They got throttled in Indy last night, which was a bit unexpected. Let's see what happens-- I'm still of the mindset that a rested and healthy Dame/Nurk are of more value to us than any seeding change. I'd rather not wear our guys out in pursuit of 2 or 3 just to end up facing a tough Utah or OKC team. There's really not much of a difference in strength of potential playoff opponent if we have the 2nd seed vs 4th (Clippers probably the only exception but they can still land anywhere between 5-8). This is an annoying thing in the west. Teams can't truly start preparing/scouting until the very last few days of the regular season.
Annoying? Im loving it it. Its made the nba great again. Couldnt stand the past when the last 5-10 games were irrelevant and players would sit and teams wouldnt try. This is like another round or two of playoff basketball if you ask me. Yes, as a blazer fan it sucks to not get the jump, but id rather have this than the past.
Even though there are some close races, there are also lottery bound teams sitting players and looking to lose which sways the standings as well. Is it fair if team A played Team B in the early part of the season and played them at full strength where as another team plays that same team B towards the end of the season where they are sitting 2 or 3 stars (perfect example is NO)
No, the most likely scenario based on remain schedules is us getting 3 vs #6, SA. Or we get 4 and UTA gets 5. http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/westernstandings.html
I don't even know where to start. SA is unbeatable at home, and Pop freaks me the fuck out. Their young guys will not be intimidated like other young guys in the playoffs. But their defense isn't that great. Gobert will shut the rim down for Dame in the playoffs and we'd actually have to play Meyers against Utah. Don't like the prospects of that either. I'd prefer HOU or OKC to be honest.
I agree. I think if we win out (doable), we will be the #2 seed. Only three tough games the rest of the way: Memphis, @ Detroit, and @ Denver.
We solved Utah over the course of this season. Don't be too scared of Pop. He has lost in the first round many times. As the #1 seed vs Memphis. As the Defending Champions vs Clippers. And last year. He is not some unbeatable god. Spurs or Clippers are our best matchups.
Hosting Denver is also tough. Also, with the way Atlanta has been playing lately, that is certainly no gimme.
Alvin Gentry coached circles around Terry. It is 100% justified to be worried about how Pop can scheme against Terry.
HOU and OKC have superstars who will get the benefit of the doubt from the men in stripes, no thanks.
That has been proven NOT to be the case year in and year out. Rubio was able to manhandle Russell last season in the playoffs, and Harden has consistently not gotten the whistle as well.
Thats far less than in years past and the end of the season usually has division and playoff potential games heading into the playoffs. We play denver twice. Gsw plays houston and so on. No is an outlier. Most of the matchups seem to be playoff teams for most playoff teams. Though that was just at a glance and not from studying the remaining nba schedule.
c'mon man... sure Pop has lost 5 times in the first round, two of those when Duncan and Manu weren't playing due to injuries. But he's also won 5 championships and, he's won 38 playoff series compared to 2 for Stotts. That's a mismatch. Yeah, it sure appears Portland is the deeper, better team, but clearly, Popovich is a better coach
