I wouldn't mind the 1 seed either... But it is preferable that the Clippers get the Grizzlies in the first round and then the Thunder in the 2nd. I don't think there is no team that really has a matchup advantage against the OKC. Out of the teams below 5 I'd hope they would play GSW in the first only because the Warriors are a wildcard and you never really know what you are going to get with them. That would leave us with the Blazers and Spurs to get to the WCF. I don't think we are winning a championship this year or even getting to the finals...but I think losing in the WCF can give this team that certain taste of defeat that often motivates guys for the next year. A first round defeat would be so horrible for this team...so they need to avoid the Clippers in a possible 4-5 matchup as much as possible. Good thing is that the Blazers seem to be falling and that should drop them out of race for HCA and lock them into the 5th seed any ways.
People focus on the combined 0-6 vs. OKC and LAC, but don't factor in when those losses occurred, who was hurt, etc. Take a look at our last game vs. LAC. We played like crap and still had a shot to win late. Same thing last night vs. OKC. The team is finally completely healthy. Let's see what happens in the next games vs. OKC and LAC. I have a suspicion we might just win. In a 7 game series I think we can beat anyone, but if you made me pick which team I'd most like to avoid, it would definitely be LAC. I actually think if we play the correct lineups, i.e., smallball, and double team Durant at will we can beat OKC in a 7 game series. Make Russell Westbrook beat you.
Hope Aldridge's injury isn't too serious, but with him hurt that 4/5 matchup with Portland is looking very favorable
Last year was a perfect example, Rockets struggled against them last year yet managed to take two games from them in the playoffs. In the end, small ball is the answer but McHale will only resort to that in desperation. The same as he would playing the Twin Towers.
It will be difficult to beat the Spurs as well OP. They are primed and ready for another deep playoff's push. We will either play the Blazers or Warriors in the 1st round.
Spurs have no shot. It's an even year and they know it. The way standings currently are is perfect. James Harden's eye light up when he gets into the last five minutes of a close game against the Spurs.
1.Houston 2. New Orleans 3. Minnesota 4. Sacramento 5. Utah 6. Phoenix 7. Dallas 8. Lakers :grin: In seriousness though, the Thunder and Clippers scare me the most. I'd be content if we stay #4, Portland stays #5 and the Spurs stay #1. That way we avoid OKC/LAC until the WCF. I think that the best realistic scenario.
What LOL the Spurs don't have a shot. Come on pass the kush this way pimpn. The Spurs have turned up the heat after the all star break. I can't stand them jokers but I respect their greatness. They are 10-1 after the break beating the Heat, Clippers, Mavericks, Blazers twice and Bulls.
I like them as they are. We get Portland first, the Thunder have to go through Memphis. Warriors are every chance to beat the Clippers. In the second round we get the Mavs or the Spurs.
Portland is free falling. Hopefully, Memphis doesn't make it all the way to 5th. I think any top 4 team should be the favorite vs. Memphis, but whoever that team is will get beat up to hell in a long series. There might be black eyes and blood spilled.
How the standing stand today, thats the best chance for us for a easy path to the WCF. Playing Blazers, then Spurs... and then One of the Clippers or Thunder in the WCF.
The only realistic way I see us getting a 'chip this year is with this outcome... Regular season standings 1. SA 2. OKC 3. LAC 4. HOU 5. POR 6. GS 7. MEM 8. DAL Round 1. SA VS DAL OKC VS MEM LAC VS GS HOU VS POR (I think we have Portland handled) Round 2. SA VS HOU (Out of the contenders this is our best target IMO) OKC VS LAC WCF. HOU VS LAC (Much preferred to OKC) FINAL. HOU VS IND (Miami scares me much more in a 7 game finals series)
Realistically and ideally, I'll be fine with either Portland or Golden State in the 1st round since we will have HCA against either of those if we stay in 4th seed. Playing the Spurs in the next round would be ideal since we do match up well against them. The Beard is popularly known as a Spurs killer in SA. We will eventually face the Thunder or Clippers but isn't making the WCF our immediate goal right now? Reaching the WCF on our first season with this core would already be a huge accomplishment in itself. Yes, we haven't beaten OKC nor LAC this season yet but come playoffs (WCF), anything can happen especially when you have arguably the best Shooting Guard and the best Center in the league. Honestly, do you really feel that this current roster is built to win at all this season? That's exactly why reaching the Western Conference Finals alone would be huge for this youg squad. Heck, even the Heatles came up short in their first season together.
I dunno about that. IF I had to pick a team to match up against OKC it would probably either be Memphis or the Spurs. The Spurs are just crazy smart. Perkins isn't stopping Duncan. And Pops offensive sets are just TOO good... athleticism alone isn't enough as Miami found out last year. Memphis' style of grind it out games is VERY tough on OKC. OKC's big men can't keep up with Gasol/Zbo. And when they make the game ugly, it tends to bog down teams like OKC. Though I'd still take my chances with Spurs vs OKC and Clippers. Harden just seems to completely own the Spurs whenever he plays them, regular season or the play offs. And Lin also has a strong history of good performances against the Spurs.
Portland will not be fifth seed by seasons end. They are slipping hard and aldridge just got hurt. Better hope it's GS and not Memphis at 5th seed.
I'm hoping Portland has enough of a cushion to hang on. Memphis is probably THE team in the bottom half that I wouldn't want to face in the 1st round. Even if you beat them, they beat the crap out of you along the way. The last thing you want is to go into the 2nd round after a grueling Memphis series. Here's to hoping that Memphis draws OKC and/or the Clippers... :grin:
