Wouldn't it be so much more exciting to play the Lakers the 1st round and possibly the Clippers the second?

It looks like that will end up happening if all goes well. It would definitely be a lot more "exciting" to play those teams.

Wouldn't it be so much more exciting to play the Lakers the 1st round and possibly the Clippers the second?

I would LOVE for OKC to destroy the Fakers and wipe that smug look off Dwight Howard's face. With that in mind, I don't think the Thunder are sweeping anyone this season, i.e. Dallas last year. The West has a lot of parity this season.

We've played the Lakers so much in the past 4 years. For OKC fans, I think a Houston matchup would be just as exciting because of the Harden factor. But at the end of the day, the Lakers are still the Lakers, and that matchup will garner lots of attention, and it would be better for the OKC brand in the long run. Same thing with the Clippers over Denver/Golden State.

Here's the order of potential playoff teams from most difficult to least difficult (for OKC) as I see it:

1. Spurs
2. Memphis
3. Clippers
4. Lakers
5. Jazz
6. Denver
7. Golden State
8. Houston

Sucks that all the preferred matchups are likely to end up in the lower bracket with SA if we hold #1 seed. Maybe Harden can do us a favor for walking out on us ;-) .

Home court advantage is the carrot for the number one seed. And anyone (hopefully us) who makes it to the finals through that top half of the bracket is battle tested and should be confident. Personally, I think HCA is worth it.

Teo your list like inversed from where I would place teams...

*most difficult for Thunder
Denver
Spurs
Memphis
Houston
Golden State
Clippers
Lakers
Jazz
*least difficult for Thunder


We WANT to be in the top bracket. HCA is a great thing to have, we pulled it off without it last year just barely.

We own both LA teams, the only thing that frightens me for an LAL first round, is the officiating.

So the Thunder are tied for 1st place after San Antonio's 86-96 loss at Denver tonight.

If we tie the Spurs for first, we own the tie breaker so we will be the #1 seed, by virtue of conference wins as the tie breaker.

Shaq "Can they (Thunder) beat Miami.. I dont know" Charles - "*Rolls Eyes* Well THEY CANT" Thats how we summarize our expectations this post season. Lol

While Barkley was running OKC into the ground, I was playing "barfed" in Words With Friends. Seemed appropriate.

Charles thinks OKC is a "jump shooting team" despite the fact we got to the run more than Miami in the Finaks last year.

FINAL: Oklahoma City blows out Golden State 116-97. Kevin Durant led all scorers with 31, while Kevin Martin scored 23 points off the bench.

I told my aunt before the 4th quarter started that we would end up scoring 116 points. She thought we'd score 125 or more. I revised due to her remark and posted 118 on Facebook. Damn here...but at the end she was like, "you were right".

Another important night for Thunder.


We finish the back-to-back in Portland @ 9pm. (If we win, we clinch Division)

Golden State goes into LA to play the Lakers.

Spurs are hosting the Kings at home.

Jazz hosting Timberwolves.

I'm definitely rooting for the Jazz. I think it would be a hoot if the Lakers missed the playoffs.

I'm definitely rooting for the Jazz. I think it would be a hoot if the Lakers missed the playoffs.

I've been rooting for the Lakers to miss the Playoffs ever since Kobe guaranteed they would make it.

...Give the lakers 8, and we'll take 1st. We are now number 1 in our conference, I think it'll stay that way. I have no worries about defeating any team in the west. The Spurs are a great team with great chemistry, but they don't have the endurance to win 3 away games in a row.
I believe we have the strength and game to take the west again. Now here where it gets into a debate...the OKC Thunder will not win the playoffs this year. Miami is in their prime and no one will stop them.
Don't forget to tune in tonight NBATV, Thunder vs. Blazers

I was comfortable with winning out the rest of the season until I heard Perk will be out against Portland tonight. As poorly as Portland is playing lately, it still usually takes a good effort by Perk and Serge to contain Aldridge and Hickson. I am curious how Nick and Thabeet will play against them tonight.

