Denver vs. Oklahoma playoff series.

[jdz101]

I know the west standings aren't set in stone yet but denver against Oklahoma city in the first round would be a sweet first round matchup.

Denver are playing with a real x-factor at the moment and I reckon that would be a fairly close series.

Another one is Dallas vs Portland and at the moment I'd give Portland the edge.

Thoughts?

[PosImpos]

I think Dallas would still manage against Portland.  I don't think they're a great team, but they're better than they've played recently.  Portland, as usual, is overachieving.  LMA is not a very good defender and I think Dirk is a better offensive player; that's the most important matchup.  Portland also doesn't have a fast PG who can exploit Jason Kidd's defensive weaknesses.

As far as Denver vs. OKC, I'm really not sure who would win that one.  I think that would be a really interesting matchup.  If I had to, I think I'd pick the Nuggets simply because they have more playoff experience and better coaching.

[BostonIrishGuy]

I definitely am looking forward to the OKC vs. DEN series, and its gonna be a close one - 6 or 7 games. I'm gonna go with OKC, because they have the best player on the court in Durant, have a point guard who can change the outcome of a game (Westbrook), and have a center who can take Denver's bigs out of the game (PERK). OKC also has a chip on their shoulder and knows they can make a deep run in the playoffs, I am picking the to meet the Lakers in the WCF, knocking off the Spurs on the way there. I still don't think they get past the Lakers this year unfortunately.

[jdz101]

I definitely am looking forward to the OKC vs. DEN series, and its gonna be a close one - 6 or 7 games. I'm gonna go with OKC, because they have the best player on the court in Durant, have a point guard who can change the outcome of a game (Westbrook), and have a center who can take Denver's bigs out of the game (PERK). OKC also has a chip on their shoulder and knows they can make a deep run in the playoffs, I am picking the to meet the Lakers in the WCF, knocking off the Spurs on the way there. I still don't think they get past the Lakers this year unfortunately.

You also forgot ibaka, who has been fairly imposing lately.

[PosImpos]

I definitely am looking forward to the OKC vs. DEN series, and its gonna be a close one - 6 or 7 games. I'm gonna go with OKC, because they have the best player on the court in Durant, have a point guard who can change the outcome of a game (Westbrook), and have a center who can take Denver's bigs out of the game (PERK). OKC also has a chip on their shoulder and knows they can make a deep run in the playoffs, I am picking the to meet the Lakers in the WCF, knocking off the Spurs on the way there. I still don't think they get past the Lakers this year unfortunately.

All of this makes sense, but in the playoffs I tend to pick experience over talent.  I think the Nuggets have more (especially in coaching, and that's probably most important).  Experience is the same reason I don't think the Bulls will come out of the East this year.

[jdz101]

I definitely am looking forward to the OKC vs. DEN series, and its gonna be a close one - 6 or 7 games. I'm gonna go with OKC, because they have the best player on the court in Durant, have a point guard who can change the outcome of a game (Westbrook), and have a center who can take Denver's bigs out of the game (PERK). OKC also has a chip on their shoulder and knows they can make a deep run in the playoffs, I am picking the to meet the Lakers in the WCF, knocking off the Spurs on the way there. I still don't think they get past the Lakers this year unfortunately.

All of this makes sense, but in the playoffs I tend to pick experience over talent.  I think the Nuggets have more (especially in coaching, and that's probably most important).  Experience is the same reason I don't think the Bulls will come out of the East this year.

You have a point about the bulls. I worry about their bigs to be honest. Boozer looks soft and underdone to me. Noah also caves to a big with any sort of intensity.

Funny having a celtics fan criticizing depth for another teams bigs but I think it's warranted personally.