Switch Or Stay?

Thunder gave the Spurs another beating, and the series is now tied 2-2. By what you have seen, should people switch now saving Thunder players for the Finals? Or hold on?

Let me take a look at my options (Strong, Normal, Weak) based on playoffs average:
Spurs: Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard, Tiago Splitter, Boris Diaw, Danny Green, Patty Mills
Thunder: Caron Butler, Kendrick Perkins, Steven Adams, Derek Fisher


And here are my remaining picks from the East:
Heat: Chris Bosh, Ray Allen, Mario Chalmers, Chris Andersen

If I were to avoid weak picks in the Finals assuming seven games, then I can afford to take one Spur now. Of all remaining Thunder players, Butler averages 11 PRA in this series, Perkins 10, Adams 13, Fisher 10. I can take a Thunder now, but anyone will just be lesser pick than Diaw or Green in the Finals. So it definitely should be a Spur. Now, I can pick Diaw or Green but it really doesn't matter because I can switch those two with Ginobili and Kawhi. Besides, just in case Thunder wins the next two, then at least I have already picked these two players. Since Ginobili has foot problems, I am going to pick Kawhi Leonard.


As for any Thunder left for a possible Finals appearance, I think any chance of salvaging that has already passed. So right now, a Spur win in Game 5 at home should give me a sigh of relief. If they do, Steven Adams gets my Game 6 pick. Otherwise, it's a healthy Ginobili or Tiago Splitter. If there is a Game 7, I got soon-to-be free agent Caron Butler.

Good luck with your picks!



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Comments

  1. Switch?
    ....
    ....... I've played a Spur player the last 4 straight games :P
    .....
    G1 Parker for 29
    G2 Green for 25
    G3 Diaw for 18
    G4 Leonard for 16 sickening!
    ..........
    I Will be playing another one in the next one.
    .....Probably Duncan :)
    .....
    Thunder UP !!!

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    Replies
    1. This was a great strategy. If the Thunder win, you win for sure. I'll be with everybody else who picked Thunder players this round - scraping the bottom of the barrel for PRA. I also have Duncan!

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    2. Great pick of Danny Green for 25 PRA. Green is totally useless on the road, at least against OKC. Well actually just about all Spurs players are useless on the road vs. OKC.

      Spurs better win Game #5 (and even that might not be enough) or it's Deja Vu time once again with OKC going to the Finals.
      Though I am sure Imawake will have no problem with that happening. lol

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  2. This decision is easy. Other than people who are "Thundering Up", who really has many worthwhile Thunder left? I've got mostly Ibaka and Adams, and only really Ibaka I plan on picking this round. The Spurs are very deep. I'm happy even if I down 4 Spurs this round. I'm picking Tim Duncan. He'll be playing on basically a four day rest.

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  3. Not that anyone would have done it today but Westbrook generated 55 PAR for anyone who still had him and used him in G4, 41 wasn't bad but I'd love to have 14 more PAR.

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    Replies
    1. People picked Westbrook today. For sure. Not a huge amount but there were 6%.

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  4. You know....
    ....
    With RW getting that 55pra got me to thinking.(hush)
    ...
    To think, that when a player grabs that big pra, it could be the best he does in the contest period...
    ...soooo
    That being said does it matter if you get it NOW(in that game) or in the finals(if he makes) or in the first round for that matter?...
    ...Then it becomes a strategy of trying to guess when a player will play their best.....
    ....
    To me it doesn't matter.....so what if you don't have the best players going into the finals IF you got their best game when you pick them.

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    Replies
    1. In the case of LaMarcus Aldridge who fired off a 66 PRA in the second night of the playoffs. He never came near that again, and that score was nearly double anything he posted after that. I only got 34 PRA out of him.

      So with that in mind, it was probably best to pick Aldridge the night he posted the 66 PRA. Although Portland was never thought of as a serious contender to make the Finals anyway. As far as taking players to the finals, it depends if you are in contention for the car, or if you wish to have any chance to compete for segment 4 prizes. If you don't take a strong team to the finals, you definitely are not winning segment 4. Or in the case of the ESPN game Pick 1-N-Done, 4X a player's PRA is much better than 3X. Actually I really do miss that game. Can't believe they didn't bring it back. ESPN morons really screwed up a good thing there.

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    2. Also miss the Pick One game NBA.com used to offer. Made the regular season more enjoyable and go faster. They should have brought that back. Unfortunately they never did. Complete morons, one and all!

