You know that Round 2 is no different than Round 1 when in the first day both road teams win. Sorry folks! Definitely no cruising for Drive To The Finals this year. This is the year when winning your league is much more meaningful... because the 2014 Playoffs is so darn hard!
Earlier the Wizards beat the Pacers, and I was relieved to have changed my John Wall pick to Blake Griffin... until the Clippers trampled over the Thunder in Game 1. Bad start for the round, and another round of uncertainty.
So Wednesday's pick is a tough one. Can't pick a Clipper nor a Wizard because they lead 1-0 and play home games 3 and 4. Can't readily pick a Thunder nor a Pacer because a 1-1 or a 2-2 just means they're back on track, and that is so much doable. I decided because I already used too many West players (Parker and Durant last round, and another one later below), that I will pick from the East even with the early uncertainty. That move will allow me to have more options for the West Finals later. I am rolling my dice and picking a Pacer, David West. Lance Stephenson had a relatively bad Game 1 and I will wait for him to get his bearing before I do pick him. David West has had a good game and should be his usual hard-working self in Game 2.
Tuesday's pick for me is between a Blazer and a Net. I call both teams to lose the series, but the Nets match better against the Heat, than the Blazers are to the Spurs. Having said that, I believe these two games are at this point in time up in the air. I am picking LaMarcus Aldridge, not because I think the Blazers lose faster than the Nets (actually the opposite), but because I know (and you longtime readers too) that he is a Texas native and he loves lighting it up there. May it be the Mavs (he always buries us), the Rockets or the Spurs (even the nearby Thunder) -- he'll be extra active.
Now, don't tell me both Blazers and Nets will steal Game 1... because I'm gonna go bonkers!
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Earlier the Wizards beat the Pacers, and I was relieved to have changed my John Wall pick to Blake Griffin... until the Clippers trampled over the Thunder in Game 1. Bad start for the round, and another round of uncertainty.
So Wednesday's pick is a tough one. Can't pick a Clipper nor a Wizard because they lead 1-0 and play home games 3 and 4. Can't readily pick a Thunder nor a Pacer because a 1-1 or a 2-2 just means they're back on track, and that is so much doable. I decided because I already used too many West players (Parker and Durant last round, and another one later below), that I will pick from the East even with the early uncertainty. That move will allow me to have more options for the West Finals later. I am rolling my dice and picking a Pacer, David West. Lance Stephenson had a relatively bad Game 1 and I will wait for him to get his bearing before I do pick him. David West has had a good game and should be his usual hard-working self in Game 2.
Tuesday's pick for me is between a Blazer and a Net. I call both teams to lose the series, but the Nets match better against the Heat, than the Blazers are to the Spurs. Having said that, I believe these two games are at this point in time up in the air. I am picking LaMarcus Aldridge, not because I think the Blazers lose faster than the Nets (actually the opposite), but because I know (and you longtime readers too) that he is a Texas native and he loves lighting it up there. May it be the Mavs (he always buries us), the Rockets or the Spurs (even the nearby Thunder) -- he'll be extra active.
Now, don't tell me both Blazers and Nets will steal Game 1... because I'm gonna go bonkers!
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This round is gearing up to be different than Round 1. The teams that stole a game on the road are much better positioned to take down the higher seeds. And they didn't steal a close one on the road - they both looked dominant all the way up to final moments. Here's hoping Durant comes up big in Game 2. I'm changing my opinion on who will win the series though - the Clippers. This one might not make it to Game 5. Reminds me a lot of Dallas vs. Los Angeles from 2011. In fact, the depth on the Clipper bench is very Maverick-esque. Perhaps we have a team that can defeat the Heat?
ReplyDeleteI also had loads of fun watching Chris Paul's PRA skyrocket all game. Imagine if had been closer and if he played in the 4th quarter? Crazy.
DeleteI also think the Clippers will defeat the Thunder.
DeleteI've got Deron Williams into Lance Stephenson
ReplyDeleteBeal last night, Williams and Lance to follow. Have used one Pacer (PG), one Wizard (BB), one OKC (KD) and one Clipper (BG). 583 points after BB's 39 so am going on okay, 2nd in my private league tho. Here's how I see this round...
