The Timberwolves are looking very good. That team has it all.

If we go to the conference finals, I do believe I feel better about a matchup with Timberwolves over Nuggets. To that end I would also be happy if that is where the run ends regardless of the matchup, such an awesome season thus far

If we go to the conference finals, I do believe I feel better about a matchup with Timberwolves over Nuggets. To that end I would also be happy if that is where the run ends regardless of the matchup, such an awesome season thus far
I don't know what to wish for. Timberwolves look good but it seems to be as much that the Nuggets are going in slow motion. Like they just don't care or something. I know they're better than these two games.

I don't know what to wish for. Timberwolves look good but it seems to be as much that the Nuggets are going in slow motion. Like they just don't care or something. I know they're better than these two games.

I think Jamal Murray will get suspended at least one game now too. Nuggets going to need something to go right.

I think Jamal Murray will get suspended at least one game now too. Nuggets going to need something to go right.Tim MacMahon talked about that today. He doesn't expect more than a fine. Apparently the NBA sticks right to the rule book for suspensions and there's nothing in the book regarding players throwing objects on the court.

Tim MacMahon talked about that today. He doesn't expect more than a fine. Apparently the NBA sticks right to the rule book for suspensions and there's nothing in the book regarding players throwing objects on the court.

Well to be fair he did miss the ref. Like most of the shots he took.

Well to be fair he did miss the ref. Like most of the shots he took.Good point!

Dallas Mavericks 95 @ Oklahoma City Thunder 117


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIJit7tgu0o

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401657231



Attendance: 18,203

HELL YEAH! Emphatic F U to anyone who thought the mavs would easily win this series.

That 2nd half was a throttling!

J Dub absolutely went off in that 4th quarter.

Aaron Wiggins totally caught the Mavs off guard.

Western Conference Semifinals - Game 2,
Dallas Mavericks @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Paycom Center, OKC - 8:30 PM
TV - ESPN - RADIO - WWLS-The Sports Animal Oklahoma City (98.1 FM), Tulsa (97.1 FM)
Oklahoma City leads series 1-0

Lu Dort and Cason are game changers as well, Mavs didnt see that defense coming.

Fun game last night, we are deep, have great team chemistry & they are locked in. Hopefully smoke em again in game 2.

Timberwolves or Nuggets are going to be a matchup problem. Either Jokic or all the bigs from the Wolves will be tough. We are also a matchup problem for anyone with the depth, bench scoring & different combinations over the course of a game and long series.

I stopped watching after the first quarter. Shai missed half of his free throws. It seems the Thunder play too close when I watch, and being the superstitious neurotic disaster that I am, I needed to tune out.

The alley-oop from Giddey to Holmgren was insanity.

I am so thrilled this team is putting up such a great season.

For Round 2, are they doing the same deal with half priced food before the game?

For Round 2, are they doing the same deal with half priced food before the game?

Yes

I feel that SGA should of won of the MVP. Joker just got it because of his name, and has won it 2 times already. SGA is the better player and is more valuable to the team, and has propelled our team to the next level. What hurts SGA and the Thunder is a lot of people have not seen him play, due to lack of media coverage, nationally televised games, and being in a small market.

The Thunder and SGA literally have to make a name for themselves, being in the playoffs propels them, and the further they go in the playoffs the more media attention they get, as well as all games are nationally televised. Being only a few teams left in the playoffs the media is forced to cover them, whether they like it or not. Just tired of the this team is too young and inexperienced rhetoric.

I feel that SGA should of won of the MVP. Joker just got it because of his name, and has won it 2 times already. SGA is the better player and is more valuable to the team, and has propelled our team to the next level. What hurts SGA and the Thunder is a lot of people have not seen him play, due to lack of media coverage, nationally televised games, and being in a small market.

The Thunder and SGA literally have to make a name for themselves, being in the playoffs propels them, and the further they go in the playoffs the more media attention they get, as well as all games are nationally televised. Being only a few teams left in the playoffs the media is forced to cover them, whether they like it or not. Just tired of the this team is too young and inexperienced rhetoric.

Eh Jokic had a great year, actually better than last year in almost all stats. I think he deserves it and SGA will get one some year I'm sure.

Thunder had I think 13 national games where Denver had 22.

