Tim Legler: Projector Room: How West Playoff Matchups Would Play Out

[BonnerDynasty]

Let's be real here, Kurt Thomas will not be much of a factor at all. He's good for 6 hard fouls and that's it. I've watched him play since he came to SAS, he looks old/slow/and flat out lost on the court. On offense he won't give you much of anything either.

I disagree. Everything after this year does not matter. Simple as that. Winning this year means everything to this dynasty run. Everything. You will see a Spurs team with nothing to lose and K Thomas will PRODUCE.

. Oberto should be able to punish Gasol on the offensive side.

[Obstructed_View]

Let's be real here, Kurt Thomas will not be much of a factor at all. He's good for 6 hard fouls and that's it. I've watched him play since he came to SAS, he looks old/slow/and flat out lost on the court. On offense he won't give you much of anything either.

He's been averaging about 15 minutes a game and grabbing seven boards in that time. I'm not sure how that isn't impressive to you, but oh well. We'll revisit this topic in a couple of weeks when he's had some time with the team to actually know where he's supposed to be. Considering he replaced a guy that wasn't likely to even make the playoff rotation and is already starting, he can't really be anything but an improvement. Since he's a really good post defender, you can pretty much put him on either Bynum or Gasol and just forget about them.

[Findog]

This is absurd to be making this prediction right now. Phoenix will probably move up, Houston will move down, so who knows what it will look like in 2 months?

Actually Phoenix has a brutal schedule to end the season. They have to step up their play dramatically to move up in the standings.

[oboymeetsogirl]

Hollinger's 21.3% odds of the Lakers going all the way on espn.com are based upon regular season computations, so I wouldn't sweat it. The Lakers are playing great this year -- let's give them credit. So were the Mavs and the Suns last year and the two years before. Meanwhile, the Spurs have always labored slightly behind during the regular season -- Pop tinkering with lineups and resting up his main cogs. But guess what team usually comes out on top?

Jackson is a terrific bench coach, and both Jackson and Pop know how to guide a team around a franchise player. But when it comes to pacing his team and getting them to peak at the right time, in recent years Pop has been leaving Jackson in the dust.

Bottom line: giving odds based upon regular season performance obviously means nothing when it comes to the playoffs. If it did, it would be either the Mavs, the Suns or the Pistons winning three of the last five les, not the Spurs.

[hater]

Let's be real here, Kurt Thomas will not be much of a factor at all. He's good for 6 hard fouls and that's it. I've watched him play since he came to SAS, he looks old/slow/and flat out lost on the court. On offense he won't give you much of anything either.

u must be new to NBA. Kurt Thomas was the key piece last series Suns vs. Spurs.

He could be key too vs. big man like Gasol/Bynum.

educate yourself before speaking

[crc21209]

Having these predictions at this time of year is stupid the West is too close too even predict anything at this point, we still have a month and change in the season remaining.

[Princess Pimp]

Can we expect this kind of useless article now every time the Lakers beat some middling team like Sacto? BTW does anyone have a single basketball memory of Tim Legler?
__________________________________________________ _______________

Here's a look at how the Western Conference playoffs would shape up, based on Monday's standings. Plenty of room for teams to move up and down here -- Phoenix elevated to No. 5 after these were written -- and we can expect changes in the projected pairings on almost a daily basis.

FIRST ROUND

No. 1. San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 8 Golden State Warriors The Spurs have too much discipline for the Warriors. San Antonio, as usual, is playing its best basketball as the playoffs approach and Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili have not played heavy minutes all season. They also have more depth than ever with the acquisitions of Kurt Thomas and Damon Stoudamire, plus the addition of Ime Udoka to the rotation. They will force the tempo to slow down and their half-court defense will force Golden State into an array of forced shots. (Spurs in 5)

No. 2 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 7 Dallas Mavericks

The Lakers now have the most complete offensive team in basketball. As Sunday proved when Kobe Bryant lit up Dallas for 52 points, the Mavs have no answer for Bryant defensively now that Kobe has Pau Gasol's versatility for teams to deal with. If Andrew Bynum returns to the rotation in time for the playoffs, the Lakers size will dominate the Mavs front line. (Lakers In 6)

No. 3 New Orleans Hornets vs No. 6 Phoenix Suns

It is no fluke that the Hornets swept the Suns in four games this season. Chris Paul's eyes light up when he sees the Suns, especially now that Shaquille O'Neal and Amare Stoudemire are the primary pick-and-roll defenders to help Steve Nash try to keep Paul out of the lane.

The Suns have lost their ability to run teams off the floor and they miss Shawn Marion's rebounding, athleticism and defense more than they ever imagined. (Hornets in 6)

No. 4 Utah Jazz vs No. 5 Houston Rockets

This would be very compe ive series, despite Yao Ming's absence. The Jazz are 26-3 at home and that will mean a lot in this series. Deron Williams took it to another level in the postseason last spring and is poised for another run.

