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The likely path to an NBA Finals trophy is: Thunder>Spurs>Heat

I don't mean to count out the other teams, but let's just say it goes as expected.

Who of those three teams is the toughest for us? In my opinion, the Heat are the best team even though we match up with them the best. Spurs are next best and maybe the most difficult matchup for us.

So I'd go with Spurs.

Spurs just the way they mowed down the Lakers and their record. At least the travel between the cities is less. Although we seem to be a better road team this year anyway. We did get a small break in 2011 with Manu going down. I'd love to see the torch passed from Parker to Conley though in a WCF showdown.

Denver would be our worst nightmare but I don't think they're the same team with their leading scorer out. I really think GSW will pull off the win tonight.

I kind of think Denver's play in the regular season was fool's gold. Basically their entire offense is based on getting points off the other team's laziness (crashing the boards, hitting the fast-break, etc), but that stuff dries up during the playoffs.

We get second chance points too, but we do it by having superior positional rebounders - we don't sacrifice anything in terms of transition defense in order to win the offensive rebounding battle.

Spurs are the toughest.

OKC are not used to play without Westbrook. They miss him badly. Durant can score 50 points a game but nobody else will be able to step up. Moreover, I think Grizzs only lack in defense against PG. Despite Conley's steals I think he is the weakest defender if you compare him with the other 4 starters. Can anybody but Durant make their own shots in OKC?

However, we have to finnish the Clippers. If we gotta go to LA again for the 7 and Blake is able to play we might see a replay of game 2.

bobobolas10 wrote:Spurs are the toughest.

OKC are not used to play without Westbrook. They miss him badly. Durant can score 50 points a game but nobody else will be able to step up. Moreover, I think Grizzs only lack in defense against PG. Despite Conley's steals I think he is the weakest defender if you compare him with the other 4 starters. Can anybody but Durant make their own shots in OKC?

However, we have to finnish the Clippers. If we gotta go to LA again for the 7 and Blake is able to play we might see a replay of game 2.

i have to disagree, i think Mike is a very good defender, but ours bigs (except Arthur), dont play very well the defense on the pick on the perimeter, so thats expose Mike, but its not hes fault.

with regard to the topic, I believe that keeping our game is the toughest challenge, play inside out, pondexter, prince and allen to maintain the level, and especially zach follow playing inside and not shooting to many jumps shot.

I watched the Gametime NBA spurs warriors preview and they mentioned that Warriors have lost like 30 straight game in San Antonio!?!?

But one fellow said, "Throw all that out, this is round 2 playoffs". I had thought also our record against GSW in regular season was perfect so playing them would be a cake walk. Maybe not.

I rather face a normal Spurs team than a red hot Warriors team. If the spurs just kind of go through the motions with GSW and win without too much struggle it might be better for us than if the GSW pull off miracle shots to win that series. Hard to say - lot of games between here and there.

Well, actually not that I mean that Conley might be a bad defender but anyway, not too many people can stop Chris Paul. If we get to WCF, Spurs will be there, waiting for us. Spurs will get rid of the warriors in 4 or 5 games. So expect a fresh Parker to get us in trouble as well.

david lee is going to play? with him and Bogut (last game), i believe they can beat the spurs.

Last night the Warriors gave the game away after having the Spurs pinned down by 16pts. If the Warriors want to win the series, thye must use their youth athleticism to overrun the veteran Spurs team like the Thunder did to them in last year's playoffs.

Spurs offense vs Grizzlies defense would make a hell of a WCF.

Fahrenhait wrote:Spurs offense vs Grizzlies defense would make a hell of a WCF.

I think you meant to say Warriors. That is exactly what I wrote above which would be I think the biggest challenge. If these Warrirors keep this up and upset the Spurs their confidence really gets heady. It would be a battle royale!

I think that the Spurs would be incredibly tough, and it was extremely difficult beating them two years back. With that said, our transition defense is not spectacular and the Miami Heat are a team filled with shooters up and down the roster. While we have the matchup advantage inside in a slowed down halfcourt battle, I doubt it will ever come down to that in the playoffs, where they would run it down our throats. The Heat are the most difficult opponent.

jman3134 wrote:I think that the Spurs would be incredibly tough, and it was extremely difficult beating them two years back. With that said, our transition defense is not spectacular and the Miami Heat are a team filled with shooters up and down the roster. While we have the matchup advantage inside in a slowed down halfcourt battle, I doubt it will ever come down to that in the playoffs, where they would run it down our throats. The Heat are the most difficult opponent.

If I hadn't seen either of the two Heat-Grizzlies games this season, I might be inclined to agree with you.

But I did watch them. And there really never seemed to be a point where the Heat were able to play their pace. Taking mostly short shots and getting good offensive rebounding position from our bigs makes it very difficult for opposing teams to generate those quick run-outs and outlet passes.

Both LAC and OKC have struggled to overcome this problem, despite having similar athleticism and full-court prowess to that of the Heat.

I don't think Lebron compares to anything on the Clippers or OKC. Durant is a completely different player. And, Lebron presents much more of a matchup nightmare for the Grizz.

Having also watched those games, I recognize- though- that they were in the regular season. Our transition defense has not been good in the playoffs. Most of OKC's points came in the fast break.