OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[ljbab728]

Let's don't underestimate Russell. Remember he came back from his last surgery much sooner than expected.

[OSUMom]

Let's don't underestimate Russell. Remember he came back from his last surgery much sooner than expected.

Which might have been the problem? Maybe? I hate to think it, because I would love to see him back ASAP!

[ljbab728]

Which might have been the problem? Maybe? I hate to think it, because I would love to see him back ASAP!

OKC Thunder: Russell Westbrook has knee surgery, out at least 7 weeks | News OK

When asked about the possibility of Westbrook returning early, Presti said the team “needs to let nature take its course.” But he insisted that Westbrook's early return to start the season did not lead to this setback. Presti added that this third surgery wouldn't make him more cautious about allowing Westbrook to again attempt an early return.

Like tonight, every win without Russell, especially on the road is a big plus. Miami would have been very happy with a four point road win tonight against a Golden State with only 9 wins on the season.

[Laramie]

Listed below are some key impact players on NBA teams who could be out for an indefinite period of time.

This has been an unusual year for NBA player injuries:

Eastern Conference

Al Horford, Atlanta
Brook Lopez, Andrei Kirilenko, Brooklyn
Rajon Rondo, Boston
Brendan Haywood, Charlotte
Derrick Rose, Chicago
Chauncey Billups, Detroit
Zaza Pachulia, Carlos Delfino, Milwaukee
Carmelo Anthony, New York
Jason Richardson, Philadelphia
Glen Rice Jr., Al Harrington, Washington

Western Conference

Devin Harris, Dallas
JaVale McGee, Danilo Gallinari, Denver
Jermaine O'Neal, Golden State
Omer Asik, Houston
Reggie Bullock, L.A. Clippers
Kobe Bryant, Steve Blake, Steve Nash, L.A. Lakers
Quincy Pondexter, Marc Gasol, Memphis
Ronny Turiaf, Minnesota
Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City
Emeka Okafor, Phoenix
Carl Landry, Sacramento

Basketball Injury News and Analysis - Rotoworld.com

[OKCisOK4me]

Miami has a big game in Portland tonight and Lebron is day-to-day with a strained groin. Portland is 11-0 against Eastern Conference opponents.

Side note: Greg Oden is still injured...

[Laramie]

Miami has a big game in Portland tonight and Lebron is day-to-day with a strained groin. Portland is 11-0 against Eastern Conference opponents.

Side note: Greg Oden is still injured...

Unfortunate for Greg Oden; he is probably history...

Miami thought that they could rest a few guys and it backfired; they underestimated the Sacramento Kings and they paid to the piper (DeMarcus Cousins). Brooks' has emphasized 'to always respect your opponent.' Portland will be out for a signature win and to make a statement to the rest of the NBA. Erik Spoelstra doesn't have the experience yet to pull a Popovich chest move.

Popovich's aging Spurs can't run up and down the court against teams which uses the same youth pattern as our Oklahoma City Thunder.

Sure it's a blow to hear that we are going to be temporarily without the services of Russell Westbrook.

The Thunder will have to move forward and continue to develop players who can assist Durant in getting the job done and not have all of this fall on K.D.'s shoulders. If Kevin takes on more than he can handle--he just might succumb to an injury.

When R.W. is given the green light to play; limit his minutes and gradually work him back into the line-up. Let's face it, Westbrook is a stubborn, bull-headed competitor and a gym rat who doesn't know, feel or recognize pain--like an energizer bunny--he feeds on it.

Thunder coaches need to consider:

Keep Reggie Jackson on the second unit where these guys have developed continuity; also continue to rotate him in with both units. This combination has maintained production; sometimes extending leads when one of our big three were not productive.

Thabo Sefolosha needs to be put in a situation in which he has to perform. He plugged the hole of Charlotte's fat lady before she had a chance to sing (two key game ending free-throws).

Bring Andre Roberson off the bench and insert him back into the starting lineup.

Finally, for goodness sakes leave Kendrick Perkins alone--we need that intimidation x-factor to keep the opponents honest; if looks could kill, Perkins would be up for manslaughter charges. We know that he's an expensive piece in that role--use him. Perkins has fouled opposing team players so hard that IMO it affected their free throw shooting along with the distraction of a noisy and barebelly intimating beneath-the-basket gallery.

[Stan Silliman]

I hate to not win all the games possible. It'll make a difference come playoff time.

I'd like to see Brooks bring in another ball handler as point guard, perhaps a D-Leaguer with 10 game contracts or a foreign player who might want to chase a ring.
Otherwise, we take the risk of overtaxing our only PG reserves - Reggie and Fish. Reggie, who was prone to back spasms early in the season could be stressed again
if not given enough rest. Fisher is... just old and to overtax him would be a dis-service despite how much Brooks trusts him.

Westbrook was just starting to get his shooting touch back. He was doing a bunch of good things but he still wasn't quite up to the par of last year. When he comes back
in February, I expect it will take even another adjustment to get back to where he was.

