2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

[superjames1992]

Okay, we're going to try this again and have the other thread locked. There was too much off-topic stuff in the other thread.

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And, so it begins...... The matchup for the WCF most of us probably predicted before the postseason began. It's a rematch of the 2012 WCF, which the Thunder won in six games. It is probably a rematch of last year's WCF if Westbrook hadn't gone down with an injury in the first round. And, in any case, it's the Spurs' third-straight trip to the WCF. It's a matchup of the two best teams in the West over the last few seasons. The real question is whether the winner can finally beat the Miami Heat.

The big news is that Serge Ibaka is going to be out for the remainder of the playoffs. It will be interesting to see what OKC does. Ibaka has been a real PITA for the Spurs when they have met in the past (such as the 2012 WCF). Will OKC go with more small-ball or will they insert Adams and Collison into the lineup more often?

Game 1 will be on Monday.

Full 2014 Western Conference Finals Schedule:

Game 1 Monday, May 19 Spurs vs. Thunder 9 PM EDT TNT

Game 2 Wednesday, May 21 Spurs vs. Thunder 9 PM EDT TNT

Game 3 Sunday, May 25 Spurs at Thunder 8:30 PM EDT TNT

Game 4 Tuesday, May 27 Spurs at Thunder 9 PM EDT TNT

Game 5* Thursday, May 29 Spurs vs. Thunder 9 PM EDT TNT

Game 6* Saturday, May 31 Spurs at Thunder 8:30 PM EDT TNT

Game 7* Monday, June 2 Spurs vs. Thunder 9 PM EDT TNT

*If Necessary

[cabra1]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Spurs in 7

[MattUM]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Spurs in 6.

Will be interested to see Kawhi match up defensively on Durant. If Kawhi sticks on KD every minute he's on the floor and with Ibaka out, Westbrook will result to playing hero ball again. You can't play like that against the Spurs.

[superjames1992]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Spurs in 6.

Will be interested to see Kawhi match up defensively on Durant. If Kawhi sticks on KD every minute he's on the floor and with Ibaka out, Westbrook will result to playing hero ball again. You can't play like that against the Spurs.

I would have to think Danny Green will be matched up on Westbrook (when Green is in the game). I think the proper strategy will be to try to lock down Durant as much as possible and just hope Westbrook can't win the game on his own. I'd expect Kawhi to be in for almost the whole time Durant is in (unless he's in foul trouble) and Danny Green should also play a lot of minutes, especially if the games tends towards small-ball.

If Kawhi gets in foul trouble, Green can guard Kawhi decently, IMO, and Manu even had some success irritating him in one of the regular season games earlier this season.

I would expect OKC to use more Sefolosha in this series as a Parker-stopper. We'll see how that works out.

I have the Spurs in 7. I don't really see SA winning a closeout game on the road. I could see the Spurs in 5, though. I think it depends on how much the Ibaka injury impacts the Thunder. It should allow Tony and Manu to have more success penetrating into the paint and getting more easy layups without Serge's shot-blocking ability altering and blocking shots.

[darkknightrises]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

When the playoffs started I would have said spurs in 7 if these 2 teams played eatch other but spurs have looked even better so I am now saying 6. For the spurs to beable to beat Portland in just 5 games and to blow them out in like all 4 wins or 3 at least was very impressive.

[The__Answ3r_i3]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Spurs in 7

[BlastX21]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

LeBron and KD are 2 guys that are so good, it makes no difference who the defender is. Kawhi is great, but I doubt he'll affect KD's numbers in any significant way. Against other great defenders such as Jimmy Butler and Paul George, Durant's numbers are actually better than average. Limiting KD will be more about the Spurs' help defense. I also want to see how the Spurs use Duncan. Perkins usually makes his post game obsolete.

[Boltman]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Spurs in 6.

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[The 24th Letter]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Lowe with another great preview

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/conference-finals-preview-how-the-absence-of-ibaka-will-tip-the-series-to-the-spurs/

[23]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Lowe with another great preview

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/co...-to-the-spurs/

I honestly can't see OKC running out to the 3 point line contesting hard for 7 games like that. I don't think thtey play that way.


My problem with this here

In his feverish recovery, Westbrook can run smack into picks:

Are they gonna call cheap fouls on the Spurs pick setters like they did the Clippers because RWB bowls into the pick man?

Westbrook’s athleticism helps compensate for his bad habits. He can snag improbable steals and close airspace quickly enough to block a shot from behind. Those plays have a galvanizing effect on Oklahoma City. There is value in maniacal effort, even if bad fundamentals necessitate it.

Like I said, I dont see this happening all game every game. Athleticism doesn't cover up stupid all the time.
Remember this one? RWB on the wrong side of the floor and they lost this game because of it



Matter of factly OKC has an issue with ball movement. If the Spurs move the ball well they'll get a ton of shots.

Id also use Diaw in the post to tire KD out and put alot of pressure on him to make mistakes on defense because his post D is weak. Exploit it

[KingTocco]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

LeBron and KD are 2 guys that are so good, it makes no difference who the defender is. Kawhi is great, but I doubt he'll affect KD's numbers in any significant way. Against other great defenders such as Jimmy Butler and Paul George, Durant's numbers are actually better than average. Limiting KD will be more about the Spurs' help defense. I also want to see how the Spurs use Duncan. Perkins usually makes his post game obsolete.

Did you watch the Memphis series though? Tony Allen gave KD so many problems, Allen is a fantastic defender. His size was definitely a factor in why he was so effective, he was able to get up under KD and make it hard for him to put the ball on the floor.

I agree, most of the taller defenders on KD don't really seem to be able to stop him too much.

Kawhi vs. KD should be fun to watch

[ojandpizza]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

It's not about KD "getting numbers".. Doesn't matter if he scores 40 a game, if it takes him 40 shots to get there it's good defense and it's hurting their team as a whole..

It's about forcing him into tough contested jumpers so he isn't allowed to get into a rhythm early in the game. And denying him the ball to make him work to get open, hoping to keep the ball in Westbrook's hands longer than usual.. If Durant ends up with 30 that's fine, just make it hard for him to get them and you'll be ok.. He isn't going to win you games by picking spots and turning plays for others.


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[demencia_total]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

If Ibaka is indeed out all series, its a huge hit. He can be an inconsistent man to man defender, he disappears on offense at times (In Brooks' offense? Naaah!) and takes boneheaded 3's from time to time but just the sheer energy and athleticism that they lose is a big deal, specially against the Spurs. San Antonio seems rested and have infused their lineups with youth so I don't think the Thunder will be able to run them tired.

With that said, I'm not ready to count out the Thunder. They just seem to have those crazy runs with Westbrook and Durant that no team can stop when they get going. They just need to do it 4 times in the series and you know that in those games momentum will be on their side in the last few minutes. I'm pretty stoked for this series.

[Optik]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

I honestly can't see OKC running out to the 3 point line contesting hard for 7 games like that. I don't think thtey play that way.

Like I said, I dont see this happening all game every game. Athleticism doesn't cover up stupid all the time.

Matter of factly OKC has an issue with ball movement. If the Spurs move the ball well they'll get a ton of shots.

Unfortunately, (good) basketball doesn't win all the time.

[King_B_Mack]

Re: 2014 Western Conference Finals: #1 San Antonio Spurs vs. #2 Oklahoma City Thunder

Unfortunately, (good) basketball doesn't win all the time.