OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[OKVision4U]

There are several things that are major factors to not playing "Great Ball" at this time.

1. C. Butler arrived and it messed up the entire chemistry in the way the all the other "role" players ( Lamb / Adams / Perry ) were expected to contribute at the beginning of the season and throughout the time the injuries ( Westbrook / Thabo / Perkins ) were benched. Lamb started the season great w/ a great shot and hitting 3's. When Butler arrived, you saw an immediate affect on the bench's contribution. Butler wasn't the answer, and should not be on the court before Lamb. This is Brooks' fault. How do you game plan to beat Miami, and we run them off their court w/ a small starting line-up ( Perry too ). There was no need for Butler to be here, ...he did not "add" anything to the game... a break-even at best. So why bring him in and Up-set the great chemistry already on the floor? ... Brook's needs to own this one.

2. Perkins on his best day does NOT add offense. Steve Kerr stated my opinion on this the other night. When you only have 3 offensive threats to defend, it makes your game plan easier to defend AND it puts a 5 X the pressure on the existing 3 players ( even if they are named Durant / Westbrook / Ibaka ). They have bad nights too, so why would Brooks expose this to our demise? The Grizzlies play a clean game and defend w/ intensity. They grind the game to a slow pace. Why are we playing to their game? ...this is like starting Perkins against Miami again, knowing it is not our best approach. This is Brooks problem too. Lamb is a MUST on the floor. Don't tell me about his "lack of defense", that is an excuse Brooks uses. If we play our game we win, if we play the Grizzlies game we go home early. 1st Round Early. Brooks needs to get over his issue w/ Lamb, or Brooks may be looking for another team.

3. This is not the panic button, this is seeing what worked through a great deal of the regular season,...so why would you not go w/ the same line-ups when the "wins" were being accummulated? Why would Brooks continue to keep the same players in ( down 17 on the road in a playoff game ) and not make game-time adjustments? IF Thabo is not going to shot the 3 when he is wide open, then get him out. For whatever reason, he has no confidence now. .. Lamb might.

Brooks, bench Butler. Put Lamb in early and tell him we are counting on him. Perry needs to have a bigger role. Put him in when the Grizzlies have their number 19 Beno Udrih is on the floor. Shut him down. Get Gasol in early foul trouble. Have Jackson drive to the bucket w/ the intention of getting Gasol some quick fouls.

Brooks, start Adams and give him the ball 5 times early and get Gasol to foul him. ... and this may open things up on the outside. Play the game inside -> out. ..

Brooks, please have Ibaka around the basket at ALL times. This game is about possessions. Ibaka must be the guy the finds every rebound & put back. Ibaka should never be on the perimeter when the ball is shot. I know he has a good 3 point shot, but that is not his value.

Brooks, in the second half, have Durant bring the ball up. Let the double team come to him, pass to Westbrook, let him go to the bucket ( drive or dish ) back out to Durant or an open Lamb. We need to press the basket w/ every possession. ..a foul / Free Throws / or trailing Durant. Take the game to them. ...not the other way around.

... Brooks, don't make it easier for them. Full court press the entire first quarter. Make their BIG's be something they are not. Pressure.

[Anonymous.]

Last night was a great example. Houston had a rookie shoot the game winning 3 last night. That's right, an inexperienced, talented young guy was in the game during crunchtime.

I still say if we lose this series to the Grizz, Brooks is gone. I have never heard of a more stubborn coach.

[OKVision4U]

Last night was a great example. Houston had a rookie shoot the game winning 3 last night. That's right, an inexperienced, talented young guy was in the game during crunchtime.

I still say if we lose this series to the Grizz, Brooks is gone. I have never heard of a more stubborn coach.

He finally made adjustments to attack Miami with, so why not now?

[Laramie]

He finally made adjustments to attack Miami with, so why not now?

Scott Brooks isn't going anywhere. Coach Brooks can only tell the players what to do; they have got to go out and execute their game plan.

You're right; let's not push the panic button.

Sometimes the ball just takes an unlucky bounce and things are not going your way. Memphis in the first half of game one experienced that. They have since won two overtime games.

When the ball is going through the hoop and you're winning; any coach can look like a genius. When players are not moving or rotating off the ball on offense and defense and the ball is not going through the hoop; fire the coach.

Would like to see Perkins, Adams & Collison tag team up on Randolph. Gasol is a beast; keep him out of the paint.

Would like to see Sefolosha get out of his shooting shell and Jackson continue to attack the basket until he gets those calls.

Durant is not the only player who can hit a game winning shot; they're keying on K. D. because they know he's our 'go to guy' in closing out games.

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

[Jake]

This isn't a must win game tonight.......but it's kind of a must win game tonight.

[Klop]

If we take this series 7 games and lose, Brooks will not be fired. His winning percentage is too high for that to happen (can't include first season as interim coach).

Name a solid candidate that you think would take an open coaching opportunity seriously here?


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Kelvin Sampson would have, had he not taken the Houston job. What about Bill Self? You don't think he would be interested in returning to the state on the BIG stage? I think he has proven he can coach.

[Klop]

Travis Ford would probably take a hard look at the Thunder job. Oh, you said a "solid candidate." lol

[Klop]

Oh, Self has a 10 year contract worth close to $50 mil. Probably not.

Although, Brooksy is halfway through a 4 year deal at $4 mil per yr.

