2019 BIG3 Playoffs: Iso Joe, Will Bynum, Corey Maggette
The playoffs are here.
Four teams have made the 2019 BIG3 playoffs after a hard-fought season from everyone. This Sunday at 2pm ET on CBS, the number one seed Triplets will face the 3 Headed Monsters and the Killer 3s will battle Power at 3pm ET on CBS as well.
This playoff race went down to the wire. Bivouac and 3s Company just missed out, so they’ll play 5th place honors on Sunday too at 1pm ET.
This postseason is the most star-studded in league history. The cold-blooded game winning extraordinaire Iso Joe will face sharpshooter and big man Rashard Lewis, reigning MVP and top tier scorer Corey Maggette will be matched up against Stephen Jackson.
Before we breakdown the 2019 BIG3 playoffs and the best matchups of the postseason, lets acknowledge some regular season award winners.
3-Point Title: DeShawn Stevenson
DeShawn Stevenson made 20 3-pointers on the season, slightly over 2 threes per game. After winning this award for the 2019 season, he remains the only 3-point Champ in BIG3 history, previously winning the title in 2018 & 2017.
4th Man of the Year: Nate Robinson
After hitting the craziest game winner of the season, it became hard to pass up Nate up for this honor. Although Tri-State didn’t make the playoff cut, Nate Robinson led this team to be in contention until the very end. Tri-State didn’t start off to a hot season like we anticipated, but Nate was consistent for them off the bench all season.
Too Hard To Guard: Will Bynum
This honor goes to the man with the most sauce on the court for 2019, Will Bynum. The man has ankle breakers on retainer every minute of every game. His speed and handles couldn’t be matched. Check out Will Bynum’s best crossover of the season above.
Defensive Player of the Year: Amar’e Stoudemire
The 2nd Tri-State player to earn an award for 2019. Amar’e Stoudemire is a block party waiting to happen. This season, Amar’e led the league in blocks by a large margin with 14 total blocks, over 1 block per game. Amar’e was also a top 5 rebounder and the best on-ball, big man defender in the BIG3.
Rebound Leader: Reggie Evans
Reggie Evans collects his third straight rebounding title and remains the only rebounding champ in BIG3 history. This season Reggie Evans broke his own single season rebound record with 88 total boards.
Scoring Leader: Joe Johnson
No surprises here. Joe Johnson was the star and likely MVP of the season. He put up 175 total points (a single season record), averaging 21.9 points per game on the season. Iso Joe was the only player to average at least 20 points per game this season. With games only played to 50 points, that’s a noteworthy accomplishment.
Now, let’s talk about the 2019 BIG3 playoffs.
(1) Triplets vs (4) 3 Headed Monsters
The 3 Headed Monsters are extremely well balanced.
They have the best rebounder in the game with Reggie Evans, shooters like Mario Chalmers & Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, and playmakers that can go get a bucket such as Larry Sanders and Rashard Lewis (also a shooter).
The Triplets will have to be on point to make sure this team doesn’t sneak away with a victory because there’s a lot of things that can go right for them. The defense can’t over commit or get caught double teaming against the Monsters because everyone playing is a legitimate scoring threat. Any of the players we listed above on the Monsters can go off at any given moment.
Nevertheless, the Triplets are the favorite for a good reason. Joe Johnson.
He’s been unguardable all season and we think that was just the beginning. Now, Iso Joe has a bigger stage to play, more incentive to remind the basketball world that he’s one of the best on the court when he gets hot. In any league, on any team.
There’s no doubt in our mind he’s at least dropping 25; here’s how.
Joe Johnson will look for separation whenever he is guarded by a bigger defender, so expect some picks and screens. We will likely see some off-ball screens to create space for Joe Johnson to have easy catch and shoot opportunities. Therefore, we’re anticipating plenty of 3’s or 4’s.
When Johnson does get pick and roll looks, he’ll likely drive to the basket rather than kick it out then finish at the rim or pull up from mid-range. If Iso Joe has a smaller defender on him at any time, he’s going to take them 1v1 and have his way.
Overall, we believe this game is going to be very competitive until the end.
Our prediction
Joe Johnson: 29 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, (5) 3-point shots made, (1) 4-point shot made
Reggie Evans: 10 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks
Mario Chalmers: 12 points, (3) 3-point shots made
Rashard Lewis: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, (2) 3-point shots made
Al Jefferson: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Triplets: 50
3 Headed Monsters: 47
(2) Power vs (3) Killer 3’s
Power has been in a slump lately.
Granted, they clinched their BIG3 playoffs 2019 spot, so they didn’t have to leave it all on floor last weekend. Nevertheless, their struggles in last couple of weeks have us skeptical that they will be able to contain the Killer 3’s.
Offensively, Power is a much more gifted team. Corey Maggette is the 2nd leading scorer in the BIG3 with 19.6 points per game. He’ll be a tough matchup for Stephen Jackson. While Stak is known to be a great defender, Corey is extremely athletic and makes his matchup exert all their energy on defense, leaving them depleted on offense.
For Power to get on the right track again before it’s too late, Corey needs to ignite the spark. This isn’t a knock at the Power roster. In fact, their strength as a team is their depth.
Coming off the bench is one of the best Power Forwards in the league, Carlos Boozer. In addition, they have Baby Davis and Cuttino Mobley who are sound scorers and reliable options.
Let’s not forget the Killers on the other team though.
Frank Nitty is a weapon. He’s nice in iso situations, typically out handling opponents and beating them off the dribble. He can pull up from anywhere and get a bucket. Nitty is showtime and we need to pay attention to him this postseason, especially because he might be the reason the Killer 3’s pull off this upset.
Stephen Jackson should have a big game as well. The man is confident and welcomes the dog fight. Expect some high post work, 3’s, and overall a gritty performance from Stak.
Our Prediction
Corey Maggette: 18 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Frank Nitty: 17 points, 3 assists, (3) 3-point shots made
Glen Davis: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block
Stephen Jackson: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Power: 50
Killer 3’s: 46
(5) 3’s Company vs (6) Bivouac
The 5th place game is more than a consolation prize event.
We have playmakers performing in this one. Will Bynum, aka Mr. Too Hard To Guard will be snatching ankles one more time this season.
Also, his teammate and league star Josh Smith will be matched against the rising Andre Emmett.
Andre has been a problem for every defender he’s faced during the tail end of the season. If 3’s Company could refresh the start of the season, they would be in the playoffs because of Emmett. The man can shoot, drive, pass, play defense. He has our vote for the MVP of the 2nd half of the season after leading his team this far after an 0-3 start.
Our Prediction
Will Bynum: 15 points, 4 assists, 1 steal
Andre Emmett: 22 points, 5 rebounds, (3) 3-point shots made
Josh Smith: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
Bivouac: 48
3’s Company: 50
Don’t forget to watch the 2019 BIG3 playoffs starting Sunday at 1pm ET on CBS & the CBS Sports Network. Visit https://big3.com/tickets/ to get your tickets for the semifinals and 5th place game in New Orleans for this Sunday.