And I mean just in the series they're in, not in the long haul, because obviously San Antonio is to old what Portland is to young. I still say San Antonio just because they're going against a team of players that have all been to the NBA finals, and because everyone knows what they can do. Portland could still surprise, and Houston could still choke and Ron Artest could still choke someone. I wouldn't be surprised by a blowout either way in the next Por/Hou game.
San Antonio is out "talented" by Dallas, where Portland is out 'toughed" by Houston ... so I'd say they are both equally screwed. I say Dallas and Houston in 6
This series should come as NOOOOOO shock to anyone! Houston is a very physical, defensive lockdown team. Portland has always been suspect as being a bit soft. Outlaw could be going to the rim every play and drawing the foul, he doesn't because he hates the contact, same with Frye, Rudy and LA! The Rockets know this, bump us all over the court and we chuck up some stupid jump shots and we lose!!! With the athletic ability Outlaw, Rudy and LA have to be settling for mid range jumpers against a slower group of Artest, Scola and Battier is just simply pathetic! Yao should be in foul trouble by the end of the first quarter just having to compensate for the quicks are starters have against theirs. Where is that? The whole series it's been there for us and yet we've never gone for it for more than a play here and there. Everyone knew that we wouldn't get a call in Houston but we're not helping ourselves playing their type of ball!
If we played just one whole fucking game going to the paint we'd beat these guys by 18 I promise! We are making a very average Rockets team look amazing. I promise ya Kobe, Lamar and Gasol will be attacking Yao early and getting the fouls!
San Antonio is going to be packing its bags on Tuesday and going fishing, while we're playing Game 6.
San Antonio. On top of being down in their series (like we are), they're older than dirt. Thei're on their way down the bell curve. We're still looking up at ours.
Both the Mavs and Rockets have some serious choking in their past. And both the Spurs and Blazers have shown the ability to cowboy up and pull through under really tough circumstances. So I wouldn't say all hope is lost for either team. But it doesn't look good for both. Overall, though, things are much more grim for the Spurs. This is the year when the Spurs' championship window is finally nailed shut. From here on out it's the "Tony Parker and a Bunch of Old Guys" show. Portland made the playoffs--they did what they were supposed to do. Most fans (not me) felt like like they even over-performed by getting the 4th seed. There are years of playoffs, championship windows, sold out arenas and national tv games in the Blazers' future for as far as the eye can see. The exact opposite of deep shit. (Tall shit?) Both teams have equal amounts desperation for this year. But San Antonio has a lot more work cut out for them in the years to come.
I think in this case, the opposite of deep shit is a mountain made of a molehill. Repped. Great post, great point.
Definitely San Antonio. They have more to lose than the Blazers. The Blazers didn't even make the playoffs last year, getting to the playoffs and winning a game or 2 should be an improvement from last year. Some predicted for the Spurs to give the Lakers a fight in the conference finals, they are going to end their season way below expectations. Spurs are definitely in deeper shit
All of Portland's starters would foul out in short order if they were to try this. Portland would be put into the penalty with 5 minutes of the game and Houston would shoot a record number of free throws. Nice as it would be to think this would work, the game is just not called that way. I agree that Kobe, Lamar and Gasol would attack Yao to great effect. That is because in the unofficial star hierarchy Kobe is above Yao. Portland doesn't have anyone even close to Yao in those rankings, so the game would be treated totally differently. Namely, Yao getting a couple of calls against him while Joel, Batum, Oden, LA and Outlaw all foul out.
The OP didn't say 'big picture' he was talking about in these specific first round series. Of course San Antonio is in deeper shit in the long term.
Both are in deep shit, but I have faith that we will dig ourselves out of the shit smelling like roses.
When LA has driven the paint he dunks, when Oden catches the ball in the low post in good position he dunks on Yao. So it does work! Outlaw can get past Scola or Hayes whenever he wants. LA can get past Scola whenever he wants. As a team they do it five plays a game against Houston so the only one going to the hoop regularly is Roy. That's why you see Yao blocking him cause the Rockets know he's the only real attacker. So to say we are going to the rim all the time is not right in my eyes, and when done it's been succesful! We are just not doing it enough!
San Antonio have been in holes before and know how to win a playoff series. They're also more capable of putting together a 3-win streak against a formidable opponent. I think at least one of them (Blazers or Spurs) will come back. Not sure which one.
No, Portland has been "out-officiated" by the Rockets. Portland is a better team than the Rockets, and even though we're not playing our best ball, we out-played them in games 3-4. We only lost because of the refs.