...Give the lakers 8, and we'll take 1st. We are now number 1 in our conference, I think it'll stay that way. I have no worries about defeating any team in the west. The Spurs are a great team with great chemistry, but they don't have the endurance to win 3 away games in a row.
I believe we have the strength and game to take the west again. Now here where it gets into a debate...the OKC Thunder will not win the playoffs this year. Miami is in their prime and no one will stop them.
Don't forget to tune in tonight NBATV, Thunder vs. Blazers


The format of 2-3-2 is only for the Finals, not the Conference finals.

Inter-conference matchups are 2-2-1-1-1 with the Ace match being to the HCA holder.

So Kevin Durant has been fined $25,000 for a "menacinng gesture" in last nights game, And I was curious where does the money from fines and technicals go?

All NBA fines go to charities courtesy of the Player's Union and the League.


For those wondering, Kevin Durant made a throat slashing gesture after a huge dunk.

For those wondering, Kevin Durant made a throat slashing gesture after a huge dunk.

I was watching it when he did that & it honestly surprised me. It was a sweet dunk & block that led to his dunk, it's easy to see why he was so pumped up.

I had us losing all three road games, I am so happy I was wrong. 2 more games then its "Blue Out" time! =)

It's looking more and more like OKC-Lakers in the 1st round. I don't like it at all. Too much talent on that team to go down quietly. Maybe they'll play like they did all season (i.e., terrible defense), but they just make me nervous. On the bright side, it would be hands down THE series to watch in the 1st round. It would bring a lot of media and attention to OKC.

Edit: Marc Stein just reported that Kobe may have tore his left achilles. If true then the Lakers are done.

It's looking more and more like OKC-Lakers in the 1st round. I don't like it at all. Too much talent on that team to go down quietly. Maybe they'll play like they did all season (i.e., terrible defense), but they just make me nervous. On the bright side, it would be hands down THE series to watch in the 1st round. It would bring a lot of media and attention to OKC.

Edit: Marc Stein just reported that Kobe may have tore his left achilles. If true then the Lakers are done.

Thats exactly how I feel, I am excited that it will give us all the media in OKC but I am a little nervous at the same time

Kobe is done for the season but hopefully not his career...Takes a lot of the fun and the spotlight off the matchup....Sucks

Interesting time for the injury. Obviously this means their season is essentially over....but can they hang on to beat out the Jazz for the last spot.

Jazz has @Minnesota, @Memphis
Lakers have vs. Spurs, vs. Houston

Hard to see the Lakers winning either of those games w/o Kobe. The Jazz should be able to pull out the @MIN game, which would put the jazz in the playoffs.

I want the Lakers to miss the playoffs so that they don't even get their 1st round Draft pick.

Just anxious and excited for the playoffs to start.

Then we can get national TV coverage with shots like this

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/541189_294283023996657_844762875_n.jpg

:)

Just anxious and excited for the playoffs to start.

Then we can get national TV coverage with shots like this

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/541189_294283023996657_844762875_n.jpg

:)

Lol Yess! And perhaps an Orange out this time around

Lol Yess! And perhaps an Orange out this time around

I see you're still on your orange trip. I remember reading through here last year at playoff time & seeing you talk about orange outs at an alarming rate. Lol

I personally just don't think an orange out would work very well. Orange isn't a heavily used color by the Thunder. Who knows, maybe it would be though. I was dying to see an orange alternate jersey, but that didn't happen.

I see you're still on your orange trip. I remember reading through here last year at playoff time & seeing you talk about orange outs at an alarming rate. Lol

I personally just don't think an orange out would work very well. Orange isn't a heavily used color by the Thunder. Who knows, maybe it would be though. I was dying to see an orange alternate jersey, but that didn't happen.

Lol I was hoping nobody remembered, I just think it will be good for tv during a finals game when the whole world is watching but I know they wont, I just have to let it stay in my imagination lol.

Hopefully, I am in the correct forum. My question is do anyone know if arena tours of Chesapeake arena is given during non-scheduled events? I am scheduled to have family in town from Indiana during the third week of this month. They are hugh Thunder fans and would love the opportunity to tour the renovated arena.

Any feedback someone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Lol I was hoping nobody remembered, I just think it will be good for tv during a finals game when the whole world is watching but I know they wont, I just have to let it stay in my imagination lol.

It would definitely be cool because I would really like for them to use orange more, but I doubt they will. We're sorta on the same page as far as orange goes though.