OKC had 13 nationally televised games in the regular season. I hope we get more like 25 in 24-25 and a Christmas Day game again.

Jokic had a great year and is certainly deserving but if the MVP voting were to take place after the playoffs it might be a different story. So far I'd say he's been the 3rd most valuable player behind Antman & SGA. Denver could very well get bounced in embarrassing fashion here unless Jokic can just completely take over & Murray gets right quick. The interesting thing about SGA & the Thunder is that he doesn't necessarily need to play well or takeover a game for the Thunder to still win.

All three did enough to deserve it. I think SGA probably had the best case given how much massively the thunder overachieved this season but I don’t have a problem with Joker winning it.

There were briefly some lightning effects behind the logo but they didn't last long and I didn't catch them. The image is only on the one triangle that faces Paycom.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunder050924b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunder050924e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunder050924c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunder050924a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/thunder050924d.jpg

Dallas Mavericks 119 @ Oklahoma City Thunder 110


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAlriSBNr2E

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401658188



Attendance 18,203

Western Conference Semifinals - Game 3,
Saturday, May 11, 2024
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks
American Airlines Center, Dallas - 2:30 PM
TV - ABC - RADIO - WWLS-The Sports Animal Oklahoma City (98.1 FM), Tulsa (97.1 FM)
Series tied 1-1

Tough loss, but the difference was P.J. Washington going 7-11 from the three and scoring 29 points. He hasn't done that all year, so that was unprecedented. He won't do that again, we should win Game 3.

This is a good test for this young team, now we will see how the Thunder will deal with a little adversity and pressure.

Yea you are not winning that game when Washington and Hardaway have games like that. Plus Giddey being on that floor = free defender to do whatever they want.

I went to the game and it was fun, a lot of Mavs fans, it was good trash talk though. This series is going to be great with how close the cities are.

That was a frustrating game to watch but I'm sure they'll adjust and bounce back. They've gotta close out on the perimeter shooters better or not double team as much. Giddey definitely seems like a liability out there- why does he start?

A bit of a fluky game. I don't think Dallas can shoot like that again. Giddey has played pretty well in recent games. But last night was brutal. He was like a net -20 in just 10 minutes. A liability on both sides of the floor. Gotta steal one in Dallas, but I like our chances in game 3.

Kyrie Irving had an off night too so I don’t expect him to play that poorly going forward. I don’t expect some of our guys to have such an off night though either.

A bit of a fluky game. I don't think Dallas can shoot like that again. Giddey has played pretty well in recent games. But last night was brutal. He was like a net -20 in just 10 minutes. A liability on both sides of the floor. Gotta steal one in Dallas, but I like our chances in game 3.When Giddey has good games he's really good. But same for bad. He needs to play 5 minutes and it be decided which he's having and sit him if it's a bad night.

I don't have the basketball analysis skills that others do (or think they do), but my main thought is you can't sweep them all. I didn't think we were going to sweep NO so no surprise things are a little more competitive in round 2.

Honestly though, whatever happens I think its all cake. I don't think anybody really expected the Thunder to do as well as they have already. They've already made a statement. They've already made an arrival, not an appearance. Anything more is just gravy. I fully expect we'll push past Dallas, but even if they knock us out here there's going to be a lot of eyes on the Thunder next year.

So do we still want Giddy over Durant. Not that it's going to happen but who do we trade Giddy for?

So do we still want Giddy over Durant. Not that it's going to happen but who do we trade Giddy for?

Yeah because we don't want to give up the players we would have to match his salary, nor do we want to take on that kind of salary for one player thats 36 and has been a massive distraction to the last two underperforming teams he's been a part of. Giddey is 21, very good in many situations (though not a perfect fit here...especially not in this series), and if traded, should be traded for a potential long term piece that's a better culture and style of play fit. We're the one seed in the West with the youngest team in the league...why on earth would we make a drastic move like that could completely screw it up and stunt our development?

Now if we can get him on the veteran minimum in a few years... I could possibly be talked into that being a good idea.

I don't have the basketball analysis skills that others do (or think they do), but my main thought is you can't sweep them all. I didn't think we were going to sweep NO so no surprise things are a little more competitive in round 2.

Honestly though, whatever happens I think its all cake. I don't think anybody really expected the Thunder to do as well as they have already. They've already made a statement. They've already made an arrival, not an appearance. Anything more is just gravy. I fully expect we'll push past Dallas, but even if they knock us out here there's going to be a lot of eyes on the Thunder next year.

