Should Bron play PF for the rest of the postseason?

[Trollsmasher]

Have your say

some lineupz

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CDswvp6WgAArODw.png

[lilandywiggins]

He'll probably have to, otherwise the lane will be too clogged for him if there are 2 post players. That is the main thing Love did to help this team: pull opposing team's 2nd rim protector away from the paint.

[scm5]

Mozgov + Thompson looks like they make a great tandem judging by the ORTG and DRTG while on the floor together.

[aj1987]

Yes.

Playing PF the entire season would've drained him, but he can play PF for another 15+ games. Dude can do wonders for his team playing PF. Him working on the inside would leave at least 2 of his teammates on each possession (whenever he has the ball).

[r15mohd]

agaisnt the Bulls, yes! creates instant matchup issue for Thibs

Moz
Lebron
Miller
Shump
Kyrie

Moz is matched by Noah/Pau...but Lebron can last and outduel Pau/Noah at the PF spot on both ends, especially from the outside and working his way to the paint on offense. It's free throw heaven for Lebron in that sense tbh. Miller/Dunleavy is a wash. Advantage goes to Cavs IMO

Bulls will have the depth on the bench...that's the handicap to this

[Fallen Angel]

Does it really matter? Jimmy Butler is gonna guard Lebron either way.

[scm5]

Does it really matter? Jimmy Butler is gonna guard Lebron either way.

Can't wait for this match up

[r15mohd]

Does it really matter? Jimmy Butler is gonna guard Lebron either way.


so who tracks Shump/JJones on the arc for the kick-outs from Lebron, Pau?

[Fallen Angel]

Can't wait for this match up
Also, if Lebron plays PF then he'll likely get guarded to exhaustion by Jimmy Butler on the offensive side, then you expect him to then guard skilled 7ft Pau Gasol or relentless 7ft Joakim Noah? Yeah right.

[r15mohd]

Also, if Lebron plays PF then he'll likely get guarded to exhaustion by Jimmy Butler on the offensive side, then you expect him to then guard skilled 7ft Pau Gasol or relentless 7ft Joakim Noah? Yeah right.

works 2 -ways, look up...Pau likely suffers the same, if not more exhaustion trying to track down moving players on the perimeter.

[Fallen Angel]

so who tracks Shump/JJones on the arc for the kick-outs from Lebron, Pau?
It's not like Shumpert or Jones move without the ball constantly enough that to you need a speedy guy next to him. Noah could probably cover them, sagging off them then closing onto them and forcing them to drive then make a play or pass the ball off. If you're relying on James Jones or Iman Shumpert's shooting to win you games then you've got a gameplan with high potential of failure.

[navy]

Also, if Lebron plays PF then he'll likely get guarded to exhaustion by Jimmy Butler on the offensive side, then you expect him to then guard skilled 7ft Pau Gasol or relentless 7ft Joakim Noah? Yeah right.
Paul Gasol will be double teamed. Joakim Noah doesnt need guarding....

[r15mohd]

It's not like Shumpert or Jones move without the ball constantly enough that to you need a speedy guy next to him. Noah could probably cover them, sagging off them then closing onto them and forcing them to drive then make a play or pass the ball off. If you're relying on James Jones or Iman Shumpert's shooting to win you games then you've got a gameplan with high potential of failure.


they dont need to be speedy to get the shot off, Pau is not a perimeter player...and for him to close out becomes a huge threat to the Bulls. you then have Lebron and Moz outmatching Noah and Butler down low for offensive boards once Pau has to run to the 3pt line.

and they wont be relying on JJones or Shump to win the games but to make the shots their supposed to make on the kick outs.

[Fallen Angel]

Paul Gasol will be double teamed. Joakim Noah doesnt need guarding....
Pau is too good of a passer to let him get double teamed by shorter defenders. Do you really want Butler and Dunleavy getting a wide open look or Derrick Rose getting an open driving lane?

Noah has already proved to be one of the greatest playmaking player from his position solely on his passing, then if you don't bother guarding him he'll just hustle for every offensive rebound.

[SourSamCassell]

Butler is going to be dogtired trying to guard Lebron then being the number one option while playing pretty much the whole game.

[r15mohd]

Pau is too good of a passer to let him get double teamed by shorter defenders. Do you really want Butler and Dunleavy getting a wide open look or Derrick Rose getting an open driving lane?

Noah has already proved to be one of the greatest playmaking player from his position solely on his passing, then if you don't bother guarding him he'll just hustle for every offensive rebound.


i dont doubt Lebron being able to guard Pau...even with the height advantage. Lebron is more skillful, powerful, quicker and just overall more athletic, not to mention we've seen him be pretty effective at the PF spot on both offense and defense with the Heat against bigger opponents

[r15mohd]

Butler is going to be dogtired trying to guard Lebron then being the number one option while playing pretty much the whole game.


well he said he has to focus less on offense now in the Bucks series and more on defense...imagine him indicating that while guarding Lebron and being guarded by Shump. he has his work cut out for him, that's for sure

[Fallen Angel]

they dont need to be speedy to get the shot off, Pau is not a perimeter player...and for him to close out becomes a huge threat to the Bulls. you then have Lebron and Moz outmatching Noah and Butler down low for offensive boards once Pau has to run to the 3pt line.

and they wont be relying on JJones or Shump to win the games but to make the shots their supposed to make on the kick outs.
Even if Pau isn't the option defensively you still have Mirotic and Gibson to back him up. The Bulls have enough options to compensate for whatever matchup problems they would have on the defensive end.

[navy]

Pau is too good of a passer to let him get double teamed by shorter defenders. Do you really want Butler and Dunleavy getting a wide open look or Derrick Rose getting an open driving lane?

Noah has already proved to be one of the greatest playmaking player from his position solely on his passing, then if you don't bother guarding him he'll just hustle for every offensive rebound.
Have you watched the Bulls Bucks series? Pau Gasol is a willing passer and can be easily doubled with Mozgov or thompson. He wont force the issue. It works because the Bulls spacing is a mess and the bulls players dont know how to get in proper position to help Pau out. I dont see why Lebron would be guarding pau in any matchup, but it would work.

And you help off Taj and Noah. Who cant be relied on to score. You dont help off the perimeter. except Maybe Derrick Rose if you think he'll jack up a 3. And he might.

[r15mohd]

Even if Pau isn't the option defensively you still have Mirotic and Gibson to back him up. The Bulls have enough options to compensate for whatever matchup problems they would have on the defensive end.

this is where the win for the Bulls come...the 2nd unit. not won over by them just yet though, though Gibson is more athletic to fill in the weakness, someone goes to the bench...Dunleavy Pau or Noah? Thibs wouldnt dare run a big lineup against the Cavs with Noah Pau and Gibson on the court, shoot themselves in the foot with quicker perimeter players.

reverse is down low presence for the Bulls, but the Cavs still have Moz and Lebron in the paint...which is good size to be somewhat a challenge for a big front court from the Bulls.

[r15mohd]

Have you watched the Bulls Bucks series? Pau Gasol is a willing passer and can be easily doubled with Mozgov or thompson. He wont force the issue. It works because the Bulls spacing is a mess and the bulls players dont know how to get in proper position to help Pau out. I dont see why Lebron would be guarding pau in any matchup, but it would work.

And you help off Taj and Noah. Who cant be relied on to score. You dont help off the perimeter. except Maybe Derrick Rose if you think he'll jack up a 3. And he might.


i have and if you bring in a bench player like Taj, someone is off the floor in Pau or Noah. it's a starting lineup problem for the Bulls if the Cavs play Lebron at the PF position. no way around it.