RealGM

1. SEA


Coach: Tom Thibodeau

Irving/Chalmers
Harden/Shabazz/Thabo
LeBron/Rush
LMA/Faried/Allen
Dwight/Davis/Seraphin

v

4. PHX


Head Coach: Alvin Gentry

Dragic/Beaubois
Bryant/T Evans/Redd
Granger/Azubuike/Barnes
West/A Randolph
Noah/Amundson/Mahinmi
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

2. SAS


Head Coach - Gregg Popovich

Parker/Miller/Cole
Henderson/R Allen
Marion/Green/Wright
Bosh/Haslem
Duncan/Udoh
v

3. PDX


Rondo/Hinrich
Westbrook/Ginobli
Deng/Jackson
Smith/Blatche
P Gasol/Vucevic

Seattle 4-2

seattle/portland

PHX - SEA (SEA 4-3)
SAS - PDX (PDX 4-3)

Seattle is a bit weak at third string center, but I still think they can pull this one off 4-1

San Antonio in 7

Here it is – David vs. Goliath



Dragic vs. Irving
The 1st of multiple great match-ups. I get the impression that some on this board haven’t seen Dragic play quality minutes – well, make sure you get a chance to next season. In my mind, Dragic matches up well with the young Irving. His euro-style of hardwood quarterbacking will play to his advantage and his fluidity

Bryant vs. Harden
Bryant hasn’t had the opportunity, for some time now, to have a supporting cast that can carry the load like PHX’s can. He doesn’t have to go full hero-Kobe. He gets to sit back and disect the defense. He gets to post up Harden, play lock-down defense and lead a quality team (one much better that the current Lakers squad). If there is one player that can rally a team past the Superfriends, it’s Kobe “freaking” Bryant – and he wins this match-up.

Granger vs. LeBron
We saw this in the recent playoffs as Granger’s Pacers pushed LeBron and Co. to their limits. No one is shutting LeBron down, but Granger can give as good as he gets. LeBron won’t be cheating off of Danny to go hawk the easy weakside shot blocks. Granger can trade points with LeBron

West vs. LMA
This match-up is a wash. Almost the same player – both efficient scorers and both their teams’ respective 4th offensive option. I guess if you’re the voter, it’s really just a matter of who you prefer.

Noah vs. Dwight
What more could you hope for? The second best defensive C on the first. We’ll be happy giving Dwight the best low-post battle he’ll face all year. Noah is active, energetic and tough as nails. It will be a great fight.

PHX’s Super 6th Man
Tyreke Evans will be played for all guard minutes not used by Dragic or Bryant creating match-up problems for SEA’s back court. Though untraditional, running Evans at point (where he excels) with Bryant at the two will enable PHX’s guards to draw extra attention in the low post – forcing Howard to split attention from his assignment and help defense on the guard mis-match.

Seattle wins the series 4-0 and moves on to the Conference Finals

Portland leads the Spurs 2-1

San Antonio wins in 6

Gotta go Spurs in 7.

Spurs lead 3-2

PDX in 7

series tied 3-3

one more vote and it is done

Just wanted to make a few points.

I have an unconventional team (what else is new) but I think my defense is 2nd to one and my offense is pretty damn good. Rondo setting the table for Westbrook will create a potent 2 guard similar to Wade imo. Rondo/WB will need a lot of usage, so Deng is the perfect glue guy to hit the open 3 and shut down whatever perimeter offense (Henderson) the opposing team can muster. Marion/Henderson are good defenders but Marion will be a shell of his former self and Henderson can't carry the perimeter offense and effectively guard WB at the same time.

Allen vs Ginobli, both guys are older and on their last legs but I take Ginobli. His ability to create separation will take a hit but his decision making and playmaking will age nicely.

Frontcourts are a wash, Gasol is underrated at this point and if people think that at their respective ages that Duncan> or even = Gasol (who doesn't rely on athletic ability and would only be 33) they are crazy. Duncan may be retired by 2014, but even if he isn't he will be a decent role player, ok starter. Gasol should be around 16/9 on good D and has plenty of guards willing to get him the ball in the low post/high post and no Bynum clogging the low post area.

Smith is a defensive monster that will bother Bosh and make him work on the other end. His help D needs no explanation and his passing for a big man is very good.

Passing: Rondo/WB/Deng/Smith/Gasol/Ginobli/Jackson are all good to exceptional passers and the bal movement on our team will be 2nd to none imo. Not even SEA can matchup in this regard.

I'll keep this short, where is the offense coming from on SAS? Parker? He'll have to contend with Rondo and WB taking turns on him with Deng helping to stop his unreal penetration. Bosh? Smith is mobile as hell and has the lateral quickness to stay in front of Bosh, and Gasol will be waiting in the post. Our all around defense vs a team with two legit offensive options and no help should make this a short series.

GL Luke.

Blazers in 7.

Very, very tough. I don't think Parker/Hendo/older Allen can handle the scoring load to keep up with Blazers. I think Smith plays Bosh HARD defensively and Duncan/Gasol could be a wash. With Rondo's new & improved outside game and ability to get the offense in rhythm, he's going to have a big series. Westbrook will need to take advantage and not chuck away. Rondo/Westbrook combo is too much for the Spurs backcourt IMO. Very tough call though.

Congrats on a hard fought 7 game series!