2018 PLAYOFFS: (2) Golden State vs. (7) San Antonio

[Lamrock]

In a re-match of last year's conference finals, the defending championship Warriors sans their best player will take on the San Antonio Spurs, sans their best player. If it were a different team, like the Thunder or Jazz playing the Warriors, I'd be excited about this. But I really don't see the Spurs doing jack in this series. Aldridge should have a couple big scoring nights, so I'll give them a game due to that and Golden State's mediocre performance without Steph. But don't be fooled, the Warriors got this.

GS in 5.

[Kevin]

Spurs in 5. Curry somehow returns in game 5 elimination night and gets shutdown by an also returning star, Kawhi.

[JaoSming]

Sudden Kawhi, it's gotta be him.

Going Ws in 6....like every one of my other picks I guess.

[Brave Sir Rubin]

Warriors in 6, even though every single inch of my being wants the Spurs to win in 7.

[Andrew]

Warriors in five. The Spurs have finally slipped from "elite" back to "pretty good", and while Curry may be out, the Warriors still have plenty of firepower.

[shadowgrin]

Warriors in 5, with one game of Danny Green thinking it's 2013 again, last gasp performances from Manu and Parker, and Aldridge putting up 30-10-2 on 50% shooting.

[SoF'nAwesome]

Fuck Leonard

[NovU]

I told you so moment. Prior to the season start, I said Spurs made series of shit decisions for years and their fall happened exactly as predicted.

Warriors in easy 5.

[Dee4Three]

Warriors in five. The Spurs have finally slipped from "elite" back to "pretty good", and while Curry may be out, the Warriors still have plenty of firepower.

Quinn Cook to the rescue.

Warriors in 6. I think Aldridge goes off a couple games, and allows them to steal one or two.

Lets see what the Warriors bench is made of in this series, a lot of question marks.

[Jackal]

Kawhi not even being with the team for the playoffs is so weird. The heck is going on with him? Totally didn't expect him to punk out like that.

I never liked Aldridge as "the man". He has a tough time against taller/agile defenders and since his most lethal weapon is a jumpshot, I wouldn't really rely on him to drag you out of a 7 game series against the Warriors.

I voted for Warriors in 5. Gasol, Ginobili & Parker's corpses deserved better than this Kawhi.

[Lamrock]

I don't think Kawhi ever plays for the Spurs again at this point.

[Jackal]

One of the weirdest situations I've ever witnessed as a fan of the game. Only player I can think of quitting on his team this bad is probably Vince back in his Raptor days. What the heck.

[cavs4872]

I don't like when teams adjust their lineup to match the Warriors, even the Spurs... play your style.

I thought that's where the Jazz failed last year, when they took Boris Diaw out in favor of Joe Johnson (to match Durant and Green); Diaw even did a good job on LeBron in the Finals all those years ago.

As Lamrock put it, it's now time to watch the Raptors in their obligatory Game 1 loss vs. the Wizards; I feel so spoiled as an NBA fan this time of year - the fun doesn't stop. It's like Christmas day.

[Lamrock]

Spurs are gonna have a bad time in this series if Aldridge continues to be outplayed by JaVale McGee

[PeacemanNOT]

I'm a bit late, but I'll go with Warriors in 5.

[Andrew]

One of the weirdest situations I've ever witnessed as a fan of the game. Only player I can think of quitting on his team this bad is probably Vince back in his Raptor days. What the heck.

It seems really out of character for Kawhi, too. If the Spurs have mishandled the situation behind the scenes, that's also really out of character for the organisation. As you said, it's a supremely strange turn of events.

[shadowgrin]

Kawhi got the Derrick Rose syndrome, already cleared to play but doesn't feel like coming back.

[Jackie Kong]

He might want to lock an extension before he comes back. To be fair, I don't think it would make much of a difference if he comes back at this point this season. Would rather see a healthy Leonard next year.

I expect Warriors to win this in 4 or 5.

[NovU]

I think he's still injured and not fully recovered. Secretive Spurs and Kawhi don't want to get caught up in media bullshit shenanigans.

They should be just playing the media. What other explanation is there?

[Sauru]

Kawhi got the Derrick Rose syndrome, already cleared to play but doesn't feel like coming back.

work and get paid or sit home and get paid same amount? sounds like they the smart ones here

[Jackie Kong]

If he returns and the injury gets worse he might not get paid so it is more like
"work and possibly get paid or sit home and get paid" lol.

[Sauru]

If he returns and the injury gets worse he might not get paid so it is more like
"work and possibly get paid or sit home and get paid" lol.

this is true. thomas can speak to this i am sure

[Kevin]

old man Sauru still kicking.

Kawhi still doesn't feel well even though Spurs medical staff already cleared him. Got another team of doctors on his side to help him. Doctors on Kawhi's side says he needs more rehab. Kawhi obliges because he doesn't feel good about his knees and don't want to be the next D Rose/ G Hill so he decides to get 100% first before playing again.

[Andrew]

Right now, I'm thinking my 4-1 prediction was being generous towards the Spurs. Maybe they'll still steal one at home, but a sweep is looking quite likely at this juncture.

[Jackie Kong]

Yes. A 4-0 it is very possible unfortunately. Maybe, they can steal one in San Antonio somehow.