Human Victory Cigar

Rip Hamilton vs. Ben Gordon.

 

From a series of fan previews and matchup analysis from the members at Pistonsforum.com

Max

Ben Gordon can and will be very deadly from the outside but will tire chasing Rip around. Rip should have no problem shooting over him which will draw some double teams if he gets hot. Have to love Rip in Crunch time.

Advantage: Detroit

 

TaShawn

These guys are so similar, that I am only going to talk about their differences. 1) If you can believe it, Ben Gordon shoots more outside jumpers than Rip. 85% of his shots come from the perimeter, while only 74% of Rip’s are outside the paint. 2) Ben Gordon creates more shots himself off the dribble while Rip does more catch-and-shoots off of passes. Rip gets assisted on 68% of his FG’s vs. 45% for BG. 3) Partly because of this, Gordon turns the ball over more. 111 ball handling turnovers this year to Rip’s 52. 89 bad passes to Rip’s 52. They are both prone to charging fouls. 4) Gordon shoots a higher percentage. They are both good, but Gordon’s eFG is 51.3% to Rip’s 48.7%. This does not necessarily give Ben a huge advantage, but it points out that he had been making those tough looking shots all year long. Maybe they are not bad shots, eh? 5) Rip Hamilton is taller. 6) Rip has more experience.

When they played head-to-head this year, Ben Gordon played better. eFG of 55.9% to Rip’s 37.2%. All other stats were similar.

I’m wondering whether or not Rip can do something to affect Gordon in the playoffs that he hasn’t done during the regular season. With extra energy, can he press out on the perimeter a little more and bother Ben’s shot? I’m not sure if it is possible, but it is more likely to happen than it is for Ben Gordon to make an adjustment on Rip. This is where the height comes in to play.

Ben Gordon can penetrate at times and he has a nasty little floater, but since he has no bigs to drop it off to, that should not hurt us. Rip needs to take away the jumper as much as he can and force Ben toward our shot blockers. If Ben Wallace gets a couple dunks or offensive rebounds as a result, we can live with that.

But since Rip didn’t do this during the regular season, I have to say this match-up is even.

Advantage: Push

 

Jammertime

This match-up is fairly even across the board with the exception of Gordon’s edge in the 3pt categories and Rip’s superior TO ratio.

This match-up could decide the winner. As these top scorers go, so goes the series. Confidence will be the key, if either of these guys get hot, look out.

While Rip has experience on his side, Gordon is more aggressive. Rip is the energizer bunny while Gordon is a bulldozer. Foul trouble may be an issue for both of these guys throughout the series.

Advantage: Push

 

Dlev59

Arguably two of the best shooting guards in the league in this series. One an All Star, and starter, the other an accurate jumpshooter who can start or lead his team in scoring coming off the bench.

Rip will run, through two or three screens then shoot a deadly midrange jumper, while Gordon likes to launch stand still shots from anywhere on the court. He will occasionally come around screens to get free from his defender also.

Gordons` defender/s must crowd him and not let him get free to get off his shot - he must not cheat coming around screens.

Both teams will need the energy and scoring these two provide.

Advantage: Push

 

Cloudwalker

This matchup is a good one. It would be even better if these two were guaranteed to check each other on both ends of the court.

Both guys know how to put up points, both guys move well without the ball, both guys are fun to watch.

Right now I will give the slightest edge to Richard Hamilton due to experience in the postseason.

Advantage: Detroit

 

Dumars4Ever

If we just go by what happened in the first round of the playoffs, this is a major advantage for the Bulls, as Gordon torched the Heat while Rip struggled badly against the Magic. My hopes are up about Rip being able to get back on track against the Bulls, not just because he’s normally a lot better than he showed against Orlando, but also because the Magic were able to get really physical with a defender bigger than him (Grant Hill), which might not be the case in this series. Gordon is very solidly built, but also several inches shorter than Rip, and so valuable to the Bulls that they’ll have to be careful about him getting into foul trouble.

Gordon played about 42 minutes per game against the Heat, 9 minutes more than his regular season average, so he’ll be a legitimate threat to score at almost any time in the game. His main weakness is turnovers, and some occasionally questionable shot selection, although he’s been so hot from the outside that he might be able to keep that going no matter what sort of shot he throws up. Rip is also somewhat turnover prone, as we all know, but he doesn’t handle the ball as much as Gordon does. So, overall, I’m going to show some faith in our guy to match the scintillating production that the Bulls are getting out of this position.

Advantage: Push

 

BillLaimbeer

This is a close match-up. Both guards will put up about 20 points, 4 boards, and 4 assists. Gordon’s ability to get in the paint will cause matchup problems for Detroit. Playoff experience goes to Hamilton as he has played in 87 career playoff games compared to 12 by Gordon. This experience advantage is somewhat negated by Rip’s knack of making boneheaded plays.

Advantage: Chicago

 

Himat

Rip just like Chauncey has the advantage over his opposing guard, Gordon. Rip must wear out Gordon by running him through screens to make him play defense. Gordon’s strength is on shooting though, and Rip could really use a good defensive series against Gordon.

Gordon really doesn’t scare me. I think things should fall in line and Rip will do fine.

Advantage: Detroit

 

Dba

In three games against the Bulls this year Rip has barely bettered his average minutes with his shooting percentage (33 MPG vs. 35%). If he hadn’t got tossed for chasing the poor flu-like-symptom-ridden Tyrus Thomas around the court this probably wouldn’t even hold. Add that to 39% shooting against the Magic and Rip isn’t exactly inspiring confidence these days. Gordan shot much better against Detroit during the season (49%) but was held to 18 points. He is coming off a roll against the Heat though (26 points, 5 boards, 6 assists on 44% shooting).

Like Chauncey, Rip has to run and get back on defense to help neutralize Gordon and his tendency to take one on three three-pointers on the break. If the Pistons can take away those open rhythm shots, Gordan can be controlled. Rip’s experience and length can certainly give Gordan problems in the half court offense, but the Bulls guards are too good overall for both CB and Rip to be favored.

Advantage: Push

 

The Low

While Gordon and Hamilton may share the same alma matter, don’t look for this to be a mirror performance from the two scoring heads from either team. Although Hamilton will get his fair share of points as he is the main scorer for Detroit’s offense, Ben Gordon has the ability to hit more difficult shots at the most opportune time for the Bulls.

Hamilton can swing the pendulum back in his favor if he shoots well early and keeps moving, but if he gets 3 pointer happy and spends a lot of time going one on one and trying to post Gordon up, this will not be a fun series for Hamilton. If Gordon can maintain the kind of production he showed during the Miami series he should cause some serious trouble for Detroit. In addition, look for the Bulls to switch Hinrich onto Hamilton on occasion to frustrate him as Kirk has shown the ability at times to stay with Hamilton around several screens.

Advantage: Chicago

 

Mercury

Both of these players will be primary options for their teams…
Gordon has had more range on his shot (this year).
Rip is the better defender. Two ultra quick SG’s that rely on picks and speed to create space. Gordon also likes to get inside for his floater.
Rip will rely on his midrange game.
This year they have only been matched up for decent minutes twice (injuries & techs).. they had similar stats with Gordon being slightly more efficient.

Advantage: Push