Team play since PJ Carleismo fired?

[metro]

Okay, I've had so much personal stuff going on lately, haven't been to a game in a few weeks nor watched on tv the last week or so. How is the team doing since they fired P.J.? Give details please.

[EvokeCoffee]

The effort has been noticeable better! I'm looking forward to the future for the Thunder

[SWOKC 4 me]

There has only been one game that started less than 20 hours after Carleismo was fired ..... and yes it seemed a little better. However before anyone can reasonably answer this question they need to play a few more games under the new head coach!

[Watson410]

it's WAAAAYY to early to know for sure. We'll see what happens in the next few weeks.

[betts]

There was definitely more energy and more finesse when the played the Hornets in New Orleans. We shot 52%, had multiple 3s and were only down by 5 with under 6 minutes to play. Considering it wasn't even a home game, that's a definite improvement.

[VintageRacer]

Reports that the team lost respect for PJ really showed on the court in past games. When they played in New Orleans under Scott Brooks, their attitude was definately upbeat. The players were given the ok to take a shot within 15 ft. if it is there, makes me think PJ didn't allow much leeway. Time will tell but I think they bottomed out Friday night.

[jbrown84]

Yeah so far, things are looking up.

[metro]

good to hear, sounds like the morale of the team is improving.

[jstanthrnme]

things look promising, at least through the middle of the third.
there is a noticable improvement in 'effort' and attitude. Looks like a good time.

[MonkeesFan]

things look promising, at least through the middle of the third.
there is a noticable improvement in 'effort' and attitude. Looks like a good time.

Spoke so soon, they choked and lost

[betts]

My son was at his first game, home from college. As the game wound down, he said, "Mom, this is a young team, and they're making young team mistakes. I see a lot of potential for the future."

It's true, you could say they "choked", but you could also say they played hard for 4 quarters, and didn't lose the lead they'd had for most of the game until the last few minutes, to a veteran playoff team. This was a striking improvement of their performances last week, and I don't know how you can attribute it to anything but coaching.

[VintageRacer]

This young team played their hearts out against Phoenix. They got beat by experience. The crowd was in it to the end, it was loud and we were on our feet for a good part of the last quarter. The players body language was good to see last night. Even though they lost, they still have to feel good about their progress. They have turned the corner and credit the new coach for getting them there.

[El Gato Pollo Loco!!!]

It's kind of hard to say they choked last night. When you factor in that they are trying to get their legs underneath them under a new coach and they are young still, coupled with the fact that it took a last second 3 point shot to beat them, I cannot say that last night was a chokejob. They fought until the very end.

[Easy180]

It was evident that last night's loss really crushed the team...Tonight's performance was disgustingly bad

Love having the team but this inaugural season will be gruesome and it may be record setting

[betts]

I still have faith that we can keep from breaking the Sixers record. New coach and a lot of the season is in front of us. I'm just going to keep going to games, remembering what I did on weeknights last winter (nothing very exciting) and how much better it is even supporting a losing team.

[OKC4me]

Yikes, not a good game tonight!

[VintageRacer]

Last night was rough against a very good playoff calibur team. We need our injured players healthy and back in rotation. Friday night will be another chance to play better.

[MonkeesFan]

I still have faith that we can keep from breaking the Sixers record. New coach and a lot of the season is in front of us. I'm just going to keep going to games, remembering what I did on weeknights last winter (nothing very exciting) and how much better it is even supporting a losing team.

What record?

[MonkeesFan]

I do feel sorry for the fans and organization but I will give you all some slack since it's their first year here, I'm a Orlando Magic fan and have been loyal to the Magic the past 15 years, I do wish Oklahoma City Thunder the best of luck!

[windowphobe]

The 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who finished 9-73.

I will refrain from mentioning that the Thunder, should they maintain their current level of success, would finish 5-77.

[bombermwc]

Well I do think they are playing better but I just finished watching the Timberwolves game and it kills me that they only play parts of the game. One minute they are taking care of business playing good fundamentals and the next they let someone slide right through. The last shot that lost us yet ANOTHER game is a perfect example. FREAKING DEFENSE AND DON'T FOUL WHEN YOU'RE AHEAD BY ONE! These guys need to get their crap together. If they can't beat the Timberwolves, what the crap should we expect any other game, seriously.

Why when we finally get a team, does it have to be THE worst?????

[venture]

Hmmm karma maybe? Morons in this city were smack talking New Orleans and about taking their Hornets. Then people wouldn't shut up when the deal was done to move from Seattle and rubbed it in the faces of those fans. I say Thunder fans are getting exactly what they deserve right now. You guys couldn't shut it for a few months and had to throw crap around.

So from that perspective...this is hilarious and justice for all the people OKC fans talked crap to. Shut your mouths, eat humble pie, and just be happy you have a team. For now, deal with being the laughing stock of the league.

[jstanthrnme]

One minute they are taking care of business playing good fundamentals and the next they let someone slide right through. The last shot that lost us yet ANOTHER game is a perfect example. FREAKING DEFENSE AND DON'T FOUL WHEN YOU'RE AHEAD BY ONE! These guys need to get their crap together.

Remember, only a handful have played more than 1 full season in the NBA. They are a young team, and they will make mistakes. Be patient and let them learn. They'll get it together when they get some other parts in place.
With the draft picks this team is going to be getting, they have a great chance to be good after they mature. Remember also, we haven't even seen some of the players play yet.

[bretthexum]

I was at the game. Tough loss. I think the free throws lost it. I think there were at least 9 or 10 misses. Just 1 more of those would have got the win.

[betts]

Hmmm karma maybe? Morons in this city were smack talking New Orleans and about taking their Hornets. Then people wouldn't shut up when the deal was done to move from Seattle and rubbed it in the faces of those fans. I say Thunder fans are getting exactly what they deserve right now. You guys couldn't shut it for a few months and had to throw crap around.

So from that perspective...this is hilarious and justice for all the people OKC fans talked crap to. Shut your mouths, eat humble pie, and just be happy you have a team. For now, deal with being the laughing stock of the league.

There are people who can't shut up and throw crap around in every city. I know the same thing happened when the Hornets moved to New Orleans from Charlotte. I bet it happens every time a team moves. There are a lot of people with terrible manners once they have the anonymity of a message board, and there are a lot of 13 year olds who ruin it for everyone else. OKC smack talkers are no better, but also no worse than those in other cities.

Personally, I knew the team was going to be bad. Who on this team would start for any other team in the league? Maybe Kevin Durant. We've got a team of bench players, and a bunch of youngsters. It would be fun to win, but I basically shrug my shoulders when we lose. Anyone who thought this season was going to be dramatically better was listening to our esteemed local sports journalists, and assuming they knew what they were talking about with their 30 win scenarios. Bad idea. They don't even do that well with their football predictions, a game they understand.

There's a team every year that's the laughingstock of the league. Trust me, the Knicks are thrilled that someone else has taken their spot as NBA whipping boy. Yeah, we could be one of the worst ever, but all I can say is , "So"? Look at some of the terrible seasons other NBA teams have had, and one can ask oneself why OKC somehow "deserves" to have a winning team.

I am VERY happy I have a team. It was sad to lose to Phoenix and the Timberwolves tonight, but they were both fun games to be at. The NBA is selling entertainment, and until the last second of the game, I was entertained. I got my money's worth.