I remember a few years ago when Kobe Bryant was shooting free throws at the Staples Center and the crowd was chanting "MVP!" He had like 23 points on 30% shooting.

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

How did this guy slip through the radar of so many NBA teams in the 2009 NBA draft?

He was the 7th draft pick in the 2009 NBA draft selected by the Golden State Warriors. The same year the Thunder selected James Harden; Timberwolves chose Ricky Rubio and the Clippers picked OU's Blake Griffin as the No. 1 pick in the overall draft.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Stephen_Curry_2.jpg/225px-Stephen_Curry_2.jpgStephen Curry Stats, Video, Bio, Profile | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/stephen_curry/)
Stephen Curry

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/James_Harden.jpg/225px-James_Harden.jpg
James Harden


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Ricky_Rubio-MN_v_DET.jpg/225px-Ricky_Rubio-MN_v_DET.jpg
Ricky Rubio

Minnesota had a chance to draft Rubio along with Curry; instead they went with Johnny Flynn, he was the sixth draft pick in the 2009 NBA draft.

I don't think he "slipped" through. It's the lottery and Golden State is probably glad that no other team grabbed him beforehand. With regard to going 7th, I'm surprised he didn't go earlier. Even I remember how far he took Davidson in the NCAA tourney! He's the purest 3pt shooter I've seen since Reggie Miller (who was the 11th pick in the 1987 NBA Draft).

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

How did this guy slip through the radar of so many NBA teams in the 2009 NBA draft?

He was the 7th draft pick in the 2009 NBA draft selected by the Golden State Warriors. The same year the Thunder selected James Harden; Timberwolves chose Ricky Rubio and the Clippers picked OU's Blake Griffin as the No. 1 pick in the overall draft.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Stephen_Curry_2.jpg/225px-Stephen_Curry_2.jpgStephen Curry Stats, Video, Bio, Profile | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/stephen_curry/)
Stephen Curry

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/James_Harden.jpg/225px-James_Harden.jpg
James Harden


http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Ricky_Rubio-MN_v_DET.jpg/225px-Ricky_Rubio-MN_v_DET.jpg
Ricky Rubio

Minnesota had a chance to draft Rubio along with Curry; instead they went with Johnny Flynn, he was the sixth draft pick in the 2009 NBA draft.

Thought some were worried he wouldn't be able to play defense with his build but I could be wrong

Yeah. There were some legitimate concerns with Steph coming out of college - his build was the key one. I liked him as a prospect, but the draft is not a science. Every team misses on some picks, some players develop unpredictably once they're in the league, and sometimes all the teams miss on the same player. Steph wasn't really overlooked - he still went top 10. The only pick that you could make a case was unreasonable at the time was the Flynn pick in my opinion.

Everyone is wrong sometimes about draft picks. I studied up on the last draft quite a bit and my only request before the draft was that the Thunder NOT take Steven Adams. I was convinced he didn't have the skill set to succeed. I was obviously dead wrong. Lol.

Yeah. There were some legitimate concerns with Steph coming out of college - his build was the key one. I liked him as a prospect, but the draft is not a science. Every team misses on some picks, some players develop unpredictably once they're in the league, and sometimes all the teams miss on the same player. Steph wasn't really overlooked - he still went top 10. The only pick that you could make a case was unreasonable at the time was the Flynn pick in my opinion.

Everyone is wrong sometimes about draft picks. I studied up on the last draft quite a bit and my only request before the draft was that the Thunder NOT take Steven Adams. I was convinced he didn't have the skill set to succeed. I was obviously dead wrong. Lol.


In your defense, us outsiders looking in don't have the opportunity to see the work ethic during their pre draft training sessions with the individual teams. I remember that when Westbrook was drafted, they explained that he showed up an hour early and stayed late during his team workouts. I think that shows the mental desire required to develop is prominant.

Yeah. There were some legitimate concerns with Steph coming out of college - his build was the key one. I liked him as a prospect, but the draft is not a science. Every team misses on some picks, some players develop unpredictably once they're in the league, and sometimes all the teams miss on the same player. Steph wasn't really overlooked - he still went top 10. The only pick that you could make a case was unreasonable at the time was the Flynn pick in my opinion.

