The Outside World – 4/22/11

By Ian Levy

The Outside World is a weekly recap of the best basketball writing and analysis the internet has to offer.

– I’m sorry we haven’t been able to keep up the Last Night’s Numbers. Hoopdata has been slow to update their box scores which means I’m left without the requisite data. Hopefully we can get back on track next week.

– With the extended format of a playoff series, matchups and player combinations become especially important. Jon Schuhmann walks us through some of the most played lineups for each of the Western Conference playoff teams.

– Tommy Heinsohn has built his broadcasting reputation on unabashed homerism. Walt Frazier’s reputation revolves around a very public love affair with the sound of his own voice. Knickblogger wonders what it would sound like if they were both advanced-statophiles.

– Wayne Winston tries to find some answers for the Pacers in their series against the Bulls. What did he find? More Jeff Foster and Mike Dunleavy.

– Zach Lowe takes issue with Larry Drew for sitting Al Horford for over 20 minutes in the 1st half against Orlando due to foul trouble.

– The Nuggets were a popular pick to upset the Thunder in their first round series. The Nuggets have lost both of the first two games. One to the Westbrook and Durant show, the other to the Thunder’s depth.

– Slowing down the pace is one of the things that makes the Bucks’ defense so potent. It also might be one of the factors making their offense so putrid.

– Kevin Love is this season’s Most Improved Player. Matt Moore argues his “improvement” was mostly a product of playing significant minutes for the first time.

You can also find Ian at Hickory-High.com, TheTwoManGame.com and Indycornrows.com