Bware's Second Round Preview and Predictions: Western Conference

[BwareDWare94]

(1) Golden State Warriors vs. (5) Memphis Grizzlies
 
Summary
A high scoring, high flying group of pit bulls versus the NBA's lone anomaly among a group of teams focused on perimeter shooting. The odds don't lean in Memphis' favor
 
Key Pieces
GSW--Curry, Green, Bogut
Memphis--Gasol, Green, Joerger
 
X-Factors
GSW--Thompson, Speights, Kerr
Memphis--ZBo, Lee, Udrih, Conley (he'd be a key piece if it was guaranteed that he'd play)
 
Maximum Win Totals
GSW--4
Memphis--4
 
Minimum Win Totals
GSW--3
Memphis--0
 
Prediction
I'm hesitant to call Memphis a dangerous team to the Warriors, simply because they don't match three pointers with three pointers, and I also don't expect Mike Conley to play. By all accounts, his face looks like it ran into Manny Pacquiao ca. 2010. Don't expect much of a series unless Joerger can get Udrih and Calathes to somehow stay glued to Steph Curry. Aside from that, Calathes is such a poor shooter that GSW can simply sag off and keep him out of the lane (that is, if Joerger continues to start him). 4-0, Warriors.
 
(2) Houston Rockets vs. (3) Los Angeles Clippers
 
Summary
Morey-ball versus Lob City. Dwight and Josh Smith versus DeAndre Jordan in the hack-a game. There will be more dunks than made free throws between those three in this series.
 
Key Pieces
Houston--Harden, Howard, Ariza
LAC--Paul, Griffin, Jordan
 
X-Factors
Houston--Jones, Brewer, Smith
LAC--Redick, Doc
 
Maximum Win Totals
Houston--4
LAC--4
 
Minimum Win Totals
Houston--1
LAC--1
 
Prediction
This series could be great or it could be lopsided, depending on who gets hot and who doesn't. Doc could also out-coach McHale in every facet imaginable, but he's likely to do that anyway. If Chris Paul is hampered, Houston can stick with Pablo and Terry at the point. If Paul is healthy, Houston can't defend him with anybody but Ariza without throwing a young rookie in Nick Johnson out there. It all comes down to CP3. 4-1, Clippers.

 

[Pugz]

you really think the clippers win in 5? im think this is a 6 or 7 game series, still think clippers take it.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Grizzlies max wins 4? Not sure I see a scenario how they beat the Warriors. I would've said max 3

 

[elcheato]

I would have said Max 1, and that's generous. 

 

[CameronCrazy06]

My 3 was WITH Conley playing lol

 

[elcheato]

Obviously they're better with Conley, but I don't think he even matters here. They can't keep up with the Warriors scoring. 

 

[BwareDWare94]

You guys realize I predicted GSW to win 4-0, right?

 

[Pugz]

max win is 4 because you don't and can't win any more than that in a series lol

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Duh but by saying "Memphis' max wins is 4" means he thinks there's a way Memphis wins this series, which there isn't.

 

[BwareDWare94]

If Mike Conley comes back anything is possible. If they win game two.

 

[BwareDWare94]

Memphis has a better coach and bigs. It's not like they don't have advantages.

Note--I say that with Draymond considered a wing, and he's still the third best player in this series

 

[Hurricane Season]

a better coach?

 

[Pugz]

the jury is still out on kerr. i think he has a better staff. him and his staff did make that team a lot better. but i think he may be the better coach in this series..

 

[bosoxlover12]

Note--I say that with Draymond considered a wing, and he's still the third best player in this series

Oh HELL no

 

[BwareDWare94]

Curry
Gasol
Green
 
Pretty fucking simple ranking, too. Who else is better than Green? Klay Thompson? LOLno.

 

[BwareDWare94]

We've seen Joerger respond to adversity. He never overreacts. Steve Kerr has been driving a bulldozer, and has not yet faced adversity. We do not know how he'd react.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Klay Thompson is better than Draymond. I don't get how that is "simple" to you. One is a role player, one is a star. Quit over complicating things

 

[BwareDWare94]

Draymond Green is not a role player lol

 

[CameronCrazy06]

But is he a "roll player"?

 

[bosoxlover12]

Oh got em


And how is Green NOT a role player? Dude is averaging 11.7ppg. Thats if you took Tony Allen's 8.6ppg, and added one 3 made per game (Allen averages 0.2 3s made, and Green 1.4)

He's a great role player, and is intrigal to the Warriors success, but he is not a star. Klay is definitely better than him