NBA Playoffs Recap: The West.

This is where it becomes a bit different.

Unlike the eastern conference, the western conference semi's were much more competitive. 

Its also the conference with the most compelling story lines. 

We all knew that even if Miami was defeated in game 1 of the semi's, they will still move on to the eastern conference finals. We also knew that whoever won the IND-NYK series would have to beat the heat and it just so happened that the Pacers and the Knicks were the two teams which have a winning record against the Heat.

In the west, most of you probably thought that the Spurs would sweep the young, sharpshooting Warriors and that the Thunder would still move on, even if it wasn't a sweep, against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Yet again, we were wrong. 

-THE WEST-

We'll recap the SAS-GSW series first.

Stephen Curry guarded by the Spurs' Danny Green

photo from USA TODAY

No one could have expected this series to turn out like this. I mean, names like Gregg Popovich, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan are enough to strike fear into the heart of any opposing team and against them? You have Mark Jackson, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Harrison Barnes, Jarret Jack and Andrew Bogut.

If you noticed, its four against six and before the series you'd never think of the Bay Area team being able to stand up against the mighty, robotic San Antonio Spurs but then again, this is the NBA and amazing happened.

Manu's game winning shot against the GSW in game 1 of the west semi's

photo from Fox News

With the way game 1 ended, we all know that the Warriors will be a handful for the veteran Spurs. So in game 2, the Warriors returned the favor by beating San Antonio in their home court. In that game Warriors' shooting guard Klay Thompson unleashed 34 points including an 8 of 9 performance in his three point shooting.

Klay Thompson laying it up

photo from NBA HOOP TROOP

In game 3, Gregg Popovich adjusted and beat the Warriors and Tony Parker lit the Warriors up scoring 32 points. Then came game 4, and like they did in game 2, the Dubs won the game. The rookie small forward Harrison Barnes shot a putrid 9 of 26 in the game and ended up with the game high of 26 points. A win is a win.

In games 5 and 6, the Spurs finally got the puzzle solved. With Curry managing an ankle injury (again) and Klay Thompson both getting shut down defensively in game 5, they only managed to shoot a combined 13 points while Tony Parker had 25 points and 10 assists. In game 6, the Spurs' starting five all had double digit points, and Kawhi Leonard recorded 10 boards to get the double-double and the rest is history. 

Now, the OKC-MEM series.

OKC's Kevin Durant and Memphis' Mike Conley Jr.

photo from ESPN

After the series against the Rockets, the Thunder was left in a tough position. Their star point guard, Russell Westbrook went down with a meniscus tear. KD was then tasked with more than he asked for. The role Lebron had when he was still in Cleveland. He was supposed to score, pass, rebound and defend.

It really doesn't suit him.

After winning game 1 with a game winning jump shot, it all went downhill for OKC.

Mike Conley was having a breakout postseason, Marc Gasol just won the defensive player of the year award, Zach Randolph was wrestling everybody around.

It was just too much for OKC and revealed that when Westbrook went down, so did OKC's offense.

KD put up a valiant effort but wasn't able to outscore the Grizzlies' grinding.

MEM eliminated OKC 4-1.


Up next, IND-MIA predictions!