I am going to laugh if they lose to Detroit and it looks like they might....

I am going to laugh if they lose to Detroit and it looks like they might....

It would be a very bad loss, but they happen over the course of an 82 game season. I figured you would know that as a Magic fan...

It would be a very bad loss, but they happen over the course of an 82 game season. I figured you would know that as a Magic fan...

Yeah I know

The Pistons are terrible.

Thunder got lucky but I love seeing the Pistons lose, I hope they go 0-82

I bet the Magic will lose to the Pistons on Friday giving them their first win, the Pistons have the Magic's number...

The Pistons are terrible.

Out of 8 games, the Pistons have played 6 on the road. They have had 2 one point losses and have been blown out just once......they'll win some games this year, they are just very young.

FYI....the last I checked, Harden has shot just 28% from the field in his last 4 games........

FYI....the last I checked, Harden has shot just 28% from the field in his last 4 games........

Who?

Who?

James Harden - Houston Rockets

Had a great 2 game start but has come back to reality.


Maybe I need to move on from the trade ? Although I think it'll turn out good for us.

James Harden - Houston Rockets

Had a great 2 game start but has come back to reality.


Maybe I need to move on from the trade ? Although I think it'll turn out good for us.

He is being sarastic

When Harden returns we should either A, Boo him for wanting to leave because of his greediness which is what I want to do; or B; Welcome him back even though he had a poor finals performance. Which was probably done purpose.

James Harden - Houston Rockets

Had a great 2 game start but has come back to reality.


Maybe I need to move on from the trade ? Although I think it'll turn out good for us.

Sarcasm, buddy, sarcasm...

I don't see you talking about Nate Robinson or Jeff Green or Nenad Kristic or anyone else that has gone through the trade doors. Who cares about James Harden? Let's worry about him when we play Houston and our ball handling capabilities are a lil better than the 20 turnovers our team is averaging.


When Harden returns we should either A, Boo him for wanting to leave because of his greediness which is what I want to do; or B; Welcome him back even though he had a poor finals performance. Which was probably done purpose.

Welcome him back. No reason to be ill about it. If you knew you could get more money and a max contract vs. a four year deal and less money, wouldn't you do the same? You can't weigh what he wanted to do vs. what it came down to. Applaud him when he's introduced and that's it. Boo him when he plays dirty against us. Due to the restrictions on flopping, he'll probably limit that.

No reason to boo him, I'd taken the extra 25 million myself if I was in his sneakers.........he was torn but then it became a business decision. A professional athlete doesn't know how long he'll be able to play due to injury. You take it while you can get it, and he did.

Then lets hope the Thunder spanks the Rockets pretty good......

When Harden returns we should either A, Boo him for wanting to leave because of his greediness which is what I want to do; or B; Welcome him back even though he had a poor finals performance. Which was probably done purpose.

(A) I'd like to remind you that Presti ended negotiations, not Harden. We'll never know what Harden might of accepted. Besides, he was clearly worth it. Call me when you voluntarily take a pay cut that large. (B) I'm assuming you're kidding. Otherwise, this is a pretty ridiculous assertion that makes no sense at all.

I'll always love Harden for what he did for the Thunder. It's okay to continue to like him if he's on another team. If I was at that game I'd give him a standing ovation and then cheer for the Thunder to beat him down.

If I read right, Presti was working under a deadline. I also read that Harden was disappointed with the way the trade happened, but I'm sure his agent (should have) kept him informed of any deadlines or likelihoods.

Presti was working under a self-imposed deadline so the Rockets could get what they wanted for that particular deal... I believe that OKC could have gotten a good deal for Harden next summer and made a run at the title this season. It feels weird talking about it now though because it's done... Also, Harden's agent wouldn't have wanted Harden to take an OKC deal for less... he got way more money for himself with the Houston contract. That's one problem with these types of negotiations. The guyg giving Harden advise is a businessman who wanted money, not necessarily what was best for James. It's complicated now doubt...

Presti was working under a self-imposed deadline so the Rockets could get what they wanted for that particular deal... I believe that OKC could have gotten a good deal for Harden next summer and made a run at the title this season. It feels weird talking about it now though because it's done... Also, Harden's agent wouldn't have wanted Harden to take an OKC deal for less... he got way more money for himself with the Houston contract. That's one problem with these types of negotiations. The guyg giving Harden advise is a businessman who wanted money, not necessarily what was best for James. It's complicated now doubt...

