Blazers vs Spurs

[fumanchu]

How do we deal with Tony Parker? I expect to see lots of Batum on Tony. His length could pose problems.

I would also like to see Wes guard Ginoboli quite often. Wes had the perfect warm up against Harden. Harden and Ginoboli are very similar players.

Aldridge vs Duncan could be a wash. Lamarcus should put up the better stats, but Timmy will still make an impact elsewhere.

The center position could be in our favor. Thank god San Antonio has no one near Dwight Howard.

We match up so well with the Spurs. This series is winnable.

That said, home court will be the difference in the series I think. I see the Spurs winning in seven. But if anyone can derail the Spurs it will be us.

Go Blazers!!

 

[BigGameDamian]

Ya we should see Batum on Parker.

 

[PDXFonz]

How many times do Batum and Parker go out to dinner together during this series? Over under is set at 3, taking all bets!

 

[RoyToy]

The worst bench in the NBA vs the best bench in the NBA

Big advantage for the Spurs in that area

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Ya we should see Batum on Parker.

Batum on Parker means Lillard on Danny Green, with Matthews on Kawhi? Hmm...

I think at least for game 1 we'll see how straight up matchups work out.

 

[PDXFonz]

Batum on Parker means Lillard on Danny Green, with Matthews on Kawhi? Hmm...

I think at least for game 1 we'll see how straight up matchups work out.

Can't wait to watch Rolo/LA guard Duncan!

I think we have the tools to make him a non factor. IMO spurs have to win this series with their role players, which is highly possible.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Can't wait to watch Rolo/LA guard Duncan!

I think we have the tools to make him a non factor. IMO spurs have to win this series with their role players, which is highly possible.

Agreed.

SA's bench and how well Pops manages them is scary good.

 

[RoyToy]

 

[illmatic99]

Sounds like Blazers are flying out tonight. Crazy how quick all these decisions are made.

 

[Rz4k]

Splitter > Lopez for whoever said the C matchup will be to their favor; Spurs get swept by Dallas without his D on Dirk, and I think he'll give Aldridge fits as well. Although he's listed as our starting C, Splitter plays PF on D. However, LA will annihilate whatever Duncan/Splitter combined provide on offense anyway.

 

[EGame]

Yes I want Batum on Parker and Wes on Leonard/Ginobli. I would like to stick Lillard on Green that way he shouldnt have to expand to much energy on someone who is mainly just a 3 point threat. I think we did well on Howard and didnt double him too much which means we stayed with the 3 point shooters. No one on the Spurs front court really commands a double so we just need to watch out for Parker and Ginobli penetration and make sure we get back on any shooters out there when they kick it out.

 

[RoyToy]

Splitter > Lopez for whoever said the C matchup will be to their favor; Spurs get swept by Dallas without his D on Dirk, and I think he'll give Aldridge fits as well. Although he's listed as our starting C, Splitter plays PF on D. However, LA will annihilate whatever Duncan/Splitter combined provide on offense anyway.

We'll have to disagree on Splitter > Lopez

Lopez held his own going against the twin towers in Howard and Asik. He's been big all year and quite frankly is underrated by other teams

He has the size advantage in this series and won't be battling Dwight Howard anymore. He has a chance to have a big series imo.

That's assuming the Blazers aren't forced to play small ball.

 

[Rz4k]

We'll have to disagree on Splitter > Lopez

Lopez held his own going against the twin towers in Howard and Asik. He's been big all year and quite frankly is underrated by other teams

He has the size advantage in this series and won't be battling Dwight Howard anymore. He has a chance to have a big series imo.

That's assuming the Blazers aren't forced to play small ball.

Aight, we'll agree to disagree. As I said, Lopez will be guarded by Duncan most of this series, and one-on-one in the post Duncan is a far better defender than Howard (lengthier too). Howard is such a defensive presence due to his athleticism and mobility, but as a rim defender he's above average at best. Asik is a closer comparison to Duncan on D, while Howard is more like Splitter (only Splitter is taller and lengthier as well).

Anywho, final prediction is Spurs in 6. The first two games will be very telling; Blazers take Game 1 and they become favorites.

 

[Hobbesarable]

How do we deal with Tony Parker? I expect to see lots of Batum on Tony. His length could pose problems.

I would also like to see Wes guard Ginoboli quite often. Wes had the perfect warm up against Harden. Harden and Ginoboli are very similar players.

Aldridge vs Duncan could be a wash. Lamarcus should put up the better stats, but Timmy will still make an impact elsewhere.

