Wow is right.

This is a pretty big deal.

You have a definite gift for understatement...

Z-Bo got hosed. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that we won't have to match up with him tomorrow night. But I don't see how that is worthy of a 1-game suspension for game 7 of a Playoff series. I thought it was pretty obvious he was going for a shove and his hand just got up too high initially. Like SVG said, if Z-Bo had intended to punch Adams then he would have gone down like a heavyweight boxer in a late-round KO.

Not a bad turn of events for the Thunder though. :cool:

Seeing that clip I don't see how anybody could justify letting him play. I like Abe Lemon's old saying, which went something along the lines of, "If it goes so far that if it happened on the street, you'd be arrested, it's too far for the basketball court." Amen, Abe. If Randolph had done what he did - (not the shove but the fist to the face) - outside the arena, he would have been arrested for assault.

That punch literally knocked Adams (as big as he is) off his feet! Randolph is getting off light. NewsOK's Vine video shows just how violent it was.
https://vine.co/v/MrDr9ZmKvlU/embed (click the center of the pic)

That's not basketball - that's thuggery. It has to be stopped in the NBA and this was a good call in that they are saying it doesn't matter what game you'll miss. Assault another player so blatantly on the basketball court and you're out the next game. Gutsy call by the NBA.

Just saw this video from Bruce Bowen on ESPN - he is absolutely, 100% spot-on. There's no room for this in the game of basketball. Period.
Zach Randolph of Memphis Grizzlies suspended for Game 7 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/10874180/zach-randolph-memphis-grizzlies-suspended-game-7)

Z-Bo got hosed. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that we won't have to match up with him tomorrow night. But I don't see how that is worthy of a 1-game suspension for game 7 of a Playoff series. I thought it was pretty obvious he was going for a shove and his hand just got up too high initially. Like SVG said, if Z-Bo had intended to punch Adams then he would have gone down like a heavyweight boxer in a late-round KO.

Adams getting knocked so far away from the initial point of contact is equivalent to a late-round KO for normal people. After seeing a picture of his sister and hearing about his childhood, I'm not sure anyone in the NBA is going to KO Adams.

One of the national writers put on twitter that the intent would be irrelevant because he did make contact with the head. That's an automatic suspension.

You know, with this idiot's history - they should pay him for two weeks and say goodbye and never let him back anywhere near the NBA. Talk about bringing this stuff to a stop, and quick!

He looks more like a boxer anyway - look at his face while he punches Adams. Watch enough to see the view from the front and close-up.


http://www.nba.com/video/channels/originals/2014/05/02/randolph-video.nba

Seeing that clip I don't see how anybody could justify letting him play. I like Abe Lemon's old saying, which went something along the lines of, "If it goes so far that if it happened on the street, you'd be arrested, it's too far for the basketball court." Amen, Abe. If Randolph had done what he did - (not the shove but the fist to the face) - outside the arena, he would have been arrested for assault.

shows just how violent it was.
https://vine.co/v/MrDr9ZmKvlU/embed (click the center of the pic)

That's not basketball - that's thuggery. It has to be stopped in the NBA ... Assault another player so blatantly on the basketball court .....Gutsy call by the NBA.

Wow! I've stopped caring about the nonsense that was spewed on this board years ago. However, this is par for the course, and enough is enough. You've checked all the boxes, all the key words, except the most overt, flagrant ones that wouldn't conceal your true agenda. As it has been stated before by pwitty, it was an attempt to shove. Zac Randolph would've knocked his teeth out with a true intended punch. But that's not important, when there's an opportunity to discuss or analyze a controversial event it always dissolves to this. And many on this board wonder why our state is viewed in such a negative light around the nation. They say the outsiders have it wrong........

Adams wasn't knocked off his feet, he was mid-stride so he stumbled back a few feet and then avoided Randolph and walked away.

I might be mistaken, but didn't Z-Bo finish out the rest of the game? If the play was "blatant thuggery" and a straight up punch as some of you are saying, then he would've been ejected on the spot. It wasn't like the refs didn't see it. They stopped play and called a foul, but they didn't think it warranted anything more than that. It was nothing more than a frustration shove. Mike Scott gave George Hill a two hand stiff arm to the face last night and I haven't seen the league hand down any sort of punishment to him. The only difference between the two plays is that Scott was in a face-to-face confrontation and Adams didn't see it coming.

