Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

[elicoleman]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I guess for me, I don't view it as a #1 vs #8 because of how well Memphis matched up with San Antonio even before this series begun. All the regular season games were close, except the one game Memphis won by double-digits. Same for the playoffs now through 4 games.

I am incredibly surprised at how poorly Duncan has played. I surely expected him to have more of an impact.

[Altimus]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Oh and the series will go 7. If I had a bit of extra money, I'd wager on it.

CP3 will show out one last time but I think LA still advances.

Probably does go 7. Might be like Houston series from two years back.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Like I said earlier, SMMFGDH @ both LA and San Antonio.

NO excuses for EITHER of those series to still be going on. NONE.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I guess for me, I don't view it as a #1 vs #8 because of how well Memphis matched up with San Antonio even before this series begun. All the regular season games were close, except the one game Memphis won by double-digits. Same for the playoffs now through 4 games.

I am incredibly surprised at how poorly Duncan has played. I surely expected him to have more of an impact.

True. They match up great with SA. In fact I could argue that pretty much all the west playoff teams match up well against SA.

It's more about the possibility of the ending of an era at the hands of the Memphis freakin Grizzlies without Rudy. That's what would just leave me stunned.

Probably does go 7. Might be like Houston series from two years back.

Yep, I was thinking that when it got tied at 2-2. Except this is the first round. Uh oh for LA.

Like I said earlier, SMMFGDH @ both LA and San Antonio.

NO excuses for EITHER of those series to still be going on. NONE.

You right you right

However I wouldn't have been that mad if SA and LA both finished out in 6. So basically I'm just shaking my head at SA at the moment. Finishing off NO's in 6 isn't that bad IMO.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

The SA one I can let you slide because you called that in the beginning, when we were talking about the Spurs and the whole 60 win thing and you were saying that what they did in the season wouldn't be worth crap and if Memphis wins tomorrow, then I definitely can't disagree with you on that. Especially with how careful the Spurs seemed to use Duncan this season as far as when to rest him/when not to rest him.

Now LA on the other hand, ain't no way that should still be going on. Now I will say that I haven't watched as much of this series as I like due to time/work and tonight was really the first game I could actually sit and watch them play. But from what I've been hearing on the Radio/Papers whatnot is that Gasol had been struggling in this series and CP3 had been ballin' out of his *** but even still, they should still have enough talent where at the worst, it takes them 5 games. But 6 games though?

[Rawdeal28]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

I guess more the fact that it's a 1 v 8 seed, Timmay/Spurs have long been considered "one of the best teams" of the past decade, that's what would leave me stunned. To see it all end at the hands of a team without their best player on SA's home floor. Ouch.

Zach is thier best player man. Rudy is a good player but he never took Memphis anywhere.

[elicoleman]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

May I ask the opinions of ECF, PPM, etc...when it comes to the Grizzlies, it seems like this forum, as well as other places I'm sure, have this thinking towards them that views them as the Memphis of old that aren't competitive, can't advance, don't belong, etc.

Does that come from a lack of seeing them on TV (I believe they were only on ESPN twice), just being used to the years of mediocrity to think anything differently, the fact they're missing Gay, or what?

Not knocking the opinions you guys have, because you're more familiar with the NBA game that I am, but it's just something I've noticed.

I guess just seeing this team and the toughness they've brought (thanks to Zbo and Allen), which no Grizzlies team had and how much this city has gotten behind this team, there's a confidence in me that feels they could go beyond this round or even the semis. With every win, the hopes grow ever so much.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

From me personally, it had nothing to do with me not thinking the Grizzlies were any good or were awful. Hell, I'll be the first to admit I've watched them play only twice this year and that was when they played NJ.

It had more to do with me thinking the Spurs were gonna be their usual Postseason Selves, especially with how they went about the Regular Season and how they handled some of the Vets as far as rest goes, so of course I assumed that once the Playoffs started, they'd flip that switch and get rid of Memphis real quick, not because I thought the Grizz were bad, but because I always knew what to expect from the Spurs.

I shouldn't have underrated them that much because of the fact they 2 things going for them that you need to survive in the playoffs: People that can rebound and rebound WELL(Gasol, Randolph) and players that have proven they can play Playoff type Defense needed to advance(Battier, Allen)

[Rawdeal28]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

The SA one I can let you slide because you called that in the beginning, when we were talking about the Spurs and the whole 60 win thing and you were saying that what they did in the season wouldn't be worth crap and if Memphis wins tomorrow, then I definitely can't disagree with you on that. Especially with how careful the Spurs seemed to use Duncan this season as far as when to rest him/when not to rest him.

