISCO WARRIORS vs WASHINGTON BULLETS (5)
4 - 0
This series on paper should have been much closer and you would be forgiven for thinking that the Washington Bullets would be the team to advance here. Despite having such a star studded lineup the Bullets just couldn't get going and the organisation must be scratching their heads as to why this brilliantly talented team failed badly. The Warriors on the other hand showed a clinical display of basketball lead by Ralph Sampson and Byron Scott, not even the loss of Penny Hardaway in game 3 was going to stop them from completely demolishing the Bullets. The Warriors had an average winning margin of 13.5 points and scored at will averaging 130.5 points per game as the Bullets simply refused to play defense.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - RALPH SAMPSON
PPG 30.5, REB 9.8, AST 3.3, BLK 3.0, STL 1.5, TO 3.0
Sampson simply destroyed the Bullets. He opened the series with back to back 39 point games and finished it out with a 25 point game on the road. Ended up with 3 double-doubles as he dominated the glass.
4 - 0
This series on paper should have been much closer and you would be forgiven for thinking that the Washington Bullets would be the team to advance here. Despite having such a star studded lineup the Bullets just couldn't get going and the organisation must be scratching their heads as to why this brilliantly talented team failed badly. The Warriors on the other hand showed a clinical display of basketball lead by Ralph Sampson and Byron Scott, not even the loss of Penny Hardaway in game 3 was going to stop them from completely demolishing the Bullets. The Warriors had an average winning margin of 13.5 points and scored at will averaging 130.5 points per game as the Bullets simply refused to play defense.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - RALPH SAMPSON
PPG 30.5, REB 9.8, AST 3.3, BLK 3.0, STL 1.5, TO 3.0
Sampson simply destroyed the Bullets. He opened the series with back to back 39 point games and finished it out with a 25 point game on the road. Ended up with 3 double-doubles as he dominated the glass.
(3) MEXICO CITY TITANS vs SEATTLE SONICS (6)
2-4
The third series of the American conference see 2 classy teams match up on each other and at first it looked like the Sonics were about to perform the unthinkable and sweep the Titans without a second thought. The Sonics were clearly pumped up for this series jumping out to a 3-0 lead on the back of some Jo Jo White magic before the Titans realised they were playing in a playoff series and their season was 1 game from being over. Titans regrouped to play some great team basketball lead by Hersey Hawkins to win the next 2 games including a 34 point thrashing of the Sonics on the Titans home court. Unfortunately for Titans fans that was the last they were to see their team for the year as the series headed back to Seattle where the Sonics systematically broke down the Titans defense, winning by 20 points and sending the sleepy Titans back to Mexico for a long break.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - JO JO WHITE
PPG 25.0, REB 8.2, AST 7.7, STL 3.2, BLK 1.2, TO 3.5
The veteran guard took a hold of this series early and lead his team to advance to the second round. Big scoring games to open and close the series, and found other ways to contribute by grabbing big bags of rebounds and assists.
2-4
The third series of the American conference see 2 classy teams match up on each other and at first it looked like the Sonics were about to perform the unthinkable and sweep the Titans without a second thought. The Sonics were clearly pumped up for this series jumping out to a 3-0 lead on the back of some Jo Jo White magic before the Titans realised they were playing in a playoff series and their season was 1 game from being over. Titans regrouped to play some great team basketball lead by Hersey Hawkins to win the next 2 games including a 34 point thrashing of the Sonics on the Titans home court. Unfortunately for Titans fans that was the last they were to see their team for the year as the series headed back to Seattle where the Sonics systematically broke down the Titans defense, winning by 20 points and sending the sleepy Titans back to Mexico for a long break.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - JO JO WHITE
PPG 25.0, REB 8.2, AST 7.7, STL 3.2, BLK 1.2, TO 3.5
The veteran guard took a hold of this series early and lead his team to advance to the second round. Big scoring games to open and close the series, and found other ways to contribute by grabbing big bags of rebounds and assists.
(2) SAN ANTONIO SPURS vs LOS ANGELES LAKERS (7)
2-4
After such a good season the Spurs would be bitterly heart broken to go out like this. On the back of some Len Bias brilliance the Spurs jumped out to 2-0 winning their opening 2 home games and looked on their way to the second round. There's an old saying in basketball that a playoff series doesn't really start until a team wins on the road, ironically this is not just when the Lakers series began but also the moment the Spurs series was over. On the back of 1 simple yet unlikely change the LA Lakers from here would go onto a 4 game winning streak to completely stun the helpless Spurs who were merely onlookers as the Lakers posted huge scores and were struggling to score themselves. The master stroke came when Fernando Martin was sent to the bench and Ron Harper was sent in to play at PF which ultimately dragged Len Bias out of the key way making Len rather redundant. The impressive Lakers roll onto the next round, backed by Hakeem look set to go a long way, thanks to some rather extraordinary tactics.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - HAKEEM
PPG 30.8, REB 10.7, AST 2.7, STL 0.5, BLK 4.2, TO 2.3
Don't have to say much more then Hakeem was his usual self. Had a 47 point outing in game 1 and then backed it up with a 23 point, 20 rebound performance in game 2.
2-4
After such a good season the Spurs would be bitterly heart broken to go out like this. On the back of some Len Bias brilliance the Spurs jumped out to 2-0 winning their opening 2 home games and looked on their way to the second round. There's an old saying in basketball that a playoff series doesn't really start until a team wins on the road, ironically this is not just when the Lakers series began but also the moment the Spurs series was over. On the back of 1 simple yet unlikely change the LA Lakers from here would go onto a 4 game winning streak to completely stun the helpless Spurs who were merely onlookers as the Lakers posted huge scores and were struggling to score themselves. The master stroke came when Fernando Martin was sent to the bench and Ron Harper was sent in to play at PF which ultimately dragged Len Bias out of the key way making Len rather redundant. The impressive Lakers roll onto the next round, backed by Hakeem look set to go a long way, thanks to some rather extraordinary tactics.
PLAYER OF THE SERIES - HAKEEM
PPG 30.8, REB 10.7, AST 2.7, STL 0.5, BLK 4.2, TO 2.3
Don't have to say much more then Hakeem was his usual self. Had a 47 point outing in game 1 and then backed it up with a 23 point, 20 rebound performance in game 2.
