Most Difficult Playoff Matchups for the Spurs

[will_spurs]

I'd rather face Chicago, if only because I don't see Lebron losing for the 3rd time in his 3rd trip to the Finals. We can laugh at this guy and his sidekicks in Miami all we want, at some point the stars are going to align for Miami and I'd rather not be facing them when it happens. It could get really, really ugly.

[Cry Havoc]

Really surprised to see LA at #1 considering they have no one outside of Bynum and Barnes (when his head is in the game) who's capable of guarding a silk shirt. Manu, Tony, even Buckets would have a field day with that defense. Sessions is probably worse at defending than Fisher, he's an offensive PG personified. His help defense and decision making (this goes for offense too at times) are simply atrocious. Tony Parker would go off on him and probably get Gasol or Bynum in foul trouble in 3-5 games out of the series. Manu could average 25 a game if his three is dropping.

This is all to say nothing of the fact that the Lakers bench is averaging, what, ~15 points per game since Sessions came to LAL, if that? The Spurs have one of the deepest teams in the league, maybe even deeper than Chicago. If ONE starter gets hurt or gets in foul trouble, they're probably losing the game by default.

Memphis is the only team out West I could see giving us fits beyond the obvious (OKC).

[bayareaspursfan]

So basically every team on the west besides the kings and the warriors i guess lol

[Rummpd]

Odom was the key difference maker vs the Spurs and while Bynum is better I do not think the loss of Odom and a savy vet in Fisher is made up by Sessons. Spurs would take LAL in a tough series - Memphis is the one team I do not want the Spurs to face again if at all possible. Totally agree with Cry Havoc above as I wrote this without seeing his brilliant post.

[bigfan]

I have to say if we are healthy we can handle any team out there. Add to that we have by far the best coach in the league. Weve got to be healthy though.

[TimmehC]

Memphis is trouble, and I want no part of them. They're long at every position, and play good defense.

The Lakers' starting bigs are trouble, but they have nothing beyond that to really torment us with.

OKC is a nightmare to defend against, but thankfully their own defense is highly suspect, and vulnerable to teams with good ball movement(i.e. Spurs).

[z0sa]

LA Lakers dude? Seriously? I would love for the Spurs to play them. Spurs will have homecourt and PJ is no longer at the helm, Mike Brown is. Not saying any team out west will be a cakewalk, but LAL is one of the team's I'd enjoy Spurs playing. And possibly crushing should Man s or Pau get in foul trouble while Kobe plays hero.

[jeebus]

With Zach Randolph rounding into shape

I see what you did there.

[DAF86]

Against the Lakers in the playoffs Pop should try to match up Tim and Splitter's minutes with Pau and Bynum's, imo. That means starting Tiago.

[Mugen]

Unless Lakers start losing a lot of games, Spurs and Lakers will get the 2nd/3rd seed which they will face in the secodn round if they advance.

The key will be to counter their frontcourt of Gasol/Bynum. Spurs could either try to counter that size with Duncan/Splitter or trying to move Gasol to the perimeter to open the paint by using a lot of Diaw/Bonner at the PF spot. I guess Pop will go with the secodn option.

When you consider that:
- Lakers will likely be on Spurs playoffs' road.
- The Bynum/Gasol frontcourt is damn good and tall especially with Bynum being great since the ASB.
- Splitter is having a lot of minor injuries.
It let me think that Spurs could sign as 15th player a random 7 footer with Lakers matchup in sight. Spurs could go with signing a prospect or with signing nobody to save some money but if they go with someone to help them this year, a defensive minded big center is what will help them more.

Bruno, how has Boris defended Pau in the past? Have they played a lot?

To me, Pau would be the biggest x-factor in a potential Laker series as he's still the most skilled bigman in the league and is a better overall passer/decision maker than Bynum. I think Tiago would do a pretty good job but Boris has been pretty impressive with his post D so far.

[Seventyniner]

Anyone, anywhere. The Mavs had the toughest 2nd round draw of anyone last year, going up against PJ and the 2-time defending champs. Did they cower in the corner? No, they just went out and swept the Lakers right out of the playoffs.

[Old School 44]

I'd put Lakers 3rd or 4th. Although they have great offensive bigs, I just can't see Kobe defering to Gasol & Bynum in the playoffs. Running Jack, Leonard and Green at Kobe will drive him crazy and he'll take it personal and forget everyone else. He will probably still post big numbers, but with volume shooting at a low percentage.

