I like the current system, it shows consistency over time, and shows how dominant the player is for the whole season. I would rather have a player that would give me 30pts a night on a consistent basis, rather than score 50pts one night, and then 10pts the next 3 nights. Durant could have easily one the soring title, but he has changed his game to become not just a scorer, that is why his assists, steals, and blocks are all up this year, he is becoming an all around player, and not just a pure scorer like Carmelo.

I like the current system, it shows consistency over time, and shows how dominant the player is for the whole season.

That is just it though - the current system does the exact opposite by favoring players who play less games.

This is how it is now.

Player X
Game 1: 30 pts
Game 2: 27 pts

Player Y
Game 1: 29 pts
Game 2: DNP

Player Y wins scoring title. If a player doesn't play one game he should get 0 points for that game, not pretend the game didn't exist.

Durant will play in 82 games. CA only played in 67. That looks to me like CA didn't score in 15 games.

The team had a slew of blowouts this season where KD and Russell sat out the entire fourth quarter.

If the Thunder had been a little bit weaker, Kevin would have had to play more minutes and very likely would have won the scoring title.

A lot of that dominance in games came from KD stepping up other aspects of his game - passing, playmaking, defending (particularly blocking shots), rebounding...
So his reward for helping to create a better team is losing the scoring title. :(

But actually, I think Kevin is okay with that. At this point, I think he's more focused on winning championships than racking up more scoring titles.

That is just it though - the current system does the exact opposite by favoring players who play less games.

This is how it is now.

Player X
Game 1: 30 pts
Game 2: 27 pts

Player Y
Game 1: 29 pts
Game 2: DNP

Player Y wins scoring title. If a player doesn't play one game he should get 0 points for that game, not pretend the game didn't exist.

Durant will play in 82 games. CA only played in 67. That looks to me like CA didn't score in 15 games.

You do have a point, I get what you are saying. Because how can Rondo still lead leauge in assists per game at 11.1, and he only played 38 games this year. So basically, let's say one player only played one game and scored 50pts, then gets hurt and not play rest of the year, but he is considered scoring champ because his average would be 50.0 for the year, crazy.

They do have cut-offs for each categroy but I would just prefer they did season totals.

Category Minimums
SCORING: 70 games or 1,400 points
REBOUNDS: 70 games or 800 rebounds
FIELD GOAL %: 300 field goals made
FREE THROW %: 125 free throws made
3PT %: 55 three-point field goals made
ASSISTS: 70 games or 400 assists
STEALS: 70 games or 125 steals
BLOCKED SHOTS: 70 games or 100 blocked shots
MINUTES: 70 games or 2,000 minutes
ASST/TO RATIO: 200 assists
STLS/TO RATIO: 82 steals


So yes, it is crazy the Rondo is the assist leader and he hasn't played in nearly 3 months (last game was 1/25).

You do have a point, I get what you are saying. Because how can Rondo still lead leauge in assists per game at 11.1, and he only played 38 games this year. So basically, let's say one player only played one game and scored 50pts, then gets hurt and not play rest of the year, but he is considered scoring champ because his average would be 50.0 for the year, crazy.

You have to play a certain number of games to be eligible. I don't think Rondo is eligible, but I'd have to check...

Houston better come out clicking on all cylinders, we CANNOT let the Lakers move to #7 so they can face the Spurs while we host a boring matchup with the Rockets. The nation wants to see OKC vs LAL. Thats just whats going on in my head lol, I want all the media in Oklahoma City lol.

Houston better come out clicking on all cylinders, we CANNOT let the Lakers move to #7 so they can face the Spurs while we host a boring matchup with the Rockets. The nation wants to see OKC vs LAL. Thats just whats going on in my head lol, I want all the media in Oklahoma City lol.

Playing the Lakers is not going to increase the amount of media personnel in OKC. Playing the Lakers will likely generate less air time for and about OKC than a matchup with Houston A.) Because all the talk would be about LA and their roller coaster season, and Kobe's injury, blah blah blah, with only mentions of OKC whereas B.) Because the matchup with Houston puts all the focus on OKC and Harden and almost none on the Houston Rockets. It puts OKC at the forefront of the discussion and Houston as a team will get the same treatment whoever plays LA is going to get.

