Your ideal Western Conference Playoff Standings...

[Mugen]

Getting down to the final stretch of the regular season so about time for an overall seeding thread IMO. Obviously health is the no. 1 priority but how do you want the the West playoffs to realistically shake out? My list below tbh :

1. Spurs
2. Thunder
3. Clippers
4. Rockets
5. Blazers
6. Grizzlies
7. Warriors
8. Mavs/Suns

-I think homecourt is actually pretty big this year and I think Pop guns for it a little harder than he normally would.
-I don't really care who the Spurs face in the 1st round but DAL/PHX would both be sweeps IMO.
-All other first round series would be highly entertaining in the above brackets.
-Clippers are a tough match up for OKC in the 2nd round and ditto for Rockets/Spurs.

Please save the "doesn't matter, healthy Spurs beats anybody" schtick/bravado for another thread as nobody on this board plays for the team tbh.

[Robz4000]

Spurs
OKC
Rockets
Clippers
Warriors
Guests
Grizz
Mavs

Entertaining matchups and gives the Spurs the easiest path.

[Mikeanaro]

You list is fine to me its the one Im hoping you know to let the Rockets and Blazers kill each other and since the 8th place is between Mavs and Suns I pick the Mavs because they are a mess and kinda old.

[N0 LyF3 ScRuB]

I really don't care.. I think we can beat anyone.

1) Spurs
8) Mavericks

4) LA Clippers
5) Portland

3) Rockets
6) Warriors

2) Thunder
7) Grizzlies

[ElNono]

doesn't matter, healthy Spurs... oops

[Mugen]

doesn't matter, healthy Manu..

tbh.

[ElNono]

srsly, Robz looks like the best scenario

[ElNono]

and FWIW, I think Phoenix would be much tougher than Dallas... simply because Dallas is weaker in low IQ players like Monta/Harris and players that fold like Calderon. Phoenix has the Morris twins that can make our guys work and Drago can hurt us...

We would still beat them, IMO, but much more complicated foe...

[scanry]

Spurs
OKC
Rockets
Clippers
Warriors
Guests
Grizz
Mavs

Entertaining matchups and gives the Spurs the easiest path.

This tbh. However it'll be dog fight after R1. If the Clippers run & gun and cover the Spurs' 3 point shooters, it'll be a long series.

[crc21209]

Spurs
OKC
Rockets
Clippers
Warriors
Guests
Grizz
Mavs

Entertaining matchups and gives the Spurs the easiest path.

This probably would be best case scenario.

Spurs face Mavs and then winner of Clippers-Warriors in the 2nd round.

OKC deals with the Grizzlies in the 1st round and then most likely the Rockets in the 2nd round.

[scanry]

and FWIW, I think Phoenix would be much tougher than Dallas... simply because Dallas is weaker in low IQ players like Monta/Harris and players that fold like Calderon. Phoenix has the Morris twins that can make our guys work and Drago can hurt us...

We would still beat them, IMO, but much more complicated foe...

It'll be 2003 all over again tbh. Could bode well as we are coasting right now.

[Robz4000]

This tbh. However it'll be dog fight after R1. If the Clippers run & gun and cover the Spurs' 3 point shooters, it'll be a long series.

I actually think the Dubs would beat the Clippers, especially if Crawford and Redick don't return to form. Spurs would then handle the Dubs in 5 games.

[jesterbobman]

The Clippers are probably a better match up, though if they're 3rd we get a #56 pick, if that changes anyones opinion.

Spurs
OKC
Clippers
Rockets
Warriors
Portland
Memphis
Dallas

[Ditty]

Houston has avoided us for too long! Time to kick their ass if we face them, but I think GSW can take them out thought. Their fans on clutch fans are really confident they can beat us because they beat us early in the regular season. :lmaoDifferent game in the playoffs, Pop will do everything possible to have someone else besides Harden beat us. Even Dwight :lol.