Everyone is wrong sometimes about draft picks. I studied up on the last draft quite a bit and my only request before the draft was that the Thunder NOT take Steven Adams. I was convinced he didn't have the skill set to succeed. I was obviously dead wrong. Lol.

Agree,

This was about the same reason Portland chose Greg Oden over Kevin Durant who was acquired by Seattle. More about something that had nothing to do with his shooting skill set. They (T-Blazers) were concerned about the fact that Durant wasn't able to bench press 185 lbs., at the pre-draft camp in June 2007. Kevin Durant showed them that it wasn't about how much you could bench press; but the art of putting that pill though the hoop.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

7:00 tip against Portland tonight.

We lost to them New Years Eve.

Portland lost last night to the Rockets after digging themselves in a hole first half and they almost came back in the 4th. Should be tired.

Good opportunity for OKC to work on the seeding race tonight.

In your defense, us outsiders looking in don't have the opportunity to see the work ethic during their pre draft training sessions with the individual teams. I remember that when Westbrook was drafted, they explained that he showed up an hour early and stayed late during his team workouts. I think that shows the mental desire required to develop is prominant.

Actually, both Adams and Westbrooks' work ethics and determination were well reported leading up to the draft. I had heard Adams was a hard worker. I just didn't think he had the skill set to succeed. There are a lot of tough-minded, dedicated players who don't make it in the NBA.

That was pretty!

Those Durant 3's at the end amounted to a clinic. All net on all of them.

Uh.... who was that big guy in the #5 jersey there toward the end of the game?

The last 5 minutes of that game were the most fun I've had watching basketball in some time.

Driving westbound on I-40 after the game last night, the electronic billboard by W&W Steel had - K E V I N 'MVP' D U R A N T displayed on it.

I know the team is not very good without Russell.. But with the way they're playing right now, I think we could still be the best team out there when Durant is this deadly!

Such awesome games the last week.

On to another tough one tonight in San Antonio!

I know the team is not very good without Russell.. But with the way they're playing right now, I think we could still be the best team out there when Durant is this deadly!

Such awesome games the last week.

On to another tough one tonight in San Antonio!True. I hope the fire that seems to be lit under the Thunder stays lit tonight.

I know the team is not very good without Russell.. But with the way they're playing right now, I think we could still be the best team out there when Durant is this deadly!


What? Even without Russell they are still very good. They are 9-5 since Russell went out and if they played at that percentage the whole season they would win 52 games. In the last 10 games OKC is 7-3. Only 5 teams have a better record over the last 10 games and they are all 8-2. OKC has also won 4 in a row. Only Indiana has a longer current streak, and it is 5 games.

The last 5 minutes of that game were the most fun I've had watching basketball in some time.
My wife was already in bed reading, and thought I'd lost my mind! Jumping up and down, hollering "HELL YEAH!!!" I was scaring the dog and cats for the last 5 minutes of that game! Durant is a machine. Life is good.

Watchout San Antonio!

Sheriff Durant & deputies cleaned a three sweep in the Alamo City.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRLb3lYcHgNxh9RWVcBRR0Xm9PW5_Q2U ih8iUC2nKmIWVE3y6YJZwhttps://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS6pbyc8dQHz0UoxOFiP5pM0PpE17UvX cHLWNEMdh0VDZN7YyUK

Great win against the NBA's modern day league iconic champions; especially having to take on the two Western Conference leaders on back-to-back nights.


Oklahoma City Thunder are now leading the Western Conference.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

What? Even without Russell they are still very good. They are 9-5 since Russell went out and if they played at that percentage the whole season they would win 52 games. In the last 10 games OKC is 7-3. Only 5 teams have a better record over the last 10 games and they are all 8-2. OKC has also won 4 in a row. Only Indiana has a longer current streak, and it is 5 games.

Yes, the team has found how to play at an elite level without Russell. It also helps that Durant is a robot right now.

Once Russ comes back, I fear no team across the league in a playoff series, barring good health.

Without RW - this team is really really good.
With RW - They are crazy scary good

One thing that has been a little bit of a blessing in disguise is RW's injury. This has paved the way for RJ to get on average six more minutes per game. This also coincides with Lamb getting about five minutes more per game and PJ3 getting five more per game. This really gives our young guys a lot more playing time to get better at the game. Now, when RW comes back, we will have RW, Thabo, KD, Serge and Perk as our starting five with Reggie, Fisher, Lamb, PJ3, Collison and Adams coming off the bench. That is some really good bench play and that could take us a lot farther in the playoffs if guys are off.

One thing that has been a little bit of a blessing in disguise is RW's injury. This has paved the way for RJ to get on average six more minutes per game. This also coincides with Lamb getting about five minutes more per game and PJ3 getting five more per game. This really gives our young guys a lot more playing time to get better at the game. Now, when RW comes back, we will have RW, Thabo, KD, Serge and Perk as our starting five with Reggie, Fisher, Lamb, PJ3, Collison and Adams coming off the bench. That is some really good bench play and that could take us a lot farther in the playoffs if guys are off.

The extra minutes has helped give these guys the experience going forward into the All Star break.


Efficiency. If a team is very efficient when they have the ball in their hands, they tend to win. High scoring teams and high % teams just are harder to beat.

Once Russ comes back, I don't expect our efficiency to go down. I think it will go up in fact. Assists will go up and if Durant keeps that touch, we could see more record games late in the season and the post-season could very likely be a once-in-a-generation event. Right now, theses guys are good. Really good. The only thing I want to see improved is ball movement and Russ brings that in spades. I'd also like to see Adams figure out how to do what he does without fouling out every game. In the post-season, you can bet no coach is going to pass up the opportunity to capitalize on that.


Agree!

Westbrook's return will allow Scott Brooks to get back with his regular rotation in which Reggie Jackson leads the second team. The combination of Westbrook & Durant will keep fresh legs on the court; this allows Brooks the flexibility to tweak the rotation. Durant and Jackson are playing 35-42 minutes per game which does affect their player efficiency.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

NBA All Star game starters revealed:

Curry starts in first All-Star Game; LeBron top vote-getter | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/2014/news/01/23/nba-all-star-2014-starters-announced-release/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts)

The east & west coast markets are always going to be in the spotlight.

Kevin Durant was second behind LaBron James in total votes casts.

Congratulations to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook on their selections.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Westbrook has not, and probably won't, make the team. The fans pick the starters and the coaches pick the reserves.

Kevin Love calls out teammates.

"We can't have two guys sitting at the end of the bench that play good minutes just sitting there and not getting up during timeouts," Love said, referring to the poor body language exhibited by veterans J.J. Barea and Dante Cunningham in the fourth quarter. "We all need to be in this together. That kind of pisses me off. We're supposed to be a team."

Kevin Love torches Minnesota Timberwolves teammates after loss - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10268301/kevin-love-torches-minnesota-timberwolves-teammates-loss?ex_cid=espnapi_public)




http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Another back to back starting tonight.

Both 6:30 games. Tonight in Boston, and tomorrow in Philadelphia.

Guess KD's taking this one off tonight ?

Sore shoulder. I don't like that. I'm very glad he's taking the night off to rest if it is bothering him. I'm not happy about the idea of his shoulder bothering him.

He did hit the floor pretty hard the other night. He was squincing with pain and holding his right shoulder.

Are we seriously about to beat Boston in Boston w/o KD and Westbrook?

Awesome for us but really Boston? That is sad

He did hit the floor pretty hard the other night. He was squincing with pain and holding his right shoulder.

He hurt it on a dunk attempt that got blocked. No matter though, Thunder win by 19. He will probably take the 76ers game off as well with this win.

I really like what I see out of PJ3 when he gets more than 4 minutes in a game. That dude is crazy long and athletic, and hustles his ass off.

Don't look for K.D. to be in the lineup tonight. Really can't see why Brooks would need to play him. Go ahead and let this makeshift lineup work against Philadelphia as it did against Boston last night.

This was the first time I've seen balanced ball movement among Thunder players; it took Boston away from their game.




http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

I foresee him playing and ending up with a triple-double.

I am really impressed they beat Boston without either Durant or Westbrook. Really says a lot for the rest of the team. These guys are going to rarely, if ever, lose in the 2nd half of the season

I am really impressed they beat Boston without either Durant or Westbrook. Really says a lot for the rest of the team. These guys are going to rarely, if ever, lose in the 2nd half of the season

Does everyone realize that Boston is arguably playing the worst ball in the NBA right now? I was really happy with both the win and how they got it... But beating Boston in Boston is not much of an accomplishment right now. Still, the extra playing time our young guys are getting should only help when RW0 returns.

I am really impressed they beat Boston without either Durant or Westbrook. Really says a lot for the rest of the team. These guys are going to rarely, if ever, lose in the 2nd half of the season

We'll take any win on the road. Durant was able to rest and gear-up for Philadelphia.


Does everyone realize that Boston is arguably playing the worst ball in the NBA right now? I was really happy with both the win and how they got it... But beating Boston in Boston is not much of an accomplishment right now. Still, the extra playing time our young guys are getting should only help when RW0 returns.

You bring out two good points:

1. The Celtics are playing their worst ball. This would have been a missed opportunity had we lost.

2. Our bench players are getting extended valuable playing time. Let's hope this pays dividends in the Western Conference playoffs in that teams will think twice before doubling-up on our franchise players if they know that we have players who can step up to the plate and make them pay.

The Northwest Division is tough with Denver, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Portland & Utah. Did anyone realize that five of our eight loses against Western Conference teams have come from inside our Northwest Division?

Thunder are 19-3 home,
16-7 road,
7-5 Northwest Division,
22-8 Western Conference and 13-2 against the Eastern Conference.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Does everyone realize that Boston is arguably playing the worst ball in the NBA right now? I was really happy with both the win and how they got it... But beating Boston in Boston is not much of an accomplishment right now. Still, the extra playing time our young guys are getting should only help when RW0 returns.

Yeah, I thought about responding but I wanted mugofbeer to be impressed with the victory...

I hope people are REALLY appreciating and taking advantage of the opportunity to see KD don an OKC jersey and be a representative of this city. Odds are a player as talented as KD won't be seen for quite awhile once LeBron and him hang up their sneakers, at least in our lifetimes. We really are spoiled as basketball fans right now. I just hope everyone else realizes that.

Agreed.

This is something special, if you know any non Thunder fans, or even non NBA fans. have them sit down and watch a game with you, let them witness something that millions of fans across the nation dream of seeing in their lifetime. And here in OKC we have it right now.

This is quite possibly the season, folks. The streets in OKC could be loud as ever this June.

I hope people are REALLY appreciating and taking advantage of the opportunity to see KD don an OKC jersey and be a representative of this city. Odds are a player as talented as KD won't be seen for quite awhile once LeBron and him hang up their sneakers, at least in our lifetimes. We really are spoiled as basketball fans right now. I just hope everyone else realizes that.

Unless you're 70, that's just not going to be true. Jordan was (for all intents and purposes) done in 97/98 and Lebron started 03/04. So there was a 5 season gap, to make no mention of several other Top 10/15 players of all-time were still playing (Kobe, Duncan, Shaq).

I'd be hesitant to include Durant in a discussion with Lebron until he replicates this season's kind of production for 2 or 3 straight years and wins at least 1 Title and MVP.

That being said, Durant is very likely the best player that will ever wear a Thunder jersey, unless the NBA is still operating 100 years from now (and even then, there's no guarantee if Durant ends up being a Top 5 player of all eras up to and including his).

Unless you're 70, that's just not going to be true. Jordan was (for all intents and purposes) done in 97/98 and Lebron started 03/04. So there was a 5 season gap, to make no mention of several other Top 10/15 players of all-time were still playing (Kobe, Duncan, Shaq).

I'd be hesitant to include Durant in a discussion with Lebron until he replicates this season's kind of production for 2 or 3 straight years and wins at least 1 Title and MVP.

That being said, Durant is very likely the best player that will ever wear a Thunder jersey, unless the NBA is still operating 100 years from now (and even then, there's no guarantee if Durant ends up being a Top 5 player of all eras up to and including his).

That was my point :p

And the talking heads in the sports world are already talking about Durant being the best offensive player of ALL TIME, and not in a sarcastic way. They're dead serious. He is by far the most talented player on the offensive side of the court that anyone has ever seen. His size, length, ball handling, and range for a guy that is 6'10 is out of this world. Cherish it.

Unless you're 70, that's just not going to be true. Jordan was (for all intents and purposes) done in 97/98 and Lebron started 03/04. So there was a 5 season gap, to make no mention of several other Top 10/15 players of all-time were still playing (Kobe, Duncan, Shaq).

