Serie A 2012-2013 - PLAYOFFS

[boyd20]

QUARTERFINALS - GAME 5

Roma-Reggio Emilia 74-69 - B.Jones 16 pts + 9 rebs + 1 blk + 1 stl (4/6 2p, 2/5 3p, 2/3 ft), L.Datome 15 pts + 9 rebs + 1 blk + 1 stl + 3 asts (2/3 2p, 2/4 3p, 5/6 ft), P.Goss 15 pts + 2 rebs + 1 stl + 4 asts (3/7 2p, 3/6 3p), G.Lawal 10 pts + 6 rebs + 1 blk (5/7 2p) ; A.Cinciarini 12 pts + 5 rebs + 3 stls + 5 asts (3/7 2p, 2/3 3p), G.Brunner 12 pts + 4 rebs + 1 stl + 3 asts (4/6 2p, 1/4 3p, 1/4 ft), D.Taylor 10 pts + 7 rebs + 2 stls + 2 asts (2/12 2p, 2/4 3p)

Roma leads 3-2


Sassari-Cantù 81-58 - D.Diener 18 pts + 5 rebs + 1 blk + 2 stls + 2 asts (5/5 2p, 1/4 3p, 5/7 ft), D.Gordon 13 pts + 9 rebs + 2 stls + 2 asts in 21 mins (5/8 2p, 1/1 3p), M.Vanuzzo 13 pts + 4 rebs + 1 blk + 1 ast (2/2 2p, 3/4 3p), S.Becirovic 11 pts + 1 reb + 3 asts in 18 mins (4/7 2p, 0/1 3p, 3/3 ft) ; A.Tyus 13 pts + 12 rebs + 1 stl (5/6 2p, 3/5 ft), P.Aradori 12 pts + 5 rebs + 2 stls + 1 ast (3/9 2p, 0/3 3p, 6/8 ft), J.Ragland 10 pts + 1 reb + 2 stls + 1 ast (2/4 2p, 2/5 3p)

Sassari leads 3-2



Milano-Siena 82-67 - I.Bouroussis 18 pts + 12 rebs + 2 asts (6/9 2p, 1/3 3p, 3/3 ft), M.Hairston 17 pts + 2 rebs + 1 blk + 3 asts (5/8 2p, 1/2 3p, 4/4 ft), A.Gentile 15 pts + 5 rebs + 1 stl + 3 asts (5/11 2p, 0/1 3p, 5/5 ft), JR Bremer 15 pts + 3 rebs + 2 asts (2/2 2p, 3/5 3p, 2/4 ft) ; V.Sanikidze 12 pts + 10 rebs + 1 stl + 1 ast (2/6 2p, 2/4 3p, 2/2 ft), D.Hackett 10 pts + 1 reb + 1 stl + 3 asts (1/5 2p, 2/4 3p, 2/2 ft)

Milano leads 3-2



Varese-Venezia 84-75 - D.Sakota 23 pts + 4 rebs + 1 stl, rating = 27 in 27 mins (5/5 2p, 3/4 3p, 4/4 ft), A.Banks 14 pts + 1 reb + 1 stl + 1 ast (3/11 2p, 2/3 3p, 2/2 ft), D.Ivanov 10 pts + 9 rebs + 2 stls in 18 mins (4/7 2p, 2/3 ft), B.Dunston 10 + 6 rebs + 1 stl + 2 asts in 18 mins (4/9 2p, 2/3 ft) ; Y.Diawara 21 pts + 3 rebs + 1 blk + 4 stls + 1 ast (5/9 2p, 1/6 3p, 8/10 ft), G.Rosselli 15 pts + 9 rebs + 2 stls + 3 asts (5/6 2p, 1/4 3p, 2/2 ft), T.Bowers 13 pts + 4 rebs + 1 stl + 2 asts (6/9 2p, 0/2 3p, 1/2 ft), K.Clark 12 pts + 6 rebs + 1 stl + 2 asts (2/3 2p, 2/6 3p, 2/2 ft)


Top-seeded Varese continues its crazy race to the league's final stages and it's the first team to advance to the semis. Another terrific performance by Sakota, I have to admit I really got impressed with his improvements, now besides being an elite shooter he's proving to be a reliable option to lean on in clutch moments and big games.
So, well done Varese, I really wish them to go all the way to the finals and hopefully win the league, they'd deserve it.
As for Venezia, considering their finances and ambitions, I'd say they were expected to have a better season (they didn't qualify to the Italian Cup and were at least supposed to be harder opponents in the postseason), but in the end Varese is just better and proved to be ready and mentally strong to go on steadily.


