OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[Laramie]

Thanks for the analysis Laramie but I'm afraid at this rate we won't make it long enough to play the Spurs.

Be not afraid...

We don't need to burn ourselves out trying to secure the top seed. Keep our eyes on the prize.

Sure the competition is getting tough because teams like Phoenix, Houston & Memphis are fighting for their playoff lives; they have more pressure to win games (home & away) if they want to make the playoffs. We got the breaks needed to win in Phoenix at the free throw line. Phoenix played like there was no tomorrow.

The biggest question we need to address is Durant. Does he need a rest; is he getting burned out? He does more than his share of scoring despite being double & triple teamed. Durant's defensive energy sometimes breaks down. Now, we don't want him injured this late attempting to get us the highest seed. We can maintain that 2nd seed and concentrate our efforts on whoever we meet in the playoffs--follow Scott Brooks' philosophy and take it one game at a time.

Westbrook is at 85-90% and when the playoff begin, he won't be sitting out any game.

Phoenix is not going to be able to sustain an appetite of three-pointers on us if we're at full strength.

Thabo Sefolosha's defensive puissance can't be understated.

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

[Stan Silliman]

Great analysis, Laramie. Managing the playoffs all comes down to jockeying for position.
I think the Thunder wants a first round match between the Spurs and the Suns, maybe tried to help that along.
The reasoning is this: The Suns are one of the four hottest teams in the league besides being the fastest.
If the Spurs have to run their old legs all night long with the Suns, they might wear out, even if they advance.

Our biggest threat is the Clippers and if we can get HCA against them, we'll have a good advantage.
If not, we'll still have to play them in the second round.

When the playoffs come around, I'm ready to place more emphasis on defense. Hopefully Sefolosha can
contribute but if he can't go full bore, I want to see more Andre and more Perry Jones. A lineup of
Adams, Ibaka, Perry Jones, KD & Westbrook could be a very tall and effective defensive crew.

[Anonymous.]

I really hope Perry Jones can get some more playing time... Dude is so athletic it is baffling how he never plays some games.

Chip shot was good last night. KD's streak of 25+ is over. It ended in the best way, he sat the 4th. I think having this goofy little streak out of the way will help everyone refocus on Thunder BBall and get playoff ready.

Tongiht is a big game. If we beat the Clips, we are essentially #2 seed. If we lose, it becomes more possible to drop to #3.

[OSUMom]

I'm hoping the streak being over helps KD and everyone. Look at the game against the Suns. he struggled to get the ball in the basket until he hit 25. After that the rest of the 38 points seemed to go easier. I'm glad he at least got past Jordan, would have hated to see him get so close and not make it, but also glad it is over.

[Pete]

Playoff banners about to go up downtown:

[Mel]

Awesome. Getting playoff fever. When I got my procedure done all the medical peeps in the room were wearing Thunder surgical caps. Made me feel safer somehow.

[Mississippi Blues]

The Thunder looked like the Thunder team we're used to. A spirited defensive performance overall in spite of the run they surrendered to LAC to end the first half and throughout much of the 4th quarter. Essentially a lock for the #2 seed now.

[ljbab728]

The Thunder looked like the Thunder team we're used to.

Maybe because they're all back healthy now?

[catcherinthewry]

Maybe because they're all back healthy now?

Or because they had something to play for tonight.

[Anonymous.]

Spurs lost to timberwolves a couple days ago. And they have a back to back with the 'fighting for their lives' Mavs tonight, and Suns tomorrow night. Both should be excellent games.

It is an outside shot since we lost to Houston and Phoenix, but OKC still has a chance at #1 seed.



Last night the team looked great. Thabo back on the floor is huge, he is so much a better defender than Butler.

[Mississippi Blues]

Maybe because they're all back healthy now?

You could say that.

[Laramie]

Thabo Sefolosha and Kendrick Perkin's defensive prowess can't be overstated.



Most impressive was how the second team performed. Perkins was a beast with six points. Steven Adams was equally stellar with three fouls and seven points. Kevin Durant (27) has exhibited the leadership necessary to take the team to the next level. Russell Westbrook (30) was a thorn in the Clippers' side all night; coupled with Reggie Jackson (9)--the home team was seeing doubles. Thunder are getting their swagger back.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers - Box Score - April 09, 2014 - ESPN

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

[OKCisOK4me]

Maybe because they're all back healthy now?

Heard on the radio this morning that Thunder starters have missed a combined 78 games this season versus just 6 games last season. I'd say this team has vastly improved and they have plenty of room for improvement over the next couple of seasons.

[Laramie]

Thunder appears to be getting their swagger back with a 'full bloom' starting lineup.

Does anyone have concerns that we should start resting Durant--if you can tie him down; prior to the playoffs? He seems to be suffering a little mental & physical fatigue.

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Box Score - April 11, 2014 - ESPN

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

[SoonerDave]

Given that the Thunder can neither improve nor worsen their seeding through the final, what, four or five games, I could see limiting the starters minutes significantly for the balance of the regular season - especially given those just coming off injury.

[Laramie]

The Indiana Pacers are an impotent NBA basketball team.

performing like AMC Pacer


Oklahoma City Thunder 96
Indiana Pacers 88

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

[Laramie]

Rebounds: Indiana 46, 52.8% Oklahoma City 32, 42.9%

Give it up to the Indiana Pacers; they connected on over 50% of their field goals. Maybe the Pacers are getting back on track; this was a must win for the Pacers.

We have two games left: @New Orleans & home against Detroit. We still have a chance to win 60 games.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers - Box Score - April 13, 2014 - ESPN

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

[OSUMom]

So have we locked the 2nd seed in the west or is there still a chance the Clips could take it from us?

[dankrutka]

So have we locked the 2nd seed in the west or is there still a chance the Clips could take it from us?

All we need is one Thunder win or one Clippers loss to lock up the 2 seed.

[warreng88]

So, it looks like we will get Dallas in the first round and then the winner of the Clips/Warriors series. The road to the finals will not be an easy one. Dallas has beaten us the last two times but we didn't have Perk or Thabo at that time. Think that will be the difference maker?

[Throckmorton]

Dallas has beaten us the last two times but we didn't have Perk or Thabo at that time. Think that will be the difference maker?

Russ sat for one of those games as well.

[Urbanized]

Those games were aberrations. Over the past couple of seasons OKC has owned the Mavs, and I really don't see that changing. Clippers though...

[Bellaboo]

Those games were aberrations. Over the past couple of seasons OKC has owned the Mavs, and I really don't see that changing. Clippers though...

We swept the Clippers last year, and made a statement in LA last week.

[warreng88]

We swept the Clippers last year, and made a statement in LA last week.

Yeah, but in a seven game series where we are all they are playing? I am with Urbanized on this.

[Bellaboo]

Yeah, but in a seven game series where we are all they are playing? I am with Urbanized on this.

I'm talking about the second part, the Clippers...