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Hardwood Paroxysm Presents: Our Fantasy Playoff Matchups

By HP Basketball Network

Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum (88) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Nicolas Batum (88) during the third quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is guarded by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 128-122 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is guarded by New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday (11) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 128-122 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Team of the Year vs. Player of the Year: Warriors vs Pelicans

By Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) — Friendly Bounce

The Western Conference playoffs is setting up more like a horse race than your typical seeded tournament. Any of the eight teams could win the gallop to the NBA Finals but you could certainly pick out a few thoroughbreds. Two of which–the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder–are projected to meet in the first round based on the current standings.

That opening round series could very well determine the winner of the West. Smart arguments can be, and have been, made explaining why either of those teams could make it to the Finals. Beyond what’s at stake, that series will pin Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant against Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, two deep rosters and teams that play fast and furious. Aesthetically and consequentially, no first round series has ever had more potential.

But with the Thunder clicking with a month and a half left of regular season to go, they could sneak up the standings and avoid a first-round matchup with the Dubs.

If that happens, the Pelicans getting in as the eighth seed is the next best thing.

I don’t know how you or most people define their MVP, but Anthony Davis has been the best player over the course of the season. He’s blossomed from one of the best defensive players in the league to challenging LeBron and Durant for the throne.

He’ll likely finish the year averaging better than 23 points, 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game while shooting at least 54 percent. Only Shaquille O’Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, David Robinson, Bob McAdoo and Patrick Ewing have had comparable single seasons.

In the face of LeBron’s return to Cleveland, Westbrook’s threat to unseat his own teammate for best player on the court any given night and James Harden’s play molding of the modern NBA player, it’s been The Year of the Brow.

Then we have the Warriors, the most exciting team to watch from start to finish. A team that features the best shooting back court in league history and, yet, a second round pick is the emotional, and often, vocal leader on the court. Steve Kerr went from the booth to the bench and woke up a sleeping giant.

This team has talent and, because of the questions following the Mark Jackson firing and the Kevin Love-for-Klay trade that never happened, this team also has an edge about them.

A first-round matchup featuring The Brow against the Warriors–a throwback player merged with modern efficiency against the best team, top to bottom, in the league–would be the Player of the Year against the Team of the Year. A chance for the next juggernaut to emerge.

Next: Grit and Grind meets Thunder and Lightning

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