Utah is an easy matchup for us. People underestimate the Blazers. We had to rely on a couple monster performances from Harden to heat them in close battles this year. On the other hand we handled the Jazz easily. The jazz don't have enough offense to contend with us. We can totally lock them down.
I do think the Warriors have the easier side of the bracket. That's just the way the seeding goes sometimes. So what? Bring them on. There isn't a single team that we shouldn't be able to beat
Spurs or Wolves would both be pretty hard. The West is completely stacked, it's just that 3 / 6 or 4/5 match up I'm looking at. I personally think The Pelicans are the weakest team in the Western playoff picture and I think the Blazers are good but not as good as OKC nor The Jazz who I think are the third best team in the west. Gobert is a monster and he's about to show the world how good he is. Utah lost their best player and somehow they got even better. Ingles is playing like an All Star this season and Mitchell is playing like this is his fifth season in the NBA. Rubio is finally playing like the player he was supposed to be. I just think they are as well coached as any team in the league and they have as good and deep of a roster out of any potential matchup we could have. The Jazz have a really good home court too, luckily we have HCA the whole playoffs which will be especially important against the Jazz or Warriors. I think we can beat any team in the West in a seven game series, but the Jazz give me the most hesitation out of any one except the Warriors.
Why are people seriously just ignoring the fact that the Jazz have been playing the best ball in the league for over 2 months. With Gobert they are the best defensive team in the league..easily. 29-6 record to close the season, yet people think the Thunder are somehow a heavy favorite to beat them 4 times? This Thunder squad is easily the most overhyped decent squad I can recall. The biggest Westbrook stans in the league are apparently here on Clutchfans."Thy're gonna get serious now, so watch out" Westbrook will grab a bunch of rebounds they don't need him to, snarl and flex, then take contested pull up 3's with tired legs when it's time to win. They aren't.....that....good.
The Jazz has less talents but more discipline and teamwork than OKC. Hopefully they can beat the Big3.
Just wanted to get retrospective to find context with our regular season results against the Thunder, and see how we will truly match up with them in the Western Semi-Finals..... HOU-OKC Christmas Game L 112-107 Chris Paul DNP-Left Abductor Briante Weber played 18 minutes for us! To be honest, I forgot who that guy even was until looking up his picture. Thunder were full strength, even with Roberson early in the season. Luc Mbah a Moute didn't play for some reason. Also we didn't have Gerald Green or Joe Johnson yet. HOU-OKC March 6th W 122-112 This is representative of how we match up currently. OKC with all their people. This is after the Roberson injury and Corey Brewer pick up. Luc Mbah a Moute played, but I think he will be back for the 2nd round. Ryan Anderson actually sat with that sore hip he had. Green was in our rotation, although we had not picked up Joe Johnson just yet. HOU-OKC April 7th L108-102 Meaningless game for us after having clinched playoff home court advantage. D'Antoni gave Joe Johnson 16 minutes...16 minutes too many. Also we strategically rested Gordon, and Anderson was out with the ankle sprain. Full Strength Current Rockets Roster VS Full Strength Current Thunder Roster.... Rockets will be taking care of business and advancing to the WCF.
Really too bad how the bracket sorted out. Was hoping GS would have to battle in the first/second round, and Utah and OKC would have been their toughest two matchups in my estimation. And of course they get to avoid them entirely smh. Ah well.
The west has one 60 win beast, a sputtering Juggernaut that is without its best player who can charitably be described as having had a disappointing season when the expectations going in was a dynastic dominantion, and a bunch of 4)+ win teams separated by 2-3 games from 3-9 That is not completely stacked either relative to expectations in the preseason, or historically. 2015 was stacked. Same with 2014 and a number of other years, where 50 wins gets you the 8th seed and a beatdown. Not so much this year. The table is set. We have a 50/50 chance of running it, which is way better than anybody else.
I think we should start focusing on the Rockets play - no matter where they stand in the seeding/brackets if there not playing there best ball it doesn't matter. But if they are playing there best basketball "Which I think they will"- it doesn't matter where anyone is seeded to be honest. Its almost like a cautious fear people have on the board- i get it, past history things haven't gone our way. But I think if the Rockets are playing there best basketball, there not just making to the WCF - I think they are winning a Championship
The way GS has looked nothing will be easy for them - Everyone has a tough match-up in the West - including the Rockets
I'm happy with our match ups. Guys don't forget we have almost nobody who can match up with Lamarcus Aldrige!! he's been killing us for years since his Portland years. I'm glad he's not our problem this year!
I agree! To be honest - let the chips fall where they may - If this team is truly a championship contender; go through everyone thats in your path an get to that final goal to be a champion. As the Astros say..#EarnHistory
We need every advantage we can get against the Warriors. They still are far more talented than us. If they're healthy, we are not the favorites against them. It's too bad they have a much easier bracket than us is all.
My thing is GS will have issues getting out of there first 2 match ups before even getting to us. Last year team - yes I agree, we need all the advantages in the world. But this GS team this year, Will not cake walk to the WCF like they did last year even if they are healthy. I get your point, I just feel this team can beat anyone in the league if there playing there best basketball.
