Mr. Universe

These Finals, I will be discussing two to three picks leading to a game, with the latest to reveal my own pick. I hope this helps my readers more with their picks as I put more detail on each player.

Today I will be discussing Jose Juan Barea.
Jose Juan Barea

The Mavericks are an efficient jump-shooting team and so opposing teams play like they are against one. But when JJ comes in, everything is disrupted as he uses his penetration to fish a foul, score or kick out to shooters. JJ is a penetrator first. He has shown this all his career: in college, in the NBA and in international competition.

In the Portland series, JJ averaged four points, was shooting a poor 32%, but did get to the foul line 2 to 4 times in the first three games of that series. For the rest of the series, he didn't get even a single free throw attempt. Aldridge adjusted well to both defending Dirk and Barea's drive.

In the Lakers series, JJ was phenomenal! He was scoring 48% and the Lakers were only able to stop him in Game 3, but he was smoking in every game especially in the last game with 22 points (14 attempts, 64%) and 8 assists. The Lakers adjusted to him in Game 3 but forgotten all about him again in Game 4.

In the Thunder series, JJ came out of the gates roaring in Game 1 with 21 points, showing no rust from the long rest. He did okay in Game 2, but after that the Thunder adjusted. JJ have never seen the light of the basket since, until their win in Game 5.

The Mavs play three types of pick-and-rolls, one with Kidd (ending in a 3), one with Terry (ending in a mid-range jumper) and one with Barea (ending in a drive). Opposing teams do not know how to defend against the Barea pick-and-roll because JJ is so good at it. And when they do adjust to it (mostly letting Dirk free), they pay the price and then resort to the original plan against the pick. Here is a nice CNNSI article about it -- http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/05/27/finals-preview-when-dallas-has-the-ball/

Trends in the game logs show the best time to pick him is in Game 2 of a series. But I reckon he'll do better in Game 1 because the Heat is better in adjusting faster to the situation. Your call.

Next blog will be about a Heat player.

Comments

  1. I'm going with Barea this game... I have 2 Mavs (Barea/Marion) and 2 Heat (Lebron/Bosh)... So, the only thing is when do I have to take everyone... My order is Barea-Lebron-Marion-Bosh.

    I don't know, if you, with the big three and many mavs avaible, are considering going with Barea today... I think you have better options... The serie can go to 4 or 5 games; and you have three of them for Lebron-Wade-Bosh... And you can use Marion-Barea-Chandler-Stojakovic... I'd go with a Heat today and considere the second pick depending on the result of the first game; an so on...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I only have these available..
    Surefire: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James
    Gets there: Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler
    Might get there: J.J. Barea, Peja Stojakovic
    Filler: Mario Chalmers, Udonis Haslem
    I haven't decided yet, but I already set them by default (best player first) days ago. I'll change them later.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment