2019-20 OKC Thunder

[rwalker]

Thanks OKC. You did a great job enabling Houston to beat you like a drum. Nobody gives away talent like the Thunder especially to a conference foe. Season over, embarrassing

Agreed. Westbrook put up 7 points (on 23% shooting) and grabbed 6 rebounds.

Hard to overcome such a fantastic performance!

Or maybe you just don’t like anything about OKC?

[Jake]

He's an undrafted rookie that has locked down one of the most prolofic scorers in the NBA. Bad game for him, but he has exceeded everyone's expectations. And officially tank next season? You must not follow the NBA or Thunder. Our war chest of draft picks from the PG (and other) trades has set us up for immediate success. It's one game, get over it.

Once Schroder, Chris Paul, and/or Gallo leave this team will be really bad. Presti could immediately trade the picks for proven talent, but the best way to ensure our own draft picks are lottery quality, we'll have to lose. With almost every single Western Conference team trying to compete next year, and uncertainty when the season will start/if fans will be allowed into the arena, there's literally never been a better time to tank. Next year's draft class is really deep too.

The Clippers/Rockets/Heat picks are all going to be in the 20s. When some of those picks convey, who knows if the teams that own them will be bad, but the Rockets and Heat haven't had a horrible/rebuilding type of season in over a decade each, so I wouldn't bet on them being horrible enough to count on those being in the lottery.

I wouldn't think this team will tank off the face of the Earth, but with the quality of teams in the West, I don't think we'll have any choice but to lose. Which is fine because it'll benefit us.

[kukblue1]

Once Schroder, Chris Paul, and/or Gallo leave this team will be really bad. Presti could immediately trade the picks for proven talent, but the best way to ensure our own draft picks are lottery quality, we'll have to lose. With almost every single Western Conference team trying to compete next year, and uncertainty when the season will start/if fans will be allowed into the arena, there's literally never been a better time to tank. Next year's draft class is really deep too.

The Clippers/Rockets/Heat picks are all going to be in the 20s. When some of those picks convey, who knows if the teams that own them will be bad, but the Rockets and Heat haven't had a horrible/rebuilding type of season in over a decade each, so I wouldn't bet on them being horrible enough to count on those being in the lottery.

I wouldn't think this team will tank off the face of the Earth, but with the quality of teams in the West, I don't think we'll have any choice but to lose. Which is fine because it'll benefit us.

Dort Bazley and SGA is really who you keep and trade everyone else and tank the hell out of next season. Trade everyone else for some good young 20-22 year old talent. Have a core 6 guys that all are 22 or younger. It's going to be a short season anyway. The Clippers and Lakers will still be at the top and the Warriors will be back. Nothing OKC can do to compete with those 3 teams. However those 3 team along with Houston are getting up there in age and wont be good in or on the decline in 3-4 years. That is when the young guys of OKC could make their move with all those picks.

[Laramie]

Predict these will be the game day uniforms for Monday, August 31, 2020



Houston Rockets @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 8:00 P.M., CST - Monday, August 31, 2020
Television: Game 6 - TNT/Fox Oklahoma, Walt Disney Resort, Orlando, FL


No Injury Report for Rockets or Thunder

[Bill Robertson]

I’m going to state again that I’m not a religious NBA follower. As such I don’t want to dig into draft/trade history. That being said. Is there a team that dumped a number of players and tanked then now is a contender through the draft? Again, I’m not arguing that it cannot be done. I’m asking if it’s been done successfully.

[kukblue1]

[QUOTE=Bill Robertson;1136257]I’m going to state again that I’m not a religious NBA follower. As such I don’t want to dig into draft/trade history. That being said. Is there a team that dumped a number of players and tanked then now is a contender through the draft? Again, I’m not arguing that it cannot be done. I’m asking if it’s been done successfully.[/QUOTE
Sixers could of been with better draft picks. Celtics got better thru the draft some what. But yeah it's still not easy to do. Bulls have been trying for years.

[Anonymous.]

The whole Dort thing is comically similar to Roberson. Lockdown defender that is left wide open to brick threes. The entire game 5 was horrible for OKC. Zero offensive flow and Dort took the most shots. Basically perfect recipe to gift Rockets a W.

Going to have to come out strong tonight with Gallo, CP3, and SGA getting going early or this one is cooked. Also Dennis getting himself ejected when he was our best player was not ideal...

[Laramie]

Houston Rockets @ Oklahoma City Thunder, 8:00 P.M., CST - Monday, August 31, 2020
Television: Game 6 - TNT/Fox Oklahoma, Walt Disney Resort, Orlando, FL

No injuries to report for the Rockets or Thunder

[Laramie]

Our city uniforms associated with the Oklahoma City memorial; may be our hope to survive one more game of the playoffs.

We need the whole team to show up; spacing, movement and high percentage shot selection.

[dankrutka]

The Clippers/Rockets/Heat picks are all going to be in the 20s. When some of those picks convey, who knows if the teams that own them will be bad, but the Rockets and Heat haven't had a horrible/rebuilding type of season in over a decade each, so I wouldn't bet on them being horrible enough to count on those being in the lottery.

Some of these picks convey in 2026. There's no way to know where those teams will be at by then. Chances are that some of these will turn into good picks.

