The ECF for the 6th time in 8 years.
We've gone 8-2 for the playoffs thus far and played in only one clutch game, which we won, and we've done it mostly without our third best player for 75% of the games. Every other team is going 6 or 7, and honestly, we've had long stretches where we've not played super well and played down to the competition.
Regardless of the competition, given all of that I think we're right where we need to be and should be happy. I think some people are a little unrealistic with their expectations that we should be blowing out teams every night just because of our regular season record. That's simply not how it works in the NBA, especially the playoffs and even with guys out. Stars being out only opens up more opportunities for other NBA-level players.
It’s reasonable to make something of the 8-2 playoff record. It’s right in line with their 64-18 regular season record. In fact - percentage-wise a little better. The negative posters have one mantra - we’ll lose to Denver. No reason to go there - except to provoke. Everyone understands Denver will be tough to beat. I’m not certain
Funnily enough, the negative nancies are doing what they accuse the team of doing - disrespecting the competition. We don't know if we'll play Denver in the Finals. We haven't gotten there yet, neither has Denver. A lot can happen between then and now. All the guys can do is continue to play the teams in front of them.
And for the record, Denver doesn't look like an unstoppable force should we end up facing them. They eked out a couple of buzzer beating wins in the first round when they were down big and let Minny go up 2-0. That's the same flip the switch mentality quite a few here claim will kill the C's.