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The Lakers.
I don't think any of those 3 teams would prefer to play the Spurs, however.
The way I see it, we will most likely be facing one of these teams right? I'd like to play Sacramento because we've never played them in the playoffs before, but one of the other teams might be less difficult to face. What do you guys think?
The Lakers.
I don't think any of those 3 teams would prefer to play the Spurs, however.
I'd rather somehow get the Jazz.
If you want to be a champion, you must win all of them, you dont have to worry against which team you could play, you must worry of your team´s performance.
it don't matter to me, bring em all on, none of those teams can beat the spurs in a 7 games series
definetely memphis...
man sacramento or LA will be really tough...
This much is true
The Suns in LA tomorrow will go a long way in determining our first round opponent, but with the way some Sun fans were talking about Sacramento I half expect them to throw the game to make sure they don't get the Kings.
Lakers.
The kings could take the Spurs to 7.
Lakers.
Kobe can't score 81 every night.
I don't care how much anybody says the Eastern Conference has caught up to the Western Conference because of Shaq and LeBron ... because from 1-8, the Western Conference is so much tougher than the EC.
If I were a Spurs fan wanting the easiest first round, I'd hope the Memphis Grizzlies slip to the 8th seed. They play extremely hard, but they have no one who can contain Tony Parker and Pau Gasol is the entire frontline. They win as many games as they do in the regular season because they play hard every single game. But, talent wise and match-up wise, Memphis would be the easiest first round match-up for the Spurs.
If I were a Spurs fan who wanted the most entertaining match-up, I'd hope for the LA Lakers. Kobe Bryant alone and his ability to drop 40-50 pts or more on any given night is enough to make the games exciting. But, even beyond that, it's still "THE LAKERS." And, with Phil back, you can likely expect some silly to profound to antagonizing to outright stupifying comments made to reporters to stir the interests of fans. Kwame Brown actually presents a decent athletic defender to throw onto a less than 100% Tim Duncan, and Lamar Odom is a tough individual match-up for the Spurs. I think the Lakers could push the series 6 games, possibly but not likely the distance. But, Spurs are still much better.
If I were a Spurs fan, I would not want the Spurs to face the Sacramento Kings in the first round. And, the reason is mostly because the Spurs could get beat up pretty bad no matter how long the series lasts. Brad Miller is borderline dirty, but even if you don't think he is, when he does give a foul, it's a very good HARD foul. And, I don't even need to mention that Ron Artest is crazy. I mean, he's really, really a nutjob. He's as likely to try to break Manu's spine as he is run into the stands and try to make out with Eva Longoria. Tony Parker should generally abuse Mike Bibby with his quickness, but Bibby is that rare point guard that can just explode offensively and attack Tony's defense. Bonzi Wells gives the Kings an athletic 2-guard who can score in a variety of ways that will force Manu to play tough defense, especially because Bonzi is very strong and also attacks the rim and rebounds well. Not to mention, the Kings are probably playing the best out of the three possible 8th seeds.
The best, most intense series would be Sacramento. I would like to see that series. However, I like the idea of playing Memphis. I think that would be the easiest team for the Spurs to beat, and they have proven they can beat them w/o Manu. If Manu isn't available (let's face it, he has had a lot of injuries this season), then this would be the path of least resistance, for sure. Historically, I don't recall him playing that well against the Grizz anyways.
The Lakers. They have piss-poor defensive rotations, they get no offensive production from their bigs, their point guards (Smush Parker and Sasha Vujacic) will get bent over and abused by TP. Kobe and Odom are tough, but that's all they have. Their bench stands no chance against ours. Spurs in 4.
The Kings are the hardest matchup. They can play physical, have a talented group and a deep bench. But the way the Spurs have been playing of late, maybe they need a wake-up call, and a tough 6 games with Sacramento would be an ideal challenge.
As for the Grizz, the only way we see them is if we gift Dallas the 1st seed by losing 2 of the last 3, including the Houston game. Possible, but highly improbable. They'd be a good match up too, but we have an advantage at almost every position.
