OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[Urbanized]

It's usually announced during the second round.

[Pete]

Memphis is beating the hell out of KD at every turn... He's having to work much harder in this series than in the regular season and probably any other playoff series. Plus, that was three very draining OT games in a row for the guy that plays way more minutes than anyone on the team.

If we can just get past these guys and their ugly style of play, I'm sure he'll be reinvigorated.

[G.Walker]

The team will get a few days rest, they don't have to play again until Tuesday night, so that should get their legs under them, and both KD and Russ should have better shooting nights come Tuesday.

[Teo9969]

The team will get a few days rest, they don't have to play again until Tuesday night, so that should get their legs under them, and both KD and Russ should have better shooting nights come Tuesday.

This makes the 3rd straight game we've said that…I'm not so sure.

This is the definition of overzealous ridiculous conjecture but this is my theory:

I said this on another forum, but I really hope KD plays for something else on Tuesday. Maybe he can play for Reggie because of Reggie bailing him out in what would have likely gone down as the most embarrassing moment of his career. This slump of KD's goes back the past 10 to 15 or so games, and if indeed it's mental exhaustion from a season of hearing about the MVP race, he needs to find something else to play for, if only momentarily. I don't think KD is wired to play 500 games with a single-minded purpose. He's not a machine like Kobe or Jordan. So he needs to keep his mind fresh and play for a variety of things: greatness, team, family, friends, faith, self, legend, competition, fun. So many reasons. If I had to bet money on something as silly as another human being's mentality, I'd bet that playing for greatness/legend drove him to the legendary month he had in January and that after that instead of hitting the refresh, he doubled down and let the mindset consume him.

[Mel]

Memphis really knows how to dog KD. That can open up a lot of other players. It ain't over 'till it's over.

[Pete]

I wish we were making better tactical changes given how they are defending.

Not seeing a lot of adjustments in this series.

It's great that we won but we shot under 40%. Even if we scrape by Memphis we aren't going much further until we learn to make better offensive adjustments.

[Klop]

I know its improbable. But, I was hoping they could find the groove they had during the first part of the season, and just run the friggin table from here on out.

[ljbab728]

I know its improbable. But, I was hoping they could find the groove they had during the first part of the season, and just run the friggin table from here on out.

You are an optimistic sort, aren't you?

[Teo9969]

I wish we were making better tactical changes given how they are defending.

Not seeing a lot of adjustments in this series.

It's great that we won but we shot under 40%. Even if we scrape by Memphis we aren't going much further until we learn to make better offensive adjustments.

It's not offensive adjustments. It really and truly is as simple as KD and RW just need to hit their shots. 53/154 (34.4%) for the last 3 games. You can't retool the offense just because the basis for your offense are collectively in a slump. A few plays, sure…finding the hot hand (as they somewhat did last night), great. But KD and RW are supposed to be shooting 45% on the low-side and 55 to 60% on the high-side. If they get to that 45% mark, then that's 32 extra points at a minimum over the last 3 games.

[SoonerBoy18]

This series is almost exactly the same with how it was in the 2010-2011 semi finals. I think it goes to 7 in Thunders favor. I can't take any more of Memphis. Off that subject, can they please do an orange out for once!

[Laramie]

The ball is back in our court:.

Optimism is often contagious! Let's telepath that enthusiasm to the players at the next home playoff game. Could result in an extra hustle for a loose ball. A win will put Memphis on the ropes; a 'do or die' situation for the Grizzlies in game six own their on court..

The Thunder caught the Grizzlies off guard; especially when Durant & Westbrook deferred to Jackson in the closing minutes. We have weapons on our bench (Adams, Butler, Collison, Fisher, Jones & Lamb) besides Jackson.

We dodged a bullet in Memphis; kick them while they are down--let's not let them beat us two of three on our home court.

Durant should weather through this temporary physical & mental exhaustion with a few days rest.

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

[Anonymous.]

Memphis fans are not so optimistic about this series anymore, judging by their forums, this was theirs after 2-1.

Game 4 was most definitely the turning point. I think Thunder win out in 6 now. MEM will be mentally beat down after losing a game at home where Durant plays the worst game he will probably ever play again.