That's right, $4 mil per year. ugh

[Klop]

I'm not so busy that I couldn't change my plans for $4 mil per year. lol

[Klop]

NBA Head Coach Contracts
Team Head Coach Years Left (Options) Dollars/Year
Atlanta Hawks Mike Budenholzer X X
Boston Celtics Brad Stevens 6 $3,666,667
Brooklyn Nets Jason Kidd 3(1) $2,500,000
Charlotte Bobcats Steve Clifford 2(1) $2,000,000
Chicago Bulls Tom Thibodeau 3 $4,375,000
Cleveland Cavaliers Mike Brown 5 $4,000,000
Dallas Mavericks Rick Carlisle 3 $4,600,000
Denver Nuggets Brian Shaw 3(1) $2,000,000
Detroit Pistons John Loyer interim interim
Golden State Warriors Mark Jackson 2 $2,000,000
Houston Rockets Kevin McHale 1(1) X
Indiana Pacers Frank Vogel 3 $2,000,000
Los Angeles Clippers Glenn “Doc” Rivers 3 $7,000,000
Los Angeles Lakers Mike D’Antoni 2(1) $4,000,000
Memphis Grizzlies Dave Joerger 3(1) $2,000,000
Miami Heat Erik Spoelstra X $3,000,000+
Milwaukee Bucks Larry Drew 3(1) $2,000,000
Minnesota Timberwolves Rick Adelman 2 $5,000,000
New Orleans Pelicans Monty Williams 3 X
New York Knicks TBD X X
Oklahoma City Thunder Scott Brooks 3 $4,000,000
Orlando Magic Jacque Vaughn X X
Philadelphia 76ers Brett Brown 4 X
Phoenix Suns Jeff Hornacek 3(1) $2,000,000
Portland Trail Blazers Terry Stotts 1(1) X
Sacramento Kings Mike Malone 3(1) $2,250,000
San Antonio Spurs Gregg Popovich X $6,000,000
Toronto Raptors Dwane Casey 1 X
Utah Jazz TBD X X
Washington Wizards Randy Wittman 1 X
*X stands for contract details that are still undisclosed*
Source = overtheleague.com

[SoonerDave]

This isn't a must win game tonight.......but it's kind of a must win game tonight.

I don't think there's any "kinda" about it. Lose tonight, and I think it's too deep a hole from which to escape.

[PWitty]

nm

[Mel]

I wish my doctor had not taken me off of beta blockers.

[ljbab728]

Wow, does anyone have any idea what the record is for the most consecutive overtime games played between two team in the playoffs?

[Dennis Heaton]

Wow, does anyone have any idea what the record is for the most consecutive overtime games played between two team in the playoffs?

5...Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns?????

Scratch that. My Bad!

[Anonymous.]

Reggie Jackson just changed this city tonight.

Finally, Scott Brooks leaves in Reggie more than 13 minutes and look what happens. I cannot believe we won this given all of the circumstances (Durant and Westbrook sucking).

These Grizzlies are tough. Let's bring the noise Tuesday night.

EDIT: Game 5 is Tuesday, not Monday

[SOONER8693]

Reggie Jackson just changed this city tonight.

Finally, Scott Brooks leaves in Reggie more than 13 minutes and look what happens. I cannot believe we won this given all of the circumstances (Durant and Westbrook sucking).

These Grizzlies are tough. Let's bring the noise Monday night.

THANK YOU, Reggie Jackson.

[Jake]

Never saw Kevin Durant have a worse game than that.

Wowzers. Thank you Reggie Jackson! Mr. April!

[Laramie]

Reggie Jackson

Jackson Saves The Day - ESPN Video - ESPN

http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?id=400553071

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

[ljbab728]

Never saw Kevin Durant have a worse game than that.

Wowzers. Thank you Reggie Jackson! Mr. April!

Ending their 15 game home winning streak with KD having a bad game certainly speaks well for the rest of the team tonight.

[zookeeper]

Ending their 15 game home winning streak with KD having a bad game certainly speaks well for the rest of the team tonight.

Is there a chance Durant is not well? He was playing almost lazily at times - at playoff time? It's just bewildering.

[ljbab728]

Is there a chance Durant is not well? He was playing almost lazily at times - at playoff time? It's just bewildering.

I keep hearing commentators saying he's exhausted, but who knows. He'll have a few days to rest up for the next game anyway.

[SOONER8693]

I keep hearing commentators saying he's exhausted, but who knows. He'll have a few days to rest up for the next game anyway.

I agree with the commentators. Having played b-ball and followed at many levels for many years, I agree. His legs are gone. Missing shot after shot, and especially free throws is a sure sign of exhausted legs.

[Mel]

Reggie Jackson just changed this city tonight.

Finally, Scott Brooks leaves in Reggie more than 13 minutes and look what happens. I cannot believe we won this given all of the circumstances (Durant and Westbrook sucking).

These Grizzlies are tough. Let's bring the noise Tuesday night.

EDIT: Game 5 is Tuesday, not Monday

You will hear Momma and me hollering from Mustang.

[Teo9969]

I think it's less physical exhaustion and more mental exhaustion.

The only thing that's going to cure that mental exhaustion is a the MVP tucked securely away in his trophy case. I think he's so consumed with it he can't concentrate properly on putting the ball in the bucket. I'm praying that trophy is granted to him in game 5.