Anyways, my point is that the NBA justified the suspension by saying it was a punch. It wasn't a punch. I've never seen a guy throw a punch with both hands at the same time. The vine you linked shows it perfectly. The contact was with the bottom side of his closed hand and his forearm. It was a hard shove directed at Adams' upper body and he made contact with Adams' neck and face. Those are two very different things.

The only folks I have seen who thought that was deserving of a suspension are on this board. The entire ESPN pre-game crew and the commentators in the Dal-SA game thought the NBA overstepped their grounds.

I'm as big of a Thunder fan as anyone else in this thread, but to act like that is a 100% deserving of a suspension is nuts. People wouldn't be so shocked at the league's decision today if that were the case.

If DeJuan Blair got suspended a game for accidentally touching Tiago Splitter's head with his foot after a scramble for the ball, then Zach Randolph deserves to be suspended a game.

Also, all the talk about the NBA being at fault, Zach Randolph shouldn't have let a rookie get into his head to where he threw a "close-fisted push to the jaw" as they were down double digits.

Wow! I've stopped caring about the nonsense that was spewed on this board years ago. However, this is par for the course, and enough is enough. You've checked all the boxes, all the key words, except the most overt, flagrant ones that wouldn't conceal your true agenda. As it has been stated before by pwitty, it was an attempt to shove. Zac Randolph would've knocked his teeth out with a true intended punch. But that's not important, when there's an opportunity to discuss or analyze a controversial event it always dissolves to this. And many on this board wonder why our state is viewed in such a negative light around the nation. They say the outsiders have it wrong........

I have no clue what you're talking about. Could you explain how the NBA seeing things the way I saw it, and Bruce Bowen on ESPN saying the same thing, what did I say? Seriously? Dissolves to what? I am simply clueless.

I think the biggest beef people are having is the NBA is saying "precedent" in this case, but didn't hand out a single punishment for what happened in the ATL-IND game last night.

It appears Adams went for the nut shot and that's what set Randolph off. I love Adams, he's the master of the dark arts of basketball. Guys like that in soccer are great, too. Can infuriate the opponent into doing something stupid, and never retaliate or get caught.

Wait a minute...918town....were you insinuating I was talking race? Honestly, the white-black perspective did not enter. my. mind. Not once. I think it was thuggery on the court. That, my friend, doesn't mean just black players like Randolph. There are white thugs, black thugs, green thugs. A thug is a thug.

I am a bit surprised you make a comment like this and say it reflects on the state? Maybe you should read my posts. I am an economic social democrat (Paul Krugman should be Secretary of Commerce, Labor, Treasury - with Robert Reich and Elizabeth Warren in there as well) with a few libertarian or traditional views on some social issues. I didn't know playing rough basketball in the NBA and calling out the thugs for thuggery reflects any way other than being against that kind of play on the basketball court. Maybe you are being a bit reflexive - if not reactionary.

Pwitty: Only on this board? Try ESPN: Zach Randolph of Memphis Grizzlies suspended for Game 7 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/10874180/zach-randolph-memphis-grizzlies-suspended-game-7)
Watch the video. Bruce Bowen says what I said.

it was an attempt to shove. Zac Randolph would've knocked his teeth out with a true intended punch.

Haven't seen many NBA fights have you? I've never seen an NBA player throw a correct punch or fight in a way that wasn't more than flailing arms all over the place.

That was almost an insane San Antonio comeback. Up to 5 Game 7s. I'm hoping Portland finishes Houston tonight though.

Pwitty: Only on this board? Try ESPN: Zach Randolph of Memphis Grizzlies suspended for Game 7 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2014/story/_/id/10874180/zach-randolph-memphis-grizzlies-suspended-game-7)
Watch the video. Bruce Bowen says what I said.

One analyst's opinion doesn't outweigh all the other analysts who disagreed with the NBA's decision.

Not to mention it's a little funny hearing Bowen say, "stuff like this has no place in the NBA", when Bowen himself is considered one of the dirtiest players in NBA history.

I agree hearing Bowen speak out against this is hilarious, but he was a lot like Adams, did everything to get under guys' skins, but he was never called or retaliated. That's an art.

One analyst's opinion doesn't outweigh all the other analysts who disagreed with the NBA's decision.