Sign and trades are more difficult under the new CBA than the old one, so there's no telling if we would have been able to get more or not. Fact is, Presti had a good deal and pulled the trigger. I still think we'll make a run at the title this year. I've yet to see any evidence that we wasted the only opportunity we had to get to the Finals and win. Maybe it'll be that way after an entire year, but we're currently 6-2 with a five game winning streak. Not always pretty, but we are winning the games we should be winning. As our guys continue to mesh (with Martin, Thabeet, and Maynor having to establish chemistry), I think we'll only get better.

Presti was working under a self-imposed deadline so the Rockets could get what they wanted for that particular deal... I believe that OKC could have gotten a good deal for Harden next summer and made a run at the title this season. It feels weird talking about it now though because it's done... Also, Harden's agent wouldn't have wanted Harden to take an OKC deal for less... he got way more money for himself with the Houston contract. That's one problem with these types of negotiations. The guyg giving Harden advise is a businessman who wanted money, not necessarily what was best for James. It's complicated now doubt...

No chance they could get the deal they got.

They will make a run for the title this season.

Presti was working under a self-imposed deadline so the Rockets could get what they wanted for that particular deal... I believe that OKC could have gotten a good deal for Harden next summer and made a run at the title this season. It feels weird talking about it now though because it's done... Also, Harden's agent wouldn't have wanted Harden to take an OKC deal for less... he got way more money for himself with the Houston contract. That's one problem with these types of negotiations. The guyg giving Harden advise is a businessman who wanted money, not necessarily what was best for James. It's complicated now doubt...

why he was a restricted FA .. and the thunder showed they were not going to offer him the MAX .. houston (or dallas or PHX) would have signed him to a max offer sheet .. period ... then the thuder either match ..(then cant trade him for half a year) or don't (and he is gone) ..

why he was a restricted FA .. and the thunder showed they were not going to offer him the MAX .. houston (or dallas or PHX) would have signed him to a max offer sheet .. period ... then the thuder either match ..(then cant trade him for half a year) or don't (and he is gone) ..Right. And if Hardin had gone to Dallas or Phoenix he could have added something to either of those teams. I, as a Thunder fan, don't want to see the Thunder facilitating trades or FA acquisitions that make possible western conference playoff teams any better. Hardin to Houston shouldn't be a threat.

Presti got more value for the Thunder by executing the trade when he did. He even told Harden and his agent that Houston could offer the 5 year max. Not that many teams still have that to give, as we gave ours to Westbrook.

Shot differentials in all 9 games thus far:

Spurs +2
Portland +13
Hawks +12
Raptors +10
Bulls +11
Pistons +16
Cavs +10
Detroit +10
Memphis +21

This absolutely has to change. Can't win games when you let the ball shoot the ball almost 12 more times than you every game. That's pretty much spotting the team 10 points.

Gotta generate more turnovers and play better defense. Martin isn't as bad as people made him out to be, but he's not very good either. He needs to learn that OKC doesn't really need his help inside. His man is consistently far more open than he ought to be.

There are a lot of things wrong with the team, but can I just say that Kendrick Perkins is terrible. Just....terrible.

I'm positive there are a ton of Boston fans that would disagree with you and Thunder fans as well. He's not an offensive asset, he's in there to protect down low on defense. Do people not get that?

Last night was a true test game. I was impressed they only had 15 turnovers last night but that still needs to come down to somewhere around 8-10 a game. Team has a lot of work to do before they can be considered a legitimate contender for the playoffs. They have a long way to go. Thankfully there's still 73 games left.

Perkins is a consistently low rebounder along with not containing any offensive ability. He only had 2 the entire game....that's awful.

"Pass the damn ball, Russel!"

Well luckily for our team, guys like Westbrook and Durant are flying all over the place on defense snatching up those boards. KDs rebounding average so far this year is higher than in years past and even though Perkins is physically a lot healtheir but he's not as mobile as the younger guys. I think he'll be just fine.

Perkins is a consistently low rebounder along with not containing any offensive ability. He only had 2 the entire game....that's awful.

And yet he had the best +/- stats of the entire team, in a game where his presence actually does make a difference one way or the other.

Take out Perkins and Gasol/Randolph put the game away in the 3rd quarter.

My wife works with a woman whose daughter works as a car hop at an Edmond Sonic......she says Kendrick Perkins brings his kid in there 2 or 3 times a week, buys $20 worth of food, pays with a 100 dollar bill and tells them to keep the change........

I saw this was in the Oklahoman, looks like they are trying to figure out how to get some more offense from the second unit.

"Scott Brooks plans to change up Kevin Durant's substitution pattern, creating more time apart for Russell Westbrook.