ReplyDeleteWizards are on a roll right now and their starting five looked the part against Chicago and again last night. Fearless. But the Pacers look like a shadow of the team they were before ASW. You can't go to 7 against a sub500 team. Wizards win in 5 or 6.
Clippers vs Thunder is tough to call, I've used Blake and Durant in round 1, so will wait to see how this develops. Clippers are so deep with JC coming off the bench, whereas OKC are too reliant on two guys. Not sure. Wait and see, but half expect Clippers to ride the wave of Donald Sterling all the way to the finals. Only one more thunder to pick anyway because Ibaka will be too busy battling Blake to get points.
Miami should beat the Nets, despite the regular season record. DWill has to dominate for Brooklyn to have a chance, and I can't see that happening. Only chance for Nets is playing KG at center and PP at the 4 to give some matchup problems but still expect Miami to progress in 5.
Spurs vs Blazers... Heads or Tails? Not picking from those teams till I see how it's looking after a couple of games. Can't remember how they got on in regular season head to head but when it's this tough to call I usually back Gregg Popovich. Spurs in 6/7.
Whatever happens, it's been mad so far and the hardest DTTF year in ages!!
Ali
I agree with everything you've said in your analysis of the series. We have the same 2 picks coming up also. I have 536 point, but have only used one Wizard (yesterday JW) and one OKC (KD) so I've still got my Griffin and George.
Delete@imawake, sorry accidentally removed your comment earlier (coz I thought you deleted it). I think it was something about running out of players for the Finals.. yeah be more careful :P
ReplyDelete@Tangent, the 2014 Clips like 2011 Mavs.. umm not sure. But what I'm sure is nothing beats being motivated. The Clips winning will stand for something (equality for all) and that one is so inspirational, it might (note: might) get them further this year.
@Ali, I'm not sure Jason Kidd wants KG playing heavy minutes, moreso at the 5.
@Jerry, Ali, why D-Will early?
DeleteMy thoughts are pick the best players on the teams playing the Heat as quickly as possible and get them out of the way. I favor D-Will lined up first simply because he needs to set the tone and JJ is too much of a one trick pony (points) for me although I do have him lined up for Thursday. Hell, even if Brooklyn wins Game 1, I'll prob still pick him Thursday. The Heat are going to the Finals & there's no one in the East that is going to stop that.
DeleteI'm with Jerry on this...
DeleteCan't see the Nets holding out for a series win against Miami. And I think Miami will get better at guarding DWill the longer the series goes on, plus he should be game ready, while the Heat might take a game or two to get up to speed. He has to set the tone for his team! I'd take 30 from him right now if it was offered.
Ali
Actually I'd take 25 and run away laughing! SO inconsistent these Nets other than Joe.
DeleteThe comparison to the 2011 Mavericks has to do with 1) A #3 seed who a lot of people picked as a dark horse and 2) Incredible depth - Paul, Griffin, Jordan, Reddick, Barnes, Collison, Crawford, Davis, Granger, and Dudley - that is 10 quality NBA players. And if Chris Paul continues to play like he did last night, he just might be their Dirk.
DeleteWill not pick a Net for tomorrow since I can't rely on their PRA's fluctuating from 30 then15 the next game. Already picked Iso Joe and will wait for Pierce/Deron in Game 3 or 4. I am going with the coldest of cold picks for tomorrow and selecting Wesley Matthews. I still think that the SA/POR series is a toss up between this two teams, so I will wait who will take the advantage.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I think I am going crazy by thinking Plumlee in Game 1 hahaha
Ugh. they just didn't play JC enough minutes!(19pra, my lowest) I will drop lol
ReplyDeletelol... C'mon... I played Jamal Crawford last night.. that is deep into the bench.... (meaning, I've got starters) lol
DeleteI like your blog, but I have to quit reading this. Guessing from your picks I'm at least 125 points in front of you. I know there is about 80% luck involved in this thing, but I switched from CP3 after reading your blog.
ReplyDeletewhat does reading the blog make a difference to your picks, I read it but I don't follow and pick the exact players mentioned on here. I have my own mind. It's here to help others and not to make your pick for you.
DeleteAgree with Stive08, make the switch and it's on you, not the blog. I had CP3 locked in and reading the blog would not change my mind. Blake Griffin could just as easily gone off huge. Follow your gut, and read the blog to see how other people's strategies compare to your own.
