Thanks AK.  I can feel the need to start a Andrei quote tag.  In fact, done.   This coming after his “I would bite a throat” comment a little bit ago.

Well here come the Spurs.  The Jazz will likely have to play zone most of the time as it looks like they’re going to be playing five on eight (or more) most of the time if the Suns/Spurs series is any indication.  They also better hire some seasonal work in the form of team trainers and physicians.  They’re going to need it.  And if you thought Yao was bad when he got called for a foul, the Spurs have 3 All-stars that can play that game.

Of course the experts again are picking the Spurs.  No shock there.  Why is it that the Jazz aren’t being labeled as a dangerous team?  Had it been Houston or GS that made it this far, you would be hearing all kinds of, “This is a team that the Spurs don’t want to play.”  And there are no bandwagon fans for the Jazz.  They have to be the underdogs of who’s left in the playoffs, right?  Yet you don’t hear anything about nationwide Jazz fever.  Well, good.  Screw you all.  And of course Stern still can’t believe the Jazz are still in it.  “Damn it!  I gave you your chance ten years ago.  No one wants a champion from Utah!  Do you realize the lack of revenue we’ll get from that series?”

As for the series, it will definitely be going 6 or 7.  But if the Jazz want to give me an early birthday present and sweep, that’s fine too.  If Memo shoots like he can shoot, then the Jazz have the advantage.  Duncan and Boozer cancel each other out.  I see Fisher playing very well against Manu.  He’s really stepped it up since he’s returned from NY and his daughter’s surgery.  I’d like to see Williams beat the hell out of Parker and take Eva Longoria as his prize.  That leaves AK and Bowen.  I give the advantage to AK after he destroyed Stephen Jackson and after he bites Bowen’s throat.  Sloan and Popovich are two old school coaches who won’t vary from their tried and true ways.  You also have to look at the benches.  I’ll take Millsap/Harpring/Giricek over Finley/Barry/Vaughn.  The Spurs are basically playing 6 players and the Jazz should wear them out.

And finally, the Jazz haven’t won at San Antonio in their last 16 meetings.  So their first win there in a long time will be perfect.  The Spurs have pretty much owned Jerry Sloan since he’s taken over the Jazz.  But these aren’t your father’s (has it been long enough for that to be true) or your older brother’s Jazz.  ESPN YouTube preview up soon.  Look for it on the right.