I think it's as simple as...we have been allowing their bad three point shooters to shoot and have been slow to close out those guys and devoting attention inside. They're baiting those sub 35% three point guys into taking those shots so they can collect all the bricks. Worked out great in game one but you had PJ Washington (a 32.5% 3pt shooter) shooting over 70% most of the game finishing 7-11 and Tim Hardaway Jr. (35%) going 2-4, and Doncic who has been horrible from 3 in the playoffs going 5-8. PJ and Hardaway regress to the mean and we win the game...even as bad as we played outside of SGA and a few of the bench guys. Probably need to adjust and plan to start the game closing out more aggressively on those guys behind the line early on.

I think GIddey needs to be taking Haywards minutes off the bench with either Wiggins and J Will taking most of his minutes with the starting 5. Giddey can start if they must but the leash needs to be shorter.

Ok, question for the Thunder fans on the board:

If KD were to end up being in OKC (traded, FA signing, etc) how long would it take for you to not hate him any more? Instantly? Half a season? Other?

I think Game 4 is more important than Game 3. Winners of Game 4 usually go on the win the series most of the time historically.

Ok, question for the Thunder fans on the board:

If KD were to end up being in OKC (traded, FA signing, etc) how long would it take for you to not hate him any more? Instantly? Half a season? Other?
I'd give up my season tickets. Also, ZERO chance Presti or Bennett would want him. This has become a silly topic to the point of distraction. Other than when he went to a team that already almost literally could not lose he has had zero success. He is toxic, and he ultimately tears down every team he is on from the inside. Hard pass.

I'd give up my season tickets. Also, ZERO chance Presti or Bennett would want him. This has become a silly topic to the point of distraction. Other than when he went to a team that already almost literally could not lose he has had zero success. He is toxic, and he ultimately tears down every team he is on from the inside. Hard pass.

lol agree with the second part ...

but you would not give up your tickets ... (you might sell them all lol)

Ok, question for the Thunder fans on the board:

If KD were to end up being in OKC (traded, FA signing, etc) how long would it take for you to not hate him any more? Instantly? Half a season? Other?Never. My biggest character flaw is that I will not let go of a grudge against someone that screws people over by being greedy. In sports or in business or ?. If Durant was allowed back I've watched my last Thunder game. Glad alI don't have to worry about it because Presti would never even think about it.

He is the thing with this team though. I think it's 2 or 3 years from now we are not going to be able to pay everyone. We have a 2/3 year window a team like Minnesota i think has 1 maybe 2 years before they have to make decisions. I think and not sure how the money works but you Trade Giddy Dort for picks for Durant you have Durant for only 2 years than his money comes off the books and you have money to pay. Chet, SGA, Jdub, and Wallace who I will use to replace Dort since he will still be on a rookie contract in 3 years. Also need to find money to Joe, and Wiggins. Love this team and we can keep running it back for the next few year but financially at some point we can't keep everyone. Think about the next two years if your Starters are, Chet, SGA, JDub, Wallace, Durant. Bench is Joe, Wiggins, Jwill. I would take that for next 2 years than Durant money comes off the books and you Pay Chet, SGA, JDub, Wallace, Joe , Wiggins and might still be able to keep a first round pick

I did some looking like Edwards for Minneasota goes from 13 million this year to 35 million next year. McDaniels goes from 3 million to 22 million. Thunder are in Great shape until start of 2026 Season.

Instantly. He is a great player that made a business, and personal, decision. He thought he could win a ring with the Warriors and found a system that better fit his talents. It worked.

I don't think the current set up and flow of the Thunder has a place to effectively utilize KD's talents at the level he is still playing at. But I would welcome him back if Sam Presti said there was.

I follow a lot of pro basketball. I admit I am not ESPN TV and radio 24/7 as much as I used to be. But, I still check out NBA news and info daily. What I don't recall seeing is that KD is a toxic teammate. Can you guys share some of the stories with me?

Thanks

Thunder's chances of taking Durant back . . . You'd have better odds of the Thunder moving its 81 home games to the new 7,500 seat State Fair Coliseum.

What you would have to give up to get Durant, wouldn't be worth its value in trade.