[OSUMom]

I don't get the whole Andre Roberson thing. He's good enough to start for Thabo when he was sick and injured. But he isn't good enough to play off the bench unless we are in garbage time. I just don't get it.

[dankrutka]

I don't get the whole Andre Roberson thing. He's good enough to start for Thabo when he was sick and injured. But he isn't good enough to play off the bench unless we are in garbage time. I just don't get it.

Brooks just wanted continuity in his lineup's when Thabo was out for just a couple games. Roberson is not ready to play night in and night out in my opinion. He has a ton of work to do on the offensive end and time spent in Tulsa will serve him well.

[PWitty]

It sounds like this injury had nothing to do with him coming back early. The doctors indicated they saw swelling in his knee caused by something that hadn't shown up on the MRI's until recently. Likely just a coincidence they're in the same leg.

[Anonymous.]

Destroying the Rockets without Westbrook last night was pretty nice. Granted Houston was on number 2 of a back to back.

Regardless, it should not have been a 30 point blowout. I think this team (and mostly KD) is taking the talk about losing games and falling seeds with Westbrook being out, personal.

Also every time we cream the Rockets, I wonder how many Harden-trade haters shut their traps? Especially when we do it using the pieces we got in the trade. Presti is a god.

[Laramie]

It sounds like this injury had nothing to do with him coming back early. The doctors indicated they saw swelling in his knee caused by something that hadn't shown up on the MRI's until recently. Likely just a coincidence they're in the same leg.

You're probably onto something...

Russell is no stranger to shaking off pain. There was a game in which Russell collided with another player shortly before he was put back on the injury list and I said to myself then; oh no, not again.

[OKCisOK4me]

My mom and I are going to the game tomorrow evening. Can't wait! The game against Portland holds a magnitude of importance for this team. As much as I can't stand Miami, I'm glad they beat Portland the other night.

[Anonymous.]

I will be there tomorrow night, as well. Potentially a preview of one of our playoff rounds. NYE and playoff basketball in OKC, should be a great night in all of downtown.

[ljbab728]

Portland lost tonight in New Orleans and that could be both good and bad thing for the Thunder. They now have a two game lead but could let up a little in the game on Tuesday night because of that. Of course, Portland could be really tired in a back to back after a very tight game tonight.

[OKCisOK4me]

Portland lost tonight in New Orleans and that could be both good and bad thing for the Thunder. They now have a two game lead but could let up a little in the game on Tuesday night because of that. Of course, Portland could be really tired in a back to back after a very tight game tonight.

As evidenced by our older but still young team, back to backs aren't good for the teams that have them.

[Bill Robertson]

As Perk said after the Rockets thumping, the team wants to prove they can play well without Westbrook and be even better for his return. I don't think there will be a letting up tonight for the Thunder.

[OKCRT]

As Perk said after the Rockets thumping, the team wants to prove they can play well without Westbrook and be even better for his return. I don't think there will be a letting up tonight for the Thunder.

When RW was lost for the playoffs last year the team played like they were feeling sorry for themselves. This time they look to be playing with a chip on their shoulder and wanting to show everyone that this team can win even while losing one of their best players. I like that.....

[Bellaboo]

I went to the Houston game the other night, so I gave mine away for tonight...

What's amazing to me, is that we've been destroying a lot of contenders..S.A, Clippers, Houston, etc.

[CCOKC]

I would really like to see that again tonight as well. LaMarcus Aldridge is very fun to watch though. He seems to especially like playing against the Thunder.

[Laramie]

Tough loss with a nightmare ending...

Did Durant score only one point in the whole second half? Which means he had 36 in the first half? Other players have got to step up in Westbrook's absence; everything can't fall on Kevin Durant.

Correction: I understand that Durant put up 14 points in the third quarter.

That's was what I thought I heard the announcers say on FoxOklahoma about the one point! Just like Granny use to say, "You thought like Little Orphan Andy, you thought a piece of (blank) was a piece of candy."

Thunder offensive production:

Durant 37
Ibaka 17
Jackson 12
Lamb 10
Collison 4
Fisher 4
Adams 4
Sefolosha 4
Perkins 2

Two of these five players scoring four points and less; have got to double their production.

We had fives points taken off the board with late whistles in the fourth quarter.

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Anonymous.]

Weird game last night. Joey Crawford was in full effect. And Thunder went cold (raptors 4th anyone?) and started missing free throws.

Way too many key plays at the end blown by OKC. On to the next.

[catcherinthewry]

The Thunder didn't have near the ball movement they did against the Rockets, only 15 assists last night. When they move the ball the Thunder are still very good even without RW.

[shawnw]

If Thabo would get his mojo back scoring wise it would be a big help.

[Anonymous.]

If Thabo would get his mojo back scoring wise it would be a big help.

Yea it seems he has reverted back to his 2012 hesitation.