WCQF: P1 | (4) OKC Thunder vs Utah Jazz (5) | Utah wins 4-2

[nbafan38]

My original pick was OKC in 7, not sure now. Likely outcome now would have to Jazz in 6.

Unless Utah lay a complete egg at home, I'm not sure how OKC can win in Utah.

Each game is different, it's the playoffs we see all the time teams look unbeatable at home in one game and then lose at home the next game. I think game 4 is a must win for OKC though, can't see them coming back from 3-1 down to win this. I think you'll see a huge effort out of Russ in game 4. If not again this will hurt his legacy.

[PharmD]

If OKC lost this series i'd be done with the NBA. Losing a series to a bunch of role players when you have Russ, PG, Melo and Adams would be heart breaking.

I dont understand why it is a forgone conclusion that Oklahoma will win. Yes they have marquee names, but over 82 games they tied utah in wins and losses. This is an even match up.

I realize the marquee names on the OKC roster, but they failed to dominate in the regular season.

The thunder went 3-1 vs Jazz in regular season and were considered generally to match up decently with them. Also usually the more veteran star teams wins these kind of series. OKC is a dysfunctional mess and we may need to accept that "the big 3" is just not really as good as people perceive.

nah the issue is just that the Jazz are friggin sweet

[shmito17]

2nd round will just suck w/o OKC and Cleveland. They better get their act together or the rest of the playoffs is going to be a snooze fest outside of the Pelicans... Ugh.

I personally think HOU/Utah will be fun n always have thought so.

Utah can maybe win 2 games against Houston but the series just does't generate excitement.

It wouldn’t generate excitement from a casual fan; but otherwise, you want to see and root for the better, more cohesive team. OKC plays too much hero ball.

I wouldn’t rule out Utah against Houston. They’ve got all the pieces to make a deep run.

[NBAFan93]

He got a free pass last season, supposedly because he had "no help", but can you really build a contender around Russ?

Put KD on his team. Boom - they would be a contender like they were 2 season ago. PG is not as good as KD.

[NaturalBuns]

I agree Westbrook needs to show up big time in game 4. Back to back triple double seasons an MVP. If he goes down balling can't blame him but he needs a big game

[Nuntius]

2nd round will just suck w/o OKC and Cleveland. They better get their act together or the rest of the playoffs is going to be a snooze fest outside of the Pelicans... Ugh.

Couldn't disagree more, honestly. People are way too easy to assume that stars will just have an easy ride. That's not happening anymore. There's a lot of parity in the NBA.

[mtron929]

Here is a controversial take. I think if you swapped Ben Simmons with Russell Westbrook, the Thunder would be a more dangerous team right now.

[Young_Star11]

2nd round will just suck w/o OKC and Cleveland. They better get their act together or the rest of the playoffs is going to be a snooze fest outside of the Pelicans... Ugh.

The better team wins a series 99% of time, particularly over seven games. If they aren't good enough to win a series, that is too bad.

[nbafan38]

2nd round will just suck w/o OKC and Cleveland. They better get their act together or the rest of the playoffs is going to be a snooze fest outside of the Pelicans... Ugh.

Couldn't disagree more, honestly. People are way too easy to assume that stars will just have an easy ride. That's not happening anymore. There's a lot of parity in the NBA.

There is and there isn't, there is a ton of parity in the east but when everyone knows GS (or maybe Houston if Curry stays injured) will sweep whoever comes out of the east in the finals it doesn't generate excitement. GS would sweep Lebron too but at least you get to watch Lebron.

[Nuntius]

2nd round will just suck w/o OKC and Cleveland. They better get their act together or the rest of the playoffs is going to be a snooze fest outside of the Pelicans... Ugh.

Couldn't disagree more, honestly. People are way too easy to assume that stars will just have an easy ride. That's not happening anymore. There's a lot of parity in the NBA.

There is and there isn't, there is a ton of parity in the east but when everyone knows GS (or maybe Houston if Curry stays injured) will sweep whoever comes out of the east in the finals it doesn't generate excitement. GS would sweep Lebron too but at least you get to watch Lebron.

Once again, I disagree. Golden State because miles better than everyone else doesn't take anything away from everyone else. It just means that Golden State is really, really good. They are a dynasty and they will be that as long as they keep their core together.

[Lava Rock Kid]

If OKC lost this series i'd be done with the NBA. Losing a series to a bunch of role players when you have Russ, PG, Melo and Adams would be heart breaking.

I dont understand why it is a forgone conclusion that Oklahoma will win. Yes they have marquee names, but over 82 games they tied utah in wins and losses. This is an even match up.