I'd be hesitant to include Durant in a discussion with Lebron until he replicates this season's kind of production for 2 or 3 straight years and wins at least 1 Title and MVP.

That being said, Durant is very likely the best player that will ever wear a Thunder jersey, unless the NBA is still operating 100 years from now (and even then, there's no guarantee if Durant ends up being a Top 5 player of all eras up to and including his).

Would LeBron have won an NBA championship without going to Miami to team up with two other franchise players (Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade)?

Let's face the truth about the MVP award; it usually goes to the player who the NBA thinks will win the NBA championship.

We have two franchise players on our team and let's appreciate their efforts while they are here.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

One question I would like to pose to everyone: If the Thunder win a championship this year, do we see an influx of veteran players trying to come here to be a part of a dynasty like what has happened with Miami? Ray Allen, Chris Anderson, Shane Battier, Michael Beasley and Greg Oden went to Miami to be a part of LeBron, Dwayne and Bosh's dynasty. Do you think a small market like OKC would bring in the same kind of attention? Thabo and Fisher are the only players whose contract are up after this season. I think Fisher said this would be his last season. Perk may be amnestied after this season depending on how he plays and how Adams comes along. Thoughts?

Good question. IMO that is a possibility but Presti and Co. seem pretty content with the "San Antonio" model: keeping a core group happy and together while willing to rotate out a cast of supporting players and developing their talent. Much like SA I think OKC would still have a small-market stigma attached to it, so I don't see the basketball greats stampeding here. But in the end I don't think it matters.

One question I would like to pose to everyone: If the Thunder win a championship this year, do we see an influx of veteran players trying to come here to be a part of a dynasty like what has happened with Miami? Ray Allen, Chris Anderson, Shane Battier, Michael Beasley and Greg Oden went to Miami to be a part of LeBron, Dwayne and Bosh's dynasty. Do you think a small market like OKC would bring in the same kind of attention? Thabo and Collison are the only players whose contract are up after this season. I think Fisher said this would be his last season. Perk may be amnestied after this season depending on how he plays and how Adams comes along. Thoughts?

Hasn't this occurred following many NBA finals; most recently Dallas made the wrong moves and Miami capatizied following their 2011 ouster.

Making it to the NBA finals would invite a ton of players wanting to join Durant to become part of an OKC NBA experience; however that won't happen in OKC because Sam Presti is very protective of this team and its reputation. There are some players who wouldn't fit the profile for the Thunder's organization. We don't want to 'Frankenstein' a team to win a championship. Miami took a chance and fortunately for them it played off.

Presti has a good eye for evaluating talent which will fit into the organization's scheme.

Kendrick Perkins came with some baggage in the Boston trade sending Green back to the team who drafted him. He was an improvement over Nenad Krstic who lacked the toughness to compete long term in an 82-game NBA schedule.

Alan Iverson is a good example as to what happened in Memphis when they attempted to insert a veteran who was self serving to his own perceptual needs.


http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

If veteran players would come here on good deals (as happened in Miami) Presti would love to have them. We tried to get at least two veteran players (Mike Miller, Dorrell Wright) to take deals to compete for a championship last summer, but both chose other teams (Memphis, Portland). The Spurs are not simply a development, not a free agent, franchise. Both franchises look for the best players at the best value that are the best fit however they can get them. The question is, would veteran players take a pay cut to go for a championship in OKC? Or was it that opportunity combined with being in Miami that was so enticing for Battier, Allen, and others? Well, let's win a title and find out. :)

If veteran players would come here on good deals (as happened in Miami) Presti would love to have them. We tried to get at least two veteran players (Mike Miller, Dorrell Wright) to take deals to compete for a championship last summer, but both chose other teams (Memphis, Portland). The Spurs are not simply a development, not a free agent, franchise. Both franchises look for the best players at the best value that are the best fit however they can get them. The question is, would veteran players take a pay cut to go for a championship in OKC? Or was it that opportunity combined with being in Miami that was so enticing for Battier, Allen, and others? Well, let's win a title and find out. :)

Battier was offered by OKC (would have loved to have him) but OKC could only offer him a two year contract and Miami offered him three.

Portland and San Antonio are certainly trying to give the Thunder a little breathing room in the West as they have both lost their last two games. Hopefully we can take advantage with a win over the Heat Wednesday night.

Scott Brooks to coach Western All-stars again.