1) Spurs
2) Thunder
3) Clippers
4) Rockets
5) Warriors
6) Blazers
7) Memphis
8) Dallas

[Mugen]

The Clippers are better this year tbh. It won't be a 2012esque sweep where CP3/Griffin are hobbled and Vinny is coaching. The Spurs would still win the series in 6 or less but they're a better playoff team than the Rockets IMO who I'm still not sold on.

[Ditty]

Easies path would be the Clippers in the second round, but at the same time I don't think Houston or Warriors could beat OKC in the second round.

[Robz4000]

The Clippers are better this year tbh. It won't be a 2012esque sweep where CP3/Griffin are hobbled and Vinny is coaching. The Spurs would still win the series in 6 or less but they're a better playoff team than the Rockets IMO who I'm still not sold on.

Literally all about matchups this year tbh. Spurs match up well with everyone but Houston and OKC, while the Clippers match up well with everyone but SA and the Dubs.

[Robz4000]

Easies path would be the Clippers in the second round, but at the same time I don't think Houston or Warriors could beat OKC in the second round.

Dubs would have a shot as OKC can't contain Curry now that Thabo has gotten older. Dubs are also athletic enough to hang with OKC with their improved D and have Iggy to throw on Durant.

[Kidd K]

Tbh, I would love to see OKC be forced to play the Grizzlies then Rockets in rounds 1 and 2. Let them deal with the uncalled roughhousing of the Grizzlies and the lucky 3pt bullshit of the Rockets.

[scanry]

Tbh, I would love to see OKC be forced to play the Grizzlies then Rockets in rounds 1 and 2. Let them deal with the uncalled roughhousing of the Grizzlies and the lucky 3pt bullshit of the Rockets.

I don't either will take them to 6 tbh.

With a healthy & prime Gasol & ZBo, the Grizz may pull off an upset, but they're too banged up.

[Legacy]

I don't want The Spurs to play Memphis again, we already swept their fat asses last year. If we do indeed get the 1st seed, I agree with pretty much everyone in this thread--serve us Dallas. 2nd round... hhhhmmmmmm... Would be funny if we got The Guests somehow, but they'll most likely be 1st round fodder, lol. So... 2nd round-- any team besides The Clips (& OKC, obviously), tbh.

[Legacy]

... doesn't matter, healthy Manu.. tbh.

And this, of course. :p: :lol

[#2!]

1) Spurs
8) Memphis

2) Thunder
7) Suns

3) Rockets
6) Portland

4) Clippers
5) Warriors

I'd like to see the Clips fall back to 4th just to ease my mind given their recent metamorphosis into legit championship material. Plus I'd rather have the garuntee that the Spurs wouldn't have to play both Houston and OKCity. And while I actually think the Mavs would likely be an easier opponent than the Griz, fuck the Dallas Mavericks and anyone who's ever cheered for them. They can watch from home.

[Old School 44]

Ideally :p:

Seriously



1. Spurs

1. Spurs



2. Memphis

2. OKC



3. Mavs

3. Clips



4. Nuggets

4. Rockets



5. Jazz

5. Warriors



6. Kings

6. Blazers



7. Twolves

7. Grizz



8. Lakers

8. Mavs




Assuming seedings hold, I like the Clips on the other side of the bracket and an unofficial Texas Championship with the Spurs opening with Dallas and then the Rockets before playing for the Western Conference title against OKC/Clips, which I think would be a toss up.

I hope we don't get the Blazers or Warriors in the first round. Not because we can't beat them, I just hate West Coast start times in the first round.

[wildchild]

Clippers and Rockets are jockeying for the #3. Seeding is critically important because the Clips could be a better matchup in 2nd round than the Rox


Spurs
OKC
Rockets
Clippers
Warriors
Guests
Grizz
Mavs

Entertaining matchups and gives the Spurs the easiest path.

:flag:

[FromWayDowntown]

West
1. Spurs
2. Lakers
3. Lakers
4. Lakers
5. Lakers
6. Lakers
7. Lakers
8. Lakers

[Dex]

West
1. Spurs
2. Lakers
3. Lakers
4. Lakers
5. Lakers
6. Lakers
7. Lakers
8. Lakers

Dammit FWD, you beat me by 3 minutes.

Can we send Dwight back to LA?

