Series Thread: 1st round: 2) San Antonio Spurs vs 7) Portland Blazers

[bksballer89]

This series is high up there for me on entertainment value. Portland plays a fun brand of basketball

 

[bksballer89]

Was listening to the Bill Simmons podcast this morning and heard that the Blazers are 3rd in def since the all star break.

They are also healthy for the first time all season and they have the bigs to give Wemby trouble

 

[bksballer89]

Spurs in 5 but I’m expecting plenty of late game drama

 

[msgkings322]

Spurs in 5 but I’m expecting plenty of late game drama

Agree with this

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Spurs in 3

 

[logic]

I'm going with a Spurs sweep, but with at least 3 of the games being close.

 

[Hotel Security]

Spurs in 6. We're acting like the Spurs are these playoff vets already. New teams to the playoff don't go sweeping people left and right. Portland plays good enough defense to steal a few.

 

[Hambombs]

Spurs in 5

 

[DJ "I'm blessed" Fieri]

Portland in 6 in an upset.

They acquired Holiday for his defense and playoff experience.

 

[DJ "I'm blessed" Fieri]

And their bigs gonna give Wemby all he can handle.

 

[dtgold88]

SA in 7

 

[thunderc]

Portland in 6 in an upset.

They acquired Holiday for his defense and playoff experience.

Ballsy but I like it. Wish I could get behind it but let’s see what happens.

 

[DJ "I'm blessed" Fieri]

Ballsy but I like it. Wish I could get behind it but let’s see what happens.

If Dame is 80-85% of the old Dame Portland could be a team to watch out for in the WC next season.

 

[DJ "I'm blessed" Fieri]

Ballsy but I like it. Wish I could get behind it but let’s see what happens.

It's why they play the games.

 

[msgkings322]

It's why they play the games.

They play the games so you can be wrong with your picks?

 

[thunderc]

It's why they play the games.

Also why there is a betting market

 

[Hotel Security]

>If Dame is 80-85% of the old Dame Portland could be a team to watch out for in the WC next season.

This doesn't really fit. Portland's success is based on their excellent defense and tossing Dame back out there and having him hog the ball (he's not effective if he doesn't) is going to put them right back to what they were before with Dame running everything with poor defense. Portland is where they are because they moved on from Dame.

If he's healthy it'll be like the Cav's recent move with Harden where their defense dramatically dropped off after the trade. I don't think it's a great idea to trade in your defensive identity for a flashy aging point guard.

 

[dtgold88]

>If Dame is 80-85% of the old Dame Portland could be a team to watch out for in the WC next season.

This doesn't really fit. Portland's success is based on their excellent defense and tossing Dame back out there and having him hog the ball (he's not effective if he doesn't) is going to put them right back to what they were before with Dame running everything with poor defense. Portland is where they are because they moved on from Dame.

If he's healthy it'll be like the Cav's recent move with Harden where their defense dramatically dropped off after the trade. I don't think it's a great idea to trade in your defensive identity for a flashy aging point guard.

Kind of agree about Dame but there issue when they first had Dame was they didn't have much around him other than CJ and nearly always hurt Nurkic. IF they got the old Dame they could still be really good. Problem is that guy is likely gone.

As for Cavs......the move where we were close to a .500 team pre-trade then were among the top teams after? Do you have evidence Cavs D "dramatically dropped off" after the trade and it was linked to having Harden (and not missing Allen, Wade and others)?

 

[Hotel Security]

>IF they got the old Dame they could still be really good. Problem is that guy is likely gone.

Maybe if he's a bench guy who comes in a gets hot and sinks some shots...but I don't think it'll play out that way. He'll demand more minutes and time and it could mess things up.

>As for Cavs......the move where we were close to a .500 team pre-trade then were among the top teams after? Do you have evidence Cavs D "dramatically dropped off" after the trade

Have evidence? Have you watched the games? Do you watch Harden standing there on defense? You went from a good defensive guard (albeit always hurt) to a guy who is a barn door and that's if he tries. Ignoring the fact that there are no good stats that properly measure defense, I find it strange when someone needs statistical evidence for something they can easily see with their own eyes. This is why it gets very tiresome talking NBA with people who don't watch games. For anyone actually watching the Cavs, this is obvious.

But you need evidence. Them being one of the best defenses in the league and dropping to around 15th in March isn't a clue? Their current defensive rating is the lowest since they acquired Mobley. Go ask a bloody AI and it'll tell you the same thing. Of course Allen is a factor but, again, watch the games and see how many easy baskets teams get on them.

If you want to argue they were in a rut and giving up defense for offense is the way to go fine...but don't sit here denying that they didn't give up part of their identity in the trade. Cavs games become scorefests in the end. Maybe you think this wins more games but it's not for the defense.

 

[dtgold88]

>IF they got the old Dame they could still be really good. Problem is that guy is likely gone.

Maybe if he's a bench guy who comes in a gets hot and sinks some shots...but I don't think it'll play out that way. He'll demand more minutes and time and it could mess things up.

>As for Cavs......the move where we were close to a .500 team pre-trade then were among the top teams after? Do you have evidence Cavs D "dramatically dropped off" after the trade

Have evidence? Have you watched the games? Do you watch Harden standing there on defense? You went from a good defensive guard (albeit always hurt) to a guy who is a barn door and that's if he tries. Ignoring the fact that there are no good stats that properly measure defense, I find it strange when someone needs statistical evidence for something they can easily see with their own eyes. This is why it gets very tiresome talking NBA with people who don't watch games. For anyone actually watching the Cavs, this is obvious.

But you need evidence. Them being one of the best defenses in the league and dropping to around 15th in March isn't a clue? Their current defensive rating is the lowest since they acquired Mobley. Go ask a bloody AI and it'll tell you the same thing. Of course Allen is a factor but, again, watch the games and see how many easy baskets teams get on them.

If you want to argue they were in a rut and giving up defense for offense is the way to go fine...but don't sit here denying that they didn't give up part of their identity in the trade. Cavs games become scorefests in the end. Maybe you think this wins more games but it's not for the defense.

agree with that first part but that's because he is not the old Dame who can do a lot more than "sink some shots". Now you have a point about THIS Dame who might sink some shots and THINK he is the old Dame but isn't.

Regarding the Cavs what I find strange...well, telling is a better word.....is when asked to offer facts to support an opinion someone plays the "do you watch....." card (this is somewhat on same level of "did you ever play the game" card).I likely watch far more Cavs games than you (like pretty much all of them). Is Harden a great or even good (or average defender)? Nope....neither was the guy he replaced, nor Mitchell, nor many guards around the league.

What evidence do you have to say we were one of the best defenses in the league at any point this season? Preferably something other than "don't you watch the games"? we have not been one of the top defenses in the sport since JB was still here. Been times we were OK, but one of the best"?

I get it though.....you are one of those who will just say whatever is needed to support an agenda and will ignore all facts to refute it. Like most irrational people direct questions spook you.