Meyers Leonard has intimidated and eliminated his competition once again folks! (insert green font, but please don't start a debate)
I think out of the top tier that would be the most difficult match up for us. I think it would be awesome if we could slide into that 5 seed, and maybe face the Warriors after what could be a hard fought series for them. I feel like the Clippers are boom or bust, either they are going to have it all put together and go far in the playoffs or they are going to fall flat.
If you play the Spurs slowed down game, you'll probably lose but watching them this season..they can't run anymore...if you dictate the pace...they are beatable
I think actually we would do well vs the Spurs. The Thunder is who I think we should try to play though. With Spurs 2nd choice. I don't want to play any of the other realistic targets in the 1st round. I know we would play any team tough but flop city has the refs on their side and GS while beatable in best of 5 isn't in best of 7 by us imo.
Grizz schedule: LAL 2/24, @LAL 2/26, @PHX 2/27, @DEN 2/29, SAC 3/2, UTA 3/4, PHX 3/6. Even without Gasol, they're going to win 6 of their next 7. We're going to have a hell of a time trying to catch them. 6 seed is as high as we can get, IMO. However, after tomorrow's game against OKC, Dallas' next 5 are DEN, MIN, ORL, SAC, @DEN. They'll probably win all 5 of those too. 6 seed will be tough.
I think we have the depth at SF who could make it tougher on Durant than in the past. Westbrook would be a problem, but not as much as the team defense that SA would frustrate us with. I would rather face Billy Donovan in his first NBA Playoff series than Pop coaching his 100th.
Westbrook is never a problem. Just draw him into a dick-measuring contest with Lillard, let him think he can out-3 Damian, and he's done.
It is possible (not necessarily probable) that OKC passes SA in the standings by the end of the Season. Pop is famous for resting players and they always have guys banged up but it seems worse this year. They are also 1-5 against top 5 teams so do they play OKC and GS much the rest of the season? Edit: Nevermind, they have a 7 game lead. Thought they only had a 5 game one. Don't see them blowing that many.
I will take the small chance that the Spurs finally show some age vs playing GS. I think we can compete with GS but we still are likely out. I give us a better chance vs the Spurs (they have been beat in the first round when they shouldn't have) then the defending champs regardless of how good we looked last time we played the Warriors.
I would prefer the Spurs vs the Warriors too, but their stars are not really aging. Leonard is the Star of that team, followed by LA. They are in their prime. Duncan does not score in double digits anymore. I think their legs will all be fresh for the 1st round.
No, as opposed to facing just one of them. To face them both means we beat one of them in a playoff series.
