Import Watch: Blakely vs Reid

Two dominating imports with different brand of play will undoubtedly be expected to deliver their best and go beyond what they did for the past games as they face each other in the 2014 Governor’s Cup Finals Series.

Both of them are not newbies in this league. AZ Reid is a returnee from the previous Governor’s Cup 2013 on the same franchise and Blakely, the Reigning Best Import, now plays for his third consecutive year in San Mig Coffee.

Even though surrounded with talented locals, these two manage to put up monster numbers in every means they can.

Let’s take a look at their statistics for fifteen played games.

                       

Arizona Reid:

37.33 minutes

56.195 (Efficiency)

.360 (3pt FG)

.473 (2pt FG)

.745 (FT)

12.33 (Rebs)

4.47 (Asts)

1.67 (Stls)

0.60 (Blks)

Marqus Blakely

39.20 mins

 50.753 (Efficiency)

0.13 (3 pt FG)

.498 (2pt FG)

.551 (FT)

15.73 (Rebs)

3.60 (Asts)

2.07 (Stls)

2.60 (Blks)  

Basing on their numbers, we can easily distinguish that while Arizona Reid is a better outside and free throw shooter, Blakely on the other hand loves to operate inside and do notable stops.

Will they guard each other?

AZ Reid had a hard time guarding Henry Walker in their Semifinals series whom likewise having the same athleticism with Blakely and having said that, Coach Yeng might not gamble on that idea.

On the other hand, Blakely is more versatile when it comes to defense, who I believe will be forced to stop his counterpart in some crucial stretches of the game.

How to stop AZ Reid?

Offense is his primary weapon so limit his touches and let him work hardly in defense.

Possible stopper: Joe de Vance or Marqus Blakely

How to stop Marqus Blakely?

Help defense must always be ready and get him into early foul trouble. Hack-a-Blakely sounds inviting, but his improvement in free throw shooting is quite noticeable.

Possible stopper: Beau Belga or Raymond Almazan