You have to play a certain number of games to be eligible. I don't think Rondo is eligible, but I'd have to check...

Rondo met the minimum requirements (got in on the minimum assist count) and he is in first place.

You have to play a certain number of games to be eligible. I don't think Rondo is eligible, but I'd have to check...

Before each game, they run through the stats leaders on the score board. Rondo is still on the board so he must have qualified.

It will be interesting to see how many people attend tonight's game. Severe weather could turn a lot of folks away. I have always attempted to imagine what it would be like for a tornado warning be issued for the area when there is an arena of 18000+ people. I can only imagine utter chaos.


I am debating on whether to attend tonight's game or not myself.

It will be interesting to see how many people attend tonight's game. Severe weather could turn a lot of folks away. I have always attempted to imagine what it would be like for a tornado warning be issued for the area when there is an arena of 18000+ people. I can only imagine utter chaos.


I am debating on whether to attend tonight's game or not myself.

This is probably in another thread, but the weather I watched this morning had the most severve weather in the southern half of the state.

Kevin Durant officially not playing tonight. Kind of sad that he didn't win his 4th scoring title.

Kevin Durant officially not playing tonight. Kind of sad that he didn't win his 4th scoring title.

He would have needed 70 points to win it, it's better for him and the team to have the rest.

I know. He did lead the league in total scoring for the fourth straight year, though.

Durant officially is in the 50-40-90 club though. That's rare air. Really special, especially with his usage.

Durant officially is in the 50-40-90 club though. That's rare air. Really special, especially with his usage.

Yes, this is more impressive to me than scoring title. He now needs to get ring and Finals MVP!

It will be interesting to see how many people attend tonight's game. Severe weather could turn a lot of folks away. I have always attempted to imagine what it would be like for a tornado warning be issued for the area when there is an arena of 18000+ people. I can only imagine utter chaos.


I am debating on whether to attend tonight's game or not myself.

KD or no KD. If the arena is standing we'll be there. We're usually on the third level. Occasionally the club level. For tonight I was given third row courtside tickets. I'm not passing this up.

One of my favorite games I went to was during the snowstorm a couple of years ago. Lots of empty seats, but a lot of people moved down into the bottom bowl. Good times.

Thunder as expected dropped their finalee against the Bucks. For some reason we always play the Bucks last. Anyways, the bench and garbage time guys got to play while the starters sat and waited safely on the bench for Sunday.


No time has been announced as it will depend on the timezone for TV viewing of who we play on Sunday.

It will be the loser of the Lakers/Rockets game. Neither team wants to play us. They want the Spirs because the Spurs are in a downward spiral.

At time of posting HOU is up by 5.

Lakers by 4. Here comes The Beard.

Game over. Lakers prevail, so Houston it is.

game over. Lakers prevail, so houston it is.

ugh!!

I can't take credit for this, but I thought it was brilliant:

SHEAR THE BEARD!

I kinda like playing Houston in the first round. Sure, the Lakers thing would have given us way more national exposure, but this team already has world wide exposure AND the fact that we'll be facing off against a guy that could have still been on our team this year, I think that will create plenty of exposure.

Thunder-Rockets series starts Sunday at 8:30pm on TNT.

Here is the schedule for the first three games:

Game 1 - Sun April 21, Houston at Oklahoma City, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Game 2 - Wed April 24, Houston at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m., TNT
Game 3 - Sat April 27, Oklahoma City at Houston, 9:30 p.m., ESPN/R

2012-13 Playoffs Schedule | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/2013/news/04/18/playoffs-schedule-2013/index.html)

Of COURSE we have a late Sunday night game... I hate those.


Something to note, Game 2 on Wednesday is @ 6PM OKC time.

enjoy the fact that the playoffs start the springtime.

Of COURSE we have a late Sunday night game... I hate those.

It will be worse if we get LA in the second round...

Of COURSE we have a late Sunday night game... I hate those.


Something to note, Game 2 on Wednesday is @ 6PM OKC time.

I work til 6 on Sunday so that's fine by me!

