31-8

:)

It'll be interesting to see what comes out of this six game road streak. I told a friend last month that there were only 5 home games in January and he couldn't believe it. Next home game on the 31st!

..And its against Memphis...... A team I'm 100% sure Thunder team, staff, fans despise.

jackson has been playing well this season ... he plays good D ... and either way no backup point is going to play much in the playoffs ... russ will average 42+ so a back up will play less than 6 min a game

Tell Barea and the 2011 Mavs that. The playoffs aren't a week long. They can be up to 28 games long at the end of a long season. No one should be playing 42 mins regularly. Russ averaged 38 mins in the playoffs last year and that's probably too much for how hard he plays.

Reggie is playing okay defense, but he's still too hesitant as a playmaker. For a title contending team he's not cutting it (yet). In the NBA playoffs you can't just try to get by with Reggie's play because the margin for error is too thin. If he doesn't show improvement I think Maynor will get another look and/or the Thunder will look for something at the deadline. Liggins might be playing himself into playoff minutes, but we still need another ball handler unless the coaches come up with something real creative.

No way we could afford Jrue.

I'm going to go ahead and say that Reggie sees 3 to 6 minutes of game time in the playoffs (depending on how close it is, how well he plays, etc.)...it will look something like this:

35: ~44
0: ~42
9: ~36
23: ~33
2: ~30
5: ~24
4: ~22
15: ~6
34: ~3

Obviously that will fluctuate a lot based on match-ups.

These numbers are ridiculous. You can't play KD and Russ that many minutes. You'll wear them out.

Why all the trade talk when the Thunder has the best record in the NBA?

Because our bench has regressed from last year, specifically our backup point guard play is suspect and probably not one that would help us win a title.

Why all the trade talk when the Thunder has the best record in the NBA?1. You can always get better. 2. We really need a second point guard. Jackson could get there but probably not this year. Maynors' lack of pretty much any playing time looks like his days are numbered in a Thunder jersey. If a trade with Maynor and a draft pick or ? could get a Barea like guard without costing an arm and a leg then go for it.

Brooks was quoted last night in regards to Maynor. "He wants to be out there and play, he still works and still looking for an opportunity, and usually it comes around."

I think we may see Maynor return before the playoffs, this looks like Reggie's time to shine.


Now I have a theory... Perhaps the Thunder is lowering Maynor's value by not showing what he has to offer other teams, and they can keep him for less $ after this season.


At the same time, watching the games, Maynor is always sitting next to the coaches and is actually doing some of the coaching himself. I know Maynor is still young and it is early in his career, but he could be a great assistant coach/head coach someday. I just hope his injury hasn't shortened his NBA player career.

I love winning a game so well with our bench that Perry is what everyone is talking about. Our 1st unit had a great game but since we were winning so handedly, it's almost like the 4th quarter was a game unto itself. Loved watching it.

I love watching the young guys play! I think Liggins has a shot to stick with the team long term. If he could become a Tony Allen type player (defense first guard) then he is a great addition. Reggie could still improve, but I'm just not seeing it. Lamb and Jones are unknowns still, but I still believe Jones has great potential. He needs regular touches. I think he could be goof for 6-10 points a game off the bench...

Heads Up, America: Kevin Durant Is Having One of the Greatest Offensive Seasons Ever - The Triangle Blog - Grantland (http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/47874/kevin-durant-incredible-offensive-season)

Major love for KD and the Thunder.

Article quote:

...they are on pace to finish as one of the greatest offenses in modern NBA history

Oy! Such positive coverage. Probably means we're about to drop a couple of games. :(

Or maybe not. :)

These numbers are ridiculous. You can't play KD and Russ that many minutes. You'll wear them out.

Ok, I did say "these will fluctuate a lot". But when push comes to shove, minutes will look like that. It's not likely push will come to shove in the first round and depending on the matchup, possibly not frequently in the second. If Liggins plays himself.

