Michael Wilbon’s recent column on the shaky standing the Chicago Bulls are in after a few bad losses down the stretch, brings to light one very important thing for NBA teams; you’ve got to have a go-to guy. The Bulls’ go-to guy is obviously Derrick Rose, but after facing injury all season Rose has played in only two-thirds of his team’s total games. So when the Bulls (who have the best record in the league) hosted the Wizards (who have the second worst record in the NBA) it should have resulted in a blowout victory for the Bulls, if Rose was healthy. Unfortunately for Chicago, Rose missed the game and saw his team lose to Washington.
The Bulls lineup without Rose was still very solid. They had Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah, Richard Hamilton and Creighton’s own Kyle Korver, but without a go-to guy the Bulls faltered down the stretch. Rose’s replacement C.J. Watson did have seven points in the last 97 seconds, but he also missed the game-tying three point shot as time expired. The Bulls still had a more talented team than the Wizards but they had no leader. They didn’t have a guy who could take over the game and will his team to victory.
Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.
This is why it is essential to have a go-to guy. So with the NBA playoffs just around the corner I thought I’d break down the go-to guys for every NBA playoff team this year. Today’s blog will start with the Western Conference and tomorrow look for the Eastern Conference.
So here is the top eight team’s in the West’s current record and go-to guy.
1. San Antonio Spurs: 47-16
Go-to guy: Tony Parker
I know a lot of people will argue that Tim Duncan is the go-to guy. They would have been right three years ago, hell maybe even last season, but this is Tony Parker’s team now. He leads the team in points, assists and minutes played. Timmy is still a top three player on the team but if the Spurs want to bring home another championship they need Parker to be on all cylinders.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder: 46-18
Go-to guy: Kevin Durant
Whether Russell Westbrook likes it or not this is the only way they will win close games down the stretch. Westbrook is just too in consistent to be the go-to guy. He went 3-22 against the Lakers on Sunday and that is a big reason why they lost. Durant needs to be more aggressive in his role as the closer and demand the ball. Otherwise the Thunder could be looking at an early exit.
3. Los Angeles Lakers: 41-24
Go-to guy: Kobe Bryant
No surprise here. Event though Bryant is getting up in years, he is still the heart and soul of this team. Without him the team looks stagnant on offense. If Kobe’s healthy, this team is scary in the playoffs.
4. Los Angeles Clippers: 40-24
Go-to guy: Chris Paul
You could have gone Blake Griffin on this one, but you would have been wrong. Paul is so much scarier with the ball in his hands. Blake is great at making thunderous dunks but Paul knows how to win games. Leading the team in minutes, assists and steals helps his status as the go-to guy in lob city.
5. Memphis Grizzlies: 39-25
Go-to guy: Rudy Gay
The Grizzlies have a solid team all the way around with no real superstars. Gay is the closest thing they have to one though. He’s dangerous with the ball and if I was coach Lionel Hollins and the game came down to one shot, I’d have Gay take it every time.
6. Denver Nuggets: 36-28
Go-to guy: Ty Lawson
The Nuggets are another team without a superstar; for now. Lawson has been playing at a different level this year now that he doesn’t have to split time with Raymond Felton. If he keeps it up he could be a perennial all-star.
7. Dallas Mavericks: 36-29
Go-to guy: Lamar Odom…. Completely joking. Dirk Nowitzki.
Nowitzki is the defending NBA Finals MVP and having another stellar season. Few players are as dangerous down the stretch as him. He might be one of the game’s best closers ever.
8. Utah Jazz: 34-30
Go-to guy: Al Jefferson
Jefferson edges out Paul Millsap as the default go-to guy here because I just couldn’t bring myself to write down Gordon Hayward or Devin Harris. Jefferson is a very nice player who is certain to give you at last 18 points and nine rebounds per season but he’s just not at the level as Dirk, Chris Paul or even Rudy Gay.
Part 2 can read tomorrow at 8 p.m.
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