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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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February 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 110-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan (21) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut (12) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Spurs 110-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The Mentor and Student: San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors

By Andy Liu (@AndyKHLiu) – Hardwood Paroxysm

Last time the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors faced off in the postseason, Manu Ginobili hit a game-tying 3 to send the game into overtime. Stephen Curry dropped 44 in that same game. Klay Thompson went nuclear in the next to tie it back up. Only a Curry ankle injury would send a sure classic series into another relentless Spurs 4-2 series win. If all key players are healthy, this has the makings of a true epic.

The Warriors are a couple of years more mature and the Spurs the defending champions. To add onto the intrigue, Steve Kerr has stolen much of Gregg Popovich’s ideals, calling for constant movement and the near-socialist theory of sharing the ball. It’s worked to Spurs-ian success as the Warriors have run through the regular season like the Spurs of the past couple years.

What’s even more fascinating is that this could immediately become the most hyped 1-8 matchup of all time. For the Spurs, vanquishing their little brother, a team they’ve forever owned, in the first round would portend to another Finals run. For the Warriors, finally rising above their dreaded nightmare in the first round would give them enough confidence to beat just about anyone. If you’re going to have to go through the best, you might as well do it first, right?

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