Yes!!! I think Lopez is going to have a big series. He did what he had to to survive the 1st round. And now everything is going to be so much easier for him. Lopez will be a major factor in us winning this series. Pops doesn't let his pride get in the way of winning - so while he's single-covered LMA in the regular season I won't be at all surprised to see him double if/when LMA starts getting things working in the paint. Pops is going to give us fits by always finding ways to get an open shooter. We're just going to have to be extra diligent about rotating and boxing out.
This is going to be one hell of a series. Against Houston Stotts out-coached Mchale big time, but against Pops I think Stotts becomes the underdog. At this point in their careers I like Portland's starting five over the Spurs, but not but much, and they certainly have by far the better bench. This might be lingering euphoria from the last series talking, but I'm predicting Blazers win in seven!
Blazers aren't winning a G7 in San Antonio; waaaaaay too young for that. Their best bet is to win in 6,
If Pop doubles, he'll send Kawhi briefly. Lopez won't dominate against Duncan, though he may give him some problems early on; unless he's up against athleticism or greater length (Dalembert was a pretty good matchup to pit against Duncan in round 1 tbh), he'll eventually figure things out and start abusing Lopez. Splitter/LA will be the matchup to watch on both ends.
Yes, he's the best combination of length, strength, and size the Spurs can throw at him. Diaw, Duncan, and even Leonard will see some looks, but Splitter will get the majority of that duty.
Mark my words... We win one on the road in the first 2 games, then win two at home, then close em out in sas.
I have. But I will guarantee you splitter ain't as quick and long as Howard. Aldridge still scored on him as well. In fact, Houston put 2 seven footers on him and he had their lunch. You haven't seen much blazer games have you?
Lmao! Seriously bro I feel it. I think this team is going downhill now in a good way. The Houston series made these players into men
Do you remember how confident the Rocket fans were when they got us? This is going to be a war man, and the NBA isn't about to let us knock them out without going at least six.
Bro their confidence was not backed with shit. They had a horrible last 10 games of the season, while we won 9 of 10. If we win one of the 2 on the road, I think we take em out
CROFL Splitter is 2 inches taller than Howard and has a longer armspan. Both Howard and Asik are true Centers with limited mobility; Splitter is an elite PnR defender and the second quickest big man on the team behind Errors, and if he sees the floor in anything other than garbage time the Spurs are screwed. Splitter just dominated a veteran version of LA in Dirk (tho at this point LA is the better player I suppose).
While winning 1 on the road would be huge, Spurs can easily take one right back. In all likelihood we need to win at least 2 on the road again to advance. I think we can, but it'll be tough.
Oh so you are saying splitter is a better defender than Howard? Hmm well I guess we can end this conversation now. We aren't talking about unicorns here
