OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[Teo9969]

I don't think anyone is so down because we lost…

We're down because we were absolutely manhandled, slaughtered, dismantled…whatever really really horrible word you want to use. Luckily the game doesn't matter, but it's been so long since we have seen the team play so badly.

[PWitty]

I know Serge is a popular player, but I can't be the only one thinking what I'm about to say.

Serge is not worth what he is making. He showed promise as a young player, but I have seen hardly anything over the last year to think that he warrants the contract he was given. He still hasn't developed any sort of back to the basket offense, and he is addicted to taking spot up jumpers. All he really shows is a few flashes of defensive brilliance by blocking some shots, but then the next play he takes himself out of the play completely by over-committing to the guy with the ball by going for another big block. We can't have a PF who is addicted to taking jumpers as a second/third scorer, that is never going to work. Every time I watch the Thunder play I cringe when Serge has position on his man and then dishes it off, repositions himself, and catches and shoots from the wing.

It could just be me, which I wouldn't doubt, because I hate how Bosh plays offense too and Serge's offensive game reminds me a lot of Bosh. I just had to get this off my chest. It's not as noticeable when Westbrook is in the lineup because Serge isn't expected to score as much, be he is just so exposed without Russ being in there.

I will say I'm up in the NY area right now so I haven't been able to watch the entirety of either of the regular season games so far. So it's possible he has progressed and I just haven't been able to see it, but his box scores have been anything but pretty. Trust me, I'd be happy to be proven wrong.

[Teo9969]

You gotta give him a chance to actually progress though. And while he is the low-light of the team so far, it's a long season and game 2 is too early to really say that he's not worth what he's making. Remember, this is the first year of his contract. We paid Ibaka like $2.5M last year…

Here are a few reasons why it's still too early to judge Ibaka:

1. We need Serge for defense, and it is why he was the first signed between him and Harden…And while he still has a long way to go, it would do us good to remember that so far this season and in last years playoffs, he has been on the floor far more minutes than he ever has in his career and Perkins is getting less time on the floor. Ibaka is being called on to become captain of the defense the way that Perkins has been for the past 2 years. OKC was the best defensive team it has ever been last season and much of that came from the familiarity of all the players with each other and Perkins' elite defensive mind and communication skills on the floor. Ibaka is not going to develop that, especially in English, in his first 15 games as the leader. So while trying to take on that pressure, he's likely to lapse on his own responsibilities until he becomes more comfortable in that role, especially when he's barking at Reggie, Lamb, PJIII and Steven Adams.

2. Speaking of those guys…this is a young team again. We rank 20th in average age (youngest = 1st), but if you factor out Fisher, this team is 5th/6th youngest in the league. Over half the roster is 25 or younger. Ibaka now has a large amount of seniority and that's going to take getting used to for him. He used to be able to just go out and play basketball…now he has added responsibility on his shoulders (on both ends of the floor) because all 4 of those guys I mentioned above are younger and less experienced. That's never been the case with Durant and Westbrook because their talent level has always dictated that they are the leaders of the team.

3. We don't need to judge Ibaka on his own merits. We only need him to function in the context of the team the best that he can. While I certainly advocate him getting better as an individual player, he still does in fact get to play with Russell in the long run…

[betts]

Our youth is becoming a problem, IMO. Look what Minnesota did. They put proven pieces around Kevin Love, not stars but proven role players. I know we're a small market team, and i know Presti can find hidden gems, but at some point we have to stop looking for magic through the draft and unproven potential. If we don't show Kevin that we are at least trying to put pieces around him that give him a reasonsble expectation of winning a championship, I predict he will get fristrated and leave.

[OKCisOK4me]

Clay Bennett and Co. need to consider spending into the luxury tax. That's the only legit way this small market team will have a chance from this point forward.

[Laramie]

I don't think anyone is so down because we lost…

We're down because we were absolutely manhandled, slaughtered, dismantled…whatever really really horrible word you want to use. Luckily the game doesn't matter, but it's been so long since we have seen the team play so badly.

We're not the little darlings of the league we once were when Westbrook was drafted by Seattle and never played there. We're in a league with the big boys (Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia & San Francisco-Oakland).

The last time we were manhandled and pushed around like a rag doll was during our initials first two years in OKC; since then we have had competitive games in which we in the game throughout the second half and blew a gasket after being down by as many as 20 points to make it respectible. Last night against Minnesota we couldn't come back.

We have some key pieces missing; put this game behind us and move on with life in the NBA.

One poster knocked this out of the park:

Clay Bennett and Co. need to consider spending into the luxury tax. That's the only legit way this small market team will have a chance from this point forward.

Problem is this, they (owners) lost so much money in Seattle, they are just now recovering from those loses with profitable years here in OKC.


So, with Westbrook still out--we lose and look shabby. This is the beginning of the sixth season here. Count our blessings, the first two were years we struggled; the past three we were competitive. Westbrook is a key element to this team. He and Durant are our franchise players. Now, we realize Harden and Martin's (once our sixth men) value.

