I would say Denver. I love the Utah rematch. But I hate to say DW is still a better PG than Rafer. And Boozer could still give us a lot of problems.
Phoenix, simply because we match up better. Nash can't guard Alston, Bell/Hill can't guard McGrady (really shouldn't have traded Marion away, Kerr), and Shaq can't guard Luis Landry. Suns are showing signs of improving, but their perimeter defence remains porous and they have a weak bench. Rockets in six.
Just for T-mac come out the first round, Denver is the first choice. If not, we are welcome any team.
I actually think Phoenix is a team that we DON'T want to meet in the first round. Despite being older and slower, Shaq will be tough matchup not only because of his size but also because he'll get all the superstar calls, as will Stoudamire. Our already thin frontcourt will have a hard time keeping out of foul trouble. Plus, our lockdown perimeter defender Battier is pretty much wasted on this series because there's no one star perimeter player whom he can, well, lock down. We can beat them, but it won't be pretty or easy IMO.
Teams I definitely don't want to meet: Warriors Jazz Teams I would like to avoid if possible: Spers Dallass Bring it on: Hornets Fakers Suns
Definitely not the Suns...the same reason why we should avoid the Jazz in the 1st round. Nash and DW are better player than RA. Shaq and Boozer are going to grab all the rebounds. We simply dont have any edge in those 2 positions.
Fakers? PJ knows Aldeman's game in and out. Pau may not be a dominant player but he is very versatile. He will be just as hard to defend as Shaq. And this is Kobe's MVP year. I dont think he will let his team make an early exit in the playoffs.
At present, as the 3rd seed, we'd face off against the Suns. The other teams hovering around that spot are Dallas and NOH. If we play the Suns, we're gonna have a hard time matching body girth with Shaq and a mobile Amare. TMac would be less contricted against a Suns team with no more Marion. Btwn Dallas and NOH, I think our best chance would be against the Hornests as long as our guards don't get beat up on a nightly basis like this past game (sure we won, but gotta factor in the possibility of an off-shooting night). I'd rather see Dallas get popped by the Spuds.
Have to agree, but I'd give the Rockets a slight edge against Denver, Golden State, and Phoenix. But really, really, really do not want to draw the Suns in the first round. They are dangerous if Shaq can stay healthy and summon extra energy.
Denver would be the best matchup. If we end in the 5th seed and they win the division, we'd get them. I suppose we could also get them if we finish 1st and they sneak at 8th. The Hornets would be the next best matchup just because of their youth and inexperience. The Jazz, Mavs, and Suns would be tough, but I'd give the Rockets a chance against any of them. The Spurs and Lakers I don't want any piece of. That's why finishing in 1st place would be so huge. Assuming they end up in 2nd and 3rd, there's no way we'd see either of them in the first 2 rounds.
That's a good choice if we want to enter 2nd round. But I don't think we can only beat them. I really want to meet Utah and Mavs. Maybe we can do this in 2nd round. And I don't really think we never stand a chance. Give them some color see see! haha!
UTAH!!! and only Utah... I don't want some weak a@$ team in the 1st round.. I want Utah and if this team ( as everyone says ) is a legit title contender then Utah is no problem.. Utah has owned in the past and continues to own us.. This 18+,19+,20+, etc.. win streak won't mean jack squat if this team cannot beat Utah in the 1st round... I hate that damn team. That team cost us our third title and I want them bad in the 1st round...
Look like ideal matchups: Warriors Nuggets Won't be easy, but beatable: Mavs Suns Would need to stay as hot as we are now: Hornets Spurs Tall order, but we could do it if we played over our heads over the course of a series: Lakers Jazz We still have several weaknesses: -->We aren't the best at containing PGs that penetrate (CP3, Nash, Deron Williams) -->We can get hurt by elite 4/5s (Duncan, Boozer, Stoudamire, Gasol) Being critical, we may be peaking too early. I'm very hopeful that we're simply building swagger and self-belief. The 16th-22nd will be extremely telling as a yardstick for where Team McGrady is. Evan
