Goodbye Round 1

Posted by Taong Gagamba on
To all whose teams got out of the first round, big congratulations to you. Especially if your team just came from a Game 7. Like the teams that don't have time to breathe, we also have none as we dive straight to the next round. I, for one, am glad that we can move forward. Now, let's see who we have used already...


  • Pacers: used Paul George
  • Wizards: none
  • Heat: used none
  • Nets: used none
  • Spurs: used Tony Parker
  • Blazers: used none
  • Thunder: used Kevin Durant
  • Clippers: used none

Now my wish is that this time around, the teams that are expected to win, actually win. With George and Durant out of my roster, I cannot afford a slew of Game 6s and Game 7s. The bad news is, I don't expect any sweeps, too.

Day 1 of the semis feature the Wizards@Pacers and Clippers@Thunder. The Thunder are the most likely to win their series, but the Wizards are the most likely to lose theirs. I'd like to see how the Clippers measure up to the Thunder first before I pick from that series. I am sure their organisation is still in high spirits after that Sterling debacle.

The Pacers (when they are themselves, especially Hibbert) have almost the same defensive intensity as the Wizard's last opponent. But unlike the Bulls, the Pacers have plenty of offence to go around. Not a knock on the Wizards, but I got John Wall next.

[John Wall pick cancelled.]

Phew! That Round 1 was tiring!

UPDATE: With Chris Paul nursing a lot of injuries, I am now thinking the Clippers cannot sustain high octane basketball for the whole series. While it may be a good idea to pick Chris Paul early before he gets worse, my guts say it's the Griffin Force for Day One...


Changing minds. Early in Round 2. Bad.

Who Wins Conf Semis?

Comments

  1. UnknownMay 5, 2014 at 1:12 AM

    I hope that Wizz will win this series. My pick is going to DeAndre Jordan.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 3:27 AM

      Gonna be tough for the Wiz. They can hope that the Pacers are still not out of their funk yet.

      Delete
    2. UnknownMay 6, 2014 at 1:49 AM

      At least, I was right that Wiz would win. But DeAndre broke down my good position...

      Delete
  2. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 5:47 AM

    I was thinking the same thing with Griffin....(cold)
    .... Of course I believe the Thunder will win :)
    .... I was thinking I start picking LAC players while I wait to see how the WAS IND plays out..I could go 1, 2, or 3 deep with the Clippers before deciding on who might win the other series...
    ....Thunder up !!!

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    1. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 11:49 AM

      well, the NBA site was not up to par when I had decided on Griffin(the percentages owned were off) I'm going with a colder LAC player lol
      ...
      Good luck

      Delete
  3. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 6:01 AM

    I figured NBA.com would have the contest updated by this morning... ugh...

    ReplyDelete
  4. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 6:03 AM

    btw, for those who believe they will have no chance at winning the contest there is credence to using up the best players to get the highest score as possible to simply try and win the first round prize lol

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    1. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 6:44 AM

      Winning may be farfetch to most. Beating last year's own score is a better goal

      Delete
    2. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 7:27 AM

      True :)

      Delete
    3. AnonymousMay 5, 2014 at 12:35 PM

      is there a site that shows us our previous results? I want to see my results from all the previous years.

      The only page I found that hasn't been taken down yet is the 2009 DTTF

      Delete
    4. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 4:10 PM

      Have you posted here in the comments last year? If so look at the archives ---->

      If not, outta luck, nba.com doesn't keep them.

      Don't forget to post your results here at the end of the Finals :)

      Delete
  5. quarkMay 5, 2014 at 7:33 AM

    I think the only team not expected to pass is WAS... So the wish should be this round not to be as long as round 1...
    I bet on OKC, SAS, IND and MIA... but I must be carefull to keep enough players for next rounds... (I've used one of each).

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 4:14 PM

      Now that I changed my pick from Wall to a Clipper, I wanna see Wiz win just Game 1 just to mess up pick plans hehe

      Delete
    2. aceee06May 5, 2014 at 4:55 PM

      I used Paul George in the 1st round, I'm leaning Wizards advancing just for that reason, that I can't afford the Pacers to have multiple advancements after using their best player.

