2nd Round Playoffs

[D.o.s.]

Clippers>Thunder
Blazers>Spurs
Nets>Miami
Wizards>Pacers

That's where my allegiances lie in the 2nd round.

I like the Blazers, but I can't root against the Spurs.

Try as I may, I can't root for the Clippers.  I'm always impressed by Chris Paul, and I'm SERIOUSLY impressed by how much Blake and Deandre have improved this season.  All of that means that Doc deserves commendation, also.  But I find myself wanting the other team to win almost every time I watch them.

As for the East, I'm with you, although I must say I find it hard to like the Nets, either. 


Honestly, now that the Celtics are bad, I think I can look at things a bit more objectively and say that the best thing for the NBA and the game of basketball would be a rematch of LeBron vs Durant -- hopefully one that lasts 6 or 7 games this time.  If we can't get that, then I suppose Chris Paul vs LeBron would be the next best thing.

I don't want the Thunder to make it back to the Finals on account of their ownership.

[PhoSita]

I don't want the Thunder to make it back to the Finals on account of their ownership.

Cause they stole the team from Seattle?

[j804]

I don't think the Thunder win the series Westbrook is not going to get all those easy buckets at the rim with DJ down there, Durant may go off but if they can turn Russ into a shooter they got no chance

[manl_lui]

Clippers>Thunder
Blazers>Spurs
Nets>Miami
Wizards>Pacers

That's where my allegiances lie in the 2nd round.

I like the Blazers, but I can't root against the Spurs.

Try as I may, I can't root for the Clippers.  I'm always impressed by Chris Paul, and I'm SERIOUSLY impressed by how much Blake and Deandre have improved this season.  All of that means that Doc deserves commendation, also.  But I find myself wanting the other team to win almost every time I watch them.

As for the East, I'm with you, although I must say I find it hard to like the Nets, either. 


Honestly, now that the Celtics are bad, I think I can look at things a bit more objectively and say that the best thing for the NBA and the game of basketball would be a rematch of LeBron vs Durant -- hopefully one that lasts 6 or 7 games this time.  If we can't get that, then I suppose Chris Paul vs LeBron would be the next best thing.

I don't want the Thunder to make it back to the Finals on account of their ownership.

Blazers > Spurs
Clippers > OKC

Heat > Nets
Pacers > Wizards

I hope the Hawks are a wakeup call to the Pacers and have them play with an urgency. No free wins in the playoffs and don't take things for granted. The Heat was cruising in the regular season and showed they are getting things done in the playoffs and still cruised passed the Bobcats. I have Heat in 6.

[PhoSita]

I don't think the Thunder win the series Westbrook is not going to get all those easy buckets at the rim with DJ down there, Durant may go off but if they can turn Russ into a shooter they got no chance

I don't view DJ as the same kind of defensive presence as Marc Gasol, despite all the blocks.

[GreenWarrior]

nets vs heat:

heat in 4, possibly 5. nets will turn the ball over too much. won't be able to consistently take advantage of Miami down low, where Miami is vulnerable. I just think the heat will be able to pressure the perimeter players of the nets too much for them to be effective. reg. season means nothing.

wiz vs pacers:

pacers in 7. the popular pick is the wizards here and for good reason their team seems better suited for the playoffs. having nene back has made this team completely different. they will no doubt be a tough out. but I think the pacers have realized they have an opportunity here and have found a way to get past whatever it was that their problems were. I just think a better focused, experienced pacers team prevails in a long series.

Portland vs spurs:

spurs in 6. I see this series playing out much like the spurs/dallas series. again experience will win out.

thunder vs clippers:

thunder in 6. I just look at the clippers roster and say who is going to slow down Durant? the only reason the grizz/thunder series was a series is because of tony allens' defense on Durant.

[D.o.s.]

I don't want the Thunder to make it back to the Finals on account of their ownership.

Cause they stole the team from Seattle?

Precisely. And because they're unsavory businessmen aside from that.

[PhoSita]

I don't want the Thunder to make it back to the Finals on account of their ownership.

Cause they stole the team from Seattle?

Precisely. And because they're unsavory businessmen aside from that.

That bothers me, but the fact that the OKC fans seem really great and I find Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka all really likable makes it too hard for me not to want to see the Thunder succeed.

[D.o.s.]

I don't want the Thunder to make it back to the Finals on account of their ownership.

Cause they stole the team from Seattle?

Precisely. And because they're unsavory businessmen aside from that.

That bothers me, but the fact that the OKC fans seem really great and I find Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka all really likable makes it too hard for me not to want to see the Thunder succeed.

IMO Toronto has better fans than OKC. As does Golden State. As does PDX. As do we, obviously.

 I want to see how Oklahoma reacts to a prolonged period hosting a bad basketball team before praising their fanbase. It's easy to root for a winning team.

[PhoSita]

 I want to see how Oklahoma reacts to a prolonged period hosting a bad basketball team before praising their fanbase. It's easy to root for a winning team.

Fair point.

[mgent]

BKN in 6 - Pierce, Williams, and Johnson will all have to go off.

IND in 7 - They will have extreme trouble with the Wiz.  Nene and Gortat will probably outplay Hibbert but West will pull them through.  George can't have off games, and the defense can't slack at all or Wall will carve Hibbert at the rim

OKC in 4 - As I've said, LAC will be a breeze after Memphis.

SA in 5 - SA will steal a game in POR, too much for them.

[SHAQATTACK]

Heat in 5.       Wade has been resting and pumped full of cortisone in his knees....to much for an old KG and Pierce,  James and Bosh well rested too.....not seeing Nets winning this. They want to make quick work here and not waste energy they ll need latter.
Pacers in 6
OKC   In 7
Portland in 7  upset I hope .....but I wouldn't bet against Spurs ..".i think they are the team to beat.

[Mencius]

Heat in 5 - Regular season meant nothing.

Wiz in 6 - They're just playing better than the Pacers are.

OKC in 7 - Even though I think the Clips have the overall better talent.  Might be wishful thinking on my part because I've come to hate the Clips.  They're sort of like Miami West.  Too many prime donne for my tastes.

Portland in 6 - Just think they'll run the Spurs into the ground.

[slamtheking]

I really think Wash can pull off the upset.  Indy got it together enough in 7 against Atlanta but Washington has more overall talent than Atlanta and has had a taste of winning now.

It'll be interesting to see how much Washington plays Nene at center, since Nene was so effective in pulling Noah away from the basket.  In theory he could do the same to Hibbert, and Washington also has Al Harrington to pull David West out of the paint.

I think Wash will come up with a number of different lineups to throw at Indy to see what works.  If Atlanta had Horford (or even retained Zaza for this year), Atlanta takes that series

[SparzWizard]

In my heart:
Nets in 6, Blazers in 7, Clippers in 7, and Wizards in 6.


In my mind:
Heat in 6, Spurs in 5, Thunder in 5, Wizards in 6.