[Chinook]

I really don't care.. I think we can beat anyone.

1) Spurs
8) Mavericks

4) LA Clippers
5) Portland

3) Rockets
6) Warriors

2) Thunder
7) Grizzlies

Exactly. Portland isn't a poor matchup for anyone, while GS is almost even money to beat Houston. I'd probably rather have the Suns play OKC, since they match up really well. But keeping them out of the playoffs is probably worth letting the Thunder have the easier series.

[Cry Havoc]

The way the Clips are playing I'd actually like to see them make a run at the Thunder. I'm confident we'd smash any Dwight Howard team in the playoffs. Between Leonard and Green we'd be able to throw enough ammo at Harden to slow him down.

[FromWayDowntown]

It's a curious thing. On the one hand, I don't think the Spurs matchup particularly well with Houston and the Rockets play with tremendous confidence against the Spurs; I think that a series against the Rockets would be a difficult test for those reasons. On the other hand, this might be one of the last times the Spurs will have a reasonable chance to beat the Rockets in a playoff series; the Spurs have never beaten the Rockets in a playoff series (though the teams have only played each other 3 times -- 1980, 1981, 1995).

If the Spurs were to meet the Rockets in the playoffs and beat them, Duncan and Popovich would have playoff series wins over every other West franchise in their careers.

[jiggy_55]

Right now I'd still prefer to face LAC over HOU in the second round. Until we play HOU again, then that could change with a win, but they were a matchup problem in Nov/Dec.

[DesignatedT]

Clippers or Rockets is the big question.

OKC drawing Memphis first round would also be best case for us.

[Horry Hipcheck]

1) Spurs
2) OKC
3) Rockets
4) Clippers
5) Warriors
6) Blazers
7) Mavericks
8) Grizzlies

2011 is ancient history, Spurs would tear through Memphis in Round 1. OKC deals with the pesky Mavs, while Houston tangles with Portland.

Round 2:

Spurs-Clips

OKC-Rockets

I'd rather see the Spurs go against LAC again, as they match up well and I could potentially see a game at Staples. OKC would follow Dallas with Houston, which OKC will win but it would 1) allow us to see another Harden vs. his former team matchup, and 2) might wear OKC out enough to set up a favorable WCF between Thunder and Spurs.

Then, just give me the Heat in the Finals again. HCA with a 2-2-1-1-1 format, Belinelli instead of Neal, and the chance at vengeance = Spurs title.

[Jimcs50]

1) Spurs
2) Thunder
3) Rockets
4) Clippers
5) Warriors
6) Blazers
7) Memphis
8) Dallas

[look_at_g_shred]

Spurs
Thunder
Blazers
Clippers
Rockets
GSW
Memphis
Mavs

[Arcadian]

1. Spurs
8. Grizzlies

4. Clippers
5. Blazers

3. Rockets
6. Warriors

2. Thunder
7. Mavs

If this happens, the Mavs will knock out OKC in round 1.

[Mel_13]

1. Spurs
8. Grizzlies

4. Clippers
5. Blazers

3. Rockets
6. Warriors

2. Thunder
7. Mavs

If this happens, the Mavs will knock out OKC in round 1.

They'll have a small chance if OKC continues to play without Perk and Thabo and Westbrick is still limited to 31 minutes per game.

[DesignatedT]

Mavs aren't knocking out anyone.

[Mugen]

POR is in real danger of losing that 5th seed tbh. They have an easy schedule but unless they get Aldridge back soon, they're not a lock against even easy opponents as evidenced by losing to the Magic. I think the Dubs and Grizzlies both move up in the standings. My feelings on how it's going to shake out:

1. Spurs
2. Thunder
3. Clippers
4. Rockets
5. Warriors
6. Blazers
7. Grizzlies
8. Mavs

[Mel_13]

POR is in real danger of losing that 5th seed tbh. They have an easy schedule but unless they get Aldridge back soon, they're not a lock against even easy opponents as evidenced by losing to the Magic. I think the Dubs and Grizzlies both move up in the standings. My feelings on how it's going to shake out:

1. Spurs
2. Thunder
3. Clippers
4. Rockets
5. Warriors
6. Blazers
7. Grizzlies
8. Mavs

That's about the best result that the Spurs can realistically hope for.