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  5. I'm preparing for one of two scenarios: Spurs in 7 or Thunder in 6
    The Spurs can't win in the land of the Thunder and G7 is a huge advantage for the home team. The question is do the Thunder grab G5 in SA like in 2012? If they do, they'll win the series (in G6), if the Spurs hold homecourt, this will be an all home team series.
    G5 Pick Tim Duncan
    G6 Pick Boris Diaw if Thunder win G5/Kevin Durant if Spurs win G5
    G7 Pick if necessary Serge Ibaka

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  6. Remaining Picks:

    Miami - Wade, Allen, Mario, Anderson, Cole
    Pacers - Nobody worth mentioning
    Spurs - Parker, Ginobli, Leonard, Diaw, Green
    OKC - Ibaka, Adams


    Took a risk and went with Lebron on Monday which worked well, but then Tiago Splitter let me down massively last night!

    Planning to go with Norris Cole tonight as he seems to be getting more minutes than Mario. Would pick Birdzilla but not sure he'll recover from the injury that kept him out on Monday. Trying to keep Ibaka just in case Thunder pull off this comeback, but will use in Eliminator if required.

    Weds - Norris Cole
    Thurs - Boris Diaw (was brilliant in 4th last night and will get going at home i think)
    Fri - Hopefully no pick, if there is then probably Birdman

    Tiago seriously hurt me... Had clawed my way back into my private league when I picked Lebron and rivals picked DWade on an off night. But Splitter killed me. Stupid Tiago. Grrrr!!

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  7. Going with David West tomorrow. He is my best Pacer player left and he has been putting in good PRA's on elimination games this postseason.

    vs ATL Gm 6 - 41 PRA
    vs ATL Gm 7 - 21 PRA
    vs WAS Gm 6 - 39 PRA

    With the exception of that Game 7 against ATL, I am liking my chances with West going for another 30+ PRA.

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  8. That blowout was awful, not only did the Spurs starters spend the final 16:40 on the bench but the Thunder stars played until just over a minute left in the game so it was bad all around for Spurs picks except Diaw. It's a miracle that Leonard was only 2 PAR worse than Ibaka given he had 10 less minutes.

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  9. Steven Adams (10 PRA) was a disappointment after him posting up 18 PRA and 16 PRA in his last two games. Kendrick Perkins (13 PRA total) of all people stole some of Adams' appeal by bringing in 10 rebounds for the night. Normally Perkins is in foul trouble and on the bench early in games, but of course the night I decide to pick Steven Adams, Perkins lasts for much of the game (at least before all the starters got benched because of the blowout).

    Russell Westbrook (55 PRA) had a monster game and San Antonio got demolished once again playing @OKC. With this series now tied at 2-2, I strongly suggest the Spurs win tonight at home. Otherwise, it will be a repeat of the past with the Spurs losing to the Thunder and not making the finals after winning the first two home games. San Antonio is complete garbage when playing @OKC.

    Game #5 will pretty much decide the OKC vs. San Antonio series. If the Spurs win Game #5, especially convincingly, they will most likely win the series. If OKC wins in San Antonio, or keeps it close, they will or likely will actually win this series, after coming back from the dead, and getting back the supposed out for the year Serge Ibaka, who obviously was not out for the year.

    Anyway, time to pick Spurs players at this point, until seeing what happens in Game #5. After Game #5, you should know fairly well what to do with this series, and you can still get one if not two great picks in.

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    Replies
    1. Boris Diaw (27 PRA) had a huge game for the Spurs in their loss. Other than that most of their players (and all of their starters were complete garbage playing @OKC). Cory Joseph (15 PRA) and other SA bench players "shined", while their starters and significant players folded like tents, including Manu Ginobili (5 PRA), Danny Green (5 PRA), and Tiago Splitter (4 PRA). Horrible night, one and all for the Spurs starters. Actually horrible for anyone other than Westbrook, Durant, and Diaw.

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  10. For tonight the choice is easy in the Miami/Indiana series. Only 2 Pacers players left. (Roy Hibbert, Lance Stephenson). Going with Roy Hibbert at home, since I want no part of him on the road, should this series get extended. I'll save Stephenson for a Game #6, should that happen.
    The Pacers won't win Game #6 in Miami, and we'll see whatever heart they have tonight, to see if they can play with pride and prevent from getting beat on their home court. Most teams would win in that scenario, and force the series back to their opponent's home court. But this is the Indiana Pacers, and their focus, intensity, and heart have all been in question, since the second half of the regular season.

    Since I would like to use both Pacers players I have left, I would like to see them win tonight. Then get beat in Miami. However, I am not exactly expecting the Pacers to rise up tonight. Hopefully they surprise me, and I get to see the Roy Hibbert that was posting 25+ PRA against Miami in the regular season and the first two games of this series, when played at Indiana.

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    Replies
    1. Pick Stephenson now you can't take the risk on missing out on him plus they're getting eliminated, Miami will end it this game and if somehow Pacers win you can use Hibbert next game.