After recovering the homecourt advantage, Roma kept doing its own job defeating Reggio Emilia to be now one step away from the semis. Bobby Jones was once again a leading force, confirming that when he's having an impact his team usually wins.
Much credit also to Lorenzo D'Ercole for his defense and a couple of huge baskets in the final stretch.
On the other hand, an atrocious performance by Donell Taylor, who started the game well but he eventually found himself in a tunnel with an endless streak of missed shots and poor choices. The series is very balanced and although Roma is a better team now that Jordan Taylor and Gani Lawal are back, Reggio is a very solid team at home (despite losing in game 4) and I'm confident they can bring the series to game 7.


The other two games were both no-contests.
Sassari totally outplayed Cantù since the first minutes and the feeling this series is going to be decided by the homecourt advantage just gets stronger and stronger.
Cantù has much to regret the huge chance wasted in game 2...
Let's see if Cantù wins tonight and brings this series to game 7, in any case even if this happens, I am convinced that Sassari will go through.


Milano made a statement yesterday and put Siena with its back to the wall.
One more lose and Siena's dominance would end after a 6-yr long streak of domestic titles. Milano is a better team, definitely more talented and seemingly very confident right now. Siena just looks tired and with too many players in a quite pooor shape (Kangur is playing hurt, Janning just back from an injury, Christmas dealing with minor injuries and not very involved in the team's gameplan, Rasic never was a factor). Yesterday Bobby Brown had a nightmare performance and should this happen again I'm afraid it would be fatal for Siena, as they just can't afford to give up his offensive contribution. More generally, it just looks that this season Siena struggles too much on the road and even winning tomorrow they will have to win in Milano in game 7 or they'll be out. In that case they will never regret enough the way they blew away the win in game 2...

[Toxicity]

Tonight Siena-Milano for Game-6: if Armani wins it's over (the winner will face Varese in the semifinal), otherwise there will be the 3rd Game-7 out of four quarter finals!!!

Tomorrow Sassari-Cantù and Roma-Reggio Emilia with home teams favourites but an upset can't be excluded...

[boyd20]

QUARTERFINALS GAME 6

Cantù-Sassari 87-84 - P.Aradori 26 pts + 2 rebs + 5 asts in 31 mins (5/9 2p, 3/5 3p, 7/8 ft), A.Tyus 17 pts + 7 rebs + 1 blk (7/9 2p, 3/7 ft), N.Mazzarino 11 pts + 2 rebs + 1 stl + 3 asts (3/4 2p, 1/2 3p, 2/2 ft) ; D.Gordon 21 pts + 9 rebs + 1 stl in 24 mins (9/12 2p, 0/1 3p, 3/4 ft), D.Diener 19 pts + 1 reb + 3 asts (7/13 2p, 1/6 3p, 2/2 ft), B.Sacchetti 18 pts + 4 rebs + 1 stl in 21 mins (2/2 2p, 4/7 3p, 2/4 ft)

Series tied 3-3


Reggio Emilia-Roma 91-82 - D.Taylor 22 pts + 1 reb in 17 mins (2/5 2p, 5/5 3p, 3/4 ft), T.Bell 17 pts + 6 rebs + 3 stls + 2 asts (5/9 2p, 2/3 3p, 1/1 ft), A.Cinciarini 12 pts + 4 rebs + 1 stl + 7 asts (3/7 2p, 2/5 3p), M.Antonutti 10 pts + 3 rebs + 2 stls (2/2 2p, 2/3 3p, 0/1 ft) ; L.Datome 23 pts + 4 rebs + 1 blk + 1 stl + 2 asts (4/4 2p, 3/8 3p, 6/7 ft), P.Goss 14 pts + 1 reb + 1 stl + 5 asts (1/3 2p, 4/8 3p), B.Jones 13 pts + 3 rebs + 3 stls + 3 asts (1/3 2p, 3/6 3p, 2/2 ft), G.Lawal 13 pts + 4 rebs + 1 blk + 3 stls + 2 asts (6/8 2p, 1/1 ft)

