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except if you think you're "probably wrong", then it isn't your 'pick', it's just "what I'd like to happen"
Hit the link for the whole piece.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/bal...urn=nba-wp1479BDL’s Playoff Previews, with the San Antonio Spurs and Memphis Grizzlies
By Kelly Dwyer
Ball Don't Lie
...But a Grizzlies win? In spite of San Antonio's impending upshift into its final gear and Memphis' year-long issues with closing out on 3-point shooters, I'm feeling a Memphis win. I just can't get over how well the Grizz played against San Antonio in the regular season, well before the Spurs' expected late-season slowdown, and how much Zach Randolph could tip the scales for Memphis. Marc Gasol shot just 34 percent for the Grizz this season against San Antonio, but he's also coming off a terrific April.
And who knows where the Spurs are at? Rhythm and chemistry are funny things, and though it was nice to see the boys rally against both the Lakers and Suns in losing efforts this week played mostly with their benches, I have to see the Spurs move up to that extra gear before I dismiss Memphis splitting the season series with the Spurs (including a loss in overtime), and the team's complete dismissal of San Antonio on March 1 (during an 11-3 Spurs run through the league).
I like the Grizzlies. San Antonio can double-down on Randolph consistently and knock in three after three; and yet I just can't move my check mark to San Antonio's side. I'm probably wrong, but I'm going with what I feel based on what I've seen. Sort of the point of the gig.
My pick? Grizzlies in six games.
except if you think you're "probably wrong", then it isn't your 'pick', it's just "what I'd like to happen"
Interview videos:
Gary Neal
http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/110415_neal
George Hill
http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/110415_hill
Tim Duncan
http://www.nba.com/spurs/video/110415_duncan
http://twitter.com/#!/jmcdonald_saen
Tim Duncan on formerly sprained right ankle: "It's not 100 percent, but good enough to play." He's been pretty good since his return.Manu spotted after practice doing weight work with both arms. Right arm in a brace similar to what Barry Bonds might wear to the plate.Pop also said if Manu does not play Game 1, George Hill likely to start at shooting guard.Manu still doubtful for Game 1, but Pop says he will play at some point in Memphis series "for sure."
The Spurs blatantly tanking for Duncan was a much more obvious tank job. Memphis just rested, sort of like how the Spurs "tanked" the Lakers game.
It's funny how ass-hurt Spur fan is getting over this slight though. With a whole lot of yas acting like the Spurs are already in the 2nd round just confirms that Memphis did the right thing considering how the last playoff series shook out for SA...
I think Z-Bo's play against the Spurs has been slightly overrated this year...Duncan really hasn't played full out all year, not even at the end...for the first half of the season he was just preserving his body, and for the second half he was just cruising because of the gaudy record...
Blogs after today's practice.
Doubt from pundits fuels Spurs’ playoff resolve
Tim Griffin
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...ayoff-resolve/
*********************
Spurs excited about Memphis challenge after late Grizzlies’ tank job
Tim Griffin
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...lies-tank-job/
*********************
Spurs not concerned with Memphis’ 0-12 playoff record
by Tim Griffin
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...layoff-record/
*********************
Duncan improving after ankle injury, but still not at 100 percent
Tim Griffin
http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...t-100-percent/
Last edited by duncan228; 04-15-2011 at 05:18 PM.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...off_run_041511Allen’s grind inspiring Grizzlies’ run
By Adrian Wojnarowski
One of his old Boston Celtics teammates remembers Tony Allen chasing LeBron James baseline to baseline in a playoff game. The Celtics had struggled to stop the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, but Allen had come for him with an uncommon ferocity. For a few minutes, James struggled to find space or shots, and finally there unfurled the strangest look upon his face.
Essentially, the expression asked: Who is this guy?
“My assignment was not to let you score,” Allen was heard telling LeBron on the floor. “And I did not let you score.”
Allen is still surprised the Celtics let him leave for the Memphis Grizzlies. As it’s turned out, he has been dollar-for-dollar the most impactful signing of the biggest free-agent class in the sport’s history. His agent Derrick Powell negotiated him a three-year, $9.5 million contract, and tried to get the Celtics to match and keep him. When pressed for a rapid response, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge declined to match the offer and Allen’s heart crumbled.
“I didn’t think there was even going to be a negotiation with Boston,” Allen told Yahoo! Sports this week. “I didn’t think there would need to be a recruiting process. I just thought it would get done.”
So Allen, 29, moved to Memphis and became a folk hero, an indispensible part of an improbable eighth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. For the $82 million the Grizzlies used to re-sign Rudy Gay, they were a better team after Gay dislocated his shoulder in mid-February and Allen commandeered his minutes. Allen has come with tenacity, toughness and grind. He’s scored the ball, slowed stars on offense and taught his teammates the lessons of dutiful defense.
Keep reading...
Hit the link for the whole list through the Finals.
