AROUND the NBA: Pat Bev Suspended 4 Games Next Season| PHX Fires Vogel

[DallasMaverick]

That's what I basically said in a prior post. They are devoid of a scoring wing that can get his own and defend simultaneously. Mobley is just 21 or 22. He has time to grow and fill out his frame. I thought Allen could have been more aggressive in dealing with Robinson but he was totally outplayed. Miami vs NY should be an attractive series as the Butler and Thibs storyline is clearly there, and the Knicks have found their groove as well providing Randle can play.

Cleveland's success in the regular season was an interesting counter-culture move.  The Clippers, hailed as the new formula for championships, were built around switchable mid-sized wings who could score.  And many other NBA teams seem to have embraced that formula.  Paint-bound post-up centers?  Dinosaurs! Smallish point guards?  Huntable!

But Cleveland went the other way - multiple bigs who could defend the paint.  A couple of smallish guards who's defensive deficiencies could be masked by good defense around the rim. Lots of pick and roll action.

So, is their failure in the playoffs a validation of the switchable, wing-centric era?  Or still an experiment in process?

Does Minnesota's failure to advance render the same verdict?

Will future NBA rule changes reestablish the value of the plodding big?

Inquiring minds want to know...