Not to mention it's a little funny hearing Bowen say, "stuff like this has no place in the NBA", when Bowen himself is considered one of the dirtiest players in NBA history.

Well, now that you mention it. Life is full of irony.

Wow! I've stopped caring about the nonsense that was spewed on this board years ago. However, this is par for the course, and enough is enough. You've checked all the boxes, all the key words, except the most overt, flagrant ones that wouldn't conceal your true agenda. As it has been stated before by pwitty, it was an attempt to shove. Zac Randolph would've knocked his teeth out with a true intended punch. But that's not important, when there's an opportunity to discuss or analyze a controversial event it always dissolves to this. And many on this board wonder why our state is viewed in such a negative light around the nation. They say the outsiders have it wrong........

Fail.... as the NBA rule states, any deliberate blow to the face or head will result in a suspension. It was an intentional effort by Randolph, and that's why they left him home today.

And if push came to shove, Steven Adams would kick old man Zack Randolph's a$$. That punch hardly fazed him. Adams grew up a rugby player, a real contact sport.

Watch this video from the NBA. It was a left elbow to the body, then a clinched fist thrown by Z-Bo to Adams jaw. Anyone that sees this any different is living in outer space.


Randolph Suspended One Game | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/video/channels/originals/2014/05/02/randolph-video.nba/index.html)

Read a couple of blog sites for the Grizzlies. IT seems that their fans and everyone in their camp is confident and more motivated that they will win game 7 without Z-bo. Conley was quoted saying that after a day, the injury was not as bad as he thought and will play. At what percentage, remains to be seen. I believe, the Thunder need to be very focused to come out and punch them first. I would have thought that all the the news would have stepped them down just a bit on their optimism for winning game 7. It seems to be just the opposite. They are a wounded animal backed in a corner. That can be very dangerous. We better be really prepared or we may see a repeat of game 5 where the Thunder get down big early and then have to play uphill the rest of the game and lose a close one at the end. I am still confident that we will win though.

Watch this video from the NBA. It was a left elbow to the body, then a clinched fist thrown by Z-Bo to Adams jaw. Anyone that sees this any different is living in outer space.


Randolph Suspended One Game | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/video/channels/originals/2014/05/02/randolph-video.nba/index.html)

I posted this in #1160 and don't know how many actually watched it. Especially the right in front, close-in shot in the second half of the video. The look on Randolph's face at the moment he hits Adams with the closed fist is that of a boxer - putting a lot of force into that punch.

OMG, that Portland - Houston game was unbelievable. Houston was up by 2 with .9 seconds left. Portland tosses in a shot and they get up a prayer 3 pointer which goes in. Portland wins by one and eliminates Houston.

Read a couple of blog sites for the Grizzlies. IT seems that their fans and everyone in their camp is confident and more motivated that they will win game 7 without Z-bo. Conley was quoted saying that after a day, the injury was not as bad as he thought and will play. At what percentage, remains to be seen. I believe, the Thunder need to be very focused to come out and punch them first. I would have thought that all the the news would have stepped them down just a bit on their optimism for winning game 7. It seems to be just the opposite. They are a wounded animal backed in a corner. That can be very dangerous. We better be really prepared or we may see a repeat of game 5 where the Thunder get down big early and then have to play uphill the rest of the game and lose a close one at the end. I am still confident that we will win though.

He may not be the best source for how he is, he tried to return in the game and lasted like thirty seconds. Hopefully for his sake it is not bad but the odds are pretty low he will be near 100%

OMG, that Portland - Houston game was unbelievable. Houston was up by 2 with .9 seconds left. Portland tosses in a shot and they get up a prayer 3 pointer which goes in. Portland wins by one and eliminates Houston.

I saw that and could not believe the finish. I've historically never been a huge basketball fan, but even I have to appreciate the quality of games we've seen in these playoffs. The execution on that inbounds play for the winning 3-pointer was flawless, and the very guy who tipped in the garbage for Houston with .9 left to give them the apparent game-winner was the same guy late to rotate over and cover the guy who shot THE game winning 3 for Portland. Amazing stuff, and I didn't really have a dog in the fight for who won. I'll admit perhaps a slight bias toward Portland winning, but in general it was just exciting basketball.