Hopefully, I am in the correct forum. My question is do anyone know if arena tours of Chesapeake arena is given during non-scheduled events? I am scheduled to have family in town from Indiana during the third week of this month. They are hugh Thunder fans and would love the opportunity to tour the renovated arena.

Any feedback someone can provide will be greatly appreciated.

I don't believe they have any regularly scheduled tours unless it's for a special occasion. I would suggest you call or email them in advance.

405-602-8700
info@chesapeakearena.com

I don't believe they have any regularly scheduled tours unless it's for a special occasion. I would suggest you call or email them in advance.

405-602-8700
info@chesapeakearena.com

I truly appreciate the feedback! It is greatly appreciated.

Tonight Lakers host the Spurs. A win by LAL would almost guarantee a OKC vs LAL round 1.

It's too bad for Kobe, he may have truly played himself into the ground to get his team into the playoffs, and he will not be a part of it.

It's funny that it is so easy to disregard a team that still has Dwight Howard (remember, he basically took the Magic to a Finals singlehandedly), Pau, and Nash (although his age is a factor). It would still be a fun, albeit less scary, series now. The real question is, who are the Spurs playing/sitting tonight?

As far as Kobe's injury, I've read a few articles about whether his ridiculously heavy minutes (and the fatigue and wear that come with it) as of late are responsible for his injury and it doesn't seem to be the case, but I'm certainly no expert. Regardless, I think D'Antoni is going to take the blame. It'll be interesting if he's around next year and hilarious if that circus gets yet another coach. They should have just kept Brown in the first place.

With Lakers win over the Spurs, OKC is now just one win away from the top seed in the West.

With Lakers win over the Spurs, OKC is now just one win away from the top seed in the West.

But without Harden...lol

This looks like almost a perfect setup [for OKC] heading into the playoffs.

Spurs are in trouble, Parker is playing very poorly and Ginobli is still out. Spurs may not make it past Warriors or Rockets.


OKC may not be sweating until the WCF, which may give us some Nuggets to deal with.

OKC may not be sweating until the WCF, which may give us some Nuggets to deal with.

While it's hard to see anyone else making it there, let's not make early judgements on who will be playing who.

Duplicate

Speculation is the point of playoff hype. What is the fun in not trying to predict what will happen? Have you ever heard of March Madness?

Speculation is the point of playoff hype. What is the fun in not trying to predict what will happen? Have you ever heard of March Madness?

Yes I've heard of March Madness, I'm not an idiot. Speculation is fun & all, but is it really necessary to say the Thunder - Nuggets will be the WCF matchup? Yes it looks that way, but it gets old hearing everyone say what will happen before anything has even started to play out. I also find it fun to sit back & watch the playoffs play out, not just speculate on who may play who. I suppose we find different things fun, huh?

Whatever floats your boat though. I won't gripe anymore about speculation.

Even before Gaillinari or Ty Lawson's injury problems I wouldn't have pencilled the Nugs into the WCFs. With their injury problems I'd give the edge to the Clippers, Grizzlies, or Spurs.

Even before Gaillinari or Ty Lawson's injury problems I wouldn't have pencilled the Nugs into the WCFs. With their injury problems I'd give the edge to the Clippers or Grizzlies.


wat.


First off, Lawson is back from injury as of last night.

Secondly, the teams you are talking about are not even in the same bracket. :Smiley099

This is the perfect setup for the Thunder, Lakers (1st Round), Clippers (2nd Round), Denver (WCF). With all the key injuries from Kobe, Gallinari, Faried, we should have no excuse not to make it to Finals again, plus we will have home court through out the West playoffs. Now if we can get the Knicks to be the Heat, we just might be able to win our first championship! Thunder Up!

This is the perfect setup for the Thunder, Lakers (1st Round), Clippers (2nd Round), Denver (WCF). With all the key injuries from Kobe, Gallinari, Faried, we should have no excuse not to make it to Finals again, plus we will have home court through out the West playoffs. Now if we can get the Knicks to be the Heat, we just might be able to win our first championship! Thunder Up!



You are inside my head right now. GET OUT! :cool:

FUN FACTS!

Only one team with the best record in the last nine seasons went on to win the title. Best record holder right now: Miami Heat.