The change is largely to help out Oklahoma City's bench, which has struggled this year after being such an asset last season."

I'll have to watch and see how this subbing works tonight.

I saw this was in the Oklahoman, looks like they are trying to figure out how to get some more offense from the second unit.

"Scott Brooks plans to change up Kevin Durant's substitution pattern, creating more time apart for Russell Westbrook.

The change is largely to help out Oklahoma City's bench, which has struggled this year after being such an asset last season."

I'll have to watch and see how this subbing works tonight.


I t worked very well, it was a complete dismantling of the Hornets last night.

I t worked very well, it was a complete dismantling of the Hornets last night.

How did he work 0/35 rotations? I didn't get to watch the game.

How did he work 0/35 rotations? I didn't get to watch the game.

Durant subbed out with about 3:30 left in 1st, Russ in charge for that bit. Seemed to work really well, especially with Martin on fire.

How did he work 0/35 rotations? I didn't get to watch the game.

Durant played the entire second period with Martin, and they were bombing shots from everywhere. The lead was 29 at the half.....No starters played the 4th period.

I have two club level side tickets for the Warriors game tonight for sale in Sect 221. They are the roomiest seats in the Arena ($ 77 face). PM me if you want.

Sid, call me at 204-2677

Of all the days to take a nap
:)

They played pretty good......easy win.

This thread is an excellent tool to determine who on this board knows absolutely nothing about basketball and how it's played. (e.g., those saying Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Martin aren't good players).

This thread is an excellent tool to determine who on this board knows absolutely nothing about basketball and how it's played. (e.g., those saying Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Martin aren't good players).

Perkins haters always make me laugh. Dude is the only reason we have a chance against teams with front courts like Memphis and LA. If we manage to catch the Lakers, Clips, and Grizz consecutively in the playoffs, Perkins will be about $10M underpaid on the season.

Perkins haters always make me laugh. Dude is the only reason we have a chance against teams with front courts like Memphis and LA. If we manage to catch the Lakers, Clips, and Grizz consecutively in the playoffs, Perkins will be about $10M underpaid on the season.My son-in-law is one of those Perkins haters. Every time the Thunder come up he complains about Perkins low stats. I'll never get him to understand that as mainly a low-post defender the numbers that stats show isn't what he's here for. And he's very good at what he's here for.

I admit to knowing little of the game, but isn't Perkins' primarily role to muss up the stats of the guys in the other shirts?

I admit to knowing little of the game, but isn't Perkins' primarily role to muss up the stats of the guys in the other shirts?That is exactly his job.

Perkins haters always make me laugh. Dude is the only reason we have a chance against teams with front courts like Memphis and LA. If we manage to catch the Lakers, Clips, and Grizz consecutively in the playoffs, Perkins will be about $10M underpaid on the season.

Thank you! Perk plays his role well. People who are down on Perk must not have been watching the games before we traded for him. Pre-Perk, we were the Denver Nuggets...a good team, but not really a serious contender. Post-Perk, we've been in the Western Conference finals twice and the NBA championship once. That probably wouldn't have happened if we were still playing Nenad at center and Uncle Jeff at PF.

BTW, ZBo was fined $25,000 for the Perkins incident after they were ejected the other night. He's living up to his past......

^^^That's .25 cents in my pocket.

Two games in a row, Perkins has spent time defending the point guard. In each case, it was sight to behold
and yet, it did disturb what the PG was trying to do. I doubt he'll accomplish much trying this against Chris
Paul. But against New Orleans and Golden State, he disrupted their passing lanes. Watch for it.

Two games in a row, Perkins has spent time defending the point guard. In each case, it was sight to behold
and yet, it did disturb what the PG was trying to do. I doubt he'll accomplish much trying this against Chris
Paul. But against New Orleans and Golden State, he disrupted their passing lanes. Watch for it.

The point is that he's a good enough defender to even deal with the idea that he guard a point guard. I'll never forget him begging Tony Parker to come at him at the top of the key in Game 3 of the '12 WCF. He slapped the ball away when Parker advanced and then I think Parker passed it off after corralling the ball.

Perkins is the impetus for the defense on this team, because he brings it mostly in the low-post, but can stretch it to the perimeter if he has to. Sefolosha is a great defender, but he's made even better by having a Perkins/Ibaka tandem in the front-court.

Two games in a row, Perkins has spent time defending the point guard. In each case, it was sight to behold
and yet, it did disturb what the PG was trying to do.

Heck, it freaked me out...didn't it, you? lol Gotta imagine it had a similar effect on the opposing PG.