So let me rephrase I bet we stick with Reggie, and I bet he averages 4 to 8 minutes of game time in any series where we do not play 2 bigs for major stretches (So if we play Memphis, he probably averages 2 to 4). He'll play as often as much as Cook did (averaged 6.8 minutes in the playoffs).

This also depends on how well Liggins develops over the second half of the season.

I think Brooks is (getting) comfortable enough with his combinations of the core roster (Starters + Martin/Collison) that we'll get to see a lot more use of Jackson/Maynor, Thabeet, Liggins, and maybe even some Jackson and Lamb. I'll probably revise these numbers, but I'd wager that there will be no trades made that are made for this season alone. If we make any trades, they are for mid to long term pieces. (We may trade Maynor for like a future 2nd round pick to clear cap space if we're bringing in a vet point guard for the minimum). Presti will not go into the luxury tax this season.

Only 52 for KD tonight. A new career high while the Thunder nip Dallas in overnight. They have now won 5 of their 6 road games in January with four more left in what was supposed to be a challenging month.

Is it just me or every time OKC plays DAL/SAS/MIA do they not revert to their 2011/2012 offense? Seems like tonight we slipped into that KD/RW offense with very little regard for KMart or Ibaka down the stretch. Obviously we want the ball in KD/RW's hands, but to essentially ignore the other 3 players on the court, though we really have that luxury when Russ is shooting well, is not the ideal situation to have for an entire 15 minutes of play. For the last 2 maybe 3 minutes sure...but way back at the 8 minute mark, I feel like it's important to keep especially Ibaka involved. KMart, if he is shooting well, is a great kick out option. But if KD/RW ignore Ibaka then they're just making their own job harder as the defense can be lax with Ibaka.

Could be, but all that counts in the NBA is a win and that's what they got.

Could be, but all that counts in the NBA is a win and that's what they got.

I disagree. The team needs good habits for the playoffs. That's all that really matters for this team.

I've seen them pass the ball a 1,000 more times this year than all of last season. That's a marked improvement!

I've seen them pass the ball a 1,000 more times this year than all of last season. That's a marked improvement!

I've seen marked improvement too, but if what else I'm seeing is indeed true, that's cause for concern. It's one thing to have great ball movement against Sacramento and Orlando...it's another thing to move the ball and still be effective against teams with good defense and against teams that know your tendencies. We've played Dallas 15 times in the last 21 months. We've played SAS a lot, We've played MIA a lot.

If we decide when we play familiar teams that we're going back to our iso offense, then I think we'll struggle to make it to the WCF. That offense is not dependable for 20 minutes without James Harden. We have to move the ball in the 4th quarter.

In the 4th everyone not named Westbrook and Durant combined for 5 total shots out of 19. Durant counted for 11 of those shots and made 2 of them, only 1 in the final 6 minutes.

Now, I'm not saying that I want to see the ball in someone else's hands, and I'm not saying that I want Durant or Westbrook deferring to anyone else (and I'd prefer RW defer to KD)...but they HAVE to make use of Ibaka and Martin on occasion, in close games against good competition so that the threat is there: Double team Durant at the peril of an Ibaka dunk or a wide-open Martin 3.

James Harden played worse and worse the farther we got into the playoffs...

I disagree. The team needs good habits for the playoffs. That's all that really matters for this team.

And you totally missed my point. I absolutely was not saying that how they play doesn't matter, I was saying that how they play means nothing in the standings. This isn't a beauty contest like college football.

Anyway, the Thunder are doing good this year no matter how many things they can change. It's never enough, but they're a pretty darn good team.

You're right, MDot. As much as we like to complain, they are winning close games now that they would have lost a couple of years ago. Of course there are things they can do better but they will never be a perfect team just as no other team in the NBA will ever be perfect.

Anyway, the Thunder are doing good this year no matter how many things they can change. It's never enough, but they're a pretty darn good team.