But, I agree, next season is a good season to go with the young guys and get our own high pick. Every West team is trying to win. But, I trust Presti not to panic and look for the best possible deals.

[Laramie]

Houston Rockets 100 @ Oklahoma City Thunder 104

Box score https://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=401241638

Series tied 3 - 3

[Anonymous.]

What a game by CP3. That guy is not ready to pack up. Also shoutout Russ for giving us a classic Russ playoff game that we all have grown to know so well.

I like our odds in Game7. There is no way Dennis or SGA play as bad again. If CP3 and Gallo are hitting their shots, this team is hard to beat. I am sure Russ can't play any worse, and we know he is good at bouncing back - so he will be one to watch.

[Jake]

Some of these picks convey in 2026. There's no way to know where those teams will be at by then. Chances are that some of these will turn into good picks.

But, I agree, next season is a good season to go with the young guys and get our own high pick. Every West team is trying to win. But, I trust Presti not to panic and look for the best possible deals.

It's true that some of those picks are way off in the future, but I think next year is perfect to tank like you said. I also agree that Presti won't panic, if trades or whatever open up for him, I trust him to make the correct move. If that's through the draft or trading for proven talent, I trust his ability and the sheer amount of assets he has to work with.

[PhiAlpha]

Some of these picks convey in 2026. There's no way to know where those teams will be at by then. Chances are that some of these will turn into good picks.

But, I agree, next season is a good season to go with the young guys and get our own high pick. Every West team is trying to win. But, I trust Presti not to panic and look for the best possible deals.

I also bet we’ll see at least a few of those picks traded if opportunity arises to move up in a future draft.

[PhiAlpha]

Thanks OKC. You did a great job enabling Houston to beat you like a drum. Nobody gives away talent like the Thunder especially to a conference foe. Season over, embarrassing

Thoughts now that the series is tied up after Russ had major role in blowing it for the Rockets during the 4th last night? Congrats on another one of yours classic “every. single. thing. about Oklahoma sucks” posts though. I see you reverted back to the “Thunder suck and cannot compete because they’re based in Oklahoma phase.” Excited to see where your “OU sucks because not only is it located in OK but also in the Big 12 (which sucks...probably because two OK teams are in it) phase takes us this season assuming games are played. Should predictably resume after the first game in which OU gives up more than 14 points or after the first big 12 team loses a bowl game. This year Covid has blessed us with overlapping chances to hear how much you think both the Thunder and Sooners suck at the same time twice this fall!

Westbook and Harden will probably go super human and Houston will win game 7...but it’s hilarious to check these forums after even the most minor stumble to see your predictable negative overreactions. if they lose game 7 we’d better just sell the team back to Seattle!!!

[Laramie]

Especially proud of our Thunder for giving us a competitive series against a veteran loaded franchise that included 3 Key former Thunder players (Harden, Green & Westbrook).

This team is young. If we can continue to keep it close in game 7, barring some unorthodox bounces that goes the Rockets way, OKC will prevail.

What have we to lose; here's a team that many didn't expect to win 40 games let alone make the playoffs. THE PRESSURE IS ON THE ROCKETS...

[FighttheGoodFight]

If Chris Paul takes the Thunder to the second round when Russ couldn't the Rockets might explode.

[Anonymous.]

The Rockets meltdown will be bigger than 0-27 from three in G7 against GSW. It will be glorious if OKC can pull off this upset.

[Bill Robertson]

If Chris Paul takes the Thunder to the second round when Russ couldn't the Rockets might explode.

It would almost be worth it just to see that.

[Teo9969]

I'd say the game is pretty close to a toss up at this point. No true home court advantage for the Rockets and the pressure is on them to win - OKC has already done more than they should have. Russ still not up to form.

I think the magic number for the Rockets is 13. If they can get a 13 point lead sometime after the 6 minute mark of the 2nd quarter, then I think they'll take the game. If this game is within 5 in the final minutes, I think you gotta like OKC.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Thunder @ Houston Rockets, Game 7, Monday, September 2, 2020,
Television: 8:00 CST, ESPN, Fox Oklahoma, Walt Disney Resort, Orlando, FL

[Bill Robertson]

I'd say the game is pretty close to a toss up at this point. No true home court advantage for the Rockets and the pressure is on them to win - OKC has already done more than they should have. Russ still not up to form.

I think the magic number for the Rockets is 13. If they can get a 13 point lead sometime after the 6 minute mark of the 2nd quarter, then I think they'll take the game. If this game is within 5 in the final minutes, I think you gotta like OKC.

The Thunder have been good in close games.

[dankrutka]

Just a reminder that half the board wanted the Thunder to forfeit when Westbrook returned. lol

Having said that, I don't have a good feeling about tonight. I hope I'm wrong.

[Bill Robertson]

Just a reminder that half the board wanted the Thunder to forfeit when Westbrook returned. lol

Having said that, I don't have a good feeling about tonight. I hope I'm wrong.

Don’t do that. You turned me so you can’t go to the dark side now!!!

[Anonymous.]

Refs will get Dort in foul trouble again early and give HOU golden whistles because the NBA wants China to keep watching the playoffs. /tinfoilhat

But in all seriousness, Russ usually bounces back with fantastic performances after a bad game.