OKC Thunder: Scott Brooks to be the Western Conference coach in the All-Star game | News OK (http://newsok.com/scott-brooks-to-be-the-western-conference-coach-in-the-all-star-game/article/3928366)

Early tip tonight on east coast.

Our first meeting with Miami this season.


We will be Westbrook'less. But we have the Robot himself, KD.

6pm ESPN.

Early tip tonight on east coast.

Our first meeting with Miami this season.


We will be Westbrook'less. But we have the Robot himself, KD.

6pm ESPN.

I think we will see a lot of Battier and LeBron double teaming KD to force the others to score. If we can have good games from Reggie, Serge and Lamb, I think we have a good chance tonight.

Key to the game is Ibaka. He needs to put up about 20 points and pull about 13 rebounds. And we probably can't afford for anybody to shoot less than 45% if they take 5 or more shots.

San Antonio shot 50% on Sunday and were run out of the building.

Early tip tonight on east coast.

Our first meeting with Miami this season.


We will be Westbrook'less. But we have the Robot himself, KD.

6pm ESPN.

This will be a good challenge for the reserves to come in against one of the best defensive matchups against the Thunder besides Toronto. We have a young team capable of going that extra mile.



Key to the game is Ibaka. He needs to put up about 20 points and pull about 13 rebounds. And we probably can't afford for anybody to shoot less than 45% if they take 5 or more shots.

San Antonio shot 50% on Sunday and were run out of the building.

The Spurs' age is definitely catching up with them. They lost to the Rocketless 'Bearded Bull-in-a-China Closet' Harden. Tim Duncan looks like a dried-up stick-horse prune, Manu Ginobili is a troll working his last bridge and Tony Parker doesn't possess the energy to run with the younger teams. Coach Popovich's patience is appoaching the Woody Hayes mentality.

Ibaka and Durant will have to be atop of their A+ game. Look for LeBron to charge the paint and the Miami fans to ride the officials until they get the 50/50 home court advantage calls.

Referees are fed up with LeBron James and Kendrick Perkin's belly-aching about the officials' calls. If Perkins can keep his cool tonight without complaining (objection talk, facial disapproval etc.,) the Thunder will be better off.

Our Thunder of late appears to be more at an advantage when they are behind in the 4th quarter; it won't take a miracle finish to beat Miami, just good hard lock-down defense. Keep LeBron out of the paint and on the beach to minimize his effectiveness . Bosh will be a key on the 3-point line and Durant's debacle with Wade will insure that Wade will be attempting his best performance.

If we reach the finals, there's a good chance that Indiana will be the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Our 118-94 victory over the Pacers at the Peake was no fluke. We'll rematch against the Pacers on Sunday, April 13, @ 6:00 in Bankers Life Fieldhouse.


https://sp2.yimg.com/ib/th?id=H.4943139177825526&pid=15.1https://sp3.yimg.com/ib/th?id=H.4936950167896383&pid=15.1





https://sp3.yimg.com/ib/th?id=H.4841636295344923&pid=15.1

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif "Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ... as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/okc.gif

Early tip tonight on east coast.

Our first meeting with Miami this season.


We will be Westbrook'less. But we have the Robot himself, KD.

6pm ESPN.

Actually, it's a 7PM (eastern standard time) tip, which it a regular tip time for the timezone the home team is in. That's why we don't like the west coast games cause that means a tip time of 9PM here, which is when you're retiring to the bed.

I hope Steve Adams really dogs LeBron tonight.

This is off key but does anyone else think Chris Bosch would look just like "Crabman" from "My Name Is Earl" if he grew his hair out a bit?

This is off key but does anyone else think Chris Bosch would look just like "Crabman" from "My Name Is Earl" if he grew his hair out a bit?

I would probably have to see them side by side, by to me there is a strong resemblance to Cecil Turtle (of Bugs Bunny fame).

http://www.icantthink.com/images/Cecil060.jpg

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Actually, it's a 7PM (eastern standard time) tip, which it a regular tip time for the timezone the home team is in. That's why we don't like the west coast games cause that means a tip time of 9PM here, which is when you're retiring to the bed.


I am speaking in regards to us here in OK.


Great win tonight, OKC was fire beyond the 3 point line. Fisher really steps up in big games, he must be bored in the regular season filler games... lol