Houston defends (fourth in points allowed), takes care of the ball (fourth fewest turnovers), and rebounds (second overall), but Tracy McGrady will need more scoring help than this team can provide. (Jazz in 7)

SECOND ROUND

San Antonio vs. Utah Jazz

A rematch of the West finals from a year ago, these teams are mirror images of each other. They both have outstanding point guards in Parker and Deron Williams, dominant big men in Tim Duncan and Carlos Boozer, and a deep complement of role players and shooters. The difference in the series would be Ginobili. He has returned to the form that made him a legit Finals MVP candidate in 2005 and gives the Spurs the additional playmaker down the stretch that Utah lacks. (Spurs in 6)

Los Angeles Lakers vs. New Orleans Hornets

This is all about matchups. The Lakers' ability to negate the size up front of Tyson Chandler and David West with Bynum and Gasol takes away a big part of the Hornets' advantage. The one thing the Hornets lack is a big, athletic wing defender to use on Bryant.

He will put up big numbers.Paul is special but at least the Lakers have two solid defenders in Derek Fisher and Jordan Farmar to chase Paul around all night. Finally, the biggest problem for N.O. Will be Lamar Odom in the post and off the dribble against Peja Stojakovic. Hornets aren't quite ready for this kind of leap. (Lakers in 6)

WEST FINALS

San Antonio vs. Los Angeles Lakers

It is awfully difficult to pick against the Spurs with a Finals appearance on the line, but it's Kobe's year in the West. For much of the same reasons that they match up well with the Hornets, the Lakers have an answer at every position to combat the Spurs' balance offensively.

Ultimately, it will hinge on which team makes plays down the stretch and Kobe Bryant is unmatched in crunch-time situations. Gasol's addition was the piece that put the Lakers over the top. Duncan won't be able to rest against the likes of Kwame Brown or Chris Mihm. He will have to work. As will Ginobili against Kobe. The Lakers finally break through without Shaq, and Phil Jackson gets a shot at his tenth ring. (Lakers in 7)

Lakers would sweep the Spurs

[smeagol]

Lakers would sweep the Spurs

And the Suns are fishing after the first round . . .

[DazedAndConfused]

u must be new to NBA. Kurt Thomas was the key piece last series Suns vs. Spurs.

He could be key too vs. big man like Gasol/Bynum.

educate yourself before speaking

Damn you better get yourself a time machine then because Kurt Thomas has not looked very impressive at all this year. Bynum has done extremely well against Thomas in their head-to-head matchups over the years, Bynum's length and height make it a difficult matchup for him. Like I said he will be good for 6 hard fouls and that's it, just another big body to throw at the Lakers to keep Duncan out of foul trouble.

[oboymeetsogirl]

Like I said, Lakers would be foolish to look past the Mavs. The Mavs may have no defensive answer for Kobe, but do the Lakers have an answer for Dirk? And we all know how devastating Kidd can be, dishing out to shooters, which the Mavs have in spades. If Avery gets his together and lets his guys play, I predict a blood battle if the Mavs meet the Lakers in the first round. And face it: as an ex-Spur, Avery knows how to put together a team D plan to stop a Kobe. That last Mav/Laker game was not exactly an indication of it.

But if the Lakers do make it past the Mavs, I don't think of the young, energetic Hornets as being pushovers either. Unlike the Spurs with their playoff experience, savvy and mentality, the Lakers need to rely on their physical strengths and raw talents. In other words, going right up against the Hornets' strengths.

Good luck, Laker fans!

[cash459]

Damn you better get yourself a time machine then because Kurt Thomas has not looked very impressive at all this year. Bynum has done extremely well against Thomas in their head-to-head matchups over the years, Bynum's length and height make it a difficult matchup for him. Like I said he will be good for 6 hard fouls and that's it, just another big body to throw at the Lakers to keep Duncan out of foul trouble.

maybe the old bynum, NOBODY has seen how he is going to play when he comes back, let alone play in a pressure packed playoff series.....so let the season play out before we start crowning ANYONE around here.

This article was to stir up controversy, which it did, and its pointless. there are 20+ games left to play and ANYTHING can happen btwn now & then.....

Giving this stupid article from a no name ex-player is worthless....

i wish i hadnt wasted my time reading it.......

[barbacoataco]

Every series in the West will have the potential for an upset. No one is even talking about Golden State, but they are only a few games behind the Spurs, and have been playing very well lately. If they are the 8 seed in the West, they will not roll over and die against the Lakers, Spurs or any team.

[Manudona]

I've watched him play since he came to SAS, he looks old/slow/and flat out lost on the court. On offense he won't give you much of anything either.

old and slow you say?. Perfect for Spurs Regular Season Basketball of late, wouldn't you agree?