I agree 100%. They have the best record in the league and they are better than last years team which went to the finals. If that gets translated into 'crappy bench play", then bring on more crappy bench play.

I agree 100%. They have the best record in the league and they are better than last years team which went to the finals. If that gets translated into 'crappy bench play", then bring on more crappy bench play.

I think you all are missing my point. I am very appreciative of the success we're having. I don't take it for granted and I always remember how lucky we are to have a contender. Some cities (e.g., Milwaukee, Toronto) haven't had a serious contender for 20 years.

Having said that, I critique the team based on the hopes we can win a championship. The margin of error for title teams is tiny. A bad bench can lose you a series. Miami's bench completely outplayed ours last year and it was a huge reason they won a title and we didn't. Right now our bench only has 2 players (Martin, Collison) I'm comfortable getting playoff minutes. Some of these young guys need to improve, especially the guards, or the Thunder should make a move.

The playoffs are NOT the same as the regular season. Saying we're better than last year is very premature. This team will be judged by what it does in the playoffs... Overall improvement/development is just as important as our record. We still need to improve in some areas to solidify our chances. That's why I am both very happy with team, but also concerned about our weaknesses.

Good teams can always get better.

Having another solid bench piece couldn't hurt.

I think you all are missing my point. I am very appreciative of the success we're having. I don't take it for granted and I always remember how lucky we are to have a contender. Some cities (e.g., Milwaukee, Toronto) haven't had a serious contender for 20 years.

Having said that, I critique the team based on the hopes we can win a championship. The margin of error for title teams is tiny. A bad bench can lose you a series. Miami's bench completely outplayed ours last year and it was a huge reason they won a title and we didn't. Right now our bench only has 2 players (Martin, Collison) I'm comfortable getting playoff minutes. Some of these young guys need to improve, especially the guards, or the Thunder should make a move.

The playoffs are NOT the same as the regular season. Saying we're better than last year is very premature. This team will be judged by what it does in the playoffs... Overall improvement/development is just as important as our record. We still need to improve in some areas to solidify our chances. That's why I am both very happy with team, but also concerned about our weaknesses.

How much more comfortable are you with Daequan Cook and Nazr Mohammed getting minutes than Jackson and Thabeet? I mean, I'm definitely on the boat that Mohammed is easily a better have than Thabeet...but I honestly think Jackson (and Liggins for that matter) is capable of same/better defense than Cook. I also think Jackson brings more to the table offensively in terms of variety. He can penetrate and shoot from the outside.

The bigger issue I see with bringing in a piece, is that there is nobody out there to grab for the minimum, and that's really all we have recourse for. We have no real wiggle room to stay out of the luxury tax this season, and I can't see Presti breaking into the tax this year, without a full season to work someone else into the lineup.

I think the real answer to the Thunder's guard woes is to let KMart play the point for ~5 possessions per game.

I wasn't comfortable with Nazr and Cook just like I'm not comfortable with Thabeet (fouls far too much) and Jackson. That's my point. Our bench wasn't, and isn't, where it needs to be. The situation is similar to last season. Cook has 8 huge points in San Antonio, but contributed almost nothing else (including the Finals). Nazr and Hasheem are a wash to me.

Maynor pre-ACL injury was solid and we really haven't replaced his contributions since...

In my opinion, the lack of bench play deep in the playoffs last season had far more to do with our offensive system (or lack thereof). It's why it bothers me that Westbrook and Durant, of late, are going back to this isolation offense. Seems like since the Martin injury that sidelined him a couple of games and the couple of losses around the same time, Durant and Westbrook have taken on a little bit of that "put the team on our backs" mentality. That's great for the last 3 minutes or during overtime...but the entire 4th quarter? That's unhealthy.

