We know we aren't going to get into the top 2 spots, however it seems like 3-8 could all still shift between now and the playoffs. With that said, which team do you want to face in the first round and why? Conversely, which team do you NOT want to face in the first round, and why? My answer is New Orleans. Their team is pretty one dimensional. Boogie isn't coming back. They're playing well, but they don't have much to deal with Dame or CJ. Obviously Anthony Davis is scary, but can he single handedly carry that team to the second round? I don't think so. I also like our chances against OKC, but I'm worried the refs could fuck us hard. The team I don't want to face is either Utah or Minnesota. We have played well against them lately, but if Jimmy Butler comes back healthy the Wolves would be a real headache with Butler/Wiggins/KAT. Utah is built for the playoffs, and I think Mitchell could have a coming out party. He's exactly the kind of guy that they have been needing for a while.
I want the Spurs. I think they finish 7 or lower, so it won't happen, but that's who I want. I've got MIN, OKC, and UTA joining us in the 3-6 range. Of those, I think the Jazz are who I'd least like to face.
New Orleans, LA Clippers, Denver, Minnesota w/o Butler, Spurs w/o Leornard. I'd be confident against all those teams. I think we are better than OKC, but the ref situation that @Natebishop3 brought up is real and would make me nervous. Twolves with Butler I think we still win if we have home court, but a long tough series. Spurs with Leonard would have me crapping myself and just piss me off. I would rather avoid Utah, but I think we win that, but again, a long tough series.
I'd love to see: 1) Houston vs 8) Utah I think Utah is one of the more dangerous teams in the fight between 3-10. I think Houston would end up struggling with them. I hate Harden & Paul, so I want to make their lives as difficult as possible. 2) GSW vs 7) OKC Durrant vs Westbrook. This one has all the makings for a very intense series. 3) Portland vs 6) San Antonio Dame vs LMA. I'm really not afraid of the Spurs. If Kawhi comes back - they have to be taken seriously... but I'm sure it will still take time for him to get back to the MVP form. It's also my hope that Dame could 'recruit' Kawhi before he asks for a trade this summer. 4) Minnesota vs 5) New Orleans Davis vs KAT. Another great series. If Butler gets back in time, I think that pushes the Wolves past the Pels.
If Kawhi doesn't come back, I'd love to face San Antonio.... but I think they'll be lucky to get into the top 8 at all right now.
Actually you are right.. love to put it right to LMA and send him home. All your exes live in Texas....
I will flip it and say the two teams I least want to play are the Jazz and the Timberwolves (the latter because Butler will be back imo).
That was one of my questions! And actually you picked the same two that I picked, so we are definitely in agreement
The Spurs are BARELY in 8th place right now. Without Kawhi they're not very good. Plain and simple. The team is aging and extremely beatable.
How crazy will it be if in the 2nd half of that last game against the Jazz, a loss by us would give us a more favorable 1st round matchup as opposed to a win......
It's the Spurs. Leonard would roll thru the door, stand up out of the wheelchair and lead them to a 4- sweep! THEN they'd get the #1 pick in the draft!
I'd prefer OKC or MIN. Both are horrendous in close games and that's what most playoff series come down to. MIN had blown 10 4th quarter leads even before Butler got hurt. Sure, they are much better with him, especially on defense, but their inability to close out games will hurt them in the playoffs. OKC has sucked in close games going all the way back to the 2011 playoffs when Russ decided he was better than KD. BNM
I am staunchly against having a "would like to play them" opponent. Nothing is easy in the playoffs. Remember when the Clippers fans wanted us a few years ago?
I do not care. With our elite defense and Dame playing at an MVP level, we can and will beat any of these teams.
