Not All Exposure Is Good Exposure

Exposed is a nasty little word in basketball and no one likes to be it or get called it.

Exposed is an especially harsh word in the NBA because pro players have spent most of their lives doing the exposing. But once we get into the playoffs, everyone is fair game – even the stars.

That's always one of the best parts of the postseason: Finding out which players rise, which players fall and which players are what they are.

Sometimes in the playoffs you find out your favorite player isn't quite as good as you thought he was or that guy you really liked in mid-January can't quite it get it done when the games turn meaningful.

At the same time, there are role players and relative unknowns who emerge, and get you to think: "Where's he been all season, and why hasn't he been playing more?"

Every player can be exposed, even the great ones. Larry Bird was exposed on wing isolation situations; Shaquille O'Neal on the high pick-and-roll; and Wilt Chamberlain at the foul line. Even Magic Johnson, who committed 35 turnovers in the 1984 NBA Finals, could be exposed a little with consistent defensive pressure.

But, of course, there's a difference between being exposed in certain situations and being exposed in general. Sure, you could inconvenience Bird by having him defend smaller and quicker players on the perimeter, but he was going to get you and then some at the other end.

As a rule, young players are exposed more than veteran players, although if you're aging and on the downside you're particularly susceptible.

I'm a little worried about Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge, who struggled through his playoff debut on Saturday night. Then again, Ray Allen was exposed a little bit in Game 1 vs. Chicago as someone who had difficulty creating his own shot. That could be a problem if the Celtics are going to be playing without Kevin Garnett. Sasha Vujacic always seems likes he's close to being exposed.

Some of the Spurs aging role players -- Michael Finely and Bruce Bowen -- will be asked to do more now that Manu Ginobili is done for the season. Unfortunately, that can often be the perfect time for exposure.

It often happens when players are asked to carry more responsibility than they're capable. Put Hedo Turkoglu and Andrei Kirilenko, with Mehmet Okur out, in the same boat.

At some point, an opponent is going to try to expose Mo Williams, Aaron Brooks, Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo or any other kind of smallish guard you can name. Those points are going to be forced to defend in the low post if for no other reason than to try to take away their effectiveness at the other end -- by getting them into foul trouble or making the coach take them off the floor.

The defensive low box can be a very lonely place for a 6-footer, not to mention a great humbler.

Hey, the lights are on, the big games are beginning, and every one of them is on TV. It's the playoffs and there's no better time to find out about your players.

What you might find is that too much exposure isn't necessarily a good thing.

Latest NBA Playoff Photos

ORLANDO - APRIL 19: Rafer Alston #1 of the Orlando Magic shoots against Samuel Dalembert #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rafer Alston;Samuel Dalembert

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ORLANDO - APRIL 19: Donyell Marshall #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers attempts a three point shot against the Orlando Magic in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donyell Marshall

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ORLANDO - APRIL 19: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers moves the ball against the Orlando Magic in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Iguodala

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ORLANDO - APRIL 19: Andre Miller #7 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against Rafer Alston #1 of the Orlando Magic in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Miller;Rafer Alston

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ORLANDO - APRIL 19: Professional golfer Tiger Woods watches the Philadelphia 76ers against the Orlando Magic in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tiger Woods

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ORLANDO - APRIL 19: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against the Orlando Magic in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Iguodala

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ORLANDO - APRIL 19: Theo Ratliff #50 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against the Orlando Magic in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Theo Ratliff

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ORLANDO - APRIL 19: Theo Ratliff #50 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks against the Orlando Magic in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Amway Arena on April 19, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Theo Ratliff

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-20-2009 @ 8:38AM

obamaizadope said...

you're exactly right. exposure of your writing to the light of day is not necessarily a good thing..

4-20-2009 @ 9:31AM

mla said...

Your handle above(Obamaizadope) "exposes" who you really are as well and believe me that's not a good thing.You seem to have some sort of a craw working itself up your lower anatomy.You might want to expose yourself to some sport psychologist or rather just a psychologist in general.There are cures for your ailments.This blog is for BBtalk...idiot!

4-20-2009 @ 10:10AM

the brownshirts speak! fan of the Useful Idiot are you?