Anyone have a shot in the West beside San Antonio/OKC?

[Jstack34]

Any possibility where 1 of these 2 teams doesn't make it out of the west? I just can't see it happening but I havent followed the NBA (except for the Wizards) too closely this year.

 

[Defying]

Clippers definitely.

They have the best team on paper IMO

 

[MantisToboggan]

Houston, in my opinion. They seem to matchup well against San Antonio.

 

[Defying]

I honestly don't remember any conference being as wide open this year as the west is...

 

[Jstack34]

I honestly don't remember any conference being as wide open this year as the west is...

I feel like it was similar last year, but the way San Antonio executes - it is tough to beat them

 

[Jstack34]

Houston, in my opinion. They seem to matchup well against San Antonio.

They play no defense Dr. Toboggan

 

[MantisToboggan]

They play no defense Dr. Toboggan

No doubt that's true. Love Harden but he's probably the worst culprit of that. I do think they'll turn it up for the playoffs though.

 

[PatsFan1283]

No doubt that's true. Love Harden but he's probably the worst culprit of that. I do think they'll turn it up for the playoffs though.

Ditto...Harden sucks on D but it isn't like he is Steve Nash, he can play better with more effort but regular season he would rather just score. Parsons similar as well.

Howard/Beverly gives you a guy to guard Duncan/Parker. If they can limit the open 3s the Spurs get that should be a pretty good series.

I think they should handle Portland rd 1

Them and LAC are both better than your typical 3rd-4th rated teams in a conference. Both have 2 superstars and a decent amount of upside...I wouldn't necessarily call it wide open since OKC/SA are so good but it definitely will be competitive.

Even GS would be intriguing but that Bogut injury is tough on them, especially against a team that thrives on scoring at the rim like LAC.

 

[PatsFan1283]

Also JStack I do like Wizards chances vs Bulls fwiw.

Just think with their starting 5 healthy they are a better team than their record and Chicago's offense could be downright miserable against a solid D over 7 games.

 

[Jstack34]

Also JStack I do like Wizards chances vs Bulls fwiw.

Just think with their starting 5 healthy they are a better team than their record and Chicago's offense could be downright miserable against a solid D over 7 games.

I think the Wiz def. have a good shot and actually have playoff experienced vets on the 2nd unit which should help. Just excited for them to be back in the playoffs

Hoping this is the same result as last time Wiz faced Bulls in round 1 and Gilbert Arenas did his thing

 

[MantisToboggan]

Ditto...Harden sucks on D but it isn't like he is Steve Nash, he can play better with more effort but regular season he would rather just score. Parsons similar as well.

Howard/Beverly gives you a guy to guard Duncan/Parker. If they can limit the open 3s the Spurs get that should be a pretty good series.

I think they should handle Portland rd 1

Them and LAC are both better than your typical 3rd-4th rated teams in a conference. Both have 2 superstars and a decent amount of upside...I wouldn't necessarily call it wide open since OKC/SA are so good but it definitely will be competitive.

Even GS would be intriguing but that Bogut injury is tough on them, especially against a team that thrives on scoring at the rim like LAC.

I agree with GS if they had Bogut. Lee just can't defend the rim. That'll kill them against Deandre Jordan, Dwight Howard, Tim Duncan, etc.. Hard to out score teams night after night in the playoffs.

 

[PatsFan1283]

I think you'll see them shorten their bench some. Wall has only gone like 35 per, he should be up to 40 in the playoffs.

Ariza, Gortat, Nene all got a lot of playoff experience though. All veterans so they aren't a young team vs a vet team like the Raptors right now.

Bulls had a lot of guys comeup huge for them offensively last year that are now gone....N Rob, Bellinelli and Deng before he got hurt.

If Nene isn't healthy just disregard everything I said, lol.

 

[Jstack34]

Still seems like its a 2 team race in the West even with OKC blowing the game today

 

[Jstack34]

And here is your western conference finals. Wasnt the easiest trip - but both of these teams were + Money to win the West. Spurs were +140 and Thunder was +170 I believe.

 

[donkeybucks]

I initially a month ago up to recently was thinking Spurs all the way. Now I'm thinking OKC goes all the way. Got OKC today at 5-2 odds to win it all.

 

[shdw01]

Whoever wins this wins the championship....I dont know how important ibaka was but hamstring Parker might have killed the spurs chances

 

[devocr]

Whoever wins this wins the championship....I dont know how important ibaka was but hamstring Parker might have killed the spurs chances

--
From rotoworld.com
Tony Parker suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain during Wednesday's Game 5, but said he "should be fine" if the Western Conference Finals begin Monday.
--

Looks like Parker will be back.

Ibaka out for the playoffs. Ibaka was the 3 leading scorer for the Thunder behind Westbrook and Durant. On a team that struggles to get points from other players except for those 2. So this won't make it easier in that regard unless others somehow step it up. (Good coaching, strategy, Brooks?)

Thunder beat the Spurs 4 - 0 during the regular season, also the Nets beat the Heat 4 - 0, so who knows.

You know Pop and the Spurs will be prepared.

Should be a great series, looking forward to it. Spur's in 6 or 7.