Lakers Best Big Men Vs The Warriors Best Big Men

Recently I wrote in a comment that I would rather have Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf as a frontcourt tandem then Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. In fact I would love it if Don Nelson could actually go away from the small ball philosophy, but it's not going to happen. Andrew Ungvari then reminded me of Bynum's wing span of 7'7 and that Gasol has also been an all-star as well. 

Part of the reason I stated that Biedrins and Turiaf are better is the fact that they don't back down from anyone. They play defense sure sometimes they can get into foul trouble, but so can Gasol and Bynum.

Yes, there have been big man who've had huge games against the Warriors and Lakers, but at least the Warriors duo makes them earn those points.  

By the way Andris Biedrins should be an All-Star this year, but of course the voting system is flawed and will he get to Phoenix? Probably not, but at least Biedrins doesn't backdown from a challenge.

For Mr. Ungvari don't forget that Biedrins is also still working on his game and is also a young phenom. I know for most fans it's hard to believe that Biedrins is now in his fifth year in the league and he's only 22 years old, so it's not like that he's way older than Bynum.

Yes, stats don't tell the whole story because the Lakers system utilizes their big men more in the post on offense or at the top of the key with Gasol. Where the Warriors are the up and down type team that plays small, so usually there's only one true big man on the floor usually Biedrins or Turiaf. . 

Yet, statistically the Lakers combo of Bynum and Gasol barely beat the combination of Biedrins and Turiaf. Part of it is that Turiaf only gets around 18 minutes a game while both Gasol and Bynum start. 

So, let's compare statistics though and we'll see defensively the Warriors pair are a lot better than the Lakers pair and offensively the Lakers pair have better numbers. 

Andris Biedrins is averaging 14.2 points per game, 12.1 rebounds per game, two assists, 1.3 steals, 1.8 blocks per game, and is shooting 55.4 percent from the field. 

Ronny Turiaf is averaging 3.9 points per game, 3.1 rebounds per game, 1.4 assists per game, .3 steals per game, and 2.2 blocks per game. 

Compared with the stats of the Lakers duo:

Pau Gasol is averaging 17.4 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 3.8 assists, .4 steals per game, and 1 block per game. 

Andrew Bynum is averaging 11.8 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game, 1.6 assists per game, .5 steals per game, and 1.8 blocks per game. 

If you combine the Warriors stats together Biedrins and Turiaf average 18 points per game, 15 rebounds per game, three assists per game, two steals per game, and four blocks per game. 

For the Lakers each night they get 28 points per game, 17 rebounds per game, five assists per game, one steal a game, and three blocks per game. 

So, how does one choose between the two duos? It's definitely a tough choice because let's face it people are going to go for the more offensive minded players than a defensive player. Yet, last year when the Lakers were playing the lack of athleticism really hurts Gasol on the defensive end. 

While, both Biedrins and Turiaf are athletic enough to step in front of passes into the low post. After watching the Lakers get humiliated by the Hornets last night it's easy to see why they were not able to win in the finals. 

At least for the Warriors sake with Biedrins getting most of the minutes he has learned how to play the passing lanes, sure sometimes he can get beat downlow when he overplays but he's learned to pick his spots and step in front of bounce passes into the post and he's having the best defensive year of his career.  

Also, Biedrins has improved with finishing with his off hand so he's using his right hand more. So, as for the question what duo would I want on my team? The answer is the Warriors because at least they can make the opposing big men work for their shots and they are the better duo defensively. 

When the Celtics brought in Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. Each one of those players sacrificed scoring for defense. Becoming one of the best teams defensively and it showed why when they beat the Lakers in the finals. 

I do realize that Bynum was out for the whole playoffs, but that's no excuse the Lakers still had Ronny Turiaf and had plenty of rest going into the series. Still that didn't help because the Lakers couldn't make up for Pau Gasol's soft defense. 

If I were going for offensive players then it would definitely be the Lakers tandem but in terms of defensive ability and actually making other big men work for their shots then that belongs to the Warriors tandem. 

Since, it was proven that defense beats good offense the answer who is the better duo goes to the Warriors. Also, even if the Turiaf and Biedrins struggle offensively it doesn't effect their game and they still go out and try on the defensive end.

Lastly, though I will say at least Andris Biedrins is a man. There have been plenty of times this year where there's been fouls on Biedrins that aren't called, players taking charges, and Biedrins trying to draw a charge that doesn't go his way. Rarely if ever do you see Biedrins complain. 

Gasol on the other hand is constantly complaining and whining to the refs that he's been fouled or if there's a foul on him he didn't do anything. Unlike Biedrins, Gasol just can't let it go and will get a tecnical foul called against him.