Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

[WTF]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate and say:

Grizzlies in 6
Lakers in 7

[Dice]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

I'm going to play Devil's Advocate and say:

Grizzlies in 6
Lakers in 7

And I'm gonna play THE DEVIL and say:

Mavs in 6
Grizzlies in 6

[WTF]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread



I almost made that exact prediction, but game 6 will go to the Lakers, and back at home for the series victory.

[ZB9]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

When I see Steve Blake and Matt Barnes as the Lakers' 7th and 8th options off of the bench, it increases the odds for a Mavs upset imo

The Lakers 1 through 6 is really good obviously, but their #7 and #8 are a weakness. Of course, the playoffs are mostly about tightened rotations but with games every other day, LA is going to need their bench some against the Mavs who will probably be using a 9 or 10 man rotation. That is one advantage for Dallas

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

I dunno, when I see JJ Barrea and Jason Terry and Peja as their other scoring options I don't see how you can point to Barnes and Blake being a reason for an upset.

If anything Dallas better pray to God that Pau is still on her menstrual cycle and that Odumb doesn't show up for at least two games. Other than that Jason Kidd probably isn't going to have two season best games like he did against Portland.

Kobe should punish whomever they put in front of him.

[ZB9]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

I dunno, when I see JJ Barrea and Jason Terry and Peja as their other scoring options I don't see how you can point to Barnes and Blake being a reason for an upset.

Have you watched the Mavs at all this season? Did you see them at all against your "vaunted and loaded" Portland squad?

As far as Peja, he played extremely well against Portland. I guess you think it was some fluke, if you watched the series at all, but that wasn't Peja's first playoff series. He is a perfect fit for this Mavs squad and I would take him over anyone LA has on their bench 7 through 12

Terry, Haywood, Peja, JJ Barea, Brewer, Roddy B, Mahimi...that is certainly a much better bench than the Lakers bench. Of course, that's not at the top of the list of importance in this series since the playoffs are mainly about tightened rotations, but it will be a factor.

If anything Dallas better pray to God that Pau is still on her menstrual cycle and that Odumb doesn't show up for at least two games. Other than that Jason Kidd probably isn't going to have two season best games like he did against Portland.

Kobe should punish whomever they put in front of him.

I dont know why you are acting like his performance against Portland was some fluke. JKidd has been playing well all season long, certainly better than Fisher. He will be on Kobe at times, as well as Artest (which favors LA) but the Fisher and Blake match up is a good one for Kidd/Barea/Terry and favors Dallas. Similar to Fisher, Kidd has problems with quick athletic waterbug PGs, which the Lakers do not have. The short turnaround time in between games will affect Kidd negatively, but the same goes for Fisher.

Kobe will be a handful for everyone that the Mavs use to take turns trying to guard him. They wont be able to stop him, and that is the main reason why the Lakers should be favored...but one advantage Dallas has in this series is at point guard. I hope the Lakers dismiss him as much as you have, but somehow I doubt that they will.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

Marion and DeShawn are no defensive slouches.

Stevenson? Na.

Marion? Ron will punish whatever guard they switch onto him.

Have you watched the Mavs at all this season? Did you see them at all against your "vaunted and loaded" Portland squad?

As far as Peja, he played extremely well against Portland. I guess you think it was some fluke, if you watched the series at all, but that wasn't Peja's first playoff series. He is a perfect fit for this Mavs squad and I would take him over anyone LA has on their bench 7 through 12

Terry, Haywood, Peja, JJ Barea, Brewer, Roddy B, Mahimi...that is certainly a much better bench than the Lakers bench. Of course, that's not at the top of the list of importance in this series since the playoffs are mainly about tightened rotations, but it will be a factor.

I dont know why you are acting like his performance against Portland was some fluke. JKidd has been playing well all season long, certainly better than Fisher. He will be on Kobe at times, as well as Artest (which favors LA) but the Fisher and Blake match up is a good one for Kidd/Barea/Terry and favors Dallas. Similar to Fisher, Kidd has problems with quick athletic waterbug PGs, which the Lakers do not have. The short turnaround time in between games will affect Kidd negatively, but the same goes for Fisher.

Kobe will be a handful for everyone that the Mavs use to take turns trying to guard him. They wont be able to stop him, and that is the main reason why the Lakers should be favored...but one advantage Dallas has in this series is at point guard. I hope the Lakers dismiss him as much as you have, but somehow I doubt that they will.

Bro when someone disagrees with you you have a tendency to not believe they've ever watched Dallas.

Can't wait for this series to play out.

[ZB9]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

Stevenson? Na.

Marion? Ron will punish whatever guard they switch onto him.

Dallas is really going to miss Caron Butler this series

They are going to have to guard Kobe by committee and are going to need to give Corey Brewer some run in this series imo

Bro when someone disagrees with you you have a tendency to not believe they've ever watched Dallas.

Well have you? I ask that because if you had I doubt that you would have felt that Portland had such a loaded bench compared to Dallas in their past series. The bench was one of Portland's main weaknesses in the series and main advantages for Dallas. Before that series, you were acting like Batum was Scottie Pippen v2 and Peja was some scrub.

[da ThRONe]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

I'm going with

Thunder in 5

Mavs in 6

The Griz won't find OKC nearly as beatable

The Lakers just look flawed. I think Dallas match up better than many people think. This isn't my undersized, short-handed Hornets.

edit: I'm taking the Lakers in 7.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

Ron Artest won't punish anyone on offense.

If they have to put an undersized guard on him I wouldn't be surprised if Ron got some post points.

But yeah you're probably right on that.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

Dallas is really going to miss Caron Butler this series

They are going to have to guard Kobe by committee and are going to need to give Corey Brewer some run in this series imo

Well have you? I ask that because if you had I doubt that you would have felt that Portland had such a loaded bench compared to Dallas in their past series. The bench was one of Portland's main weaknesses in the series and main advantages for Dallas. Before that series, you were acting like Batum was Scottie Pippen v2 and Peja was some scrub.

I thought Portland had a "loaded" bench? Bro I predicted Dallas to win the series. I believed Portland did have gritty defenders, not that they were "loaded" in any sense. I never said anything about Batum and Pippen. come on you gotta stop that.

Peja is a scrub. Still.

My main point was how you are saying Barnes/Blake will be the downfall of LA... when overall your starting lineup/bench isn't on the same level as LA's.

I don't get how that would be a major factor.

As I said, Dallas better hope for a repeat no show of Pau and Odom if Dallas wants to win.

[goh]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

Lakers in 7
The Mavs pose some intresting problems but in the end Kobe will do his thing in a game 7 blow out.

Thunder in 5
Perk and Serge I'llBlockYa should be able to shutdown Randolph and Gasol. Without Rudy G and the addition of Perkins to the Thunder the Grizz winning the season series 3-1 won't transfer here.

[ScoobySnax]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

LOL @ Ibaka Flocka Flame

Both of the series' will be great to watch. I think the Mavs will pose problems for LA, but I think LA will prevail in the end.

Memphis and OKC will be the series to watch. Z-Bo will neutralize Ibaka's ability to block shots be getting into his body (pause). I think the Gasol/Perkins matchup will not be a wash. Gasol is very skllled and will get Perk into this usual foul trouble. Now I do feel sorry for poor Mike Conley because Westbrook is gonna kill him. Battier/KD should be fun to watch. KD still drops 30/night tho. I can't call a winner in this one. Too close.

[Boltman]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

Thunder in 6

Lakers in 6

[elicoleman]

Re: Western Conference Playoffs - Second Round Discussion Thread

Lakers in 7
Grizzlies in 7