Chris Webber vs. Zydrunas Ilgauskas


mikhail1973

Web looked old and tired in the last few games. I know that Bulls were not a good match up for him, but still he should've done a bit better. Z is not physical and he's definitely not fast. He is an OK rebounder, just like Web and they are both not that great defensively. I think this position is pretty evenly matched up.

Advantage: Push


adpreston1988

This is probably the Pistons' weakest matchup. Ilgauskas is a big guy who is an excellent rebounder and jump shooter. If Chris Webber doesn't bring his "A" game (like he didn't in games 3-6 of the Bulls series) he will be overpowered and completely dominated on the boards. Luckily, the Pistons have a 6th man like McDyess to come in when Webber is struggling.

Advantage: Cleveland


Dumars4Ever

Webber struggled a lot in the Chicago series, aside from a terrific Game 2, although he finally came back to life in the second half of Game 6 with big production on the boards. The slow and lumbering Big Z will hopefully be a better matchup to allow CWebb to get going on offense again. Positioning on defense to keep Z off the boards will be important as well. It might be somewhat optimistic to call this one a push, as opposed to advantage Cleveland, but I think Webber can step his game back up and be productive in this series.

Advantage: Push


linwood

Big Z is old and slow.
Chris Webber is old and slow.

Webber is a savy vet able to score inthe paint and pass out of doubleteams. So is Ilgauskas.

If Chris can fight for some boards, this should be a push. If not... bring out Dale Davis!

Advantage: Push


bezeach

I give the matchup to Big Z. Zydrunas Ilgauskas has the height and weight advantage and Webber has failed to show up in a couple of games this postseason. Ilgauskas can score inside and stretch out the defense with his mid-range game.

Advantage: Cleveland


st8ofmind

Can we play 4 on 4? maybe put Z in the box for elbowing and finally enforce CWebbs NCAA violations.

Seriously though. Z can shoot, rebound (but with no range laterally) and block some shots as he's like 8 feet tall. In my opinion the Cavs made the NJN series way harder than it needed to be by not loading up big Z on the block repeatedly vs the lame frontline of NJN.

Webber is a great passer, and he should put the ball on the deck vs Z from the high post. Chris needs to show about 4x the effort he did vs Chicago in blocking out because if not the Cavs will have a field day on the glass. He never looks like he is playing hard even though I know he mostly is.

This is a much much much much (to infinity and beyond) better match up for Webber than Chicago's bigs were.

If Webber had a clutch bone in his body, or maybe just stood next to Mr. Big for awhile this would be advantage Stones, but it isn't.

Advantage: Push


Dlev59

Watching this matchup might make you think your TV is in slow motion!! This could be the series that C-Webb comes back to life. One of Webber`s best game as a Piston came in March when he had 20 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists against the Cavs.

Webber can actually pump fake Ilgauskas and go to the basket or shoot his jumper almost uncontested. Look for the offense to go through Webber some in this series.

Webb will have to know where Ilgauskas is though, he can hit that 15-18 foot jumper consistently, and although his vertical leap is about 2 inches, rebounds seem to always fall in his hands!

Advantage: Detroit


Maverick

This is a match up that has been bothering me. I don't see Webb being able to guard Z and I'm not sure how consistent Webb will be in this series.. If Webb takes Z to the hole a lot advantage Detroit, if not, then advantage Cleveland.

Advantage: Push


dba

CWebb, the forgotten man. So, what has he done for the team lately? His numbers aren't awful, 9 and 7 in 26 minutes, shooting over 52%, but both Dice and JMax have eaten into his floor time, bringing some boardwork and some interior toughness. Z has played well offensively, but remains fairly clueless on the other end. If there ever was a situation tailor made for a Webber breakout, this might be it. Two quick fouls on LBJ drives though and he will remain forgotten.

Advantage: Push


BillLaimbeer

If the last couple of Piston games are an indication, this will be the Cavs by a landslide. Webber needs to step up like he did when he was first acquired. Big Z can be a force at times. He is solid at the FT (86% in the playoffs), so you can't employ hack-a-Z. How this match-up is officiated will be important, too. If the Pistons can get big Z in foul trouble, than huge plus for Detroit. If Z is attacking well, the Pistons might be forced to throw all sorts of bodies (Davis, Nazr, Hooper, etc.) at him.

Advantage: Cleveland

Wow, not many giving Webb the advantage here. I can't blame them, I guess. Five years ago, Webb would have been all over this guy. I hope Webb shows a little pride this series on the floor, rather than the bench.

Not many could get excited about 2nd round performance from Web. He may do quite a bit better in this series since the pace is going to slow down considerably and Ilgauskas is nowhere as fast and athletic as Ben Wallace is. At the same time looks like nobody wants to give Web the benefit of the doubt.

The only time he was even decent after games 1 and 2 was when he was going against a severely limited Ben Wallace (back) in the 3rd Q of game 6.

Big Z is a great matchup for Webber, Marshall is also decent.

I bet Flip is going to play zone with Marshall in the game. Otherwise I just don't see Webber being able to chase Marshall around the perimeter. JMax or Dyess would be a better choice. Z is not mobile, so Web should be able to stay with him.

Marshall isn't a threat off the dribble. He's a set 3 point shooter and a rebounder.

He's the one Cav you do not want to zone against.

You may be correct, Roscoe. He's pretty tall and would be able to shoot over shorter defenders. We need someone taller to stay in his face to limit his effectiveness.

I think Amir Johnson could do a good job.

Comon, Roscoe, this is not funny... What are the chances of Flip actually putting AJ in?

Slim. Which makes it funny IMO.