For some reason we always play the Bucks last.

only happened twice in 5 seasons... not sure i'd call that always. the other final games have been the grizzles, clippers, and nuggets

Lol, well I guess the recent occurrences made it seem like a good thing to say, was more of a casual fact - not a "hey, I looked it up and this is what it is".

I apologize if I misled anyone.

Why do WE always have to be the last playoff team to get underway (I dont know if that makes sense) and I am willing to bet that all teams will be doing the "white outs", "blue outs", "yellow outs", etc.. All because Oklahoma City started the TREND. (No I am not saying we did it FIRST, But since we played the Lakers the 1st in 2010, a lot of teams jumped on the wagon when they saw us, you cant tell me they didnt. Lol)

Why do WE always have to be the last playoff team to get underway (I dont know if that makes sense) and I am willing to bet that all teams will be doing the "white outs", "blue outs", "yellow outs", etc.. All because Oklahoma City started the TREND. (No I am not saying we did it FIRST, But since we played the Lakers the 1st in 2010, a lot of teams jumped on the wagon when they saw us, you cant tell me they didnt. Lol)

Because they're saving the best for last.

Why do WE always have to be the last playoff team to get underway (I dont know if that makes sense) and I am willing to bet that all teams will be doing the "white outs", "blue outs", "yellow outs", etc.. All because Oklahoma City started the TREND. (No I am not saying we did it FIRST, But since we played the Lakers the 1st in 2010, a lot of teams jumped on the wagon when they saw us, you cant tell me they didnt. Lol)

Yeah, I'm really surprised everyone jumped on that after we did it. Because according to that writer last year or the year before (from Pittsburgh or Chicago or some such) nothing makes you look more small time than the crowd coordinating the color of their shirts. We're just a bunch of small market, ignorant, rednecks here. Why would a fanbase from a big ol' fancy big city team do what we're doing?

I say that they're all jealous that a college oriented city is dominating their pro home crowds and so they follow suit.

Cool shot used for playoff wallpaper:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/375936_10151413141878995_999076777_n.jpg (http://thunder-nba.com/thunderWeb/playoffs_1213/downloads/Wallpapers/OKC-Playoff-Wallpaper-2560x1440-3.jpg)

(click on the image to see a larger, fuller version)

Thunder signage starting to pick up downtown:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/644729_10151412902063995_686557410_n.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151412902063995&set=a.162102948994.119759.159957123994)

Yeah, I'm really surprised everyone jumped on that after we did it. Because according to that writer last year or the year before (from Pittsburgh or Chicago or some such) nothing makes you look more small time than the crowd coordinating the color of their shirts. We're just a bunch of small market, ignorant, rednecks here. Why would a fanbase from a big ol' fancy big city team do what we're doing?

You are probably referring to the write up that appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Even for the snark-filled world of sports writing, it was incredibly condescending. No worries, though, since the Timberwolves yet again did not make the playoffs this year.

If you want to make your blood boil on this otherwise beautiful Saturday afternoon, here you go: Souhan: If playoffs arrive, please act smart; Okie dokie? | StarTribune.com (http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/152804215.html?refer=y)

I really hope he's joking. As if the Minnesota Timberwolves know the procedure when it comes to playoffs. We've been in the playoffs more times in our short existence than they have in their entirety in Minnesota.

You are probably referring to the write up that appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Even for the snark-filled world of sports writing, it was incredibly condescending. No worries, though, since the Timberwolves yet again did not make the playoffs this year.

If you want to make your blood boil on this otherwise beautiful Saturday afternoon, here you go: Souhan: If playoffs arrive, please act smart; Okie dokie? | StarTribune.com (http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/152804215.html?refer=y)

Sad, truly sad, but on the bright side we have much better sports coverage! :)

I was downtown this afternoon and walked along the north side of the arena. I happened to pass two oriental men standing next to the arena. One of them was filming the other one who was holding a Thunder t-shirt and speaking what sounded like Japanese into a microphone he was holding. I have no idea if they were tourists or media but it certainly shows the worldwide interest in the Thunder.

Some great games today so far (aside from the Bulls-Nets blowout). Glad the playoffs are back...

