Any 1st round playoff series you'd like to see?

[PosImpos]

I think a Spurs-Lakers series is decided by the health of Andrew Bynum and Tony Parker.

If Bynum is in the lineup, I think the Lakers win. I think his size and defensive ability is enough to slow down Tim Duncan. I also think San Antonio's collection of big men cannot matchup against Pau/Bynum/Odom.

If Parker is healthy, I think the Lakers win. San Antonio loses it's matchup advantage at the point with Manu Ginobili and it's overall defensive play gets weakened considerably. San Antonio has a good advantage with Ginobili-Bogans-Jefferson trio on the perimeter, it helps offset some of their interior defensive issues, and without that advantage and with Manu taking a smaller role offensively ... I do not see them beating Los Angeles.

Bynum is expected back in time for the first round so the Lakers should win a matchup with the Spurs.

Tony Parker has been very good against the Lakers in the past, though.  Derek Fisher simply can't defend him.  Who's to say Manu wouldn't still play a large role on offense with Parker back?

[Who]

I think a Spurs-Lakers series is decided by the health of Andrew Bynum and Tony Parker.

If Bynum is in the lineup, I think the Lakers win. I think his size and defensive ability is enough to slow down Tim Duncan. I also think San Antonio's collection of big men cannot matchup against Pau/Bynum/Odom.

If Parker is healthy, I think the Lakers win. San Antonio loses it's matchup advantage at the point with Manu Ginobili and it's overall defensive play gets weakened considerably. San Antonio has a good advantage with Ginobili-Bogans-Jefferson trio on the perimeter, it helps offset some of their interior defensive issues, and without that advantage and with Manu taking a smaller role offensively ... I do not see them beating Los Angeles.

Bynum is expected back in time for the first round so the Lakers should win a matchup with the Spurs.

Tony Parker has been very good against the Lakers in the past, though.  Derek Fisher simply can't defend him.  Who's to say Manu wouldn't still play a large role on offense with Parker back?

I don't think Tony Parker has been that good against Derek Fisher and the Lakers in recent years. I thought Parker routinely destroyed Fisher several years ago but over the last 2-3 seasons it has been closer to his regular level of performance.

I don't think Parker's dribble penetration has been as effective against LA as it usually is. He seems to have problems with their length both on the interior and on the wings for the drive and kick. When they've needed Parker to make big plays against LA, he's failed more often than he's succeeded. He spends a lot more time on the ball versus LA to get his regular numbers and he consistently fails to take advantage of the Derek Fisher matchup like he should ... because you're right, Fish couldn't defend Parker if his life depended on it.

I don't know, I just expect more out of Parker against LA given the matchup at the point and he has failed to do several times over the past couple of seasons. I don't like the idea of him returning to the team, using a lot of possessions, and Manu Ginobili taking a smaller (still large) role offensively in order to make it happen + then lose your advantage defensively.

I don't think a return of Tony Parker gives San Antonio a better chance against LA.

I also think the Spurs have played better this season without him.

[Fafnir]

The big question with the Spurs, is how serious is George Hill's ankle?

They need him or Parker.

[Who]

The big question with the Spurs, is how serious is George Hill's ankle?

They need him or Parker.

Good point -- I retract my initial stance. They need Parker if Hill is out. The Spurs don't have enough quality depth on the wings to handle Ginobili playing all his minutes at the point.

San Antonio Express -- link -- says that Hill is going to take an MRI today and that they don't know how long he'll be out yet. Popovich said it'll likely be awhile though. The article also states that Tony Parker is due back in a little over a week and will hopefully play a couple of regular season games before the playoffs begin.

[snively]

No aesthetic justification, but I'd love for Charlotte to slip to the 8th seed and play the Cavs.  Wallace, Diaw, Chandler, Thomas and Mohammed is as deep and athletic a front court as the East has to offer.  If Jackson can get hot in the 4th quarters, they can get out in transition and Felton can keep them on life support in the half-court, they might be able to give the Cavs a run for their money.

I don't think anyone in the West can oust the Lakers.  Outside of the Spurs everyone of those teams has huge flaws (Utah is completely overmatched on the wings, Denver is too unstable, Dallas depends too heavily on contested jump-shooting from Nowitzki and Butler, OK City's frontcourt is way overmatched, Phoenix can't defend, Portland is too banged up) and the Spurs would have to be healthy and clicking on all cylinders.   

I want to see us facing the Bucks.  Give us a chance at smoothing out our playoff rotation for what's sure to be a nightmarish match-up in the 2nd round.

[indeedproceed]

Everything out west is going to be a joy to watch.

[Redz]

I was really lookng forward to seeing Milwaukee playing whoever...that Bogut injury stinks.

[PosImpos]

Everything out west is going to be a joy to watch.

I agree.

[Kiorrik]

Out west:

Denver, Utah and Dallas don't interest me at all, and the Spurs only a little.

I'd love to see Portland vs Lakers. Really.



The big east:

I hope Chicago makes it into the playoffs, and the Raptors fall off, because I totally dislike Toronto. Other than that there's the Bobcats who I don't really enjoy watching, and the rest should be all good.



In short: lots of interesting stuff happening.

[Mr October]

No aesthetic justification, but I'd love for Charlotte to slip to the 8th seed and play the Cavs.  Wallace, Diaw, Chandler, Thomas and Mohammed is as deep and athletic a front court as the East has to offer.  If Jackson can get hot in the 4th quarters, they can get out in transition and Felton can keep them on life support in the half-court, they might be able to give the Cavs a run for their money.

