RealGM

Tough loss against the Clippers last night, which makes it really difficult in our race vs the Spurs for the No 1 seed.
However, I think it might be even a good thing if we get the No 2 seed.
This is why:

I dont really care who we play in the first round, Im very positive we will beat anyone there, but in the second round we would likely face the Lakers, assuming that they finish 3rd place and advance to the 2nd round of the playoffs.
Meanwhile the Clippers will probably finish 4th and play the Spurs in round 2.
Here is what Im thinking: I much rather play the Lakers in the 2nd round than the Clippers, because I think we have a clear advantage over them.
Also, I think the Clippers have a better chance of knocking out the Spurs and the Lakers would have.
That way we COULD face the Clippers in the WCF and have home court advantage.

Anyway, season is far from being over and I think we have a good chance to win all remaining 5 games.
Hopefully the guys will learn from these lately losses and capitalize from them come playoffs.

I want the hardest road to the finals.

That is probably the dream scenario for us Spurs fans. We'd like to avoid LA/Dallas/OKC until the WCF if possible. Getting the 1st seed will likely ensure that.

Out of curiosity, why would you think you have a clear advantage over the Lakers compared to Clippers? Judging from the outside in, it just looks like Clippers are an easier opponent.

Presti built this team to get past the Lakers.

But that still doesn't mean Clippers is the more difficult matchup.

/\/\ Two words = Chris Paul /\/\

Lakers fan in peace... Although my preference is San Antonio in the second round, assuming the favorites win, I do think you are jumping the gun a little in terms of matchups with the Lakers... We do have a PG for the first time in 8 years that has some quickness, still have wto 7 footers, a younger bench (Barnes, McRoberts), fired up Artest and a decent closer... I like your team but I don't think Presti has the same sentiment...

Good luck in the playoffs...

One Love wrote:Lakers fan in peace... Although my preference is San Antonio in the second round, assuming the favorites win, I do think you are jumping the gun a little in terms of matchups with the Lakers... We do have a PG for the first time in 8 years that has some quickness, still have wto 7 footers, a younger bench (Barnes, McRoberts), fired up Artest and a decent closer... I like your team but I don't think Presti has the same sentiment...

Good luck in the playoffs...

I think you misunderstood me. I didnt say anything about the quality of the Lakers team.
I think the Lakers are a better team than the Clippers, maybe even better than the Spurs.
BUT I believe that the Thunder match up better against LAL than LAC, therefore I would rather play them than Clippers or Spurs.

Clippers won't knock off the Spurs broseph, Spurs curb stomped the Clippers this year, and Chris Paul is snakebitten against SA. Spurs always crushed his Hornets teams too, even when they went up 3-1 against SA in 2008, they choked away the series anyway even while Ginobili was playing on a hurt ankle.

Like co_laper said, Spurs fans would be happy to play the Clippers in the 2nd round. I mean . .Phoenix in round 1? Sweep. Clippers in round 2 instead of the Grizzlies? There'd be a party in SA. Spurs in 6 at worst, probably in 5 really.

Then WCF is a beaten up OKC or Lakers team with SA having HCA? . . .Spurs fans would be happy to have that happen. As a Spurs fan myself, that's literally the ultimate "easy scenerio" for SA, other than the realistic WCF being OKC or LA obviously. And SA, imo, can beat either of those teams if SA is healthy for once. The biggest danger for the Spurs against those teams is the officiating.

For OKC, I think you guys would be better facing the Clippers than the Lakers. Lakers are much better and get more calls when it matters than the Clippers. As for Paul, doesn't Westbrook pretty much negate Paul? I haven't watched all the Thunder/Clippers games this year because I never took the Clippers seriously due to the games I watched them playing against SA, LA, Miami, and Chicago. Parker negates Paul every time he plays us, and Westbrook is supposed to be better than Parker. . .so I'd assume the Westbrook/Paul matchup would be a wash. Does Paul kill Westbrook or something?

Plus let's be real, neither SA or OKC wants to play the Grizzlies. Even if we beat them, they're prolly gonna injure somebody first. . .just like the Blazers and Jazz, Grizzlies seem borderline dirty at times.