We remember how so many fans threw darts at Westbrook for taking too many shots. Wouldn't you love to have Westbrook back as that ole bull-headed aggressive player?

[bradh]

Ibaka needs a summer with Hakeem

[betts]

I don't think anyone is so down because we lost…

We're down because we were absolutely manhandled, slaughtered, dismantled…whatever really really horrible word you want to use. Luckily the game doesn't matter, but it's been so long since we have seen the team play so badly.

To give a little perspective, however, I remember absolutely giving Miami a beat down at the Peake during the regular season, the year they beat in the finals. I can't remember if they were missing Wade for that game or not.

[OKCisOK4me]

Problem is this, they (owners) lost so much money in Seattle, they are just now recovering from those loses with profitable years here in OKC.


So, with Westbrook still out--we lose and look shabby. This is the beginning of the sixth season here. Count our blessings, the first two were years we struggled; the past three we were competitive. Westbrook is a key element to this team. He and Durant are our franchise players. Now, we realize Harden and Martin's (once our sixth men) value.

We remember how so many fans threw darts at Westbrook for taking too many shots. Wouldn't you love to have Westbrook back as that ole bull-headed aggressive player?

...and I don't disagree with anything you're saying. Realizing Harden's value and the team organization's value that is placed on Ibaka, even to keep those players, you'd have to cross the line and spend in the luxury tax. Also, no one ever said that owning a sports franchise was profitable, lol.

[dankrutka]

Ibaka was statistically the 2nd best mid-range shooter in the NBA last season. His jumper will come. Don't overanalyze small sample sizes. Serge needs to improve in several areas, but he had improved every year and his shooting will improve (he shot 57% last season!)

However, I've said it since way before the decision. I still can't believe we essentially signed Serge over Harden (not exactly, but pretty much). That's done though.

http://m.newsok.com/article/3900539

[Just the facts]

Holy Cow - some of you need to step back from the ledge.

[betts]

Sports fans are always teetering on the edge. That game in Minnesota just very graphically brought back memories of 2008. That's scary. However, they're my team, good or bad. I may worry, but I'll be in the arena no matter the record or the players.*

*Unless Ed Shadid becomes mayor and dismantles MAPS 3. I have an apartment in Chicago and in that case, I'll see them when they play the Bulls(that's only half a wink).

[Laramie]

Sports fans are always teetering on the edge. That game in Minnesota just very graphically brought back memories of 2008. That's scary. However, they're my team, good or bad. I may worry, but I'll be in the arena no matter the record or the players.*

*Unless Ed Shadid becomes mayor and dismantles MAPS 3. I have an apartment in Chicago and in that case, I'll see them when they play the Bulls(that's only half a wink).

THANK YOU, YOU'RE A TRUE THUNDER FAN & SUPPORTER...

Chicago? Shadid's chances of becoming Mayor of OKC are like that of a mosquito pushing a train.

[jn1780]

Westbrook is back tonight.

[TaoMaas]

Westbrook is back tonight.

How many times are we allowed to push the "like" button?

[Dustin]

westbrook is back tonight.

say whaaaaaaaa?

[Pete]

How does Russ look thus far??

[Dustin]

I believe the game is on NBATV along with Fox Oklahoma.

He looks alright. Definitely not 100% but that is expected. He has 5 pts thus far.

[Teo9969]

He could be shooting 0/10 and have 10 Turnovers and I'd still say he looks wonderful

Seriously though, he looks like he'll be fine. Just needs to get reoriented. I'd guess he'll be back to his pre-injury form in no more than 6 games.

[Laramie]

How does Russ look thus far??

Timing and breaks to the basket are slightly off; he'll be alright--just needs to calibrate his rythum. Russell is one of those players who plays to a tempo as the game progresses.

Derek Fisher's participation in training camp has really improved his game and timing with the team.

[Bill Robertson]

Timing and breaks to the basket are slightly off; he'll be alright--just needs to calibrate his rythum. Russell is one of those players who plays to a tempo as the game progresses.

His movement without the ball looked a bit awkward too. But being Westbrook it won't take long to get his rhythm back. Maybe it was wishful thinking but I think he already looked better by the end of the game.

[Bellaboo]

He had a better second half than first. He looked as explosive as ever, he got nothing but net on his 4 crunch time free throws.....He's Back !

[warreng88]

I always thought Gerald Green would be a good pick up for the Thunder as a bench player. He makes $3.5 million a year playing for the Suns and has this year and next year left on his contract. He is a bit of a defensive liability, but that can be taught and if he has any attitude issues, that can be taken care of with this team as well.

[Teo9969]

His movement without the ball looked a bit awkward too. But being Westbrook it won't take long to get his rhythm back. Maybe it was wishful thinking but I think he already looked better by the end of the game.

He definitely looked better at the end of the game.

I really think he'll be back to form within 2 or 3 games. And that includes how he plays with everyone else.

[Mel]

Glad to see Russ back. Team has been running like a engine missing a spark plug. Plug is back in, a few games for a tune-up and the Thunder will be ready for another run for the title.