1. OKC
2. Mavs
3. Lakers/Memphis
4. Memphis/Lakers

[spursince#99]

I can't believe my eyes. Are you serious? This is uncons utional. Asinine. Egregious. There's NO way the "Denver Nuggets" have more fire power than us first off. If anything, OKC should be fourth considering how well we match up with them, and their 2 big guns could not hold up. Although I think Dallas should be number 3, I don't see us having to go 7 games with them. Our deepest fear should still be the Memphis Grizzlies as they're still capable of taking us out. The Lakers would come second with their lack of depth which I believe is very much needed in the playoffs. If we have to go through both Memphis and L.A we won't make it out of the West. However, that doesn't seem likely as Memphis would have to drop to 7 or 8 seed which is highly unlikely. Both Memphis and L.A are bad match ups but the problem is I don't know which I'd rather us play in a series. I would say L.A because of their insane lack of depth, but they still have arguably the best player in the league as well as the best closer. Then there's Memphis who could arguably take L.A in a 7 game series. Hopefully they wind up playing one another and tearing one another to pieces before one gets to us, while we watch as our series wouldn't go as long. Unless we catch OKC we'd inevitably have to play one, and that's our main problem. It'd be great if they beat each other senseless.

[spursince#99]

I'd put Lakers 3rd or 4th. Although they have great offensive bigs, I just can't see Kobe defering to Gasol & Bynum in the playoffs. Running Jack, Leonard and Green at Kobe will drive him crazy and he'll take it personal and forget everyone else. He will probably still post big numbers, but with volume shooting at a low percentage.

1. OKC
2. Mavs
3. Lakers/Memphis
4. Memphis/Lakers

There's no way OKC is number 1 dude. Then Dallas number 2? Lol

[spursince#99]

memphis is trouble, and i want no part of them. They're long at every position, and play good defense.

The lakers' starting bigs are trouble, but they have nothing beyond that to really torment us with.

Okc is a nightmare to defend against, but thankfully their own defense is highly suspect, and vulnerable to teams with good ball movement(i.e. Spurs).

this!!!!

[spursince#99]

really surprised to see la at #1 considering they have no one outside of bynum and barnes (when his head is in the game) who's capable of guarding a silk shirt. Manu, tony, even buckets would have a field day with that defense. Sessions is probably worse at defending than fisher, he's an offensive pg personified. His help defense and decision making (this goes for offense too at times) are simply atrocious. Tony parker would go off on him and probably get gasol or bynum in foul trouble in 3-5 games out of the series. Manu could average 25 a game if his three is dropping.

This is all to say nothing of the fact that the lakers bench is averaging, what, ~15 points per game since sessions came to lal, if that? The spurs have one of the deepest teams in the league, maybe even deeper than chicago. If one starter gets hurt or gets in foul trouble, they're probably losing the game by default.

Memphis is the only team out west i could see giving us fits beyond the obvious (okc).

+1

[timvp]

Lets wait and see how the Spurs stack up against the Lakers before declaring them the worst match-up.

Eh, I'm not going to put much stock in regular season games. In the regular season, the Spurs should do well against them due to their much superior depth.

First of all I disagree about the bench (and depth in general) being minimized in the playoffs. Quite to the contrary, a deeper bench contributes in several ways

The 1999 Spurs and the 2005 Spurs could only go about seven players deep, yet both of those teams would sweep the 2012 Spurs.

[spursince#99]

The maximum is 12 deep in the playoffs with up to 3 inactive

[Bruno]

Bruno, how has Boris defended Pau in the past? Have they played a lot?

To me, Pau would be the biggest x-factor in a potential Laker series as he's still the most skilled bigman in the league and is a better overall passer/decision maker than Bynum. I think Tiago would do a pretty good job but Boris has been pretty impressive with his post D so far.

I don't remember Diaw defending Pau with their respective national teams. Against the Gasols, Naoh was on Pau and Diaw was on Marc.

I don't think Diaw will do well against Pau. He is just too skilled and big for him. IMO, Diaw would be better against Bynum than against Gasol.

[temujin]

Really surprised to see LA at #1 considering they have no one outside of Bynum and Barnes (when his head is in the game) who's capable of guarding a silk shirt. Manu, Tony, even Buckets would have a field day with that defense. Sessions is probably worse at defending than Fisher, he's an offensive PG personified. His help defense and decision making (this goes for offense too at times) are simply atrocious. Tony Parker would go off on him and probably get Gasol or Bynum in foul trouble in 3-5 games out of the series. Manu could average 25 a game if his three is dropping.