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    2. Wanted no part of Roy Hibbert on the road. Barely want to pick him at home.

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  11. Oops.

    What can I say? I´m sorry, Reggie?

    My worst-case-scenario (win for the "wrong" team DTTF-wise, and bad game from my pick) just got worser by my pick hurting himself within the first five minutes. Suddenly I am afraid for Lance Stephenson.

    The good news: I cracked the Top 10. Or, to be honest, the TOP 10,000. Currently sitting on place 9,996, thanks to 8 PRA from poor Jackson. Ibaka generated 10 more points, why am I not surprised?

    And after being at least happy with my daily leader Westbrook in game 3 with his 41 PRA he now goes off for 40-10-5, Ah well, all in a season, isn´t it?

    So, who do I curse, I mean, pick in game 5? Seeing as it looks like I should reserve Durant for the Finals now (sigh) I will pick one of the many Spurs studs I still have, and my pick goes to France. I will not say which french player I mean, but I already picked Boris Diaw, if that helps.

    I am afraid now even if the Spurs remember how to play basketball and win this game and maybe the series, that the Miami Heat are strong favorites for the threepeat. Incredible how that all turned out. Everything seems to fall Miami´s way.

    Best of luck to Stephenson and the french dude. At least the teams I picked from won the last two games, even though my picks didn´t shine. Who knows?

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  12. Injury Status Notes:

    Ray Allen (hip) questionable for Game 5 (12% DTTF picked)

    Chris Andersen (thigh) also questionable for Game 5 (0% DTTF picked)

    Stay tuned (for those this concerns).

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  13. If I had Ibaka and Westbrook reversed I would have gained more pts but I guess it's typical DTTF this season. OKC's starters should have been benched instead we got trolled big time.

    Anyway today I have my final Pacer in Stephenson left, he's had 2 poor games in a row which helps and even better only 6% have him. I think he'll get over 30pra for sure. Pacers are getting eliminated and Heat will try to close them they don't want extra games and also Pacers just look beaten mentally already just look at PG last game,

    good luck everyone !!!

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  14. I took my last available Pacer starter, Hibbert. I'm hoping for the Heat to win to avoid having to pick for a G6, opposite of Daytona who has taken better care of his Pacer picks.

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    1. I still have Hibbert. :) Go IND :)

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    2. Excellent 2nd quarter (even though my pick only added 1 PAR in that quarter) because the Heat outscoring the Pacers 26-11. Got 10 PAR at half, I'd take a 20 and a Heat win. :)

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  15. Indiana is a joke. Even with LeBron on the bench doing nothing because of fouls, Indiana can't compete. Might as well start planning your summer vacation.

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    Replies
    1. LBJ 5 fouls already early in 3rd and sits.
      Pacers gotta capitalize.

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    2. With this unbelievable turn of events, I need as much from Hibbert as possible because I don't know what Mario Chalmers will give me. I hope he does well but dang the Heat should have won this, 5 fouls on LBJ in the early 3rd, can you say NBA RIG?

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  16. Favor guys, can you Like this page please?
    They just need to pump it up :)
    http://bit.ly/P123iLike
    You can unfollow so you don't get messages.
    Thanks!

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  17. James already with 5 personal fouls in the third quarter. I feel bad for the 1% who picked him.

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    Replies
    1. As many fouls as PAR, now the 35 I got from him looks good! Now come on Wade, Bosh, Allen and the rest of the Heat and make up for LBJ's absence. Go Hibbert, keep it up but don't let your team win :)

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  18. I'm excited about Friday now. I'm quite sure I'm going to pick LeBron James. How can he not do better...... hopefully he does legendarily well!

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    Replies
    1. Also, I achieved the Pacers dream..... all 5 Pacers above 20 PRA. Only problem was not a single one excelled beyond their capabilities (i.e. no West, Stephenson, or George PRA bonanza). Oh well, at least Hibbert didn't give me one of his 0 point spectaculars. I can take solace in that!

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    2. Tempting I must say.....
      ....I can promise you that LBJ will be bringing his A game after what happened today.... at home... yeah... tempting :)
      ....
      Like I said.... if you can get a 50pra from him, does it matter if you get it now, or later?

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  19. PG got 45 PAR, come to think of it if the Pacers hadn't had those series deficits against the Hawks, I may have used him tonight.

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  20. So you think that the best option for friday is to pick Lebron?

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  21. Norris Cole is a punk! Him and Tiago Splitter have ruined me...

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    Replies
    1. The night I was going to take Splitter I changed my mind and went with Kawhi Leonard and ended up with only 16pra in that blowout..... THAT sucked :)

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