Thunder's chances of taking Durant back . . . You'd have better odds of the Thunder moving its 81 home games to the new 7,500 seat State Fair Coliseum.

What you would have to give up to get Durant, wouldn't be worth its value in trade.
Exactly. There's a sound clip the Animal uses a lot. A guy saying "zero......point......zero".

He would destroy their chemistry ......

He is the thing with this team though. I think it's 2 or 3 years from now we are not going to be able to pay everyone. We have a 2/3 year window a team like Minnesota i think has 1 maybe 2 years before they have to make decisions. I think and not sure how the money works but you Trade Giddy Dort for picks for Durant you have Durant for only 2 years than his money comes off the books and you have money to pay. Chet, SGA, Jdub, and Wallace who I will use to replace Dort since he will still be on a rookie contract in 3 years. Also need to find money to Joe, and Wiggins. Love this team and we can keep running it back for the next few year but financially at some point we can't keep everyone. Think about the next two years if your Starters are, Chet, SGA, JDub, Wallace, Durant. Bench is Joe, Wiggins, Jwill. I would take that for next 2 years than Durant money comes off the books and you Pay Chet, SGA, JDub, Wallace, Joe , Wiggins and might still be able to keep a first round pick

I did some looking like Edwards for Minneasota goes from 13 million this year to 35 million next year. McDaniels goes from 3 million to 22 million. Thunder are in Great shape until start of 2026 Season.

LOL, it’s not in “2-3 years” that we won’t be able to pay everyone. They’re about to be significantly below the cap as soon as they drop Hayward this summer and you get certain exceptions when re-signing your own players that help teams who build like we do keep their guys. The luxury tax line is also likely going to increase when the massive new NBA TV right deal goes into effect. Assuming we keep the same roster, which is unlikely to some extent anyway, it will be when Chet and JW get to their third contracts that it will start being more difficult but still not impossible as there is no hard cap. That said, this group has shown that they’re perfectly willing to spend a ton of money when it makes sense.

You do realize we had the highest payroll in the league at one point, were paying the luxury tax for multiple years and were prepared to do so for a long time if KD had stayed or the PG/Westbrook/Melo thing has worked out, right? The salary situation is not near as big of deal as you’re making it out to be and won’t be an issue for a while…which is one of the reasons it’s great that this team has taken such a massive leap so quickly.

On another note, they’ve been trying to find a lock down defender that is capable of playing reliable offense, like Dort, for 16 years now. It will take some extreme leaps by Wallace (certainly possible) before they consider trading him and even then, I’m not sure they would do it. And he’s the embodiment of the culture they’ve built so it would be hard for me not to see them trying to re-sign him instead of picking up his option in 2026 or after 2027. Though if Wallace becomes just as good or better, all bets are off.

LOL, it’s not in “2-3 years” that we won’t be able to pay everyone. They’re about to be significantly below the cap as soon as they drop Hayward this summer and you get certain exceptions when re-signing your own players that help teams who build like we do keep their guys. The luxury tax line is also likely going to increase when the massive new NBA TV right deal goes into effect. Assuming we keep the same roster, which is unlikely to some extent anyway, it will be when Chet and JW get to their third contracts that it will start being more difficult but still not impossible as there is no hard cap. That said, this group has shown that they’re perfectly willing to spend a ton of money when it makes sense.

You do realize we had the highest payroll in the league at one point, were paying the luxury tax for multiple years and were prepared to do so for a long time if KD had stayed or the PG/Westbrook/Melo thing has worked out, right? The salary situation is not near as big of deal as you’re making it out to be and won’t be an issue for a while…which is one of the reasons it’s great that this team has taken such a massive leap so quickly.



So True PhiAlpha, you brought back memories; especially when Paul George and son, Carmelo Anthony arrived in OKC on separate days and the excitement it generated at WRWA being greeted by a thousand fans, media, OKC now had its big three connection. it really looked promising.

As for the salary cap, anticipate that it will go up.

Gordon Hayward was refreshing; however his is $31.5 million (2nd to Shai), also the trade with Charlotte had Bertāns listed as $17 million salary.

Next year, we'll see how all those moves play out.

So True PhiAlpha, you brought back memories; especially when Paul George and son, Carmelo Anthony arrived in OKC on separate days and the excitement it generated at WRWA being greeted by a thousand fans, media, OKC now had its big three connection. it really looked promising.

