| 03 June 2009
Trevor Ariza versus Hedo Turkoglu
This match-up and how it plays out could be one of the biggest factors in deciding the championship this season.
Hedo Turkoglu has always been a unique player ever since first coming into the league as a gangly kid from Turkey back in 2000. Because of his combination of size, outside shooting and ball handling, Hedo was never properly utilized in his early days despite glimpses of his potential to become a special player. Orlando was the first team to fully embrace what he can give to a team, and Turkoglu has flourished as a result.
Hedo gives Orlando versatility by playing as a big small forward that can stretch the defense with his outside shooting. He plays as well with Dwight Howard as any other player on the roster. In fact Turkoglu has just about perfected the pick and roll with Howard. Hedo can get to the basket with his deceptive quickness and shoot over the top of anyone defending him on pick and pops. That ability to pull up on the perimeter forces the defense to keep a man on him and oftentimes opens the key. Hedo also has above-average passing skills and court vision, so he also has the ability to find cutters and open players when the defense shows on him. He also seems to find Howard with pinpoint passes at least three to four times each game resulting in alley-oops or uncontested drives.
Trevor Ariza is an energy player that was primarily known as an athletic defensive stopper that had the quickness to stay in front of both guards and had enough size to bother a small forward. He has expanded his game this season and especially during this playoff run. He still has the ability to create steals with his quick hands and get into the open court, but he also has the ability hit the three and stretch the defense. This aspect of his game adds a dimension to the Lakers' offense that wasn't there last season against the Celtics.
Ariza will be asked to slow down everyone from Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Mickael Pietrus, but the lion's share of his time will be spent chasing Turkoglu from the three-point line and use his quickness to keep Hedo from getting into the lane comfortably.
Conclusion
This is the match-up with the most off-season implications since both players are potential free agents. They are both looking to have a big series not only to lead their teams to win but to also maximize their contracts.
Ariza may be the perfect type of player to bother Hedo. If you look back during this postseason run, Hedo had problems getting going against Andre Iguodala in the first round match-up against Philadelphia. Ariza, like Iguodala, is athletic and long enough to keep Hedo from getting to the basket and finishing undetered on the pick-and-roll. He also has an innate ability to knock balls loose which can bother Turkoglu. The Lakers also have enough length and athleticism playing behind Ariza to not hang him out to dry.
Hedo's job on defense will be to utilize his length to bother Ariza's outside shot and funnel him into Dwight Howard. If Howard can stay out of foul trouble, Hedo can be effective defensively on Ariza by simply being long and Howard being smart. Take away Ariza's outside shot and his only offense comes after defense stops in transition.
Ultimately Hedo is the better player overall and does more for his team. He has the edge, but his presence would be missed a lot more than Ariza's if both players have a down series.
Advantage: Magic
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