Series tied 3-3


Siena-Milano 72-66 - D.Hackett 18 pts + 2 rebs + 5 asts (5/9 2p, 1/5 3p, 5/6 ft), Bo.Brown 15 pts + 3 rebs + 3 asts (2/9 2p, 3/8 3p, 2/4 ft), M.Carraretto 13 pts + 3 rebs + 1 stl + 1 ast (1/2 2p, 3/5 3p, 2/2 ft) ; A.Gentile 18 pts + 5 rebs + 1 ast (4/7 2p, 2/4 3p, 4/6 ft), I.Bouroussis 16 pts + 7 rebs + 2 asts (2/4 2p, 2/4 3p, 6/6 ft), M.Hairston 11 pts + 4 rebs + 1 blk + 1 stl + 2 asts (3/5 2p, 0/2 3p, 5/7 ft)

Series tied 3-3


With Varese waiting and resting, all the other series are open to any outcome, as they all went to game 7.
Cantù and Siena look to be in very similar situations, as both teams often appeared to be in trouble but in the end they always managed to stay alive winning their home games, but the feeling is they struggle too much on the road and that they wasted a golden opportunity in game 2. Sassari and Milano are clearly favorite playing at home and looking deeper and in better shape, besides I'm not sure Cantù and Siena have enough energies and mental strength left in the tank.
Roma-Reggio Emilia definitely looks more balanced and uncertain and Reggio already managed to steal an away-win in this series.
Roma was dominating in game 6 keeping a double-digit lead for almost three quarter before getting stunned with a terrific run by Reggio Emilia. This time, Donell Taylor (22 pts in 17 minutes with 5/5 from the arc) was just unstoppable.
All in all, this playoffs have been really interesting so far and it's very nice to see Italian players like Datome, Gentile, Hackett, Aradori, Cinciarini having such an impact.

[each way]

Biggest playoff game tonight. Although I believe Milano are the better team I have a feeling Siena's experience will be decisive in a Game 7 scenario

[AmonRA]

I was bet last night on Cantu, because I was sure that one team(Cantu or Siena) will win in 7th game.. But I think that is too much, that both visitors win in 7th game, so my prediction is that Milano will win tonights game

[AmonRA]

Guess I was wrong, Siena easily win...

[each way]

You could see it a mile away...

[boyd20]

QUARTERFINALS - GAME 7

Sassari-Cantù 95-97 - T.Diener 18 pts + 4 rebs + 3 stls + 5 asts (2/9 2p, 3/4 3p, 5/5 ft), B.Thornton 18 pts + 2 rebs + 1 stl + 2 asts (4/8 2p, 3/8 3p, 1/1 ft), B.Sacchetti 11 pts + 7 rebs (2/2 2p, 1/3 3p, 4/6 ft), D.Diener 11 pts + 2 rebs + 1 blk + 1 stl + 6 asts (3/6 2p, 1/5 3p, 2/2 ft), T.Easley 11 pts + 5 rebs + 1 stl in 14 mins (5/8 2p, 1/1 ft), S.Becirovic 10 pts + 2 rebs + 3 asts (1/3 2p, 1/2 3p, 5/6 ft) ; J.Ragland 20 pts + 3 rebs + 6 asts (5/8 2p, 2/6 3p, 4/4 ft), J.Brooks 13 pts + 2 rebs + 1 blk + 2 asts (5/6 2p, 1/1 3p), A.Tyus 12 pts + 6 rebs + 2 blks (5/6 2p, 2/4 ft), N.Mazzarino 12 pts + 2 asts (4/7 3p), M.Leunen 11 pts + 3 rebs + 2 stls + 5 asts (1/3 2p, 3/4 3p), P.Aradori 12 pts + 2 rebs + 1 stl + 1 ast (4/5 2p, 1/6 3p, 1/1 ft), M.Scekic 10 pts + 2 rebs + 2 stls + 2 asts, ranking = 16 in 11 mins (4/4 2p, 2/2 ft)