As for the salary cap, anticipate that it will go up.

Gordon Hayward was refreshing; however his is $31.5 million (2nd to Shai), also the trade with Charlotte had Bertāns listed as $17 million salary.

Next year, we'll see how all those moves play out.

yeah Hayward is in the last year of his deal so either way that salary would be different. I wouldn’t be opposed to him coming back on a way cheaper deal to see if he can mesh with the team better after an offseason but I’d guess he’s not coming back.

Oklahoma City Thunder 101 @ Dallas Mavericks 105


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7oBPPtgJZQ

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore/_/gameId/401658190



Attendance: 20,325

Another tough loss, the Thunder really need to regroup and figure something out to win Game 4. If they get down 3-1 their season is over. PJ Washington has been the difference maker, he scored 27, almost an identical performance he had in Game 2. Also, we are got nothing from Chet or JDubb these last two games, both need to get more looks and take more shots.

Western Conference Semifinals - Game 4
Monday, May 13, 2024
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Dallas Mavericks
American Airline Center, Dallas - 8:30 PM
TV - TNT RADIO - WWLS-The Sports Animal Oklahoma City (98.1 FM), Tulsa (97.1 FM)
Dallas lead series 2 - 1

Need another Big. It's that simple. When Chet goes out we have no rim protector, no rebounding.

Need another Big. It's that simple. When Chet goes out we have no rim protector, no rebounding.

How did we out rebound them 93-83 over the first two games then?

No, It’s not that simple.

How did we out rebound them 93-83 over the first two games then?

No, It’s not that simple.I agree. It's not. This team can do fine if everyone performs. In game 2 they didn't perform quite a bit. Today they did better but just got out hustled and out positioned. There were at least a handful of times they had a wide open guy in the corner for an easy three.

Rebounding doesn't have to do with getting another big. A physical big is what we need Dort is good but still has a hard time guarding the other Bigs in the nba. I'm not talking tall big. I'm talking Lebron, Luka, Towns, Jokic. We need a big like that can be physical, can guard those guys, can get a rebound from time to time.

And if you want to talk rebounding we had 6 offensive rebounds. I think we had 1 going into the 4th Qtr. THAT'S NOT GETTING IT DONE IN THE PLAYOFFS. They had 15 offensive rebound. Had 91 shots we had 81 shots.

A Zion Williamson, Jaren Jackson, Jr, Pascal Siakam, Julius Randle, Draymond Green. That type of Big a Bruiser. That's the piece we are missing when I say another big.

Honestly, we have all the pieces right now I think. We lack experience and it’s showing. This team has not been playing how they have played all season over the past 2 games. I think they got punched in the mouth the other day and they’re reeling. They’re facing serious adversity, and the players have regressed back to how you would expect a lot of young players to play in this series. They’re not moving the ball. They’re timid…almost scared at times. This has resulted in a lack of aggressiveness and decisiveness with the ball. This is in part because of the Dallas defensive intensity and inexperience. At this point, I think we can beat Dallas. We’ve been right there. They’re just going to have to decide to play as a team again and play Thunder ball. If they don’t win the next game, that’s the series imo. Frankly, I sort of think the series is already set, but we’ll see how they rebound.

The Non-Chet minutes still are pretty poor.

100 DRTG w/ Chet on today

119 DRTG w/ Chet off today

I'm fine keeping everyone. If your doing that than move up in this Draft and get the Big from Connecticut. When Chet goes out they take the ball right to the rim.

I agree. It's not. This team can do fine if everyone performs. In game 2 they didn't perform quite a bit. Today they did better but just got out hustled and out positioned. There were at least a handful of times they had a wide open guy in the corner for an easy three.

I think it comes down to making your shots and not letting a guy that averages 11 points per game score almost 30 on you.

I think it's the inexperience more than anything these last two games, we are making a lot of mistakes on offense and they aren't not to mention just not hitting the shots. We're a bit streaky. Chet playing great on D but terrible on offense. He either needs quite a bit of space to shoot/operate or needs to pass immediately. I still think we can win this series but they have pretty much controlled the last 8 quarters now and game 4 is a must win now. Need a consistent #2 behind Shai, couldn't ask for anything more from him.