Reggie Jackson will get a standing-O on check-in tomorrow night.

[SoonerDave]

Friend of mine who goes to just about EVERY Thunder home game offered to me the thought KD was just physically worn out, certainly compared to the early season, all combined with the fact that Memphis is just physically abusing him unlike any other team this season. And as it appears the refs are, as they say, "letting them play," don't look for that to get any better.

I try to be optimistic, so I look at this series as one where the Thunder has played some of its worst basketball all season, where its stars have really struggled, but they still own home court advantage and can take the series lead tomorrow night at home. What's even bigger from a psych standpoint is that surely Memphis knows this, too, which should make that Game 4 loss (for them) just that much more disheartening.

There are *lots* of psych angles to this. After all the body blows, they've taken, if they can get this thing to 3-2 in their favor, I have to like their chances of winning the series. Ironically enough, after watching the Golden State/Clipper game yesterday, I'd have a tough time seeing the second round series being anywhere near as physical - neither team plays anywhere near the kind of game Memphis does.

I know, I know, we have to get Memphis out of the way first. I'm hoping against hope we got into their heads with Game 4, and can push them right to the edge tomorrow night.

[adaniel]

FWIW none of the favorites have been playing great outside of Miami in these playoffs. Houston and Chicago are dangerously close to being eliminated over teams they were favored to win. Spurs have looked god-awful against the Dallas Mavericks Senior Citizen Club. Indiana has been in slow motion collapse since the all star break. Just a weird playoff series so far.

[Mel]

Four overtimes. What a series!

[Mississippi Blues]

Nothing happy about that ending.

[ljbab728]

The Thunder's maddening tendency to dig themselves into a deep hole in the 3rd quarter than having to have a frantic rally in the 4th is going to finish them this year, I'm afraid.

[Jake]

Scott Brooks is coaching for his job Thursday.

[Laramie]

K E E P
T H E
F A I T H !

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

[AFCM]

I see a rivalry in the making.

I recall many proclaiming the birth of a rivalry after the 2011 playoff series, and I admit to scoffing at the idea on account that doing so after a single series seemed to be a bit premature. But these two teams continually produce some of the most exciting overtime match-ups, and mostly in the playoffs. Factor in that both are small market teams slugging it out for dominance in Western Conference, and we have ourselves an interesting dual.

I'm disappointed with the loss, but I'm thrilled that we citizens of OKC have such a great team (let alone any team) to call our own. Perspective is huge.

[soonerguru]

Losing sucks.

[Mississippi Blues]

K E E P
T H E
F A I T H !

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

Remind me next season.

[OKCJapan]

I still have I slight bit of optimism that the Thunder can get the job done in Game 6.

With that being said, want to put forth my opinion I have been observing over the past couple of months. I hope I am wrong but here is how I see things potentially going. I think the Thunder peaked at the all-star break this season. Since then, they have been little by little on a downward spiral. I don't think it is because of C. Butler breaking up the chemistry. This team has become very inconsistent. over the past couple of months and It has definitely shown in the playoffs. In this series, Brooks is apparently not able to see that the current offense is not working and try something else.
I really think that there has to be a dramatic personnel and or coaching change. If not Then I think we can expect this team to slip a couple of seeds in the playoffs next year and following years and become a middle of the pack team like Golden State in the Western Conference. Meaning that from now on we may see several first round exits from the playoffs. If that happens, don't expect KD to stick around. He wants to win. The Western Conference is just too loaded right now. too bad we are not in the Eastern conference.

[dcsooner]

Memphis is simply BETTER than the Thunder. no amount of analysis will change that. OKC will win in the regular season and lose in the post season until Scott Brooks is gone, KP is gone, RW is a shooting guard and Thabo is on the second team. enjoy a couple more years of KD and Russ before they bolt to a winner (post season). Oh by the way I am a season ticket holder so I can make these comments as a fan.

[OKCisOK4me]

You guys that want Scott Brooks gone are just funny. Obviously you're Sooner fans regardless of it being in your screen name or not. He won't be gone. Kendrick Perkins probably but most definitely not the coach. He wasn't out on the court missing shots and shooting I'll advised shots.


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