All 5 teams with a average winning margin of 9.5 or more since 1980 (the three point era) have gone on to win the title. OKC's average winning margin: 9.4.

wat.


First off, Lawson is back from injury as of last night.

Secondly, the teams you are talking about are not even in the same bracket. :Smiley099

First, there's a difference from "being back from injury" and being 100% and ready for a playoff run. Ty Lawson is probably the most important player to their team. The fact that he's limping into the playoffs is a red flag.

Second, the regular season is still ongoing and the Nuggets, Clippers, and Grizzlies are all within a game. The "bracket" isn't even set yet so I'm not sure how you can say they're not in the same one. We don't know who will be the 3, 4, or 5 seed.

This is the perfect setup for the Thunder, Lakers (1st Round), Clippers (2nd Round), Denver (WCF). With all the key injuries from Kobe, Gallinari, Faried, we should have no excuse not to make it to Finals again, plus we will have home court through out the West playoffs. Now if we can get the Knicks to be the Heat, we just might be able to win our first championship! Thunder Up!

There's some tough series in there. Let's not count our chickens before they hatch. ;)

And I'd put the odds on the Knicks beating this Heat team (if they play) at about 1 in 6 or 7. Just don't see it happening.

With tonight's win:

60 (plus) win season

#1 Seed in the West (guaranteed)

http://www.haskell.org/happy/Happy.gif

Well, the Rockets and Lakers play on Wednesday. The loser plays the Thunder in the 1st round. It's looking like we may get to see James Harden in OKC for the playoffs afterall. ;)

The Spurs lost again tonight, which isn't suprising since they were resting players. It will be interesting to see how much time the Thunder starters play in the last game.

Well, the Rockets and Lakers play on Wednesday. The loser plays the Thunder in the 1st round. It's looking like we may get to see James Harden in OKC for the playoffs afterall. ;)

That assumes Utah loses. If Lakers Lose and Utah wins @ Memphis, then Utah is the #8 season.

Since they're #1 guaranteed now, I'd aim for letting our back-ups get some valued time, after, say....halftime. No reason to play our starters in the second half.

That assumes Utah loses. If Lakers Lose and Utah wins @ Memphis, then Utah is the #8 season.

Yeah. Don't know how I forgot about Utah. So, in summary there are 3 options that can play out Wednesday night (in order of likelihood IMO):

Lakers win over Rockets (Jazz outcome is irrelevant) = Lakers #7 and Rockets #8 (Thunder play Rockets)
Rockets win over Lakers and Jazz loss = Rockets #7 and Lakers #8 (Thunder play Lakers)
Rockets win over Lakers and Jazz win = Rockets #7 and Jazz #8 (Thunder play Jazz)

Yeah. Don't know how I forgot about Utah. So, in summary there are 3 options that can play out Wednesday night (in order of likelihood IMO):

Lakers win over Rockets (Jazz outcome is irrelevant) = Lakers #7 and Rockets #8 (Thunder play Rockets)
Rockets win over Lakers and Jazz loss = Rockets #7 and Lakers #8 (Thunder play Lakers)
Rockets win over Lakers and Jazz win = Rockets #7 and Jazz #8 (Thunder play Jazz)

Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy

Yeah. Don't know how I forgot about Utah. So, in summary there are 3 options that can play out Wednesday night (in order of likelihood IMO):

Lakers win over Rockets (Jazz outcome is irrelevant) = Lakers #7 and Rockets #8 (Thunder play Rockets)
Rockets win over Lakers and Jazz loss = Rockets #7 and Lakers #8 (Thunder play Lakers)
Rockets win over Lakers and Jazz win = Rockets #7 and Jazz #8 (Thunder play Jazz)

a rockets win and a golden st loss puts the rockets at 6 and GS at 7

So even though Durant has several hundred more points than Carmello Anthony, Carmello wins the scoing title. That makes sense [\sarc]. The NBA needs to change how they determine the scoring champ.

So even though Durant has several hundred more points than Carmello Anthony, Carmello wins the scoing title. That makes sense [\sarc]. The NBA needs to change how they determine the scoring champ.

lol ... doing it the same way every league has for all time will probably continue to work for the NBA

lol ... doing it the same way every league has for all time will probably continue to work for the NBA

Maybe, I just think 'scoring champ' should go to the person who scored the most points.