I did not say Clippers would win a short series. I think I said I leaned Clippers in that series but I never made a bet on their series price. Thought it was going to be pretty much a toss up and in fairness it was. Let's be fair - they had a crucial game stolen from them.
OK, now let's forget Ibaka for a second and just address this Thunder team without Harden. You really believe they are better than two years ago? I disagree. You make the experience argument but I honestly see no advancements in Durant or Westbrook's games. Durant still struggles against physical defenders who get up under him and Westbrook is still just as erratic. That's not to say both aren't great players - it's just to say that they are both the same players they were two years ago. And besides, it's not like they needed the experience two years ago seeing that they won that series so I'm not really sure what your point is there.
Now let's add in the fact that Ibaka is out and that's a huge loss that shouldn't be overlooked. Thunder go small and they'll get destroyed down low. On the flip, Durant could get favorable matchups on offense but do you really want him guarding a big man like Splitter/Duncan? Collison isn't good enough to battle with Duncan either. I like Adams but I think he'll get in foul trouble if they try to give him a lot of minutes.
I don't see how you can argue that the Spurs are a step slower. Parker is still the same player he's been for the past 10 years. There's been no drop off. Ginobili is still really good and so is Duncan. And like I said, the "others" have all gotten better (Green, Diaw, Splitter, Mills, etc) while Leonard is much, much better than he was two years ago.