Everyone has the Blazers over the Mavs for possible upset, except Dwyer who has Spurs over Grizzlies.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slu...ns_2011_041511Predictions for the 2011 NBA playoffs
By Yahoo! Sports Staff
Spurs-Grizzlies
Greg Anthony: Spurs in 6
Kelly Dwyer: Grizzlies in 6
Johnny Ludden: Spurs in 6
Marc J. Spears: Spurs in 5
Al Toby: Spurs in 6
Adrian Wojnarowski: Spurs in 5
I know what you were thinking but, I think youve made a type-o.
Wow, it's changed on Yahoo. Dwyer has Grizzlies in six, then has Grizzlies winning as the upset. It was Spurs when I posted it.
Wow, maybe thats where all the confusion was!
I think Spurs in 5!
Familiarity breeds contempt, so get to know the Memphis Grizzlies
by Jesse Blanchard
48 Minutes of
It has been a while since the San Antonio Spurs held the no. 1 overall seed in the Western Conference, so this former familiar theme may not be all that familiar at all, but stop me if you’ve heard this one before:
On Sunday the San Antonio Spurs are set to face off against one of the most dangerous eighth seeds in recent memory, and given the Spurs vulnerabilities, it should be an intriguing matchup.
And this is not your typical eighth seed. This is a Memphis Grizzlies team that called its own shot and blatantly tanked to get to that eighth seed, specifically to play against these San Antonio Spurs (or, you know, to avoid the Lakers–which is totally understandable).
The Memphis Grizzlies are the mythological dangerous eighth seed, a young group of unknowns. And there is great fear in the unknown. So, to ease the mind of the San Antonio faithful I asked Chip Crain of TrueHoop’s 3 Shade of Blue to shine some light and drop some knowledge on the Grizzlies.
Keep reading →
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.c...-swing-series/Ten guys without household names that can swing series
Kurt Helin
Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies. He is a hard-nosed, old school defender who got a lot of playoff experience in Boston. Now, Memphis needs him to shut down Manu Ginobili (well, when Ginobili gets back from his injury). He was shooting 60 percent the last 6 games of the season, and if they get offense out of him their chances of pushing the Spurs goes way up. The Grizzlies need the perimeter production.
George Hill, San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs count on their bench guys to come in, play the system, defend and knock down shots. Hill does it beautifully. He shot 37.7 percent from three and gave the Spurs 12 points a game, getting big minutes (28 a game). The Spurs bench has been their undoing (well, part of it) in recent seasons and Hill will be key to changing that this time around.
I think Parker is going to be the Key of this series. I think he will give the Grizz alot of match up problems.
That interview/questionnaire really highlights the good things about the Grizzlies while reigning in the seemingly infectious view they could be dangerous.
The Grizz have a bright future, especially if they can stay healthy. They could have done (much?) better, but the Gasol trade is finally panning out to something resembling fruition.
OTOH, this season, without Gay's scoring, they simply don't have the offense, nor the experience, to make the Spurs deviate from doing anything different. This will be a great first round for the Spurs shooters and their confidence levels. I imagine they will be left open time and time again with good ball movement. I also bet our big men get a good physical warm up for the rest of the playoffs without having to worry about carrying too much of an offensive load.
TBH, this may be the best series we could have hoped for simply because it will force our guys into executing and playing determined, whereas vs. NO we might have simply been coasting. We will not have room to play content or complacent vs any opponents in the 2nd round on.
Ouch..not a single writer out of the 6, include Ludden, picked the Spurs to get past the Thunder in the 2nd Round. I don't think I've ever seen a 61 win team so disrespected.
Irony of Irony if in a season where we had a "Heat Index," the usual "Laker Drama," and the belief that D. Rose is the second coming of MJ, the Spurs win it all. It is an odd numbered year after all.
zbo and gasol are slow defenders.parker should just attack the rim and get them in foul trouble.
The Spurs are going to have to rediscover their running game. Tony Allen's shutting someone down.
Bunch of previews here from forum guys;
First Round Predictions
Depending on how much Manu Ginobili's hyper-extended elbow keeps him out, this series can go the distance. Don't be fooled with Memphis' last two losses - they tanked.
Detailed Look at the Series
The most consistent team throughout the entire NBA this season was the San Antonio Spurs.
For a team that was a #7 seed last year and everyone pronounced dead at the beginning of this season, the Spurs as always rose from the dead and surprised the entire NBA by jumping out to a great start right from the get go.
Hit the links for the rest of it.
grizzlies are starting to piss me off. all this hype and media articles flowing in wishing for an upset against the spurs. i've previously expressed concern over the matchup but i hope the spurs are listening and reading all the media and grizzlies disrespect.
first the tanking, then the media crossing their fingers hoping for an upset. spurs better sweep this team and snuff out this sorry excuse for a franchise.
I hate everything about the grizzlies!!!
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