[Obstructed_View]

Damn you better get yourself a time machine then because Kurt Thomas has not looked very impressive at all this year. Bynum has done extremely well against Thomas in their head-to-head matchups over the years, Bynum's length and height make it a difficult matchup for him. Like I said he will be good for 6 hard fouls and that's it, just another big body to throw at the Lakers to keep Duncan out of foul trouble.

You must not have ever watched Kurt Thomas because I don't remember the last time he "looked very impressive", nor has he just been six fouls to anyone, even when he had a coach that doesn't understand or appreciate defense. However, another big body to keep Timmy out of foul trouble is exactly what the Spurs want most. That he can actually play defense, rebound and hit jumpers is a bonus.

"Over the years"? Bynum's been starting for a year, and he's certainly not a better post player than Duncan is. Since Thomas played Duncan pretty well in the playoffs I like the addition. Since Thomas' team eliminated the Lakers and Bynum didn't exactly go off in that series I'll again take my chances.

Lakers fans are really whistling past the graveyard. Does the false bravado make it less scary? Better get it all out of your system before the playoffs roll around.

[mavsfan1000]

I also can't stand Legler. Who is Legler anyway? A WNBA player? lol

[oboymeetsogirl]

Agreed about the Warriors, Barbacoataco. It's stupid to overlook them. But in the past the Spurs have shown a good handle of them. Their strengths (running and gunning) seem to run right up against the Spurs' strengths (solid D and offensive rebounding), and so they don't have much luck in San Antonio. The question is, would teams like the Mavs (again), the Lakers, Suns or Rockets be able to nullify Golden State's game like the Spurs usually do?

Most definitely: Nellie's Warriors have huge potential to spoil somebody's party plans this year. Should be fun to watch...

[Obstructed_View]

I also can't stand Legler. Who is Legler anyway? A WNBA player? lol

Close.

[jman3000]

I'd assume both Tony Parker and Tim Duncan would both take massive s on the Lakers' defense. I know Bynum has given Timmy trouble in the past with his length and athleticism... but seriously folks... this is Timmy D in the playoffs. Lamar Odom will not play consistent enough over a 7 game series to really make a difference, and he will most likely have about 2 good games accompanied by 4 ty ones. Gasol is another piece that a physical defense can impede. A few hard fouls and he'll digress into a 18 foot jump shooting big man... which isn't too far a stray from what he is now.

Spurs in 6... tops. I see us splitting the first 4... then after all the adjustments have been made we sweep the final 2 games.

[Kobulingam]

Bynum won't be a factor this playoffs. His knee still has major swelling.

Gasol will be beaten up and tired when Lakers face Spurs. Duncan will drop a huge load on Gasol.

[K-State Spur]

Analysts will often pick a team in 7 games because they think it will be a tight series.

However, in Legler's example, the Spurs have homecourt. Not many - including Legler himself - would pick against the Spurs in a Game 7 at the AT&T Center.

It's the difference between picking a series as a whole beforehand vs. recognizing that the series truly is a set of individual games.

[DDS4]

Having these predictions at this time of year is stupid the West is too close too even predict anything at this point, we still have a month and change in the season remaining.

Especially when #1 and #8 are separated by 5 games. The article is pointless.

[oboymeetsogirl]

Very astute, jman3000. I added on another thread: if Bryant gets hot, we can double up and make things hard on him, because there's a less than 50% chance that his team mates are able to beat us. However, if Manu gets hot, it's suicide for the Lakers to double up on him; not with Timmy and Tony on the floor, or anyone of our three point specialists (besides Bruce, Fin and Big Shot Bob, now also Udoka and that new guy named Brent) waiting on the wings.

Lots of Spurs fans are now saying Manu is the Spurs' MVP. The team is built around Timmy, but let's call a stud a stud: Manu is playing with as much inspiration this year as anyone, including the presumptive MVPs (Kobe or LeBron).

Last year Tony drove us to the playoffs, but this year it looks like Manu has the wheel. Take it, dude!

[inconvertible]

kobe unmathced in clutch time.........what happened to ginobili...hahahahahaha!.

[DazedAndConfused]

Yes Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, and Derek Fisher will forget how to play basketball when they play the Spurs because they are weak pussies in the playoffs.

All this talk right now is stupid. When Bynum and Ariza get back you are going to be looking at a much different team than what you see out there right now.

[oboymeetsogirl]

Agreed, DazedAndConfused. The difficulties will the fact that Bynum and Ariza are relatively young and that it takes time to get your rhythm back, especially in sync with the rest of the team. Right now, the Spurs are working to get Kurt Thomas in sync; but the big advantage for the Spurs is that the core part of their squad have already played together during three other championship runs. Basketball being a team sport, our teamwork may very well trump your raw talent and size.

But kudos to your team because you're having an outstanding year that no one (especially Kobe) even expected. I hope you do well, but not at the Spurs' expense!