SAC will be a rough series. However, I remember last year, people were worried about Denver since they had beat us badly during the end of the regular season and had the best record since the all star break. How did that turn out?:
Any series is going to be rough, but the Spurs have a remarkable ability to adjust to the team they are playing. Pop is a great strategist. SAC does a lot of jump shooting and 3 point shooting and we have the best perimeter defensive specialist in the league.
It doesn't matter who we play but some players on SAC and LAL are prone to giving borderline hard/flagrant fouls. We will just have to hope they don't do damage to our players.
Heh. People were freakin' out after the Game 1 loss to Denver at home.SAC will be a rough series. However, I remember last year, people were worried about Denver since they had beat us badly during the end of the regular season and had the best record since the all star break. How did that turn out?
Any series is going to be rough, but the Spurs have a remarkable ability to adjust to the team they are playing. Pop is a great strategist. SAC does a lot of jump shooting and 3 point shooting and we have the best perimeter defensive specialist in the league.
It doesn't matter who we play but some players on SAC and LAL are prone to giving borderline hard/flagrant fouls. We will just have to hope they don't do damage to our players.
none of those teams will be a real threat to the spurs but i'd like to see sac play the spurs, they will at least put up a good fight
The Kings are now comprised of a bunch of players who have hurt the Spurs over the years with their individual talents. Bonzi with his knack for hitting big, tough shots. Bibby who can rise up on Tony and score from anywhere within 23 feet. SAR, who has always been able to work in and get that tip-in that kills a Spurs run or rebound from nowhere or deadly post-up turn to the baseline and score. Ron Artest, who cannot be defended by any single Spur because of his physicality...and who gets up into whoever he defends by pushing them off of their path or the ball, one or the other, is a tough matchup.
I love the Spurs/Lakers playoff series because they have such history and intensity and a little rivalry left with Phil and Kobe in the limelight. With Kobe, there are no comfortable games for the Spurs.
I don't want to see the Grizzlies because I have a difficult time watching Pau Gasol's expressions whether he has scored or just missed a scoring chance. He looks like he is trying to look half-angry and half-persecuted. It's probably an unfair, silly hang-up but I just get tired of it and it's very much an unsavory look for Pau. From a more concrete sense of things, a Spurs/Grizzlies matchup would be a defensive struggle in every game...much like Houston plays the Spurs.
lol
so whats your pick Solid?
If its LA, I agree.
Sacramento scares me to no end.
Yeah, I picked LA in my first post (the 2nd from the top).
Sacramento....
If anyone can push the Spurs to a quick playoff push and wake Tim Duncan up, it's them...
Sacramento, so I can get tickets to Arco to see off the Queens.
Any team not named Utah or Dallas
Tyhe sacto in 5
The La in 5
Mem in 4
Clips in 5
Suns in 6
Nuggets in 5
The Kings are a matchup nightmare for the Spurs. Duncan has no one he can guard since they all can shoot from the perimeter. This will open up the spurs defense for penetration and the kings will benefit from this. Also Ron Artest will shut down Ginobili.
Assuming the Spurs get the #1 seed, Memphis isn't an option.
Lakers (7) 43-37
vs. Suns (Sun)
vs. Hornets (Wed)
I think that the Lakers could feasibly lose to the Suns today, but they've pretty much owned the Hornets. Final record prediction: 44-38
Kings (8) 42-38
vs. Hornets (Sun)
vs. Sonics (Tues)
The Kings have split games with both of these teams, but most of this was pre-Artest. Considering the way they've been playing lately, they could win both of these games. Final record prediction: 44-38
Utah (9) 40-39
vs. Mavs (Sun)
vs. Spurs (Mon)
vs. Warriors (Wed)
The Jazz would have to win out - I just don't see that happening. Final record prediction: who cares
The Lakers and Kings have split their season series, but the Kings will end up with the better division record, giving them the #7 seed and bumping the Lakers to #8.
Last edited by spurschick; 04-16-2006 at 11:22 AM.
The L.A. Flamers.
Kings (some of them) too likely to cheapshot one of the Spurs into an injury.
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