Heck, it freaked me out...didn't it, you? lol Gotta imagine it had a similar effect on the opposing PG.I would have liked a close up face shot of the first PG that saw Perkins waiting for him around half court. I don't remember who it was but I bet he was freaked out.

Heck, it freaked me out...didn't it, you? lol Gotta imagine it had a similar effect on the opposing PG.

Perkins says he does that to get him 'fired up'. He says he will only do it when he's playing an opposing center who is not real mobile.

I'm sorry, but all statistical models show Perkins to be an average center at best. I appreciate his toughness and what he brings, but his offensive game is pretty bad and his defense is often overhyped. The other problem is that Brooks often uses him wrong. Playing Perkins significant minutes in the Finals was a huge mistake. Because the Heat went small, he brought almost nothing to the game as his greatest strength was negated. However, there are not very many true centers anymore so he happens to be about average at the weakest position in the NBA.

Martin's efficiency has been off the charts this season (much like Harden before leaving). He's definitely benefitting from playing with KD and Russ. He'll never make his teammates better like Harden did, but I'm very happy with what he's bringing.

My biggest problem right now with the team is Brooks inability to develop young players. While KD, Russ, and Harden all played heavy minutes and grew (through mistakes) as NBA players, all our recent draft picks get no opportunities for growth and seem to gradually lose confidence. Aldrich and Jackson are 2 1st round picks that have never developed, and the same is now happening with Jones III and Lamb. How valuable are the draft picks from the trade if they never play or grow?

You should go fill out an application KT. I'm sure they could use your insight on saving them big bucks in the long term.

You should go fill out an application KT. I'm sure they could use your insight on saving them big bucks in the long term.

First, the NBA is littered with terrible contracts. Second, this is a message board. Therefore, it's okay to have an opinion about sports on a message board in the section about sports.

Let me know when you have something of substance to say, not just childish snide remarks.

Aldrich and Jackson are 2 1st round picks that have never developed, and the same is now happening with Jones III and Lamb. How valuable are the draft picks from the trade if they never play or grow?

In order to get significant playing time for Lamb and Jones, somebody has to sit. Jones is KD's back-up, so do we sit KD more just to develop a rookie? We could move Lamb or KD to the 4, but that bumps out Collison, unless we move him to center. But that would bump out Thabeet, who has probably been the most improved player on the roster. Do we give up significant progress in a #2 pick in order to maybe develop a much lower draft pick? Then, to get Lamb some minutes, we either have to bump Thabo or Kmart...or shuffle things around, same as with PJIII. Frankly, I like what Brooks has been doing so far in the season. He's been finding some time for the rooks (granted...Jones, more than Lamb) in the rotations in comfortable games and giving them (and Reggie) extended minutes in blow-outs. Cracking the rotations of the Thunder right now is a very tough thing simply because they are one of the 2 or 3 best teams in the NBA.

Actually, they do a very good job of development, but it takes time. Very few rookies, especially on a stacked team, get much playing time their first few months of the season. Jackson was unfortunate to be our rookie last season during the lockout and did not have the summer league and only 2 weeks pre-season to develop. I think you'll see Lamb and Jones come along as the season goes along. Harden's rookie year wasn't so great after all either.

Look at Thabeet compared to what he's done the previous 3 years. Last night he looked as if could be somewhat dominant against any teams 2's.

Darnell Mayberry thinks Maynor is gone and Reggie is our backup point guard of the future. I have a lot of faith in Darnell's opinions. A draft pick is a lot like an interview. You sometimes can't tell how the person will perform when on the job. If the Thunder don't develop a player, it's likely that circumstances suggest to Presti that the player is ultimately going to be on another team. It's way too early to tell anything about Jones and Lamb however.

First, PJIII is NOT KD's back up. If he got the 8-10 minutes a game that KD didn't play is I'd be satisfied. He doesn't. Second, I'm not saying that we have to play young guys, but then why make a trade for a bunch of young players?!? There seems to be no point in even getting young players if they'll never play. The staff has done a terrible job of developing young players since the team has been a playoff team. Mullens, Aldrich, and Jackson are 3 first round picks that never even helped the team. It's either awful drafting or terrible development. You shouldn't get nothing out of 3 consecutive 1st round picks (with 2 more doing nothing right now). If you're not going to play young guys then trade them for something else. They're valuable assets before the Thunder kills their value.

Just bought Magic-Thunder ticket for March 15th, I hope Magic will upset the Thunder but I doubt it, the Magic never wins here :(