Orland vs. Utah Comparison

C

Ben Wallace: 9.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 2.1 BPG
Carlos Boozer: 19.6 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 0.4 BPG

The center position is a battle between a former dominant presence against a current dominant presence. Ben Wallace has always made his paycheck through his defense and that shows with his 2.1 blocks per game. However, he can not score and he can't even out-rebound a guy who is more known as a scoring center in Boozer. Boozer trumps Big Ben's scoring and he has slightly better rebounding numbers as well. The only thing Boozer is lacking is the blocks, but he isn't known as a shot blocker, so that isn't of big importance for him. The advantage Boozer has is he is a scoring option for the Jazz, so he gets more oppurtunities then Ben does. Still, Boozer is the superior center in this battle.

Advantage: Carlos Boozer


PF

Dwight Howard: 22.5 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.8 BPG
Shawn Marion: 18.0 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 1.6 BPG

In a match-up of a guy who is easily the most dominant big man in the league and a guy who is a proto-typical small forward playing a post position. Dwight has become the best big man in the league almost overnight with hard work and dedication. Shawn Marion is a guy that is very athletic and he uses his speed to take advantage of slower big men. However, you would think that Dwight would trump all over Marion's numbers, but that isn't the case. Dwight definitely has him in scoring, averaging 4.5 more points per game, but he only has a marginal advantage in the rebounding and shot blocking game. The scoring advantage can be contributed to Dwight being the #1 scoring option for his team and taking over 20 shots every single game. Marion takes at most 15 and on average he is shooting around 10-13 times per game. However, the numbers give Dwight the edge.

Advantage: Dwight Howard


SF

Rashard Lewis: 17.1 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.2 SPG
Jason Richardson: 15.4 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.7 SPG

In this comparison it is actually very surprising to see that Rashard Lewis does not have much of a scoring advantage over Richardson. Rashard is known as a guy who puts up 20 points per game every year, however he is only putting up 17 as a the second option for most of the season in the early goings. Jason Richardson is always a fourth option on the team and he is averaging nearly as many points as Rashard is. In the other categories, Rashard has a marginal lead in rebounds and assists, but Richardson has a slightly bigger shot block advantage. Jason Richardson is the more all-around player as far as offense and defense goes. Rashard just doesn't have the athleticism Richardson has.

Advantage: Jason Richardson


SG

Jamal Crawford: 18.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.0 SPG
Jason Terry: 11.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 5.6 APG, 1.5 SPG

This match-up is almost a wash. Both of these guys can score the ball and that is their main job. The thing I don't like about this comparison is the fact that Crawford's numbers are a bit inflated coming to Orlando. He was a second or third scoring option in his previous destinations (New York and Cleveland) so he has gotten a ton of scoring oppurtunities. Jason Terry is literally the fifth option out of the five starters and he still is able to average double-digit scoring. Jason Terry is just as good of rebounder as Crawford and Terry can dish the ball and play better defense then Crawford. Based on the fact that Terry is never a guy that takes shots and Crawford was the guy to take shots in his previous locations, Jason Terry is the better player.

Advantage: Jason Terry


PG

Mike Bibby: 20.1 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 7.6 APG, 1.2 SPG
Gilbert Arenas: 24.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.5 SPG

Another comparison that is skewed by previous location. Mike Bibby was the number one scoring option in Sacramento before coming to Orlando, so his scoring numbers are inflated. Gilbert Arenas is also the number one option, but he also had Dwayne Wade he had to fight with for shots on his previous team and now he has four prolific scorers to deal with here in Utah. Arenas' assists average is also skewed, because he was playing the shooting guard position for 3/4 of his games played. Gilbert is the better scorer, defender, and play-maker plain and simple.

Advantage: Gilbert Arenas


Scoring Tally

Orlando: 1
Jazz: 4

Conclusion

After comparing the match-ups, it is pretty evident that the Utah Jazz are the superior team. The only advantage the Orlando Magic have is Dwight Howard and he only has the advantage due to scoring. The Utah Jazz ownership are calling out the Magic and can't wait for the oppurtunity to shut them up.

Ouch...rough for da magic lol

Magic have you beat in SF, Center, and SG. SF, Lewis has Richardson beat everywhere, except for .5 steals. Big whoop. 3-2, Magic. Good article, though, I'll give it a 9.5

And, one more thing, what is your record? Only a half game ahead of the Magic. And, guess what?

You've already lost once to them.

I'd give edge to Richardson cause Shard is on a bad deal.

Well, Shard produces to the level of that deal.

Wow. Chipper pointed everything out. Crawford easily beats Terry I don't know where you got that from, Lewis beats Richardson in every category, Boozer plays No D, and is a scoring option unlike Ben who is out there to play D, D12 is obvious. Mike Bibby was the number 2 option behind Kevin Martin but Gilbert wins that one.

Conclusion: Magic...4
Jazz...1

I mean your kidding with the 4 to 1 edge over me right?

i would pick magic

magic - 4
jazz 3

i can't agree lol

i hate u raping the former gm

Go claim 900 for this, though.