Cantù wins the series 4-3


Roma-Reggio Emilia 72-59 - G.Lawal 16 pts + 7 rebs + 2 blks + 1 stl (7/12 2p, 2/8 ft), L.Datome 15 pts + 6 rebs + 2 blks + 1 stl + 1 ast (5/8 2p, 1/3 3p, 2/2 ft), P.Goss 14 pts + 6 rebs + 1 blk + 3 stls + 3 asts (3/6 2p, 1/3 3p, 5/5 ft), J.Taylor 11 pts + 3 rebs + 2 stls + 4 asts (2/6 2p, 1/3 3p, 4/5 ft) ; A.Cinciarini 23 pts + 4 rebs + 2 stls + 2 asts (7/10 2p, 2/3 3p, 3/3 ft), D.Taylor 12 pts + 5 rebs + 3 stls + 2 asts (3/11 2p, 2/8 3p), G.Brunner 10 pts + 6 rebs + 2 stls (5/9 2p, 0/2 3p)

Roma wins the series 4-3


Milano-Siena 80-90 - K.Langford 18 pts + 1 blk + 1 ast (4/5 2p, 1/3 3p, 7/10 ft), JR Bremer 17 pts + 1 reb + 1 ast in 20 mins (4/5 2p, 2/4 3p, 3/3 ft), M.Hairston 10 pts + 4 rebs + 1 stl +2 asts (2/4 2p, 2/5 3p) ; D.Hackett 25 pts + 3 rebs + 6 asts (7/12 2p, 1/3 3p, 8/9 ft), V.Sanikidze 17 pts + 6 rebs + 1 blk + 1 ast (4/5 2p, 2/3 3p, 3/6 ft), Bo.Brown 17 pts + 1 reb + 2 asts (3/10 2p, 1/2 3p, 8/10 ft), D.Moss 14 pts + 5 rebs + 4 stls + 2 asts (4/4 2p, 2/6 3p)

Siena wins the series 4-3


Well, I gotta admit I was sooo wrong with my predictions.
Hats off to Siena and Cantù, I really didn't think they could snatch an away-win in game 7 after all the problems they had in the previous games on the road, but they proved me wrong and totally deserved to go through. So, both the 6th and 7th seeded teams advance to the semis, something you don't see that often.


Cantù just played its best game in months, it was so long since the last time this team was so convincing. And besides that, they won on a very difficult court just like the opponents were supposed to, with a fast-paced and high-scoring basketball. Very rarely Sassari lose this kind of games, a great job by Cantù, also because the hosts completed a very long comeback in the final minute of the game, with a drive by Sacchetti that finally put them ahead - by one point - for the first time. But Cantù really wanted this one and a few seconds later found the game-winning basket with a difficult, twisted shot by Aradori. Sassari had one last chance to win it on the buzzer but Sacchetti's 3-pointer died on the rim.
Once again I was impressed by Joe Ragland. It's amazing the way this kid has been able to become the team's leader in just a few weeks, also he was so clutch hitting huge free-throws in the final minutes of game 7 with Sassari getting closer and closer.
But I was even more upset by Marko Scekic. It's almost a couple of seasons that he's constantly injury-plagued and unable to play, he didn't even get up off the bench in most games and unexpectedly he kills the opponents (look at his stats) in the final stretch of the most important game of the season.


Roma won quite comfortably, keeping the lead throughout the game. A collective effort, with most of the team's key players in double-digits, but also a couple of "hidden" contributors like Bobby Jones (9 pts + 10 rebs and great defense as usual) and Bryan Bailey, who's earning minutes thanks to a relentless defensive pressure on most opponents' guards.
A noticeable losing effort by Andrea Cinciarini, who played a terrific series and more generally had a very good campaign (see you in Slovenia, you deserve to be there this summer!), but he basically was the only one who tried to keep his team alive, since Donell Taylor drastically fell from his incredible game 6 performance and struggled a lot with his % and so did most of his teammates. Anyway, congrats to Reggio Emilia, they had a great season, qualifying to the Italian Cup's Final 8 and to the playoffs right after coming back at Serie A level.


As for Milano, what can you say? Not only they didn't win anything again, but it's incredible the amount of money they have wasted considering they were huge favorite and Siena and all of the other teams this time were clearly weaker. You play game 7 at home where you always managed to beat Siena so far and Siena is really struggling on the road against any opponent and you play like this? They trailed since the tip-off and never managed to even the score or go ahead, not even for a moment. What's even worse it was the difference in terms of aggressiveness and focus between the teams. Siena just played as a team has to in a do-or-die game, Milano looked lost and scared all the time.
Daniel Hackett stepped up again with a monster performance, confirming how much he enjoys playing such crucial games. He just destroyed Milano's defense driving mostly right (even if he's lefty) and shooting all over his opponents, no one really could stop him. And of course, he was a defensive force for his team. Datome fully deserved to be named the league's mvp, but if I were to choose who to sign between him and Daniel, well it would be such a tough choice (I just cross my fingers he will be available for EuroBasket, since he's having some injuries to deal with). Besides him, Banchi found an unexpected help by Viktor Sanikidze, who had been struggling the whole season and lately was playing less and less, staying at the bottom of the rotation. But it's never too late to wake up and Air Georgia chose the right time to do it.