This is all to say nothing of the fact that the Lakers bench is averaging, what, ~15 points per game since Sessions came to LAL, if that? The Spurs have one of the deepest teams in the league, maybe even deeper than Chicago. If ONE starter gets hurt or gets in foul trouble, they're probably losing the game by default.

Memphis is the only team out West I could see giving us fits beyond the obvious (OKC).

Memphis to be avoided under ALL cir stances.

To the excellent points raised, I will add that the Paul-to-Clippers-for-nothing trade illustrates very well which is the LA horse Stern is betting on.
The fouls on Bynum/Gasol you mention will still have to called, and I get the feeling that the Lakers will NOT get their usual share of Joey Crawfords in key PO games this year.
Or if they do, he'll be calling a very different type of ball game.

OKC and the Clippers are loaded with talent, but their coaches -yes, that includes Brooks- are more than suspect, in my opinion.
Dallas has a great coach but they are missing important pieces from last year, and their best folks are just one older.

All other teams, seriously, will be just happy to reach the PO, and likely exausted for their late runs in the RS.

[trypldubl]

1. Thunder
2. Lakers
3. Grizz
4. Mavs

I'd rather see Miami fail early and we face a 1st time finalist Chicago

this year Miami in the finals would be tough,

Totally agree but you know if the Spurs face the Bulls then everyone will be rooting for the Bulls. If they played the Heat, then we will have the big ratings that we always seems to miss in the finals and most other cities will be rooting for us to win. Not as much as last year but the Heat hate is still pretty strong.

Anyone else feel like we need to go through the Lakers this playoffs to tie up the loose ends of past playoff eliminations. Not to mention shutting some Laker fans up.

[spursince#99]

I don't remember Diaw defending Pau with their respective national teams. Against the Gasols, Naoh was on Pau and Diaw was on Marc.

I don't think Diaw will do well against Pau. He is just too skilled and big for him. IMO, Diaw would be better against Bynum than against Gasol.

I disagree as Diaw could get physical with Pau and disrupt him. However, that would be ineffective against Bynum.

[timvp]

Really surprised to see LA at #1 considering they have no one outside of Bynum and Barnes (when his head is in the game) who's capable of guarding a silk shirt.

Kobe's a good defender ... not All-Defense level like he's gifted each season but he's solid. Gasol would be the second best defender if he was on the Spurs. Artest sucks on offense these days but he can still defend.

Manu, Tony, even Buckets would have a field day with that defense.

Manu and Tony historically thrive against the smaller frontlines. Getting into the lane and finishes against Bynum and Gasol would not be easy.

And ever since that game Jack hit eight three-pointers against the Lakers in 2003 in the regular season, he's never done much of anything against Kobe and L.A.

Tony Parker would go off on him and probably get Gasol or Bynum in foul trouble in 3-5 games out of the series.

I don't remember one game in which Parker has gotten them in foul trouble. Counting on it to happen in 3-5 games out of 7 wouldn't be a viable strategy, tbh.

Manu could average 25 a game if his three is dropping.

Even this corpse version of Artest is one of the best Manu stoppers in the league. Last season, Manu averaged nine points on 28% shooting in three games against the Lakers.

This is all to say nothing of the fact that the Lakers bench is averaging, what, ~15 points per game since Sessions came to LAL, if that? The Spurs have one of the deepest teams in the league, maybe even deeper than Chicago.

Again, depth hardly matters in the playoffs. The postseason is a battle of the stars. I can't even remember a playoff series the Spurs won in the past due in large part to a depth advantage.

[TD 21]

1. Los Angeles Lakers
The Spurs struggle with bigmen with length who can score in the paint. The Lakers have a pair of bigs who definitely fit that description. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili depend on finishing in the paint, and that's not easy to do against the Lakers. There's no Bruce Bowen to sic on Kobe Bryant. Ramon Sessions is also a huge upgrade over the corpse of Derek Fisher. And though the Spurs are much deeper than the Lakers, depth becomes much less important in the postseason. Of all the matchups out West, this is by far the most unfavorable for the Spurs.