Decorate your social media with OKC Thunder. Show everyone how big of a fan you really are.
Playoffs Downloads - 1213 | THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (http://www.nba.com/thunder/playoffs/downloads_1213)

The United States of NBA, heh:

http://www.nbaloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/NBA.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BIZDC2CCEAEViiT.jpg:large


Shear the Beard!

:)

I'm sure we all know this by now, but the Thunder beats Houston tonight 120-91.

That win seemed too easy. I'm sure the Rockets will catch fire at some point in the series to make a game or two interesting, but it doesn't look like this series will go more than 4 or 5.

Noway all the games will be like that, but OKC came out playing playoff basketball. Great sign to the start of this post-season.



Tonight on TNT is Game 2 for both Bulls/Nets and Grizz/Clips.

Does anyone know where I can get a HUGE custom Thunder banner made? I'd like to hang one from my balcony downtown.

Does anyone know where I can get a HUGE custom Thunder banner made? I'd like to hang one from my balcony downtown.

Probably get one already made from SandRidge...................j/k

Does anyone know where I can get a HUGE custom Thunder banner made? I'd like to hang one from my balcony downtown.
Believe it or not, my father runs a great company that does that very thing and so much more. Image Arts Etc. - 496-9780

Noway all the games will be like that, but OKC came out playing playoff basketball.....

Yep, they'll all be like that. It's 30 point blowouts the rest of the way. I'm sure of it.
:wink:

Crowd gathering before last night's game:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/476884_10151576497625861_1736968849_o.jpg (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151576497625861&set=a.103612745860.119802.75262680860)

Source: http://www.facebook.com/foxokc

You tell em' KD!!!3662

You tell em' KD!!!3662

This guy is going to win a championship if it kills him. And when he does, I can't wait until all the people who are still moping around crying "wahhh James Harden left blah blah blah" get to eat a big juicy side of crow.

Enjoy KD's top 10 plays of the year.

New Daily Thunder.com Video: KD?s top 10 of 2012-13 | New Daily Thunder.com (http://bleacherreport.com/tb/dadt3?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=oklahoma-city-thunder)

This guy is going to win a championship if it kills him. And when he does, I can't wait until all the people who are still moping around crying "wahhh James Harden left blah blah blah" get to eat a big juicy side of crow.

Nothing annoys me more than people on ESPN and NBATV talking about how James Harden being gone is going to effect us...were gonna get it done. Me personally, not this year...but not because we don't have Harden

We have a better winning percentage this year than we did last year. 2011-2012: 47 wins in 66 games= 0.71212121212. 2012-2013: 60 wins in 82 games= 0.73170731707.

Last year with 33 home games and 33 away games, we went 26-7 at home and 21-12 on the road. That is a winning percentage of 0.78787878787 and 0.63636363636, respectively.
This year with 41 home games and 41 away games, we went 34-7 at home and 26-15 on the road. That is a winning percentage of 0.82926829268 and 0.63414634146, respectively.

KD's average minutes have stayed the same but his Field Goal %, 3 point %, Free throw % and assists per game have all gone up from last year to this year.

Westbrook's field goal % and free throw % have gone down, but his 3 point %, rebounds and assists per game have all gone up.

All of Serge's stats have gone up.

It is hard to see how people think we are doing worse.

We have a better winning percentage this year than we did last year. 2011-2012: 47 wins in 66 games= 0.71212121212. 2012-2013: 60 wins in 82 games= 0.73170731707.

Last year with 33 home games and 33 away games, we went 26-7 at home and 21-12 on the road. That is a winning percentage of 0.78787878787 and 0.63636363636, respectively.
This year with 41 home games and 41 away games, we went 34-7 at home and 26-15 on the road. That is a winning percentage of 0.82926829268 and 0.63414634146, respectively.

KD's average minutes have stayed the same but his Field Goal %, 3 point %, Free throw % and assists per game have all gone up from last year to this year.

Westbrook's field goal % and free throw % have gone down, but his 3 point %, rebounds and assists per game have all gone up.

All of Serge's stats have gone up.

It is hard to see how people think we are doing worse.

Only because we didnt win the KEY game this season (Miami there and here) lol.