      Delete
  6. TangentMay 5, 2014 at 7:52 AM

    Time for Round 2, where things get trickier. Most people are going to say San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Indiana and Miami. But the chances are there is going to be some sort of upset, it's usually not 1-2 and 1-2 in the semi-finals. I'm going to put my faith in two teams early, and watch how Game 1 goes for the other series to make my decision. I'm most confident in OKC and Miami. For people doubting the Wizards, I must ask why? I'm ignoring their season records and looking at the teams. The Wizards are to 2014 what the Pacers were to 2013 - a great overall team. They have 5 starters who all make big contributions from Nene and Gortat inside, to Ariza and Beal on the outside, and John Wall as their superstar leader. Reminds me a lot of West, Hibbert, Stephenson, Hill and George, only with less in fighting. So the Wizards are the new Pacers. Indiana might still win this, but Game 1 will speak volumes. I'm waiting this out at least Game 1. There are 7 Clippers worth picking, so even if my Thunder prediction fails it won't hurt me too badly. So I'm getting Chris Paul while I can, and saving Blake Griffin for a home game. As for the other two series, the Heat are likely to sweep the awful Nets (who are now without referee aid) and I like Portland as a possible upset for the San Antonio Spurs. For Tuesday, I'm picking Deron Williams and waiting Game 1 out between Portland and San Antonio. If the Spurs win big my mind will change towards picking Blazers.

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    1. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 11:48 AM

      I agree with your thoughts, except for game one speaking volumes.... Remember IND game one in the first round.....Most of the experts wrote them off, period... lol
      ...Like you I'm going with a LAC player the first 2 or even three games betting on OKC, all the while letting the other series play out for those 3 or 4 games...
      ....Again I will picking Nets for a while letting the SAS POR series play out....
      ..........
      Peace :)

      Delete
    2. TangentMay 5, 2014 at 2:29 PM

      More like Game 1 provides key insights - some good examples include Indiana over New York last year or Portland over Houston and Washington over Chicago this year. Portland and Washington winning Game 1 will not make me pick Indiana and San Antonio players, but it will prepare me to eventually do so if the series progresses the way I now expect. Remember, Atlanta is not as good as Washington, and Indiana can't afford to play the same way early.

      Delete
    3. TangentMay 5, 2014 at 3:33 PM

      We are going to be waiting out the same series this round - let's sit back with our feet in the air and watch the magic happen!

      Delete
    4. quarkMay 5, 2014 at 3:34 PM

      Brooklyn swept Miami 4-0 in the season...

      Delete
    5. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 4:23 PM

      Spurs' experience will carry them through the Blazers who was lucky to have caught a newly-formed inexperienced Rockets

      Delete
    6. TangentMay 5, 2014 at 4:23 PM

      I did not see that or know that. That makes things a little bit more interesting. Still think Miami but it makes you wonder if it will be as easy as we all say it will be.

      Delete
    7. TangentMay 5, 2014 at 4:27 PM

      I believe in the Blazers. I watched a lot of that series, the Rockets looked very good and Portland kept finding ways to win. I think Tim Duncan came out and said he that the Spurs don't match up well against the Blazers. He might be pulling some Jedi mind games though.

      Delete
    8. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 4:32 PM

      More likely mind tricks. Tim is Pop's padawan.

      Delete
  7. UnknownMay 5, 2014 at 12:03 PM

    What's your entry name?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 4:34 PM

      In the game, nbadrivetothefinals.blogspot.com
      Don't look for me in Page 1, I'm in pace mode. Sprinting in Finals.

      Delete
  8. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 12:25 PM

    In fairness of disclosure....
    ..... I have used 7 players from teams that have advanced lol.....
    ......Still feel confident in my strategy going forward... :)
    I've got 572pts ranked 473 and in the 98 percentile...
    ......I WILL prevail :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Alex HergesMay 5, 2014 at 1:39 PM

    Well, without that glitch in the system I would only have lost Paul George and Joe Johnson (no loss) from advancing team, but it looks like I won´t get LaMarcus Aldridge back :(

    I tried a second mail to the support team and hope for a miracle. I will keep playing for a few days but I am not sure for how long.

    Have 454 pts right now (could be 480 with my DeRozan pick). The only one I missed completely in round 1 was Noah. Bad timing with Harden and Howard, very bad timing picking Monta Ellis in game 1. The only really good surprise was Steph Curry.

