Western Conference Finals - Old School vs. Young Legs

Post #1 » by **slick_watts** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:11 pm

Western Conference Finals!

This is a very tough series to put a lot of predictions on. The teams did not meet after the trade deadline, and Dallas has looked terrific in the playoffs against two teams that do not resemble the Thunder at all.

Here are some favorable things to think about:

- Dallas is shooting 41.9% from 3PT range in the playoffs (up from 36.5%) on 22.7 attempts a game. Is that sustainable against the Thunder? If it is, the series will be short and you'll have to tip your caps. But I don't think it's likely as the Thunder will surely focus on this.

- Thunder lead all teams in the playoff in opponent shot defense. Opponents are only shooting 44.5% eFG in the playoffs against OKC. This is huge against the Mavericks because they are not a team that goes to the FT line often, they are fourth worst in the NBA in FT/FGA. They also haven't forced a lot of turnovers, and are average on the offensive boards - meaning they don't get a ton of extra shot attempts. So it will be the shot making ability of the Mavericks against the excellent shot defense of the Thunder.

- Thunder 3PT shooting is much better since the All Star break. Good perimeter shooting will dissuade Dallas from using the matchup zone a lot.

I don't think this is a super great matchup for either team. I think in the end the series will come down to coaching and experience, with Dallas pulling it out in seven.

bbms · Post #2 » by **bbms** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:19 pm

Two of my favorite players Durant vs Dirk. If Thunder don't win it, I'd be happy if Mavs become the champion.

I hope Westbrook, Harden and Durant keep their games up. I hope Sefolosha somehow can't play this series and Ibaka get healthy.

CKRT · Post #3 » by **CKRT** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:37 pm

Harden needs to come up big.

theokie · Post #4 » by **theokie** » Sun May 15, 2011 11:07 pm

Mavs in 6.

It was a good run for us. But I think well come up short.

HeartSouloma · Post #5 » by **HeartSouloma** » Sun May 15, 2011 11:20 pm

This is going to be a good series for both team! Its going to be a tuff match-up problems for both teams, I just hope Okc can guard their 3 pt line.

Edit- Why people keep on hating on this team? And Bulls forums is just hating lol.... good luck guarding LBJ's and Wade if you can guard them.

Bulls fans is just mad because we have a better roster than theirs. I hope MIA destroy that team, I just hate haters! Even if we lose to Mavs I still congrats to this team.

Sagev · Post #6 » by **Sagev** » Sun May 15, 2011 11:39 pm

Going to be a fun series. Bulls fans are hating? They have some nerve. More experts picked Okc to win this series than them beating MIA. Not like that matters..but still.

Krodis · Post #7 » by **Krodis** » Sun May 15, 2011 11:55 pm

Double-teaming Dirk is a really bad idea so hopefully we don't do it.

HeartSouloma · Post #8 » by **HeartSouloma** » Mon May 16, 2011 12:02 am

Krodis wrote:Double-teaming Dirk is a really bad idea so hopefully we don't do it.

That's true because if you double team then Dirk is going to dish the ball to one of his shooters so they can shoot a 3 pointer. Lakers did the same thing double teaming on Dirk and look what happen to them. But if we leave Dirk one on one then hes going to own us down-low.

Remember this team can't guard the 3 point line that good. So this is a tuff one.

Krodis · Post #9 » by **Krodis** » Mon May 16, 2011 12:07 am

Dirk is going to own us (or anyone really) regardless, we just can't turn that into him owning us PLUS the Mavs hitting 15 threes a game.

HeartSouloma · Post #10 » by **HeartSouloma** » Mon May 16, 2011 12:09 am

Krodis wrote:Dirk is going to own us (or anyone really) regardless, we just can't turn that into him owning us PLUS the Mavs hitting 15 threes a game.

But remember they don't have a answer at point too. Westbrook is going to own them with his speed, so thats a big plus for OKC. I still think Dallas is going to beat us but hey this team is YOUNG and Dallas team is old with alot of EXP. Any thing can happen in this series.

