Apr 9, 2013
The West is obviously filled with very strong teams that can surprise teams in the playoff unlike the East where most of the brackets are predictable. The West however, has two candidates that are most likely to make it into their conference finals. These two teams right now are tied at an impressive .737 percent record representing themselves as the Spurs and the Thunder. The teams differ greatly; one team has a roster full of youth such as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka and Kevin Martin. The other has aging veterans with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.
The Spurs have a great coach with Gregg Popovich and a great record but have recently been plagued with injuries that are coming now near the playoffs. Manu Ginobli for example is out for one month with a hamstring injury, being replaced with Danny Green. This could be a big problem for them against the Lakers who are starting to build chemistry together and have the offensive spark with Kobe Bryant who could tear apart Green. It may not seem probable for the Lakers to take the Spurs out but if Tony Parker, who was playing atrociously against the Thunder on April 4th with a leg problem is out, then you may see the Lakers get to the second round. However, we don’t know if the Lakers are going to solidify themselves at the 8th spot when the Jazz are neck to neck with them. We know the Jazz aren’t as strong in the back-court as the Lakers. If Utah makes it in, I don’t see them making it through, they could take them to six games but that the only thing I can see. Although, who’s to say that the Thunder won’t overtake the Spurs for the first spot leaving them second in the west? The Spurs will then be left to take on Houston who has Lin and the streaky Harden, and they can dominate any team if they have a good night. Whether they play the Jazz, Lakers or Houston they may have trouble with the short-handed roster that may come in the next few weeks. Unlike the Spurs, the Thunder are healthy with all their star players ready and starting to gain more confidence as the playoffs approach.
The Thunder’s here to win, having taken out the Spurs in the WCF only to be struck by the Heat. The Thunder is going to either face the Lakers or Houston. You saw how Oklahoma took out the Harden lead Rockets in previous match-ups because they know all his strengths and weaknesses and they target them. Unlike Houston, the Lakers are stacked in most positions with a great defensive frontcourt and an amazing backcourt. Although, the rosters only worked on paper during the beginning of the season, they are building chemistry and if Kobe really goes into Mamba mode like he usually does, I see no reason for the Lakers to give Oklahoma a run for their spot. What about if the Thunder does get through and they meet up with the Spurs? In last years bout against the Spurs, the trio of Harden, Westbrook and Durant were set-back by two losses in the row at the start of the series. The Thunder then stormed back with a four game win streak to take the round and the Western Conference crown. Who’s not to say this won’t happen again? The rosters for the Spurs will be almost the same with Ginobli back but the Thunder has only gotten stronger with the addition of Kevin Martin. The Thunder also has more defensive efficiency with Thabo Sefolosha taking up more minutes to stop Ginobli from doing anything. We know that they’ll have a slight problem with offense with subs but, really, will they? They have offensive scorers in Durant, Westbrook and the 6th man, Kevin Martin. It looks like the Thunder and Spurs are going to go at it in the WCF but who will win?
So with the Spurs and Thunder as the biggest candidates for taking on Miami (Yes, Miami) in the Finals, it should be fun watching one of these three teams giving all they can to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