    I am going with Chris Paul and Paul Pierce in the first two days. After that, wait and see (the results of the four games).

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    1. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 4:37 PM

      Two Pauls in Game1s, not bad. How about Lilliard in Game 1? Should be able to dance around Parker.

      Delete
  10. Stive08May 5, 2014 at 3:49 PM

    For once I'm stuck on who to pick

    Spurs and Heat should win their series but today's teams are hard to predict. Thunder concern me alot because frankly they're a 2 man team since harden left and if they had him i would pick them to win this series. yes the griz defensively are harder then clippers but this clipper team is better then its ever been and they have the better coach.
    I think Wizards will beat Pacers, the Pacers have shown nothing since january to tell me they will win this series and they've been losing alot since then and Wizards have improved alot with the acquisition of gortat to go with a fit nene. How are pacers going to guard wall and beal. Wiz defense is underrated and pacers is overrated. wizards have the better offense so I'm slightly leaning on them to win.

    I've narrowed it down to 2 options I either go Nene or J Crawford. Why these 2 ? because both those teams have a solid 4-5 picks and it will let me see out the first games. Toss of a coin who I pick.

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    1. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 4:18 PM

      Because I believe that OKC will win their series I'm using LAC players for the first 1, 2, maybe three games to see how the IND WAS series plays out...
      ....Actually I'm going with Crawford myself....I still have Griffin and Chris Paul... but if you know me I like to go cold. My thinking on that is this is my one chance to outdo others.
      ....If I pick the same player(hot player) the best I can do is tie them. But going cold I give myself 'chance' to do better than them with each player.
      ...Good luck

      Delete
    2. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 4:40 PM

      Why nene if you pick wiz to win? Go for crawford. Wait out wiz games 1&2

      Delete
  11. thehalfcourtheaveMay 5, 2014 at 4:20 PM

    Went with Trevor Ariza today and he is proving to be a good pick early on. Already has 8 PRA in the first 5 mins of the game, hope he continues his hot shooting.

    For tomorrow, I am going with a Blazer. Don't know yet who to pick but we'll see.

    ReplyDelete
  12. aceee06May 5, 2014 at 5:12 PM

    I got Lance Brickinson 1/7 from the field and 7 pra at half.
    After a solid start I got a lowly 16 from Ellis last night and Stephenson maybe worse. Between Thompson (22) and Ellis (16) my percentile has fallen from 96 all the way to 89.

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    1. Taong GagambaMay 5, 2014 at 6:08 PM

      aceee06, your PRAs may be like that, but it seems you are picking the right teams to lose. I say you'll be alright

      Delete
  13. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 5:39 PM

    Ugh.... :(

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousMay 5, 2014 at 7:10 PM

    CP3 ON FIRE!!!! 5-5 from deep...just finished the 1st.. i was regretting not sticking with either ariza or gortat, but hey a lot changes in 20mins haha!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. LuminosityMay 5, 2014 at 7:43 PM

    I've called all the series right so far. Everyone's doubting the Wizards. There's no reason they can't beat the Pacers who went to seven with Hawks. Teague destroyed the Pacers and the duo of Wall and Beal will be too much. Heat will beat the Nets. Blazers will beat the Spurs. OKC will beat the clippers in 7

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    1. TangentMay 5, 2014 at 7:49 PM

      I made the same comment earlier saying everyone is doubting the Wizards. Look at the poll on the site though. 14 votes for Wizards to win, 11 votes for the Pacers. There is a strong contingent of people not doubting the Wizards I've come to realize.

      Delete
    2. @topknoxMay 5, 2014 at 8:11 PM

      People wrote off IND after game one in the first round..
      ....Not saying they will win.... Just say'n :)
      That is why it's a best of 7 ....

      Delete
  16. LuminosityMay 5, 2014 at 8:34 PM

    Exactly I didn't. That's why i didn't take a pacer. OKC is losing today. But I'm sure they will win the series.

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  17. TangentMay 5, 2014 at 9:05 PM

    Today was a big statement in Game 1 by the Clippers. I'm hoping an equal and opposite statement is made by Durant in Game 2. He gets my pick on Wednesday.

    ReplyDelete

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