Maybe it's just me...

[racm]

But I think that while the Grizzlies are good, they got a few breaks to get to the WCF.

Backdoor swept a Clippers team that didn't have problems on offense (despite facing the 2nd best defensive team and the DPOY) but whose biggest issue was lack of D. CP3 put up 22.6 PPG on 63.3 TS%, so the Clips' biggest issue was defending ZBo and Marc.

Backdoor swept a Thunder team that would have been swept had it not been for Durant in Game 1. The Grizzlies struggled on offense and the game was still to be decided in the 4th quarter of all 5 games. Durant went 5-21 and could have hit a game-tying J in Game 5 had he not choked. OKC's problem this series was generating offense with Westbrook out, and Brooks played right into Hollins' hands by having Durant dominate the ball and relying on Fisher to be playoffs Fisher.

Of course, the Spurs have had breaks of their own (facing a physically and mentally depleted Lakers squad in round 1, then the streaky Warriors in round 2) but that's the nature of the beast. The Spurs have both the O to make things harder for the Memphis defense, and the defensive chops to ensure that the non-scorers try and beat them.

[Chris16]

Oh please, the Heat faced an under .500 team in the 1st round and then a Bulls team missing 3 starters in the 2nd round yet no one cares.

The Grizzlies deserved to be in the WCF, they took a better OKC team to 7 full games 2 years ago and lost to the Clippers in the 1st round last year who weren't as good of a defensive team as they were this year. Even if OKC were at full strength they still would've lost to the Grizzlies IMO, like I said OKC with a better team in 2011 had a very rough time against them, the only difference is that if Westbrook played Memphis would've won in 6 instead of 5.

[Chris16]

Sorry for double post

[racm]

Oh please, the Heat faced an under .500 team in the 1st round and then a Bulls team missing 3 starters in the 2nd round yet no one cares.

The Grizzlies deserved to be in the WCF, they took a better OKC team to 7 full games 2 years ago and lost to the Clippers in the 1st round last year who weren't as good of a defensive team as they were this year. Even if OKC were at full strength they still would've lost to the Grizzlies IMO, like I said OKC with a better team in 2011 had a very rough time against them, the only difference is that if Westbrook played Memphis would've won in 6 instead of 5.

Like I said, nature of the beast; you only face whom you can face.

And I predicted the Grizz winning anyway because they took a better OKC team to 7 even if Randolph got worse and Gasol and Conley improved. I failed to factor in Brooks being a total moron and Durant actually wilting when defenses doubled him with abandon.

[Whisky Dog]

It's about matchups just like it was in 2011, but this time they don't have the shooters to do too much damage and the Spurs have the defense and front court to match up with them. Also, they don't have shot blocking inside and the Spurs guards can get to the paint better than anyone else. It's just as good of a matchup this year as it was a bad matchup in 2011 - just in the Spurs favor this time.

[romsho]

It's about matchups just like it was in 2011, but this time they don't have the shooters to do too much damage and the Spurs have the defense and front court to match up with them. Also, they don't have shot blocking inside and the Spurs guards can get to the paint better than anyone else. It's just as good of a matchup this year as it was a bad matchup in 2011 - just in the Spurs favor this time.

EXACTLY. It's a bad matchup...for Memphis. They are a one dimensional team with limited offensive weapons and poor 3 point shooting. Not a recipe for beating a team with multiple offensive weapons, very good three point shooting, who can play up tempo or halfcourt. For as great as Memphis is defensively, their offensive shortcomings are a major disadvantage and factor in this series. Good on you for pointing it out.

[sananspursfan21]

Marc Gasol is extremely overrated imo. i think he's so highly regarded because there's only a handful of "elite" centers in the league right now

[Cry Havoc]

At the end of the day


you can only beat the teams you play.


Memphis is a pretty damn good team, they've played us to the hilt for 2 of the 3 games now.


The Spurs are just a ing excellent team since Green and Leonard have emerged. A lot of analysts haven't realized it, but 1-3 the Spurs are the BEST DEFENSIVE TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. And they have Duncan. When the weak spot on your team on D is Tiago Splitter that's ing incredible.

[therealtruth]

At the end of the day


you can only beat the teams you play.


Memphis is a pretty damn good team, they've played us to the hilt for 2 of the 3 games now.


The Spurs are just a ing excellent team since Green and Leonard have emerged. A lot of analysts haven't realized it, but 1-3 the Spurs are the BEST DEFENSIVE TEAM IN THE LEAGUE. And they have Duncan. When the weak spot on your team on D is Tiago Splitter that's ing incredible.

The weak spot defensively is Parker and he's still pretty good when he focuses.

[Cry Havoc]

The weak spot defensively is Parker and he's still pretty good when he focuses.

Parker when healthy is one of the best defensive PGs in basketball. He shut down Paul and Irving this year completely. He's just now getting back go 90-95% now.

[DespЏrado]

The weak spot defensively is Parker and he's still pretty good when he focuses.

Parker is great defensively against any point guard that relies on penetration. He struggles only against people that can shoot off the dribble.