I don't think the issue is talent...I think the issue is usage:

#3 Westbrook 30.5
#8 KD 27.3
#139 Martin 18.7
#153 Maynor 18.0
#173 Reggie 17.1
#203 Ibaka 16.4
#299 Collison 11.8
#314 Sef 10.1
#318 Perk 9.9
#321 Thabeet 9.6

Hard to develop consistency and dependability when you never get the opportunity.

The playoffs are NOT the same as the regular season. Saying we're better than last year is very premature. This team will be judged by what it does in the playoffs... Overall improvement/development is just as important as our record. We still need to improve in some areas to solidify our chances. That's why I am both very happy with team, but also concerned about our weaknesses.

That is what I am saying. You are down on the bench, or at least see areas for improvement, but things in the playoffs are different. Maybe we have a 'playoff' bench and you are only seeing them in the regular season. Every team gets better in the playoffs, even the Thunder.

That is what I am saying. You are down on the bench, or at least see areas for improvement, but things in the playoffs are different. Maybe we have a 'playoff' bench and you are only seeing them in the regular season. Every team gets better in the playoffs, even the Thunder.

I'm sorry, but this doesn't make sense to me. Our bench is magically going to get better? What on earth is a "playoff bench?"

The playoffs is when weaknesses get exposed. Rarely do weaknesses turn into strengths. We need to find a way to improve our bench. Jackson has not shown any improvement with his playing time. He was awful at Denver. He just does nothing. He doesn't make shots, create for others, anything. Unless Jackson shows dramatic improvement he won't be part of a "playoff bench" because he won't be playing at all.

[QUOTE=KilgoreTrout;611767]I'm sorry, but this doesn't make sense to me. Our bench is magically going to get better? What on earth is a "playoff bench?"



What happens is that they notoriously go to a smaller rotation. Instead of a nine or ten man, they cut it back to a seven or eight come playoff time. Some guys who barely see time will not see time at all, unless a game ends up a blowout.

I agree that our rotations will likely cut back to 8-9 players, but we still will have to figure out what to do when Russ is out of the game...

I'm sorry, but this doesn't make sense to me. Our bench is magically going to get better? What on earth is a "playoff bench?"

The playoffs is when weaknesses get exposed. Rarely do weaknesses turn into strengths. We need to find a way to improve our bench. Jackson has not shown any improvement with his playing time. He was awful at Denver. He just does nothing. He doesn't make shots, create for others, anything. Unless Jackson shows dramatic improvement he won't be part of a "playoff bench" because he won't be playing at all.

Why is every team going to get better in the playoffs except for OKC?

Why is every team going to get better in the playoffs except for OKC?

Because Most teams are not already playing their roster near playoff minutes.

OKC is really only using a 9-man rotation throughout the year (in part, because we have 2 rookies, and 2 second year guys).

Jackson/Maynor and Thabeet average ~21 MPG. Collison, the 3rd least played man in a 9 man rotation averaged 19.4...

Echoing a sentiment from earlier: We need another ball-handler so that Russ doesn't have to average 42 minutes through 4 playoff series. I genuinely believe the answer to that question for *this* season, is to put the ball in Kevin Martin's hands for 5ish possessions so that Reggie only has about 5ish himself. I do not think it's a good idea to play Reggie more than about 8 minutes in the playoffs. Thabeet really needs to improve quickly if he's to be trusted with even 5 minutes of playoff time.

I am thinking that Scott is holding off on using Collison more because he is 32 now. I think he'll average more minutes in the playoffs and I think he'll be more effective. So I'm thinking that we'll not quite see the best this bench has to offer until the playoffs or shortly before that.

So I'm thinking that we'll not quite see the best this bench has to offer until the playoffs or shortly before that.

Isn't that what I said?

What a great road win for the Thunder tonight against the Clippers. I know Chris Paul wasn't playing but the standings and possible pecking order in the playoffs don't care. Before tonight the biggest home loss for the Clippers was by 7 points.

Isn't that what I said?