DeleteThat's alright guys. I did say CP3 was the pick, and Blake was just my guts. Anonymous, follow your own guts ;) And thanks for liking the blog!
DeleteBesides, a Clipper was not the best pick that date, fantasy-wise.
It's all cool :D
Shaun Livingston is my man tonight...
ReplyDelete....Woooohoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo :)
Woah, we're halfway there, woah, Livin' on a prayer!
DeleteSo, round 2 starts with nothing but homecourt losses. Obviously, Aldridge is going to lead the Blazers to a win in San Antonio and the Heat don´t care for the trend and beat up the Nets. I would like to pick Aldridge, but have to go with Pierce instead. Meaning, I won´t change my pick now. Why would I?
ReplyDeleteAs for tomorrow, I am going West, even though I played with the idea of picking Stockton or Malone from the Thunder. Seriously, how are the Thunder different from the Utah Jazz of the 90s? Stockton and Malone were great players who helped the Jazz always being one of the best teams, but in the Playoffs the opponents always beat them in the end. If not in the first round, then later. They won the West twice, which is one more than they should have won. And the Thunder already had their Finals appearance. Back when they still were three.
I am happy with my Chris Paul Pick, even though he sat for the final quarter. Depending on how the series goes, I might switch to OKC players as of game 3 or 4.
Pick Aldridge. Just leave the spot blank and add in DeRozan's 26 and whatever LaMarcus Aldridge gets tonight to your total at the end. You don't play for the number the computer tells you got at the end, do you? You'll know how well you did and who you finished ahead. You obviously haven't picked Aldridge yet, and if the game managers aren't going to fix that then just take matters into your own hands and leave a blank protest spot that you know in your mind is your Aldridge pick.
DeleteI love Stockton and Malone to death!
Deletewell I got 23 from Nene who sat out the whole 3rd because of 2 stupid fouls. I was actually going to pick West yesterday but didn't because I wanted to see how the pacers would respond in this series. Well they showed me straight away that they'll not be winning this series like I predicted before hand. Reason I chose Nene is because the other 4 Wiz produce better pra consistently then Nene and he's also injury prone so thats why i decided to sacrifice him that game to get a picture of how both series will go.
ReplyDeleteClippers like I said will beat OKC, they're the better team. OKC will need KD to drop close to 40 in all these games to be able to win this series. OKC are overrated and are still living off the glory of reaching the finals 2 seasons ago when they had a big 3 not a big 2 like they have now. Clippers strengths beat OKC's this series but you never know they could still win, the fact is if Randolph played game 7 they wouldn't even be here and they were lucky he lost it.
I'm picking a Net today, because Blazers do have a chance against Spurs I reckon more then Nets have against the Heat. I can pick the 4 Blazers later while picking Nets early. I was going to go with D-Will but I think he'll do better in home games and also he's coming off that ankle problem so don't really want to use him yet. JJ its too early to pick he's their main pra dude so I'm not going to use him now so that leads me to yep you guessed it Pierce. First game of the series he'll want to win and not only that he played only 25mins last game so should be fresh, we'll see this game if he's the Truth.
I've got Shaun Livingston tonight... On the way to my lowest PRA of the contest Wooohoooooooooo :)
ReplyDelete12 I couldn't me more thrilled.....
ReplyDeleteI guess picking a Net is a deal breaker, a real dice roll.
ReplyDeleteYeah, both those nights neither player go the minutes they normally do.... I would have been happy with 20 or 25 :/
DeleteTrue, though those two Net's were a long shot... I still have Paul Pierce and D. Williams.....Just trying to save my POR SAS starters for next round.. waiting to see how that series plays. would like to get 3 games in or so before I start burning starters :)
ReplyDeleteCan't save both POR and SAS starters for long. You gotta pick the lose eventually.
DeleteLike i said above.... would like to get 3 games in or so before I start using them... :)
DeleteHow about 2 games in? Just in case Spurs sweep (although unlikely). Spurs 2-0, start picking POR?
DeletePossible.... ...
DeleteLOW PRA's....
ReplyDelete......................Only THREE players got over 30 today...wow