Now we *have* to make sure to win tonight to remind Harden why he should have stuck with a winner :) (insert snarky laugh here)

He may not be the best source for how he is, he tried to return in the game and lasted like thirty seconds. Hopefully for his sake it is not bad but the odds are pretty low he will be near 100%

I think its got to be at least some face-saving. I heard blurbs from too many reporters/blogs that indicated he was hurt a lot worse than was reported, and if he had been remotely able to play the other night, he would have, but literally, physically could not. I know from watching football all my life that hamstrings can be really annoying and take a long time to really heal, so its hard to say how this will really affect him going into tonight. He could start and play the whole game, or pull his leg funny in the first 30 seconds and be done for the game.

GO THUNDER.

Read a couple of blog sites for the Grizzlies. IT seems that their fans and everyone in their camp is confident and more motivated that they will win game 7 without Z-bo. Conley was quoted saying that after a day, the injury was not as bad as he thought and will play. At what percentage, remains to be seen. I believe, the Thunder need to be very focused to come out and punch them first. I would have thought that all the the news would have stepped them down just a bit on their optimism for winning game 7. It seems to be just the opposite. They are a wounded animal backed in a corner. That can be very dangerous. We better be really prepared or we may see a repeat of game 5 where the Thunder get down big early and then have to play uphill the rest of the game and lose a close one at the end. I am still confident that we will win though.

If the Thunder can perform the way they *had to* the other night, but then let it slip away at home by not being *EVERY BIT* as intense, and focused, all while starting Butler again, then we'll be back to questioning their mettle on and off the court. I think Durant did, in fact, take it to another emotional level the other night, and would be crazy not to do everything to put his team right back in that same emotional condition. Here's the critical difference, however - if we can smash them in the mouth early, really take out their will, I think there's a MUCH greater chance Memphis will fold. If Conley is less than 100% and with Randolph out, at some point you have to realize there's a limit to how much of your team you can lose and still expect the same level of overall performance. Keep in mind that I think Randolph was their leading scorer in the game where he played at least a certain number of minutes - something like 16-18 points per game. Someone will have to make that up.

And I think someone needs to put super glue on Sefalosha's chair to ensure he has exactly the same game experience he had the other night :)

Sure wish I could be there :(

Thunder wins Game 7, 113-92.

Losing Randolph isn't as big of a blow as losing Conley (if he can't play effective minutes). Randolph has been terrible for the most part this series and the Grizzlies have been better both offensively and defensively when he is on the bench, believe it or not. I don't have the efficiency numbers on me at the moment, but it's not even close if I remember correctly. The Grizzlies still have a huge mountain to climb though, and I expect the Thunder to lead this game by double digits throughout.

Losing Randolph is gigantic for the the Grizzlies. He draws a ton of offensive attention. He's been less efficient than normal this series (he's still had good games), but he creates a lot if open shots for other guys. Most all the Memphis people I've read are pretty low on their chances without him. I agree I'd rather lose Z-bo than Conley, but losing either is pretty disastrous. However, the guys behind them are capable of having good games. The Thunder still better be focused.

It is a big blow since the dude averages 17 pts 10 reb a game...My bold prediction is we will see a ton of three point attempts from Mike Miller...They will just hope he is on fire

I honestly think Steven Adams' secret to getting under the skin of these guys is clandestine nut shots. I'm not kidding. Old rugby trick. And of course it is one that Serge has pulled before too.

I am hoping the Grizzlies don't have a Reggie Jackson on the bench that ends up having a breakout night.

I am hoping the Grizzlies don't have a Reggie Jackson on the bench that ends up having a breakout night.

It's like all of them have already had a breakout game.

Udrih was that guy I think. Made a name for himself in this series.

Losing Randolph isn't as big of a blow as losing Conley (if he can't play effective minutes). Randolph has been terrible for the most part this series and the Grizzlies have been better both offensively and defensively when he is on the bench, believe it or not. I don't have the efficiency numbers on me at the moment, but it's not even close if I remember correctly. The Grizzlies still have a huge mountain to climb though, and I expect the Thunder to lead this game by double digits throughout.

Saw a tweet this morning indicating Conley had been receiving all kinds of treatment, and still could perhaps probably will play, but the sense is he's not going to be anywhere near 100%. I think the tweet said something like "not optimistic."