[AmonRA]

@boyd20
Sassari now stay without EC or what?

[boyd20]

@boyd20
Sassari now stay without EC or what?

Do you mean cups?
If so, they didn't qualify to any competition.

[AmonRA]

Do you mean cups?
If so, they didn't qualify to any competition.

Yap I was mean on Eurocup...
Pity, they have a sympa team...

edit: By the way, what do u think, can Siena make break tomorrow?

[maccabeo]

Yap I was mean on Eurocup...
Pity, they have a sympa team...

edit: By the way, what do u think, can Siena make break tomorrow?

i m not following italian league lately, but is important for italian basket, roma is having this results. is in acea roma an american who could be considered ready for an el team?

[boyd20]

Yap I was mean on Eurocup...
Pity, they have a sympa team...

edit: By the way, what do u think, can Siena make break tomorrow?

Yes, definitely.
But Varese had a longer rest than Siena and they play at home, so I think Varese has the edge tonight and more generally I think they're favorite in this series.
To me it's clear that Siena's success almost fully depends on Hackett's impact. You stop him, then you can stop the whole team way more easily.
Look at their season. They were close to qualify to EL quarterfinals very early, but Hackett got injured in the game vs Fenerbahce and they just couldn't go on without him or with him back but still hurt and in poor shape. Truth is Siena has no true PG this season but Hackett is way more productive while running the point than Brown, so again, once you've trapped Hackett, Siena's offense goes into trouble, also because they have no inside threats and they end up depending on their outside % too much.

i m not following italian league lately, but is important for italian basket, roma is having this results. is in acea roma an american who could be considered ready for an el team?

Yes indeed. It was really impressive to finally see such a huge, noisy crowd of fans in Roma, it was so long since the last time it happened.
But consider also that Roma and Cantù fans are very close each others and this contributed to let the game develop in a "friendly" atmosphere.

As for your 2nd question. Hmm...Ready...Datome? Ups, he's not American.

[boyd20]

SEMIFINALS

Game 1

Roma-Cantù 82-75 (O.T.) - L.Datome 23 pts + 5 rebs + 1 blk + 1 stl (5/6 2p, 3/7 3p, 4/4 ft), P.Goss 18 pts + 7 rebs + 1 stl + 4 asts (6/12 2p, 2/5 3p), G.Lawal 14 pts + 8 rebs + 1 blk + 1 stl (5/9 2p, 4/9 ft), J.Taylor 10 pts + 2 rebs + 1 stl + 2 asts (1/7 2p, 0/1 3p, 8/10 ft) ; J.Ragland 16 pts + 4 rebs + 4 asts (5/8 2p, 2/4 3p), A.Tyus 15 pts + 12 rebs + 1 blk (7/10 2p, 1/4 ft), P.Aradori 13 pts + 4 rebs + 1 stl + 3 asts (4/13 2p, 1/4 3p, 2/2 ft)

Roma leads 1-0


Varese-Siena 72-80 - E.Ere 15 pts + 8 rebs (6/10 2p, 1/2 3p), Mi.Green 14 pts + 7 rebs + 3 stls + 8 asts (3/11 2p, 1/3 3p, 5/6 ft), D.Sakota 13 pts + 2 rebs + 1 stl (3/4 2p, 2/6 3p, 1/2 ft), A.Banks 11 pts + 2 rebs + 2 stls (2/5 2p, 2/5 3p, 1/2 ft) ; Bo.Brown 29 pts + 6 rebs + 2 stls + 4 asts, 33 rating (8/13 2p, 3/4 3p, 4/4 ft), D.Moss 17 pts + 4 rebs + 3 blks + 1 stl + 1 ast (4/6 2p, 2/3 3p, 3/4 ft), D.Hackett 10 pts + 3 rebs + 2 stls + 2 asts (3/7 2p, 4/6 ft)