There doesn't need to be, because he's not the same player he was in those days. Between Leonard, Ginobili, Jackson and Green, the Spurs are equipped enough to deal with him. Especially Leonard and Jackson. He won't be able to easily overpower them in the post the way he has many of the Spurs undersized wings over the years. And he's no longer explosive enough to consistently beat them off the dribble.

2. Oklahoma City Thunder
Despite the fact that the Spurs have played the Thunder well during the regular season recently, the amount of talent on OKC's roster simply cannot be ignored. When the pace slows and the game begins to hinge on one-on-one situations, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be extremely tough to slow down. Add in James Harden (the closest thing in the NBA to the next Manu Ginobili), the athletic shotblocking nightmare that is Serge Ibaka, and their beaucoup solid role players, it's safe to say the Thunder won't be going down without a fight.

So will Parker and Ginobili, who are also amongst the best shot creators in the league. The Thunder, despite their considerable physical gifts, are not much better than the Spurs defensively. And considering the defensive upgrades made by the Spurs, they may not even be better period going forward.

I'm tired of everyone anointing this group that's accomplished nothing yet. Because everyone expects them to be multiple champions and perennial contenders, it's as if people have already decided that they are. The Spurs have handled them for a few seasons and if the shoe was on the other foot, no one would act like the Spurs had a chance. Why the Spurs aren't afforded that same respect, I don't know.

3. Dallas Mavericks
The Mavs have experienced their dry spells this season but I shouldn't have to quote Rudy T to explain why it would be unwise to underestimate Dallas. Dirk Nowitzki hasn't done well against the Spurs this season but come playoff time, he's still the most intimidating offensive force in the West. Defensively, the Mavs are the most well-coached squad in the conference and they'd be able to take the Spurs out of their comfort zones much better than any other team in this half of the bracket.

It wouldn't be unwise at all. Like the '06 Heat, the Mavs are a team that won a championship, as opposed to a true championship team. Their reign at the top will be short like leprechauns.

Only if you haven't seen Paul in the playoff recently.

6. Denver Nuggets
Let's be honest: The Spurs are an offensive team this year. They aren't going to be winning anything if they solely depend on their defense to carry the load. With that in mind, the Nuggets are one of the few teams in the West that can claim their offense is better. If the Spurs get in a shootout with these guys, Denver has the weaponry to give San Antonio a run for their playoff lives.

Not anymore. The Spurs have passed them in offensive efficiency. You could bring up the Nuggets recent injuries, but the Spurs were missing two of their best play makers for the majority of the season. Now, the more important of the two is back and they've added two more to the mix. Plus, their offensive catalysts are legit go-to guys in crunch time. The Nuggets don't have one.


I'd go . . .

1. Lakers
2. Grizzlies
3. Thunder
4. Mavericks
5. Clippers
6. Nuggets
7. Rockets
8. Jazz
9. Timberwolves
10. Suns

[spursince#99]

there doesn't need to be, because he's not the same player he was in those days. Between leonard, ginobili, jackson and green, the spurs are equipped enough to deal with him. Especially leonard and jackson. He won't be able to easily overpower them in the post the way he has many of the spurs undersized wings over the years. And he's no longer explosive enough to consistently beat them off the dribble.

So will parker and ginobili, who are also amongst the best shot creators in the league. The thunder, despite their considerable physical gifts, are not much better than the spurs defensively. And considering the defensive upgrades made by the spurs, they may not even be better period going forward.

I'm tired of everyone anointing this group that's accomplished nothing yet. Because everyone expects them to be multiple champions and perennial contenders, it's as if people have already decided that they are. The spurs have handled them for a few seasons and if the shoe was on the other foot, no one would act like the spurs had a chance. Why the spurs aren't afforded that same respect, i don't know.

It wouldn't be unwise at all. Like the '06 heat, the mavs are a team that won a championship, as opposed to a true championship team. Their reign at the top will be short like leprechauns.

Only if you haven't seen paul in the playoff recently.

Not anymore. The spurs have passed them in offensive efficiency. You could bring up the nuggets recent injuries, but the spurs were missing two of their best play makers for the majority of the season. Now, the more important of the two is back and they've added two more to the mix. Plus, their offensive catalysts are legit go-to guys in crunch time. The nuggets don't have one.


I'd go . . .

1. Lakers
2. Grizzlies
3. Thunder
4. Mavericks
5. Clippers
6. Nuggets
7. Rockets
8. Jazz
9. Timberwolves
10. Suns

+1