[FvckMavs]

POR is in real danger of losing that 5th seed tbh. They have an easy schedule but unless they get Aldridge back soon, they're not a lock against even easy opponents as evidenced by losing to the Magic. I think the Dubs and Grizzlies both move up in the standings. My feelings on how it's going to shake out:

1. Spurs
2. Thunder
3. Clippers
4. Rockets
5. Warriors
6. Blazers
7. Grizzlies
8. Mavs

Mavs-Warriors-Clippers

[Cry Havoc]

POR is in real danger of losing that 5th seed tbh. They have an easy schedule but unless they get Aldridge back soon, they're not a lock against even easy opponents as evidenced by losing to the Magic. I think the Dubs and Grizzlies both move up in the standings. My feelings on how it's going to shake out:

1. Spurs
2. Thunder
3. Clippers
4. Rockets
5. Warriors
6. Blazers
7. Grizzlies
8. Mavs

Losing the 5th seed? Hell I'd say it's even money that they just make the playoffs at this point. They're 14-17 over the last 31. All the other teams in the playoff hunt are hot and there's only 2.5 games separating the Blazers and Phoenix for the 9th seed.

[BillMc]

POR is in real danger of losing that 5th seed tbh. They have an easy schedule but unless they get Aldridge back soon, they're not a lock against even easy opponents as evidenced by losing to the Magic. I think the Dubs and Grizzlies both move up in the standings. My feelings on how it's going to shake out:

1. Spurs
2. Thunder
3. Clippers
4. Rockets
5. Warriors
6. Blazers
7. Grizzlies
8. Mavs

That'd be my preferred lineup.

[TD 21]

From both a Spurs and basketball fan period perspective:

1 Spurs
8 Mavericks

4 Rockets
5 Trail Blazers

2 Thunder
7 Grizzlies

3 Clippers
6 Warriors

In reality, this probably won't happen though, because the Spurs will probably piss away the 1 seed to the Thunder and the Trail Blazers will probably fall to at least the 6 seed.

[Mel_13]

Zach Lowe has written a column on the five teams fighting for the final four playoff spots in the WC. Addresses key matchups, tiebreakers, etc. Spurs are mentioned a couple of times:

The team’s wing depth has allowed Dave Joerger to split up the bricktastic Tony Allen–Tayshaun Prince pairing, and to limit Prince’s minutes against matchups that don’t require a long wing defender.
Allen looks like he’s playing at warp speed after missing a huge chunk of the season. (You know who else just looks faster and springier than everyone else right now? Kawhi Leonard. Maybe everyone should just take a 20-game midseason break).
...

Keep an eye on the Spurs in this regard as well. They’re three games up in the loss column on Oklahoma City, and Games 79 and 80 come against Dallas and Phoenix. If they’ve clinched the top overall seed by then, the Mavs and Suns may catch the San Antonio “B” team. Then again, the Spurs’ “B” team tends to beat opposing “A” squads, or at least play them to the hilt. Long live Pop.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-western-conference-playoff-derby/

[SpursFan86]

Can we all agree that both Dallas and Memphis are both preferable over Phoenix? I don't think we'd lose to Phoenix, but I could see them giving us a bit of trouble and stealing a couple of games. Now that Bledsoe is back, they're a little more dangerous than they've been for most of the season. I believe they're 22-10 when he's healthy and playing.

[Mugen]

I personally would enjoy knocking the Suns out of the playoffs more than either Dallas or Memphis. Mostly because every Suns fan across the internet think they "match up pretty well" with the Spurs tbh.

[Arcadian]

Can we all agree that both Dallas and Memphis are both preferable over Phoenix?

Actually no, I would rather play Phoenix than Dallas. Dallas still has Dirk, who is still capable of scoring 30+ any given day, as is Monta Ellis. I think we would sweep Phoenix, whereas Dallas would win a game. (Not sure about Memphis...we'd probably sweep them too.)