The West Watch

Magz50 · Post #1 » by **Magz50** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 1:57 pm

I decided to start a thread keeping an eye on all other games in the west leading into the playoffs, the Lakers and Boston did us a favour last night by beating Houston and Dallas. Giving us some much needed breathing space. GS also dropped a game. Now we have to beat CHitown tomorrow.

Rique · Post #2 » by **Rique** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:19 pm

Detroit did us a favor as well by beating Denver. Pushing the 9th seed further down. Not that I'm really worried about it.

LyMinh · Post #3 » by **LyMinh** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:27 pm

I think seeding in the West is going to be completely meaningless this year, including home court advantage. The top 8 teams are so close to each other it's ridiculous. As long as we get in the playoffs, which we should.

DBMethos · Post #4 » by **DBMethos** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:09 pm

The only team I think where seeding matters would be Utah, who are a completely different team home than on the road. Outside of that, maybe Golden State. Everyone else, I don't think it matters where the games are played.

Blame Rasho · Post #5 » by **Blame Rasho** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:27 pm

We are as of today 2 games back from first... but also 2 1/2 games in front of out of the playoffs.

Rique · Post #6 » by **Rique** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:03 pm

Call me crazy but I think its looking pretty good now for the Spurs. I feel they've had their wake up call and brighter days are coming. A lot of the other playoff teams have rough schedules coming up. Brent Barry is coming back, (hopefully) and he will cheer up the locker room. I think Houston has come back down to earth a bit and will lose a few games now. The Laker's are playing without Gasol and Bynum. Looks like Bynum will not return until the playoffs. Phoenix seems to be getting their stride now but they have some tough games coming up. The Spurs made it through the worst part now and aside from this 4 games in 5 days, the rest of the season should slow down a bit. Not much but a bit which should make a difference. I see the Spurs picking it up now...maybe I'm delusional but I see 11-13 wins in the last 15.

Ballings7 · Post #7 » by **Ballings7** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:32 pm

Well said Rique, I think the rest of the season will be good

Donald Kaufman · Post #8 » by **Donald Kaufman** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:52 am

Amazing to think that a 29 win Hawks team is looking at the 8th seed, while the 41 win Warriors are clinging to aplayoff spot.

I agree with LyMinh, seeding in the west is pretty meaningless this year. I don't know that there can be any "upsets" as in years past. I wouldn't consider 8th GSW beating 1st Houston as an upset at all, if it were to happen.

aikgtd · Post #9 » by **aikgtd** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:27 am

First off, I'm enjoying the posts so far! I agree that 'home court' advantage really doesn't play a factor this year in the west. (except for Utah) I still hope we can get in the top 3 seeds. I can't wait for the playoffs!!

Blame Rasho · Post #10 » by **Blame Rasho** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 2:49 am

aikgtd wrote:First off, I'm enjoying the posts so far! I agree that 'home court' advantage really doesn't play a factor this year in the west. (except for Utah) I still hope we can get in the top 3 seeds. I can't wait for the playoffs!!

It is scary to think that a team can post 168 points and be a lotto team. The west is so tight. I believe that Denver is actually better than Cleveland.

I think the aura of playing in Utah is overrated, they have a nice home record but I am sure no team is afraid of going there. I am sure most of the teams in the West can win a game or two there. The playoffs are a much different animal.

aikgtd · Post #11 » by **aikgtd** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:06 am

Denver is really a strange team...I don't get how they have the talent but they don't show it record wise.

I agree that playing in Utah is overrated...yes they do have a great home record, but when it comes to SA, PHX, LAL coming in their house they do not feel intimidated at all. I think that this year is going to be different as far as teams being able to win on the road in the west.

Ballings7 · Post #12 » by **Ballings7** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:28 am

Yeah, it's different in the playoffs because you're playing one team that's solid-very good, multiple times. As well as with no back to backs, and the different mind-set of playoff games.

johnnyjohnnyjohnny · Post #13 » by **johnnyjohnnyjohnny** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:13 pm

I strongly disagree that seeding doesn't matter this year. I think homecourt advantage is always beneficial in a 7 game seres, and I also feel that momentum going nito the playoffs is important. I'd feel much more comfortable having us steamroll into the playoffs instead of stumble in backwards.

Magz50 · Post #14 » by **Magz50** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:16 pm

Houston drop another one to NO. Philly beat Denver too. Damn Philly is underrated this year!

Blame Rasho · Post #15 » by **Blame Rasho** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:00 pm

Magz50 wrote:Houston drop another one to NO. Philly beat Denver too. Damn Philly is underrated this year!

I saw the game where they beat the Pistons and I was impressed.... they work hard, they just need more overall talent and they can be a good team in the east.

Ballings7 · Post #16 » by **Ballings7** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 7:01 pm

TDITM wrote:I saw the game where they beat the Pistons and I was impressed.... they work hard, they just need more overall talent and they can be a good team in the east.

Yeah, I enjoy their team and style... fun to watch on both ends of the court. Play hard-nosed basketball. Don't have a serious amount of talent, offense, but they make the most out of what they have. They have a bright future financially and personnel-wise. Getting those young players a taste of the post-season will be good. And for Iguodala, Dalembert, more. They've carried over what they did after the AI trade last season to this season, getting wins and building confidence to what they are now.

Magz50 · Post #17 » by **Magz50** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:47 pm

Utah and Dallas both dropping games, looking good for us.

Magz50 · Post #18 » by **Magz50** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 1:19 pm

More movement last night with the Suns losing and Warriors losing to the fakers.

Tiga · Post #19 » by **Tiga** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:09 am

Philly beats Boston. Miller and Igoudala...amazing performances. Nice to see potential post-AI3!

Ballings7 · Post #20 » by **Ballings7** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:22 am

^ Yeah, that was a great game by Philly, came back from 11 down and won it

Also got to mention Thaddeus Young with 16 pts and 9 rebs, he's really come on well in the last month. Impressive, overlooked rookie.

I think the Suns will lose this time around against Boston... KG will be healthy and not just coming off a month injury, and Ray Allen/Pierce aren't going to shoot like they did in Phoenix. A rarity for each, let alone combined. Also in Boston, and with Cassell now.

Should be a good game, though