Siena leads 1-0


I'd say both games ended with an unexpected outcome.
Cantù was dominating since the tip-off and seemingly headed to an easy away-win, as Roma looked too tired and not deep enough to answer. But suddenly, late in the 3rd quarter, Goss and Datome started to react leading Roma to a furious comeback with the team down by 18 points.
The game went to the OT where Roma found the game-winning boost by Gani Lawal who had been struggling big time due to an injured ankle but somehow managed to clinch his teeth and provided his team with key points and even clutch free throws that eventually led Roma to the win.
Although Cantù really has to regret such a blown win on the road, a game they were easily securing before crumbling all of a sudden, I still believe they're slightly better (and deeper) than Roma and I think Roma won't beat them on the road. So, I expect another long series and I wouldn't be surprised to see another thrilling-away win in game 7...

In the other game, Siena kept the momentum going over tiredness and deservedly got an away-win in game 1 to steal the homecourt advantage.
Siena appeared to be more aggressive and focused, also they always managed to stop Varese's reactions to eventually extend the lead through quick runs, mostly made by an unstoppable Bobby Brown, who really destroyed Mike Green (and De Nicolao too).
I didn't like Varese's game plan, almost as if they didn't know what to do once Siena managed to stop Bryant Dunston, who was constantly bumped by Eze and double-teamed. They got nervous and missed a lot of open shots, except for Ere, who was the only one who stayed mentally in the game I really didn't like their performance, but this series has just began and I expect a reaction from game 2.

[boyd20]

SEMIFINALS

Game 2

Roma-Cantù 74-68 - G.Lawal 18 pts + 7 rebs + 4 blks + 1 stl (6/8 2p, 6/8 ft), L.Datome 16 pts + 4 rebs + 3 stls + 1 ast (3/7 2p, 2/3 3p, 4/5 ft), J.Taylor 13 pts + 7 rebs + 1 stl + 5 asts (2/9 2p, 2/4 3p, 3/4 ft), P.Goss 12 pts + 3 rebs + 1 stl (5/10 2p, 0/3 3p, 2/3 ft) ; P.Aradori 18 pts + 5 rebs + 1 stl (4/9 2p, 2/3 3p, 4/4 ft), N.Mazzarino 16 pts + 1 stl + 1 ast in 21 mins (2/3 2p, 2/4 3p, 6/6 ft), J.Ragland 14 pts + 2 rebs + 2 stls + 1 ast (5/9 2p, 1/5 3p, 1/1 ft)

Roma leads 2-0


Varese-Siena 64-62 - B.Dunston 13 pts + 9 rebs + 1 blk + 2 stls in 17 mins (5/8 2p, 3/3 ft), Mi.Green 13 pts + 2 stls + 3 asts (3/6 2p, 1/3 3p, 4/4 ft), A.Banks 11 pts + 6 rebs + 2 stls (5/12 2p, 0/3 3p, 1/1 ft) ; D.Hackett 17 pts + 5 rebs + 2 stls (7/11 2p, 1/1 3p, 0/1 ft), Bo.Brown 11 pts + 5 rebs + 2 stls + 5 asts (2/8 2p, 1/6 3p, 4/4 ft)

Series tied 1-1


Roma did its own job and won again at home in a game that was similar to the previous one, with Cantù keeping the lead for most time and Roma going ahead in the 4th quarter. I'm still convinced Cantù will answer at home and I expect this series to be very long and get to game 7...

In the other game, after losing the homecourt advantage in game 1, Varese managed to somehow win thanks to 2 free throws by Mike Green (was fouled by Bobby Brown with the teams tied at 62) with only 2 seconds left on the clock, with Bobby Brown missing the potential game-winning three on the buzzer.
Varese is looking very nervous almost as if they are being overwhelmed by the pressure, they're just not looking as they did in the regular season.
Besides, they need to find a way to keep Dunston far from getting into foul-trouble, since they are just struggling too much against Siena's perimeter defense to find further scoring options. I think Vitucci will look to adding depth and experience to his frontcourt, so I expect him to bring in Ivanov instead of Rush in the rotation from now on, so he will have 3 big men (Dunston, Talts, Ivanov) to lean on, or he will once again have to struggle with Dunston's fouls and be forced to play smallball more than he usually does.