You're underestimating the Grizzilies in the same fashion they were last year as well. How did SAS and OKC perform against them during the regular season last year?
Grizz had the Spurs number last year in the regular season. Even the games the Spurs won came down to the wire. The writing was on the wall that the Spurs could lose that series, and when Manu broke his arm in the final regular season game and missed Game 1, it was curtains for the Spurs.
If that first statement is what you want to use to help your argument then I'd suggest to expect the Bulls to be bow out either in the semis or ECF. The eastern conference has been very weak in terms of talent and lack of legit compe ive teams. Those stats that suggest the Bulls to be one of the best rebounding and defensive teams are therefore not valid in accounting for how they will fare in the playoffs against above average compe ion night in and night out.
But - Memphis turned it up and everything was in sync. Good coaching, good leadership by Z-bo and the pieces fell into place. They are built for the playoffs with plenty of youth & energy to go 7 games without a problem.
Lob city has the youth & energy, but they lack quality coaching and I doubt CP3's leadership in the playoffs. They are not built for the playoffs.
I don't see a series going beyond Memphis in 6.
Deng, Asik, Gibson & Boozer > Manu, Tiago, Bonner & Blair
Rebounding & Post defense
In retrospect, if Manu doesn't suffer a broken arm, and if Duncan doesn't twist his ankle late in the season, you see a different result. I would say the series would go 7 games with the Spurs winning. That game one really screwed the Spurs.
You can say that the stars aligned for Memphis, which I won't argue against because they were very playoff ready, but Manu is the driving force behind this team. He just wasn't himself in the playoffs. You get a Manu in game shape and devoid of injury, you have a shot against anybody. Furthermore, despite Pop's effort to micromanage Tim's minutes, the ankle injury really ed him up after that, he just wasn't the same.
Your putting Manu and Blair (will have a limited role in the playoffs this time around) in that ratio all while leaving out players more capable of rebounding in Jackson, Leonard, Duncan, and Diaw?
Oh and nice way of dodging my take.
Looking at how they gave OKC one of the most intense playoff series' in years, it's hard to count Memphis out against any team. They are fully capable of taking their talent all the way to WCF, especially if Gay steps up in the playoffs - he's still unproven.
If there was any team you can say was built to upset other teams in the playoffs, it has got to be Memphis. They as the wildcard team this year
I left out Noah & DuncanYour putting Manu and Blair (will have a limited role in the playoffs this time around) in that ratio all while leaving out players more capable of rebounding in Jackson, Leonard, Duncan, and Diaw?
Oh and nice way of dodging my take.
Jackson and Leonard play the same position & neither will be in during crunch time
Duncan Parker, Manu
& then either Gary, Booner, Tiago or Jackson to finish games
That's no rebounding late in games during slow-tempo offense, which isn't the Spurs strength to begin with
They have
- 2 stud bigs
- Tall with Gay
- Penetrater in Conley
- Scoring off the bench in Mayo
- Lock down defender on the perimeter
Lack of 3point shooting though
Seeing as that they do match up well with OKC (last years roster; similar case can be made for this year's roster), you did kind of expect it. Something that I should've mentioned in my previous post was the front court advantage the Grizzlies had. That was also a reason as to why the Spurs got curbstomped. I am willing to bet though if this years version of the Spurs were to play last years version of the Grizzlies, that obvious advantage would no longer be there IMO.
About your "team built to make an upset" claim, I totally agree with that take. Despite them jumping into the picture last year and pulling off a major upset and taking OKC to 7, they are still a dark horse that can knock any team out this time around.
I am willing to go all in and say Diaw will finish games. Therefore, based on universal law, the rebounding will be better. Jackson will also finish games, he isn't too bad of a rebounding SF.
Also, who says the game will have a slow tempo?
What? The HEAT?
Awesome from you.
Manu, Green, Jackson and Leonard are all above average rebounders on the wing position.
Regarding the Clips and Griz. I don't know why I'm starting to feel that the Clippers would be a tougher out and I'm usually right when I have these gut feelings.
Well I was guaranteed by Spur fan that he would be so I reversed one of them
And what if the game has a slow tempo? The Spurs have the best half court offense in the league.
Heat laughing at Spurs having Haslem, Bosh, Turiaf, Joel freaking Anthony, Pittman and grandpa Howard ?
Last year scros would underrate memphis, and this year they are overrating them, lets get real, they had their fluke run, congrats to them, but this is another year, and memphis is clearly a worse team, while the spurs team is better, anyone disputing this, needs to kill himself, immediatelly!
Bahahahahaha.
ing Ace, being a huge Cuban got per the usual.Regular season
Lol NewCastleKEG
Damn sons, I smell pussy. Real talk.
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