Right, but I suspect it's going to be on the back of Collison and not Jackson/Thabeet. As it stand right now, no matter how much extra time Collison gets, this bench is going to look much worse in the playoffs if Jackson/Thabeet combine for more than about 12 minutes game. Right now they're combining for about 22...Where are you going to send those extra 10 minutes, when everyone else is playing close to playoff minutes already aside from probably Collison.

And just because I don't think we've seen the best the bench has to offer (because Collison is down on minutes) doesn't mean I'm saying that the best will be a routine showing come playoffs. Collison is the only proven commodity we have on the bench come playoff time. Nobody really knows how Martin will perform in the playoffs because he's never really been in them. Jackson and Thabeet are sure to be liabilities.

also 11 very solid min for reggie jackson .. last night ..

Why is every team going to get better in the playoffs except for OKC?

Where did you come up with the silly notion that every team improves in the playoffs? A lot of teams look awful in the playoffs and are quickly gone.

I guess I am confused then. We have the best record in the NBA and just handed the Clippers a beat-down on their home court. I'm not saying they should just hand us the trophy now but come on - if they were as bad as you seem to think they are we should be happy to get that last playoff spot.

I've stated this several times, but I'll say it again. My analysis is based on this tram'schances for a title. There's always critique when this is the standard because the margin for error is so small. Besides, we've been winning in spite of our bench. That can come back to bite you in the long run.

Having said that, the bench played well last night and is playing decently right now. I hope they can sustain it.

December 13.


Don't discount the Warriors... They can be for real come playoff time.






I'll go ahead and discount the Warriors. They've made nice strides this year, but they're not ready to make a serious run. Come playoff time I see them as the 7th or 8th best team in the west at best. I fully expect all the teams ahead of them already innthe standings and the Mavs (Dirk will be back) and Lakers (no way they're this bad all season... see the Heat two years ago) to be bigger threats come the end of the season.


How's this prediction goin? lol

Warriors just cleaned off the top 2 teams in the league this week. They are about to pass MEM for the #4 spot.

I've stated this several times, but I'll say it again. My analysis is based on this tram'schances for a title. There's always critique when this is the standard because the margin for error is so small. Besides, we've been winning in spite of our bench. That can come back to bite you in the long run.

Having said that, the bench played well last night and is playing decently right now. I hope they can sustain it.

Here's the way I see it: we're a few players shorter than last year's bench which had Fisher, Nazr, Collison, Harden, Cook and Reggie as reliable options. I don't count Aldridge but he was getting similar to Thabeet minutes. Is Thabeet better, not appreciably, but he still may develop.
We're two less bodies at longer minutes and it could wear on Durant and Westbrook to be logging playoff minutes mid-season.

Just like last night against the Warriors, Durant played almost a perfect three quarters but that followed lots of minutes in the Clippers game and by game end time on a back-to-back, the double teams, etc had caused him to lose a lot of his pop.

The only way to prevent season end wear down is to be extending the minutes for Reggie and Liggins add Maynor or Lambert for spot duty, plus, as he becomes more of an offensive threat, up the minutes for Sefalosha. I also think Perkins is getting healthier and may be also ready to pull longer minutes.

December 13.

How's this prediction goin? lol

Warriors just cleaned off the top 2 teams in the league this week. They are about to pass MEM for the #4 spot.

KT must be without internet access...or he's eating crow...lol.

We're only half way through the season so anything could happen, but, it's starting to look more like just a race between the Thunder and the Spurs in the West again. The Clippers are starting to fade with four losses in a row.

December 13.








How's this prediction goin? lol

Warriors just cleaned off the top 2 teams in the league this week. They are about to pass MEM for the #4 spot.

Since the playoffs haven't started there is no way to know. I still think they do not win a playoff series.

We was not suppose to lose to the lakers!!! I am so pissed! =(

We was not suppose to lose to the lakers!!! I am so pissed! =(

Better than losing to the Wizards. That was the one you should have been upset about. This is the NBA and any team can beat any team on a given day. Overall, 3 and 3 on the 6 game road trip could have been better but it wasn't disastrous.

