Game Thoughts: Spurs vs. Sonics Apr. 11

[Agloco]

I'd take mavs for round one.
Dirk still not 100% and Stack also is out and won't be 100% for the playoffs.

The wors possible opponent in 1st round is Utah, so the spurs need to avoid the 5th place.

The best would be 1st place - not faceing NO, LA, Pho in the 2nd round.
But well you can take every opponent in the second - doesn't matter much at this stage. Esp. when the seedings are far from being set

How can you not say Phoenix here? I think the 5th slot is the best considering you'd avoid that PHO/DAL/LAL/HOU mess in the 2-7 and 3-6 slots. Only having to go through UTA/NOH is much better IMO. 1st place is not happening.

[Herschel Walker]

Udoka I understand, but Kurt Thomas?

Thomas on defense I'm not concerned with, but against a team like Phoenix he is going to have to knock down the wide open mid-range shots. Shaq gave him zero respect on that shot the other night and was able to sag for help defense. Thomas responded by clanking a few wide open shots. He has to hit those to keep Shaq out of the lane and make him bust ass to get in help position. As you know, Shaq has a lot of ass to bust if you make him respect the jumper of the man he's guarding.

[T Park]

Agreed 100%, I just think Thomas is a guy that steps it up in the playoffs.

he did last year.

Agreed with the defense, his defense was pretty damn good against Phoenix, but for some reason POp had his head up his ass and decided to give him Rasho Nesterovic minuts.

[1Parker1]

In some ways, it might be advantageous to fall to #5, particularly if in doing so, they maintain a better record than the Jazz. If other things stay the same, being the #5 with HCA in Round 1, you get Utah, the winner of NO/DEN (probably), and then only one of LA/PNX/DAL/HOU.

I don't think there's an easy way through at all. I'm not even sure that being #5 is particularly preferable. But it might have some advantages . . . .

Wow, really? You think it'd be advantageous to play the Jazz (even with HCA)? I actually would prefer the Mavs over them. The Jazz are a very, very physical team and especially with so many Spurs coming off injuries, that's going to be a tough series to get through in the first round. I think they can beat the Jazz, don't get me wrong, but it's going to be a physical series. Add to that it's going to be hard to steal a game on the road there too.

[T Park]

The Jazz are not as smart a team as the Mavericks.

[1Parker1]

The Jazz are not as smart a team as the Mavericks.

You're right, the Mavs have played really smart the past two postseasons.....

[Obstructed_View]

It would be nice if the other 98% in the league did as well.

If you're implying that Duncan hasn't ramped the whining back up this season you are insane.