So more people are coming around to the OKC can beat LA idea? Hmmm....interesting. There is no worse matchup for the Lakers than the Thunder IMO, I could see OKC controlling that one from the start of the series. Kobe will have to guard Westbrook for the entire series, Artest will struggle to defend Durant as well as he did last year, and now OKC can throw someone infinitely better than Krstic or Collison at Bynum. I think they'd be LA's toughest Western Conference opponent in years.

 

And I don't see Boston beating Miami. They could do it but based on their last 30 games I can't see it. Boston should be tied right now with NY and likely would be if Billups and Amare do not get hurt. And NY is nothing like what the Heat can bring. I see it being a tough series, but I'm taking the Heat in 6. I think Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are going to get ran through alot of pick and rolls, which will hurt them offensively. Miami will make Rondo and the O'Neal's beat them by scoring, which just is not a favorable situation for Boston IMO.

 

Don't get ahead of yourself. I think the general feeling is that if LA treats OKC the way they are treating the Hornets they will lose. If LA plays they way they should, they win the west. I don't care who they play. Fact is the Lakers aren't playing like a 2 time defending champion and it isn't like the Hornets are doing anything special to stop the Lakers. This is reminiscent of the Lakers/Rockets first round series from 2 years ago.

The Spurs are in big trouble.

I can definitely see Boston beating the Heat also. Boston should be tied 2-2 with the Knicks but they swept them. Found a way to win even when they shouldn't have. The Heat struggles at the end of close games may hurt them against a team like Boston who finds a way to win. If I am Miami I employ the Hack-a-Shaq on Rondo in close games. Word up.

The Spurs are in big trouble.

 

Really big trouble.

Game...Set... Probably Match!!

I can hardly even believe what I am seeing. Time to rebuild in San Antonio.

^ Michael Smith said the Grizzlies were taking down the Spurs in the first round and Beadle laughed in his face...Obviously the series is far from over but geez...they're being trounced.

I definitely agree with OKC. I think they may be the toughest matchup in the league because they have two young guys that are stars, mixed with tough interior defense and a good mix of role guys. I'd say they don't have the experience to win it all, but no one wants to face the Thunder.

 

I just don't see it from Boston. Their defense is suspect without Perk in the middle, as neither O'Neal provides much. They beat up on Cleveland and Orlando, but Miami is a completely different animal. Sure the Heat didn't close out yesterday but they'll have a different focus for Boston IMO.

 

Who for Miami can Boston not guard inside? Boston's bench will own Miami's. Miami will have to play the Big 3 a ton of minutes. I think Miami should win the series but if the games are close Boston has proven time and again that they will execute. Miami has no idea what to do.

They may be a year away. I'm think the series is going to be overrated. I could be wrong but I don't think Boston matches up well with Miami right now and I don't like Boston's make-up. They went soft when they took on Krstic, Green, & brought in J O'Neal. They're not the same team they've been the last few years IMO.

 

The loss of Perkins hurts but is overstated. You don't think Boston can even make it a series?? Didn't they work Miami in the regular season? This one is going minimum six and probably seven IMO.

I can hardly even believe what I am seeing. Time to rebuild in San Antonio.

 

Rebuild? I dont know about that. But they will have to add some good players. This series isn't over yet though. It will be tough for them to come back, but not impossible.

^ Michael Smith said the Grizzlies were taking down the Spurs in the first round and Beadle laughed in his face...Obviously the series is far from over but geez...they're being trounced.

 

I'm not crazy shocked they are winning it's just how they are pounding them this game when it was such a huge game.

Rebuild? I dont know about that. But they will have to add some good players. This series isn't over yet though. It will be tough for them to come back, but not impossible.

 

They need to rebuild for sure.

I mentioned the Spurs/Grizz would be a tough match-up. The Grizz are not your typical 8 seed. They tanked it at the end to get the Spurs and had the 4th best record in the west the second half of the season. They got better when Gay went down, Randolph has been playing like the player many thought he would be, and Conley has become an unsung top PG.

They need to rebuild for sure.

 

You would struggle to find an older men's league team.

I mentioned the Spurs/Grizz would be a tough match-up. The Grizz are not your typical 8 seed. They tanked it at the end to get the Spurs and had the 4th best record in the west the second half of the season. They got better when Gay went down, Randolph has been playing like the player many thought he would be, and Conley has become an unsung top PG.

 

They definitely tanked it to be matched up with the Spurs. San Antonio scares nobody and is on the verge of needing a complete rebuild.