I realize the marquee names on the OKC roster, but they failed to dominate in the regular season.

The thunder went 3-1 vs Jazz in regular season and were considered generally to match up decently with them. Also usually the more veteran star teams wins these kind of series. OKC is a dysfunctional mess and we may need to accept that "the big 3" is just not really as good as people perceive.

The three losses were in December when the jazz were minus Gobert and really struggling. THis is a different team.

[NBAFan93]

2nd round will just suck w/o OKC and Cleveland. They better get their act together or the rest of the playoffs is going to be a snooze fest outside of the Pelicans... Ugh.

The better team wins a series 99% of time, particularly over seven games. If they aren't good enough to win a series, that is too bad.

But both of those teams have a higher ceiling though. No way Indy is going to be able to beat Toronto, and I really doubt Utah will be competitive against Houston. It’s going to be boring.

[BudTugly]

2nd round will just suck w/o OKC and Cleveland. They better get their act together or the rest of the playoffs is going to be a snooze fest outside of the Pelicans... Ugh.

The better team wins a series 99% of time, particularly over seven games. If they aren't good enough to win a series, that is too bad.

Let’s just get through our current series. Talking about possible futures is BB karma foul.

[nbafan38]

Couldn't disagree more, honestly. People are way too easy to assume that stars will just have an easy ride. That's not happening anymore. There's a lot of parity in the NBA.

There is and there isn't, there is a ton of parity in the east but when everyone knows GS (or maybe Houston if Curry stays injured) will sweep whoever comes out of the east in the finals it doesn't generate excitement. GS would sweep Lebron too but at least you get to watch Lebron.

Once again, I disagree. Golden State because miles better than everyone else doesn't take anything away from everyone else. It just means that Golden State is really, really good. They are a dynasty and they will be that as long as they keep their core together.

I guess we'll agree to disagree. To me the east playoffs are yawnnnn because everyone knows the east winner will be destroyed in the finals, similar to the early 2000s. Having Lebron in it keeps story lines and intrigue going that get lost once he's eliminated.

[Cyrusman122000]

2nd round will just suck w/o OKC and Cleveland. They better get their act together or the rest of the playoffs is going to be a snooze fest outside of the Pelicans... Ugh.

Couldn't disagree more, honestly. People are way too easy to assume that stars will just have an easy ride. That's not happening anymore. There's a lot of parity in the NBA.

There is and there isn't, there is a ton of parity in the east but when everyone knows GS (or maybe Houston if Curry stays injured) will sweep whoever comes out of the east in the finals it doesn't generate excitement. GS would sweep Lebron too but at least you get to watch Lebron.

What would be so exciting about watching the same matchup for the 4th strait year? That sounds awful. Plus we've seen lebron in the finals for 7 strait years now, I would like to think some people would enjoy some new blood. I really enjoy watching Philly, and Toronto play. Great brand of basketball. I don't see this Cavs team is so great to watch

[Catchall]

Westbrook has to challenge Gobert and try to draw fouls. He's the only one who can do it, and he's not going to the rim on Gobert...like at all.

[NBAFan93]

Couldn't disagree more, honestly. People are way too easy to assume that stars will just have an easy ride. That's not happening anymore. There's a lot of parity in the NBA.

There is and there isn't, there is a ton of parity in the east but when everyone knows GS (or maybe Houston if Curry stays injured) will sweep whoever comes out of the east in the finals it doesn't generate excitement. GS would sweep Lebron too but at least you get to watch Lebron.

What would be so exciting about watching the same matchup for the 4th strait year? That sounds awful. Plus we've seen lebron in the finals for 7 strait years now, I would like to think some people would enjoy some new blood. I really enjoy watching Philly, and Toronto play. Great brand of basketball. I don't see this Cavs team is so great to watch

He doesn’t have to be in the finals, but if he’s gone in the 1st round that is going to suck.

[Tomjas]

Here is a controversial take. I think if you swapped Ben Simmons with Russell Westbrook, the Thunder would be a more dangerous team right now.

Not controversial at all IMO as every Sixer that I’ve heard talk about it comments upon how easy it is to play with Simmons

He and Russ both fill stat sheets but they are very different

[PharmD]

Westbrook has to challenge Gobert and try to draw fouls. He's the only one who can do it, and he's not going to the rim on Gobert...like at all.

Well he has to get by Rubio first and Ricky ain't no punk on D

[NBAFan93]

Westbrook has to challenge Gobert and try to draw fouls. He's the only one who can do it, and he's not going to the rim on Gobert...like at all.

Yeah - that’s a good point. They need to figure a lot of crap out. Smh.