Three Man Weave: Playoffs week one review

Opening week of the 2016 NBA Playoffs have been a study in contrasts, where top seeds have faced minor irritations and a couple blowouts threaten to dampen the idea of competitive balance.

In the midst of it all, the coaching carousel makes stops in Minny and D.C. and proven playoff performers Will Strickland and Duane Watson, hosts of TSN 1050 Radio's premiere basketball program, #1On1 with Will & Duane, do what's popular with the population with the NBA News, Views and Truths in this week's edition of #3MW!

What has been more surprising in the Raptors/Pacers series: Jonas Valanciunas dominance or DeMar DeRozan's drop off?

Watson: Stars will have bad nights, but JV is exploiting the Pacers interior with 14.7 points and 16 rebounds in this series, all while going through foul trouble. Coming up as a third option when needed is significant, particularly when this team needs him, and is definitely a pleasant surprise.

Strickland: Neither. Jonas Christ Superstar should feast and beast on the Immortal Ian Mahinmi, Lavoy Allen, Jordan Hill and even promising rookie Myles Turner and so far, he has. The franchise has now invested in Valanciunas' performance, not promise or potential. The time is now for him. As for DeMar Darnell DeRozan, his start in this season's playoffs have marked a continued slide in production from his first two appearances in the real season. Having a top flight defender in Paul George hounding you doesn't help. If DeRozan wishes to be a respected, top dollar performer in the Association, he's got to make his mark now as well.

Why does the #1 Cavaliers vs. #8 Pistons seem like the most closely contested series in the playoffs thus far?

Watson: All trash talking aside, these games don't get decided until down the stretch of the fourth quarter. Stan Van Gundy has his Pistons team battling and grinding against the #1 seed and they won't back down. The Pistons may not win a game this series, but the Cavaliers won't be walking around saying that it was a cakewalk. LeBron James & Co. have yet to show me that they are still the dominant team that everyone expected at the outset of the season.

Strickland: The Macho Man Stanley SVG has his young charges believing that tomorrow is today for them. Carpe Diem is the phrase that pays and why not? Cleveland is an emotionally vulnerable team with two star players who still lack defined playoff resumes in Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving. Despite the history between LeBron and Van Gundy, who ousted James and the Cavs in the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference Finals while bench bawsin' in Orlando, spoiling a potentially epic matchup between LBJ and Kobe Bryant in the NBA Finals, SVG has built his Pistons squad in a similar fashion to that Magic team.

The variables are all there: dominant big man in Andre Drummond, quality point guard in Reggie Jackson, an energetic, capable defender and backcourt mate in Kentavious Caldwell Pope and versatile wing shooters Tobias Harris and Marcus Morris. Van Gundy has crafted an equation where the Pistons know they have absolutely nothing to lose while competing vs the best team in the East and a bright future ahead. But for now, LeBron's first round mastery in the playoffs will remain intact.

Is Tom Thibodeau the right man for the job in Minnesota?

Watson: He's not only the right man for the job, he's the best man for the job. Thibodeau is the top coach on the open market right now and brings that competitive and defensive pedigree to the young and talented core of Wiggins, Lavine and Towns. The new standard of top coaches is to have a level of managerial control, which he has earned, and paired with General Manager Scott Layden, their first order of business should be finding an offensive minded assistant coach to round out his coaching staff. I'm expecting this team to make the NBA Playoffs next year, something this franchise hasn't done in over a decade.

Strickland: Could be. Championship pedigree gained under Doc Rivers in Boston, brought a proud Bulls franchise back to prominence while holding together a perpetually injured, dangerous and talented team and for those that don't know, cut his teeth as an assistant in the Association with these very same Timberwolves in 1989, well before his top stars Andrew Wiggins, Zach Levine, Ricky Rubio and presumptive Rookie of the Year Karl Anthony Towns were even born.

Thibs should command respect in the locker room. The main question is whether or not he's mellowed enough to effectively coax these Timberpups closer to a playoff berth and envisioned potential without grinding them into submission or losing their interest before the job is done.

Does DeMarre Carroll's performance in Game 3 vs Indiana show that he's finally back?

Watson: Absolutely. Carroll was tasked with containing Paul George and while he didn't necessarily lock him down, he made George feel him at every opportunity. He was in his body, challenging, contesting and George himself said that Carroll made contact with him on almost every shot. His 17 points were gravy as he's not expected to deliver an offensive output, but in light of Lowry and DeRozan's offensive struggles, "that's why they brought him here."

Strickland: Not necessarily, but it's a good start. RaptorNation has been waiting for Employee Number 5 to show them why he was considered such an integral part in Toronto's progression, after being felled by injuries that had Carroll miss half of the season. While still rounding back into game shape, his play on both ends of the court in Game 3, especially the stellar work on the dynamic Paul George, can only be seen as an encouraging sign for Carroll, the Raptors and their fans alike.

Will Steve Kerr risk potential worsening of Steph Curry's injury by pressing him into action vs Houston for Game 4?

Watson: This is all some garbage. When a player is hurt during the regular season, the adage is "if it was the playoffs he would play." It's the playoffs! Take care of business and rest him after the sweep. This is the real season: Even the eighth seed in the Western Conference is better than more than half the squads in the league.

Strickland: No. Wardell Stephen Curry will play Game 4, mild discomfort and problematic ankle issues aside. But Kerr is not pressing The Chef to get back on the floor against a Rockets team the Warriors should beat in a series, Steph or no Steph. In a season of record breaking precedence, to fall short of the ultimate destination due to injury, especially one that didn't need further exacerbation, trying to beat the eight seed seems far too great a price to pay for Golden State.

Duane Watson @DuaneWatson and Will Strickland @wallstrizzle1 can be found continuing to prove their skill in the trade of that ol' hoops commentary boom bap this Saturday, 12pm noon by crafting a special 90-minute extravaganza on the fine program #1On1 with Will & Duane, only on TSN 1050!