The regular season is coming to a close and the start of the NBA Playoffs are upon us. While the game itself is more perimeter-oriented than in most previous years, a number of teams will need big postseasons from their big men to ultimately make a run deep into the playoffs or at a championship. Here is a look at five overlooked bigs, who will need to play well during the playoffs:
Andrew Bogut, Golden State Warriors
Golden State will head into the postseason with the league’s best record thanks to two of the league’s best long-range shooters in Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. The Warriors have a number of talented compliments like Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes, but the guy who brings Golden State its overlooked toughness is 7’0″ center Andrew Bogut. The team’s leading rebounder and shot-blocker, Bogut doesn’t put up gaudy numbers, but mans the paint well on the defensive end and will be pitted against some of the West’s better big men like Marc Gasol and Dwight Howard. If the Warriors are to carry their regular season success over into the playoffs, Bogut will need to be a big part of it.
Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
It’s hard to fit a former All-Star and Defensive Player of the Year into the overlooked category, but Dallas’ Tyson Chandler has managed to fly under the radar this season. At 32 years old, the veteran big man is averaging a double-double while shooting 66 percent from the field. Chandler’s physicality inside helped propel the Mavericks to the 2011 title and his experience will be key if Dallas is to make any sort of run this year. His match-up in the first round could very well be against Houston’s Dwight Howard.
Marcin Gortat, Washington Wizards
Guard match-ups should be the hot topic of conversation for Washington’s likely first round showdown with the Toronto Raptors, but with the teams being so evenly matched, which team wins inside and on the glass may ultimately determine the series. Marcin Gortat shot 66 percent and fell just shy of averaging a double-double in last season’s playoffs as the Wizards advanced past the first round for the first time in nine years. To get back there and perhaps beyond this postseason, Washington will need another solid showing from Gortat and frontcourt mate Nene Hilario.
NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 07: Robin Lopez #42 of the Portland Trail Blazers fights for the ball with Amar’e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks in the first half at Madison Square Garden on December 7, 2014 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Robin Lopez, Portland Trail Blazers
The brother of Brooklyn All-Star Brook Lopez, Robin Lopez has quietly put together a solid season this year out in Portland. There’s no question that Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge will carry the Blazers offensively in the playoffs, but on the defensive end and on the glass, Lopez will need to play well. A big body and good shot-blocker, Lopez will likely spend the first round matched up with the Los Angeles Clippers’ physical, but athletic frontcourt of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.
Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland Cavaliers
Since being acquired by the Cavaliers, Timofey Mozgov has played very well. Mozgov has given Cleveland another rebounder to complement Kevin Love and LeBron James, but has also been more efficient inside offensively than either Tristan Thompson or the injured Anderson Varejao. The road to the NBA Finals for Cleveland could be one that potentially pits Mozgov against Brook Lopez, Joakim Noah and Al Horford. For the Cavaliers to emerge out of the Eastern Conference, Mozgov will need to continue to play well into the playoffs.