Krodis · Post #11 » by **Krodis** » Mon May 16, 2011 12:17 am

I really do think we have a good shot if we play smart stay at home defense and avoid fouling.

wiff · Post #12 » by **wiff** » Mon May 16, 2011 2:10 am

I want to see Durant on Dirk. This is going to be a great series. I see OKC in 6.

fallacy · Post #13 » by **fallacy** » Mon May 16, 2011 2:11 am

I got mavs in 6, hopefully I'm wrong

sefant77 · Post #14 » by **sefant77** » Mon May 16, 2011 3:39 am

KDfan35 wrote:
Krodis wrote:Dirk is going to own us (or anyone really) regardless, we just can't turn that into him owning us PLUS the Mavs hitting 15 threes a game.

But remember they don't have a answer at point too. Westbrook is going to own them with his speed, so thats a big plus for OKC.

A "KDfan" that didnt watch any Mavs-Thunder game this season, interesting.

"Zone"

HeartSouloma · Post #15 » by **HeartSouloma** » Mon May 16, 2011 4:08 am

sefant77 wrote:
KDfan35 wrote:
Krodis wrote:Dirk is going to own us (or anyone really) regardless, we just can't turn that into him owning us PLUS the Mavs hitting 15 threes a game.

But remember they don't have a answer at point too. Westbrook is going to own them with his speed, so thats a big plus for OKC.

A "KDfan" that didnt watch any Mavs-Thunder game this season, interesting.

"Zone"

Whats that supposed to mean? I do watch some of Dallas vs OKC game in the off season. And it's true that Jason Kidd is old and he can't keep up with Westbrook. Maybe Barea but he just can't stop WB.

And maybe you haven't been watching any of OKC games, and see WB killing on other PG. But hey its my opinion you just have to respect that.

Devilanche · Post #16 » by **Devilanche** » Mon May 16, 2011 4:21 am

wiff wrote:I want to see Durant on Dirk. This is going to be a great series. I see OKC in 6.

i see what you see. We have to win it in 6. Doubt we can steal a 7th if the need arise. Series will go to 6 or 7 either way.

Stolen Team Fan · Post #17 » by **Stolen Team Fan** » Mon May 16, 2011 10:27 am

KDfan35 wrote:
Krodis wrote:Double-teaming Dirk is a really bad idea so hopefully we don't do it.

That's true because if you double team then Dirk is going to dish the ball to one of his shooters so they can shoot a 3 pointer. Lakers did the same thing double teaming on Dirk and look what happen to them. But if we leave Dirk one on one then hes going to own us down-low.

Remember this team can't guard the 3 point line that good. So this is a tuff one.

The best thing the Thunder can do is throw lots of bodies at Dirk and hope to tire him out. If they have Ibaka, Collison, Mohammed, and Durant all guard him for stretches, that's a lot of fouls that can be administered (6 each and say 3 for Durant to be safe). While it is true that Dirk will light anybody up, 40 or even 50 points alone won't win the game for the Mavs. Have everybody else stick to their men like glue. No help defense. If the defender gets beat off of the dribble, oh well. That's still better than raining 3s. Besides, look at the Mavs' roster... how many of them are really going to beat anybody off the dribble anymore? Barea maybe. That's about it. If anything, I'd put Westbrook on him, and let the other guard on the floor guard Kidd or Terry.

Devilanche wrote:We have to win it in 6. Doubt we can steal a 7th if the need arise. Series will go to 6 or 7 either way.

Very true.

CKRT · Post #18 » by **CKRT** » Mon May 16, 2011 1:40 pm

just realized how crazy it is we are in the WCF when last year we were bounced in the first round.

think of how good this core is going to be when they're 26.

theokie · Post #19 » by **theokie** » Mon May 16, 2011 5:53 pm

CKRT wrote:just realized how crazy it is we are in the WCF when last year we were bounced in the first round.

think of how good this core is going to be when they're 26.

or 2 1/2 years ago when we were 3-29

LApwnd · Post #20 » by **LApwnd** » Mon May 16, 2011 11:39 pm

Good Luck!