The center position could be in our favor. Thank god San Antonio has no one near Dwight Howard.

We match up so well with the Spurs. This series is winnable.

That said, home court will be the difference in the series I think. I see the Spurs winning in seven. But if anyone can derail the Spurs it will be us.

Go Blazers!!

I would like to see a combination of Wes/Batum guarding Tony Parker throughout the series.

 

[Rhal]

I would like to see a combination of Wes/Batum guarding Tony Parker throughout the series.

Containing Parker without leaving 3 point shooters wide open will be a big part of this series.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Anyone think we could see Víctor Claver in this series?

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Anyone think we could see Víctor Claver in this series?

Nope but if he was on the Spurs we would.

 

[TBpup]

Anyone think we could see Víctor Claver in this series?

It's odd to talk about a guy who was inactive the series before but Claver is exactly the type of player who could make a difference against the Spurs. San Antonio goes small a lot and you have to have players who are mobile, can defend, rebound and handle the ball a bit to match up against them. Claver is perfect for that....although he hasn't played in a long time and would be very rusty.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I think this could be a good series for Claver.

 

[Natebishop3]

This is going to be an amazing series, and I expect a much more respectful rivalry with the Spurs fans.

 

[blue9]

Yes!!!
I think Lopez is going to have a big series. He did what he had to to survive the 1st round. And now everything is going to be so much easier for him. Lopez will be a major factor in us winning this series.
Pops doesn't let his pride get in the way of winning - so while he's single-covered LMA in the regular season I won't be at all surprised to see him double if/when LMA starts getting things working in the paint. Pops is going to give us fits by always finding ways to get an open shooter. We're just going to have to be extra diligent about rotating and boxing out.

 

[Further]

This is going to be one hell of a series. Against Houston Stotts out-coached Mchale big time, but against Pops I think Stotts becomes the underdog.

At this point in their careers I like Portland's starting five over the Spurs, but not but much, and they certainly have by far the better bench.

This might be lingering euphoria from the last series talking, but I'm predicting Blazers win in seven!

 

[Rz4k]

This is going to be one hell of a series. Against Houston Stotts out-coached Mchale big time, but against Pops I think Stotts becomes the underdog.

At this point in their careers I like Portland's starting five over the Spurs, but not but much, and they certainly have by far the better bench.

This might be lingering euphoria from the last series talking, but I'm predicting Blazers win in seven!

Blazers aren't winning a G7 in San Antonio; waaaaaay too young for that. Their best bet is to win in 6,

 

[Rz4k]

Yes!!!
I think Lopez is going to have a big series. He did what he had to to survive the 1st round. And now everything is going to be so much easier for him. Lopez will be a major factor in us winning this series.
Pops doesn't let his pride get in the way of winning - so while he's single-covered LMA in the regular season I won't be at all surprised to see him double if/when LMA starts getting things working in the paint. Pops is going to give us fits by always finding ways to get an open shooter. We're just going to have to be extra diligent about rotating and boxing out.

If Pop doubles, he'll send Kawhi briefly. Lopez won't dominate against Duncan, though he may give him some problems early on; unless he's up against athleticism or greater length (Dalembert was a pretty good matchup to pit against Duncan in round 1 tbh), he'll eventually figure things out and start abusing Lopez. Splitter/LA will be the matchup to watch on both ends.

 

[magnifier661]

Can't wait to watch Rolo/LA guard Duncan!

I think we have the tools to make him a non factor. IMO spurs have to win this series with their role players, which is highly possible.

I don't think Rolo will be on Duncan. I think Aldridge matches with him

 

[Natebishop3]

If Pop doubles, he'll send Kawhi briefly. Lopez won't dominate against Duncan, though he may give him some problems early on; unless he's up against athleticism or greater length (Dalembert was a pretty good matchup to pit against Duncan in round 1 tbh), he'll eventually figure things out and start abusing Lopez. Splitter/LA will be the matchup to watch on both ends.

So you really think they'll put Splitter on LA?

 

[magnifier661]

Blazers win this series 4-1

 

[magnifier661]

So you really think they'll put Splitter on LA?

That would be the biggest mistake in pops career

 

[Natebishop3]

Blazers win this series 4-1

Nah, it will definitely go at least six. Maybe seven games.

 

[Rz4k]

So you really think they'll put Splitter on LA?

Yes, he's the best combination of length, strength, and size the Spurs can throw at him. Diaw, Duncan, and even Leonard will see some looks, but Splitter will get the majority of that duty.