Mitch Cumsteen
250+ Posts
I don't know if the Jazz tanked or if the Spurs finally kicked it in. Of course, sitting Williams the second half didn't help the perception that they tanked, but then again, they weren't coming back from that deficit and he apparently has a bruised ***.
And for the Spurs efforts... they get Phoenix in round 1 in a rematch of last years de facto NBA Finals plus Shaq. Grand. How does Suns-Mavs/Hornets-Lakers-Celts sound? Just a brutal path to #5. I still can't decide if they are too old and toast or if they've been playing the last month like it was the pre-season. All evidence prior to last night pointed toward the former, but last night was the first time I've seen them all year play with any urgency. Maybe they really are flipping the switch? I suppose we will find out soon enough. Spurs/Suns has to be the most anticipated/highest quality first round matchup in NBA history.
As for the other matchups.... I just don't see Houston winning that series especially now that Alston is out for the first couple of games. Maybe that will let the Rox play a little looser, but I think Utah is too talented and too deep. Williams, despite the alleged booty injury, is going to be too much for them. I think Jazz in 5 or 6. Road record, schmroad record.
Lakers/Nugz should be interesting. Denver is really going to be physical with them so it will be interesting to see how the Lakers respond. I think that series will be closer than people think, but LA will take it in 6.
I don't know what to make of Dallas/NO. How much is playoff experience worth when your playoff experience consists of two of the biggest meltdowns in NBA history? I think Dallas is the better team and takes it in 6. From a pure entertainment standpoint, I'd like to see what happens in Dallas in the offseason if they do get run in the first round.
And for the Spurs efforts... they get Phoenix in round 1 in a rematch of last years de facto NBA Finals plus Shaq. Grand. How does Suns-Mavs/Hornets-Lakers-Celts sound? Just a brutal path to #5. I still can't decide if they are too old and toast or if they've been playing the last month like it was the pre-season. All evidence prior to last night pointed toward the former, but last night was the first time I've seen them all year play with any urgency. Maybe they really are flipping the switch? I suppose we will find out soon enough. Spurs/Suns has to be the most anticipated/highest quality first round matchup in NBA history.
As for the other matchups.... I just don't see Houston winning that series especially now that Alston is out for the first couple of games. Maybe that will let the Rox play a little looser, but I think Utah is too talented and too deep. Williams, despite the alleged booty injury, is going to be too much for them. I think Jazz in 5 or 6. Road record, schmroad record.
Lakers/Nugz should be interesting. Denver is really going to be physical with them so it will be interesting to see how the Lakers respond. I think that series will be closer than people think, but LA will take it in 6.
I don't know what to make of Dallas/NO. How much is playoff experience worth when your playoff experience consists of two of the biggest meltdowns in NBA history? I think Dallas is the better team and takes it in 6. From a pure entertainment standpoint, I'd like to see what happens in Dallas in the offseason if they do get run in the first round.