Now LA on the other hand, ain't no way that should still be going on. Now I will say that I haven't watched as much of this series as I like due to time/work and tonight was really the first game I could actually sit and watch them play. But from what I've been hearing on the Radio/Papers whatnot is that Gasol had been struggling in this series and CP3 had been ballin' out of his *** but even still, they should still have enough talent where at the worst, it takes them 5 games. But 6 games though?

ur right, we shouldnt have needed to go 6 games with them but due to us ****ting away game one here we are.

[elicoleman]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

From me personally, it had nothing to do with me not thinking the Grizzlies were any good or were awful. Hell, I'll be the first to admit I've watched them play only twice this year and that was when they played NJ.

It had more to do with me thinking the Spurs were gonna be their usual Postseason Selves, especially with how they went about the Regular Season and how they handled some of the Vets as far as rest goes, so of course I assumed that once the Playoffs started, they'd flip that switch and get rid of Memphis real quick, not because I thought the Grizz were bad, but because I always knew what to expect from the Spurs.

I shouldn't have underrated them that much because of the fact they 2 things going for them that you need to survive in the playoffs: People that can rebound and rebound WELL(Gasol, Randolph) and players that have proven they can play Playoff type Defense needed to advance(Battier, Allen)

Gotcha. That makes sense, especially with not really seeing alot of games. I'm hoping that with this years success, they'll schedule the Grizzlies on national TV more frequently next year.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Zach is thier best player man. Rudy is a good player but he never took Memphis anywhere.

You right. I can't even disagree with that.

May I ask the opinions of ECF, PPM, etc...when it comes to the Grizzlies, it seems like this forum, as well as other places I'm sure, have this thinking towards them that views them as the Memphis of old that aren't competitive, can't advance, don't belong, etc.

Does that come from a lack of seeing them on TV (I believe they were only on ESPN twice), just being used to the years of mediocrity to think anything differently, the fact they're missing Gay, or what?

Not knocking the opinions you guys have, because you're more familiar with the NBA game that I am, but it's just something I've noticed.

I guess just seeing this team and the toughness they've brought (thanks to Zbo and Allen), which no Grizzlies team had and how much this city has gotten behind this team, there's a confidence in me that feels they could go beyond this round or even the semis. With every win, the hopes grow ever so much.

No eli, I respect Memphis. It's just that I respect SA that much more for what they've accomplished.

I've always had Memphis as a borderline playoff team for the past two years. But to think they would have knocked off a 60 win Spurs team? Without Rudy? It's not that I think lowly of Memphis, but the odds were stacked against them.

I definitely knew it was going to be a good series though, me and 24th discussed it at length after Manu got hurt.

We both agreed it would be a hard fought series but in the end smart money was on SA. It's not that I see them as the Grizzlies of old I just never envisioned they would be up 3-1 right now without Rudy Gay, no matter how well they match up with SA.

Also, while I do respect Memphis, I'm gonna still wait until they can put together more successful seasons before I praise them too much. I could easily see Randolph getting lazy, I don't really like Rudy Gay all that much, and the core, while talented just doesn't scream title contender of the future... yet.

[Rawdeal28]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

yeah i picked the spurs to win this series too.

im not shocked the Grizz could win it though when u got 2 bigs who can both rebound and score and play solid defense u have a shot. i just didnt think they would do consistently enough to beat the spurs.

[elicoleman]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Appreciate the responses, always been very interested. Certainly can't disagree with why you feel the way you do.

How do you guys think, on the assumption the Grizzlies beat SA, would fare against OKC?

Also, another question: lets say it was Dallas, LA, Memphis and OKC in the semis...Would you see yourself or perhaps others rooting for the Grizzlies? From an outsiders point of view, are they a likeable/rootable team?

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Appreciate the responses, always been very interested. Certainly can't disagree with why you feel the way you do.

How do you guys think, on the assumption the Grizzlies beat SA, would fare against OKC?

Also, another question: lets say it was Dallas, LA, Memphis and OKC in the semis...Would you see yourself or perhaps others rooting for the Grizzlies? From an outsiders point of view, are they a likeable/rootable team?

The team is likeable but Zach Randolph pretty much evens the balance on his own.

I love Battier. In that situation, it's obviously anybody but LA.

[eDotd]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - First Round Discussion Thread

Appreciate the responses, always been very interested. Certainly can't disagree with why you feel the way you do.

How do you guys think, on the assumption the Grizzlies beat SA, would fare against OKC?

Also, another question: lets say it was Dallas, LA, Memphis and OKC in the semis...Would you see yourself or perhaps others rooting for the Grizzlies? From an outsiders point of view, are they a likeable/rootable team?

I'd say they're pretty likeable. Its nice to see ZBO ballin' instead of BSing and getting in trouble like he used to. I'm aslo a big fan of Marc, but that has a lot to do with the fact that his brother screams like a 7 year old every time he goes up with the ball.

Plus, how can you not root for an 8 seed?