2018 PLAYOFFS: (2) Golden State vs. (6) New Orleans

Golden State completing the gentleman's sweep of the Spurs gives us our first second round match-up, versus the New Orleans Pelicans.

The big question surrounding the Warriors is of course the status of two-time MVP Steph Curry. While they were able to crush a short-handed Spurs team, they are certainly much more vulnerable without him. Truth be told, I'd still pick them to win it all even if he missed the rest of the post-season, but their offense definitely takes a huge hit with him on the sidelines. He's expected back sometime in the middle of this series, but we'll see how well he does. He was clearly hobbled in the 2016 playoffs, a big reason why they almost lost to OKC and did lose to Cleveland.

For the Pelicans.. well, they are the only team to record a sweep in the first round, becoming the first team to sweep a 3 seed in the first round since... they did it as the Charlotte Hornets back in 2001. They looked like an elite team in the first round, with Jrue playing the best ball of his career, playoff Rondo playing connect 4 wins in a row, Mirotic making everything, and AD showing why he's a top 5 player. That they were playing against a flawed, mentally weak Blazers team should take nothing away from what they accomplished.

Still, I'm going with the Warriors in 5 very close games. Kevin Durant is going to have a field day, and I think Steve Kerr will actually bother to make adjustments and game plan for the Pels.

I'll go with the Warriors in 5 as well. Depending on whether Curry returns and how effective he can be, maybe the Pelicans can win a second game to push it to six and give Golden State something to think about with a momentary scare. I underestimated New Orleans in Round 1, but these are the Warriors we're talking about; a more difficult opponent than Portland to put it mildly. An upset seems highly unlikely to say the least.

Warriors in a hard fought 6, or even 7. The Pelicans confidence is sky high, and I think the Warriors are vulnerable without Curry (If he indeed is out for a big part of the series). I feel like Davis will be able to have his way around the basket, and am wondering if Durant will be on him most of the series. I like the defensive tenacity of the Pelicans, wondering if Klay might be held in check for most of this series.

This Pelicans team is intriguing, one of the more interesting teams to me in playoff history.

Ws in 6 because of no Curry.

Im so tempted to choose Pelicans because no one will and bet pay off will be huge lol. But I sense this is 5 game series once again in favor of Warriors. Durant is the new king, the best player in league as LBJ is aging. No Curry, no prob.

So the Pelicans' defense won't hold up against the Warriors? Too much firepower I guess

I just don't think AD is the best player of the series anymore. Neither he has more help than the real best player(KD) in the series.

I think the key for NO is to stifle Klay/Curry, that's the most intriguing matchup to me. I think once again, we are looking at the backcourts playing a pivotal role in a series. KD will most likely get his, I agree with NovU's confidence in him. I also think AD gets his, but it really comes down to what happens in the backcourt in my opinion.

Can Jrue/Rondo keep up that defensive intensity against the high powered, high scoring offense of GS? Can they hold Klay under 20 points, or make him shoot poor from the field? I do think the Pelicans have a shot in this series. But, it looks like Curry will be back. What worked on Lillard will not necessarily work on Curry, in fact im sure it wont. One reason, Green is much better in the pick n roll/pick n pop, nobody on Portland has pick setters/screen setters like Green. Also, Durant is underrated in that regard as well. Curry will break free far more often than Lillard, so it's a question whether the help will come fast enough for NO.

They need Rondo to not only do what he did in the first round, but also put some points on the board for NO. Underrated is how well Rondo has been finishing at the hoop, he needs to do that for NO in this series.

Can they stick AD on Durant?

Can they stick AD on Durant?

I wonder... I think for stints, but not the whole game. I bet we see Igoudala on AD during spurts, even despite the size difference. I feel like GS will throw a few different looks at him with Green/Igoudala/Durant/Looney.

I worry about AD's ability to laterally stay with Durant when he is going downhill.

Looks like it was a mixture of Looney, Durant and Draymond Green guarding him most of the game on 4-7-18. With Green obviously being the primary. From what I can tell, looks like AD is staying mostly on Green. But obviously, this is the regular seasons, and the Warriors were without Curry.

I do like Looney's length though, hes pretty athletic.

phpBB [video]

Is Solomon Hill back? If so, that's probably who will guard Durant. I think he's supposed to be a good defender? He's no Keith Bogans but...

Omer Asia was a nice defensive big but team was better when AD was occupying paint. You are taking away better things for worse things by giving him a defensive role against KD otherwise for special occasions. Besides he is too important on offense, cant have him tiring himself out following KD around the perimeter.

Scary thing about Golden Street is that they are play small ball with big boys. On the other hand, pelicans are pretty much one man team that feeds off AD's greatness. Without AD going into beast LBJ mode, pelicans stand very very little chance.

Next round GS beats the Pelicans 4-2. If Curry sits at least 2 in that series it’s going 6 maybe 7. If he’s cleared for Game 1 it’s a wrap in 5!!

Warriors in 4. Steph is ready for a return.

bulls fans bandwagoning on the pels sealed their doom

Pelicans not going quietly into the night.