According to Forbes, the Thunder are now worth $475 million (12th most valuable in the NBA), up 36.5% from last year. The Thunder also had a profit of $30 million (4th in the league), only behind the Knicks ($83M), the Lakers ($48M), and the Bulls ($34M).

#12 Oklahoma City Thunder - The Most Valuable NBA Teams - Forbes (http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mli45likg/12-oklahoma-city-thunder/)

Get it while it's hot...

Get it while it's hot...

Its gonna remain hot, even if we have a season like the Lakers...

Its gonna remain hot, even if we have a season like the Lakers...

Sooner basketball was once a hot commodity as well...

Its gonna remain hot, even if we have a season like the Lakers...

No.

OKC makes an unholy amount of money off of #35. The Odds are so unbelievably slim that we ever have another player in a Thunder uniform of his caliber. Ever.

It will be interesting to see how OKC does if/when they sink to irrelevance ala the Bobcats or Raptors. Fortunately, barring major injuries, OKC has a chance to be a perennial playoff team if they can keep KD and RW after their current contracts. If OKC wins a championship during their current contracts I think they both stay. If not then it's a lot riskier IMHO.

Even if OKC loses KD and RW I think OKC will probably do decently in attendance. Most towns with only a NBA team (e.g., Utah, Portland) seem to always have good fans...

Today on the sports animal, BBJ was talking to Sam Presti and he actually asked him if there were any trades in the works for OKC. I mean, I know you gotta ask, but dude, it's not like Sam is gonna spill the beans on the sports animal, lol.

It will be interesting to see how OKC does if/when they sink to irrelevance ala the Bobcats or Raptors. Fortunately, barring major injuries, OKC has a chance to be a perennial playoff team if they can keep KD and RW after their current contracts. If OKC wins a championship during their current contracts I think they both stay. If not then it's a lot riskier IMHO.

Even if OKC loses KD and RW I think OKC will probably do decently in attendance. Most towns with only a NBA team (e.g., Utah, Portland) seem to always have good fans...

The Thunder will probably always be profitable as long as good market sense is employed RE our investment in pro sports teams (i.e. if we bring in an NHL team, we better have more people and a stronger economy).

...But OKC will not be the 4th most profitable team in the league once KD is gone. Think of the Markets we beat out: BOSTON, MIAMI, Dallas, Houston, LA (Clippers), NY/NJ (Nets), Philadelphia...I mean, to beat out the Boston freaking Celtics and the LBJ Miami Heat is truly spectacular.

Hard to know what to say of slipping into a 20 year slump after the KD era (that era starting likely no less than 10 years from now) because OKC will be so much further as a city by then (Hopefully a Top 35 MSA) and the small market issue won't be as big of a deal.

Man, the future's so bright, I gotta wear shades!

Reports Rudy Gay is headed to Toronto. Two big implications here:

1. To me this takes Memphis out of any western conference title consideration.

2. Absolutely hurts the Thunder by reducing the chances of Toronto's lottery pick being a top 6 pick (acquired by OKC).

Reports Rudy Gay is headed to Toronto. Two big implications here:

1. To me this takes Memphis out of any western conference title consideration.

2. Absolutely hurts the Thunder by reducing the chances of Toronto's lottery pick being a top 6 pick (acquired by OKC).

The Griz were better when Gay was injured. Ed Davis is the real deal. And they get a savvy vet in Prince. I don't think this improves Toronto or Memphis' regular season records much. The Griz got rid of Gay b/c they don't need him to be successful.

The Griz were better when Gay was injured. Ed Davis is the real deal. And they get a savvy vet in Prince. I don't think this improves Toronto or Memphis' regular season records much. The Griz got rid of Gay b/c they don't need him to be successful.

Because of the salary he is making - over 16m for the next 2 years, otherwise Memphis has luxury tax problems.