Just saw on ESPN that Tony Allen left the shoot-around with a trainer and wearing dark, wrap-around glasses.

Saying he may have to sit tonight due to a migraine.

I say we turn up the lights nice and bright just in case. :)

I guess Allen was scratched in the eye by Caron last game & is seeing an eye doctor today.

Good lawd by tonight it might be Globetrotters vs Washington Generals

Quick question. Been out of town and only heard about the "Unreliable' headline. Just got into town today and didn't see the paper Friday. What was the headline Friday?

Quick question. Been out of town and only heard about the "Unreliable' headline. Just got into town today and didn't see the paper Friday. What was the headline Friday?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmjNBtUCQAAN3vY.jpg:large

Quick question. Been out of town and only heard about the "Unreliable' headline. Just got into town today and didn't see the paper Friday. What was the headline Friday?

Kevin Up

Horrible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, wasn't that Thursday? (Or was it Wednesday?) I'm thinking of Friday morning, after they won in Memphis.

We stopped turning the ball over, Gasol cooled off and we're shooting the ball well.

Only a 3 point HT lead but we were 9 down going into the 2nd Q.

I feel good about the way things are going.

If not for 17 turnovers through 3Q, this wouldn't even be close.

Nice shot from the broadcast tonight (although you can tell they are a bit old):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thundersky1.jpg

If that Oklahoman story would have come out sooner we wouldn't be playing game 7. Durant's been killing it!

Pete, Great looking shot! What direction are we looking? NW, right? I don't know why, but I am completely disoriented looking at that picture. It looks like Bricktown Ballpark is right by Devon, and the rest of it seems strange. Am I overloaded with excitement from this game and just missing it? Weird feeling looking at my own city and not being able to place things correctly.

What a game! Check this out>>>>>>> Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City Thunder to be named MVP, according to sources - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10878958/kevin-durant-oklahoma-city-thunder-named-mvp-according-sources)

Mr. Unreliable looked pretty reliable tonight!

Fantastic win!

If not for 17 turnovers through 3Q, this wouldn't even be close.

Nice shot from the broadcast tonight (although you can tell they are a bit old):

Was this shown on TNT or FSOK?

was this shown on tnt or fsok?

It was on TNT.

Y'all gotta check out the Grizzlies FB Page...Unbelievable!!!

Y'all gotta check out the Grizzlies FB Page...Unbelievable!!!

What, exactly, is unbelievable? All I see are scores...

What, exactly, is unbelievable? All I see are scores...

"The NBA is rigged!!!" Yada yada yada...

Great win!

"The NBA is rigged!!!" Yada yada yada...

I love all the people who say Randolph was just pushing Adams. And when it was pointed out his fist was closed would turn around and state that you can push someone with a closed fist. Yeah.... it's called a PUNCH.

What, exactly, is unbelievable? All I see are scores...

Have you read the Comments..https://www.facebook.com/MemphisGrizzlies ?

Here come the Clippers and Blake Griffin after a game 7 win tonight over Golden State. For some reason I feel a little better about this matchup than I did against Memphis.

Was this shown on TNT or FSOK?

Tonight's game was on both FoxOklahoma & TNT.

The Grizzlies paid the price for Randolph's actions. Steven Adams got into Z-Bo's big head; a head that's about the size of a number 3 wash tub.

Damn Steven Adams, you're one tough iron stunt man... ...you didn't loose your cool as you got into 'Mighty Jo' Z-Bo's head.

Zack Randolph made a fatal mistake when he gave Steve Adams his best cheap shot in game six; Adams acted as if a fly had flown up his nose and blew it off. The whole Grizzly bear family paid for Randolph's blunder. The video recorded only what was real--Mighty Jo Z-Bo got caught on camera. Z-Bo, your little scheme backfired on you.

Salute the Thunder players & coaches for their stellar game. They didn't allow Memphis to stay in their confront zone to begin the grit & grind with a fatal bite in the jugular vein.

Give it up to the Grizzlies; especially Mike Conley, you played like a warrior despite your injury.

Thunder advances to the WC semi-finals against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Game 7 Final: Oklahoma City Thunder 120 Memphis Grizzlies 109

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Box Score - May 03, 2014 - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?id=400553076)


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

Prepare for terrible sleep schedules this week.

Game 1 Monday @ 8:30.