30th of March, 1999.
The Spurs Playoff Picture

If the playoffs began today, the playoff picture would look like this:

1. Portland vs 8. Phoenix

4. SPURS vs 5. Lakers

2. Utah vs 7. Seattle

3. Houston vs 6. Minnesota

Not that I don't think that the Spurs have a chance to beat LA, but this is about the most difficult match-up in the first round that the Spurs could have.

Of all the teams in the NBA, LA (because of their talent) and Utah (because of their efficiency) are the teams I fear the most. These are our two biggest hurdles.

However, with San Antonio having the first two games of a five game series at home, maybe this would be the best time to face LA. If the Spurs take care of business and win their two home games which could easily spell the end of the Lakers simply because of their lack of maturity and their lack of cohesiveness. Being down two games and on the brink of elimination, I can easily see the Lakers start to point fingers at each other and self- destruct.

Of course it is easier said than done.

Meanwhile, Portland will have a tough test against Phoenix, possibly the most dangerous eight seed in recent history. Whichever team wins, does not really matter because I think we can take either out in a series. In the other bracket, Utah should handle Seattle with ease (thanks to Paul Westphal IMHO) and will have to wait for Houston as the struggle but still beat Minnesota.

Last year, Houston gave Utah all they could handle plus now the Rockets have Pippen. Still I expect Utah to win.

So we are left with the Western Conference Finals as the Spurs go to Utah. If the Spurs can get back to the level they played at last year against Utah plus the Spur's new talent, we can beat them. I think that it rests upon the shoulders of Pop to prepare them. I have serious doubts that it will happen and I think our season ends there as Utah goes on to face Indiana in the Finals in the least watched finals in recent history.

I hope Pop proves me wrong.

The road through the playoffs could become a lot brighter if two things (that are quite possible) happen:

First, we need Utah to catch Portland and get the best record in the West.

Second, we need to catch Houston and maintain the #3 spot in the West.

If everything else stays the same, the brackets shape up like this:

1. Utah vs 8. Phoenix

4. Houston vs 5. Lakers

2. Portland vs 7. Seattle

3. SPURS vs 6. Minnesota

Now that the Spurs are playing better, we should be able to continue our dominance over Minnesota. Whether we play Seattle or Portland next round, again it should not matter.

Basically, if the playoffs shape up like this, we don't have to worry about those big Ifs in the first round. Our road to the Western Conference Finals is much easier in this bracket.

Meanwhile, Utah would have a tougher road in that they must face either Houston or LA in the second round. Even their first round match-up is tougher in this scenario.

I still think Utah will make it to the Western Conference Finals, perhaps though (I hope) they will be a little more battered, a little more beatable for their trouble. This could mean a Spurs-Pacers finals (maybe they would bust out an ABA basketball for it).

Again, it will be the least watched finals in recent history, but it will be one I will watch and attend.

My fingers are crossed.


By Spurn