I don't think anyone in the West can oust the Lakers.  Outside of the Spurs everyone of those teams has huge flaws (Utah is completely overmatched on the wings, Denver is too unstable, Dallas depends too heavily on contested jump-shooting from Nowitzki and Butler, OK City's frontcourt is way overmatched, Phoenix can't defend, Portland is too banged up) and the Spurs would have to be healthy and clicking on all cylinders.   

I want to see us facing the Bucks.  Give us a chance at smoothing out our playoff rotation for what's sure to be a nightmarish match-up in the 2nd round.

Wow, the Bobcats have taken out Cleveland 3 times this year. Heck yeah, that could be a good matchup. Wallace and Jackson vs James.

[MMacOH]

No aesthetic justification, but I'd love for Charlotte to slip to the 8th seed and play the Cavs.  Wallace, Diaw, Chandler, Thomas and Mohammed is as deep and athletic a front court as the East has to offer.  If Jackson can get hot in the 4th quarters, they can get out in transition and Felton can keep them on life support in the half-court, they might be able to give the Cavs a run for their money.

I don't think anyone in the West can oust the Lakers.  Outside of the Spurs everyone of those teams has huge flaws (Utah is completely overmatched on the wings, Denver is too unstable, Dallas depends too heavily on contested jump-shooting from Nowitzki and Butler, OK City's frontcourt is way overmatched, Phoenix can't defend, Portland is too banged up) and the Spurs would have to be healthy and clicking on all cylinders.   

I want to see us facing the Bucks.  Give us a chance at smoothing out our playoff rotation for what's sure to be a nightmarish match-up in the 2nd round.

Wow, the Bobcats have taken out Cleveland 3 times this year. Heck yeah, that could be a good matchup. Wallace and Jackson vs James.

Charlotte's defense has given the Cavs fits this year, but the Cavs with Jamison are completely different team and match up much better with Charlotte.  I also, doubt they finish in 8th.

I am going to hate watching Miami in general.  Wade gets more calls than any player in the league due to his size (and flopping).  He drives in and any small contact completely bumps him off course drawing a foul.  Bigger guys (Lebron, Pierce) get hit a lot more frequently without a foul call.  Just look at Lebron's 4th quarter on Sunday.  He was hit on a lot of his drives in the 4th quarter and no foul was called (it was the same on the other end of the floor so I didn't have an issue with it), but have Wade drive with that kind of contact and he would go flying, resulting in a whistle.

[Drucci]

I'd like to see :

Thunder vs Nuggets : Melo vs Durant, the young team making its debut in the playoffs and playing without pressure versus the one who struggles because of injuries and won't accept a first round exit... great stories to watch develop. But seriously, the Durant/Melo matchup would be just great.

Lakers vs Spurs : highly probable upset but also two teams perfectly designed for a great series in my opinion.

Cavs vs Bobcats : I doubt that the Bobcats can pull an upset but they definitely matchup well with Cleveland so it could be fun.

Phoenix vs Dallas : I don't really know why but I think this series could be cool and full of drama.

[Jon Niednagel]

No aesthetic justification, but I'd love for Charlotte to slip to the 8th seed and play the Cavs.  Wallace, Diaw, Chandler, Thomas and Mohammed is as deep and athletic a front court as the East has to offer.  If Jackson can get hot in the 4th quarters, they can get out in transition and Felton can keep them on life support in the half-court, they might be able to give the Cavs a run for their money.

I don't think anyone in the West can oust the Lakers.  Outside of the Spurs everyone of those teams has huge flaws (Utah is completely overmatched on the wings, Denver is too unstable, Dallas depends too heavily on contested jump-shooting from Nowitzki and Butler, OK City's frontcourt is way overmatched, Phoenix can't defend, Portland is too banged up) and the Spurs would have to be healthy and clicking on all cylinders.   

I want to see us facing the Bucks.  Give us a chance at smoothing out our playoff rotation for what's sure to be a nightmarish match-up in the 2nd round.

Wow, the Bobcats have taken out Cleveland 3 times this year. Heck yeah, that could be a good matchup. Wallace and Jackson vs James.

Charlotte's defense has given the Cavs fits this year, but the Cavs with Jamison are completely different team and match up much better with Charlotte.  I also, doubt they finish in 8th.

I am going to hate watching Miami in general.  Wade gets more calls than any player in the league due to his size (and flopping).  He drives in and any small contact completely bumps him off course drawing a foul.  Bigger guys (Lebron, Pierce) get hit a lot more frequently without a foul call.  Just look at Lebron's 4th quarter on Sunday.  He was hit on a lot of his drives in the 4th quarter and no foul was called (it was the same on the other end of the floor so I didn't have an issue with it), but have Wade drive with that kind of contact and he would go flying, resulting in a whistle.

I agree with your stance on Wade, but using James as an example of someone not getting calls is lunacy in my opinion. Just looking at Sunday, he took 22 free throws and 0 fouls called on him despite his physical brand of play all game long.

[celticinorlando]

wanted to se bucks vs atlanta before bogut went down

thunder vs anyone will be fun to watch

boston vs miami

[Jon Niednagel]

Any OKC matchup the West and any Bobcats matchup in the East.