Hypothetically speaking...

[FNG]

And this is strictly a hypothetical. Let's say you're a midwest team looking ahead to a potential second round. Would you rather play a team from Texas or one from the Bay Area? Answer, and defend your choice.

[FNG]

Okay, guys...I get why you may mot want to look ahead to round 2, but you can't tell me you're not thinking about it! Who would you rather play? I'm really conflicted and don't know who to cheer for.

[Coolbreeze44]

Id rather play Houston. There would be too much media pressure to get Steph into another final. Regardless, I think we beat either team.

[thedoper]

I respect the rockets players way more outside of Brooks. Love steph, but draymond, Jimmy and Kerr are so annoying.

[TheFuture]

100% would rather face Houston. They're less experienced and have no true juggernaut. No player on their team scares me in a 7 game series, other than Brooks potentially injuring someone.

GSW has Steph and Jimmy who are both proven playoff performers and probable to go nuclear at any given moment. It is another Luka/Bron match-up but Steph is just different to handle, and they have more depth.

[kekgeek]

I mean Jimmy refuses to play in target center so that’s a game changer

[60WinTim]

One of the podcasts discussing ANT’s ascension and becoming the face of the NBA noted all the “trophy pelts” ANT is accumulating on his wall — KD and Booker, Jokic and Murray, LeBron and Luka…

Seems fitting to add Steph and Jimmy to the wall, too!

[Phenom]

Both teams present some challenges to consider. Rockets are going to extremely physical and would be very confident in taking down GS. They would have a decent chance to wear Ant down and the Wolves would really need the subs to step up.

On the plus side, Rudy and Mike would be in a better matchup situation, I think, against Houston. Wolves defense would have an easier time. I'd take the Wolves, ultimately.


The Warriors are the legacy team that has done it so many times. Their stars are some of the highest basketball IQ that we've seen.

The Wolves would have home court advantage and wouldn't be doubling anyone much, if at all. They would still have a nice size advantage. The hatred for Jimmy and the Rudy/Draymond dynamic would make for some rabid home crowds. I would also pick the Wolves here.

Warriors will probably be it and I'm all about it.

[Q-is-here]

Some stats on the Warriors vs. Timberwolves since the Butler trade:

Warriors record: 23-8
Wolves record: 23-10

Warriors Net Rating: +9.2
Wolves Net Rating: +7.3

Warriors Defensive Rank: #1
Wolves Defensive Rank: #7

Warriors Offensive Rank: #8
Wolves Offensive Rank: #7

Bottom line....the Butler trade appears to have really boosted the fortunes of the Warriors, much more so than what the Doncic trade did for the Lakers.

IF we close out our series and IF Golden State closes out their series, it will be a formidable matchup.

[BloopOracle]

I really want to send Durant, Lebron and Curry home. However Houston would give us some reasonable tip-off times so I'm torn.