NBA Playoffs

Originally Posted by King Glorious

East
San Antonio vs. Denver
The Spurs were really good in the second half of the season. Denver has been a disappointing 25-20 since Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony started playing together. However, there have been flashes of what everyone has expected. They went 8-3 in one stretch where they beat the Lakers and Phoenix. They dominated at Cleveland. They played a defensive match and beat Dallas. They finished the season winning 10 of 11, including two wins against the Lakers, one on the road, winning at the Clippers and at Utah. Everyone knows what u will get from Iverson and Anthony. The keys are Marcus Camby and Linus Kleiza. Camby has become a defensive monster, dominating the boards and blocking shots. Kleiza is finding his niche as a guy that buries open shots. Steve Blake can handle the ball so that frees up Iverson to roam a little more and that makes it harder to key on him. This is a dangerous team. The Spurs are too. They have everything u want. Experience, depth, and most importantly, talent. I don't think Denver is a good matchup for them though. Tony Parker will have to get into the lane often and try to get the Denver big men in foul trouble. That will open things up for Tim Duncan. We all know Duncan comes up big in the playoffs but Camby will make him work because he's so active then Nene Hilario will come in with a change of pace. In an upset, I'm taking the Nuggets in seven, feeling that the pressure of having to win game seven at home to avoid an upset is going to cause SA to crack. Iverson's been there and that's huge in how he'll help Denver.

Its time for a wager. 100 dollars on the Spurs.

Before you take this, I will give ample warning. The teams the Spurs do not want to play in the west in order are:

1. Dallas
2. Houston
3. Utah

And the reason is simple. They all play D. The Spurs are most excited about being in the offensive half of the Western draw. Its perfect. Dallas is by far the best team in the league. They just have to prove it. If Dallas plays well they cant be touched by anyone, Phoenix included. I will also be willing to make wagers on the Phoenix-Spurs series that I think is inevitable. Come one come all.

Camby will get blocks on Duncan but Duncan is way too strong for either man because of his lower half which is one of the most overlooked parts of a big man. Iverson will meet his match in speed and the hand in the face long haul will wear him out. And he will have to play D against Parker who can go by him with ease. 13 out of 32 from the field games will not cut it. Anthony is the biggest matchup problem for the Spurs. He is more mobile and stronger than any player we have to cover him. He can overpower Bowen. Bowen will be as always trying to draw offensive fouls off Anthony because of the huge diff. in strength.

Thanks for putting your stuff up. I enjoy the reading.

ONe last little tidbit with a different Nuggets team in the 1st series game. Denver was 17 out of 18 to finish the season. They beat the Spurs in San Antonio the first game of the series. People loaded on board like rats. Hope it happens again. The series was a sweep after that first loss. I love these type of betting scenarios after the first game goes bad. I am a bit worried about the Joey Crawford backlash. Those Philly refs stick together (2 still left and they will do Spurs games). I wish the guy would have just stayed on (Stern damn you). Damnit to hell for that, cause I think he is a good ref with a bad temper.

The best basketball will be played in the Houston/Utah matchup imo. This will be a great series if you like the D. For those Phoenix and Denver fans, AND ONE can be seen on ESPN2 also. Gotta love that matador D.

Spyda, Spyda, Spyda... was not covered by anyone, traveled, and then hung on the rim weaving his web. The Ice Follies of basketball.

[alysheba4]

Originally Posted by pgardn

The best basketball will be played in the Houston/Utah matchup imo. This will be a great series if you like the D. For those Phoenix and Denver fans, AND ONE can be seen on ESPN2 also. Gotta love that matador D.

Spyda, Spyda, Spyda... was not covered by anyone, traveled, and then hung on the rim weaving his web. The Ice Follies of basketball.

......... can i add that denver has but 2 chances to beat S.A. slim and none.