2010-11 SBNation Blogger Previews: Southwest Division

Poll

Which Southwest team has the best shot at knocking off the Lakers?

Spurs

139 votes

Mavericks

152 votes

Rockets

178 votes

Hornets

8 votes

Grizzlies

14 votes

491 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

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RE: Poll

Unless Kobe breaks down (a real possibility, lots of mileage in 15 years) unfortunately no one really.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Oct 26, 2010 10:06 AM PDT reply actions

Only possible one in my opinion is the Spurs

And that’s if Splitter is awesome, Blair remains awesome (and his knees or lack thereof don’t blow up), Duncan/Ginobili keep going, Parker has a contract year, and Jefferson doesn’t disappoint like last year… so a lot of variables, but I think they’re the only ones with a shot.

Rockets aren’t gonna be in any shape to knock off the Lakers with Yao only playing 24 minutes, and the Mavericks tend to falter in the playoffs consistently.

Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.

by Aykis16 on Oct 26, 2010 10:23 AM PDT reply actions

While realistically I agree that the Rockets don't match up great with the [Redacted]

I gotta root for any Adelman team to knock off those @&#(*$! And I rather have Yao for 24, when Bynum may not even suit up.

This.

by elfboy_ on Oct 26, 2010 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

I'll be rooting for the Rockets in the West

insofar as teams with playoff aspirations go. Martin, Adelman, Miller to an extent, plus I really like the other members of the team. I didn’t like Pat Pat for our team this year but I love him for the Rox.

Author of the Pick and Scroll. Follow me on Twitter here.

by Aykis16 on Oct 26, 2010 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Too much is being read into Splitter's European success

the rules are different, the lane is different, the speed and size of the NBA game is different. It’s going to take him at least a year to get accustomed to the NBA game. I actually think the Spurs will drop to the 8th seed this year. I like Dallas or Houston winning the Southwest. Let’s face it, age is not your friend and it’s a long season.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Oct 27, 2010 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions

The Rockets are intriguing

They have those streaky (and effective) perimeter shooters – they averaged nearly 8 makes a game last year. In a 7 game series, if they got hot, they could upset the Lakers. They could also go cold and be out in four. A longshot, indeed, but I think they are the one team that could even hope to catch lightning in a bottle.

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by section214 on Oct 26, 2010 11:17 AM PDT reply actions

I wonder about them going back and forth in style of play

when Yao is in and when Yao is out. IF they can figure out how to really nail/alternate those two styles they could confuse a lot of teams. It could be like having to game plan for two teams at once. Now if they do figure it out and Yao can stay healthy and play 30 minutes in the playoffs . . .

You may be right.

So imitate the action of the tiger!.
Lend the eye a terrible aspect
- and teach them how to war!
Henry V iii

by lietothegirls on Oct 26, 2010 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes, I'll bet the 24 mpg rule goes out the window at playoff time.

"If you don't have anything good to say, LIE" - Mom
The greatest impact player in NBA History - Tim Donaghy

by HighTops on Oct 27, 2010 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions

That 08-09 Rockets team was one of those teams that really caught that magic in a bottle

That team was great night in and night out. It still upsets me that Yao got hurt in that series against the Lakers. I really felt that was an epic battle against too really really really good teams.

I predict JT will never breathe through his nose.

by wallywagon11 on Oct 27, 2010 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions