They guarantee themselves of playing Dallas in the 1st Round if they lose tonight. They're 0-4 against the Jazz this season and want no part of the Jazz. They know they can beat Dallas in the playoffs. (Even though Greg Popovich is not expected to rest his starters for tonight's game per ESPN) That leaves only one scenario left. GO PHOENIX!!!!!!!!! Jazz fans already have, "Welcome Blazer Fans" signs up. They're sure they're going to beat Phoenix tonight. Phoenix is rolling....I don't know.
I wonder if the fact that traveling to Dallas is much easier for them than traveling to Utah plays a factor. They'll also have more of their own fans in Dallas than in Utah.
Travel in the playoffs is a non-issue with the extra days...and any advantage would be a wash because Dallas would have the same advantages of light travel and lots of home fans.
I think that Pops and Duncan are such competitors that they couldn't and wouldn't lay down, even if it meant better seeding...
Give me Utah!!! The one time they faced us with Batum and Camby we went up 25 before melting down. of course that was with Brandon but still.. GIVE ME UTAH!!
The Spurs, as an organization, have laid down before. I hope you're right, though. I've changed my mind and I don't want to play the Suns. I want to play Dallas. Phoenix is just way too hot, and that means everything going into the 1st Round, if you already have playoff experience like the Suns do.
You're right-I voted for Utah in the poll too-the way we're playing right now I like our chances against anyone. Having Boozer less than 100% makes it that much better.
Link please. I don't know though, Genty is relatively un-battle tested, and with Lopez out, and Nash still not playing d...I really don't care who it is. Even though the Jazz have had our number, we're a way different team now then when we played them. I don't think there's anyone close to the 08-09 Rockets in this years playoffs.
When they laid down to get the #1 pick and Tim Duncan after Robinson got injured. They weren't that bad. The thing about these playoffs is Portland is completely written off by everyone across the NBA world. Please. We've been written off all season, yet, here we are, right in the middle of the Western Conference playoff standings, where New Orleans and Houston were last year, and failed to reach the playoffs. The Spurs went from 2nd seed to 7th seed. We went from 5th to 6th. We held our own, and are actually stronger now. This current Portland Trailblazers team, without Brandon Roy, is better than last year's Blazer team, with Brandon Roy, going into the playoffs. Last year, everyone was a Rookie, and they all played like it. Now we have a ton of experience in Howard, Camby, and Miller along with Rudy getting more minutes than last year who brings his International experience with him. Martell Webster has looked like a veteran during these tougher, playoff type of games recently, reflective of his stature as the longest-tenured Blazer.
Look at that roster and try to say with a straight face they weren't that bad. Elliot only played 39 games that season. You have a 37 year old 'Nique as the team's leading scorer. Not a good team at all.
We are not winning a series with a hurt Roy. Sorry. With Miller and Camby it becomes VERY easy to defend us. Make us shot jump shots. Miller can't be effective shooting just jumpshots. You saw Dallas employ this strategy last Friday. They clogged the paint and our offense disappeared--even WITH Roy. Without him makes that much easier.
True to an extent. Look around the western conference, there are no teams which literally scare the he'll out of me. Good teams, yes. Scare the he'll out of me good? Not even.
We have to win a game on the road. That is much tougher in Utah against a team with too much confidence against us. We don't want Utah. Trust me. Dallas and Phoenix are much more preferred. I do not care how hot Phoenix is. We're hot too. Nash can't guard Miller and Bayless. Phoenix has no big men outside of Amare. Camby will have a field day against this team. We won in Phoenix this season and almost won the second game. We want Phoenix.
San Antonio did what's best for them. They laid down for the Mavs so they could face them again in the playoffs.
Okay. Dallas won, now our game has no meaning. I hope Nate rests our regular starters. Our playoff opponent will come down to the Suns Jazz game.
