This season is not over. The Thunder are still only 3.5 back with a ton of games left, but obviously they have to start playing better quick.
This season is not over. The Thunder are still only 3.5 back with a ton of games left, but obviously they have to start playing better quick.
I've tried to remain optimistic and upbeat about out Thunders chances this year. But they can't get better soon and make the playoffs. They have to get great and do it right now.
If Phoenix keeps winning at their .574 rate they will go 20 and15 in their remaining games. To make up the 3.5 game difference +1 game to take the 8th spot our Thunder will have to go 25 and 11. I just can't believe that the Thunder that just barely got by the worst team in the NBA and then lost to the second worst team in the NBA can turn around enough to win 25 of 36 to finish the season.
I don't claim to know what it is but the current Thunder have some serious problem (or problems). They look lost, completely out of control, disjointed and unmotivated too much of the time. Usually, in any sport, a season or two of that kind of play results in a change of head coach. I've defended Brooks for some time but this team, even with the injuries, has too much talent to look this bad. We need a coach that can reign these guys in and take control again. I hope Presti is spending 24 hours a day processing what to do to get back on top next year.
Until there is a change in the HC position, we need to start Morrow. He needs to be named a starter and made to feel ( 100 % ) confident. He needs to be the 12 - 15 point guy....every night.
Ibaka needs to get back to being a strong threat in the middle. Serge I "BLocka"....and needs to score 12 - 15 each night. Adams need to continue to grow and be a force in the middle...and get 15 every night. ...now lets pour in KD's 25, and Russ' 20....and that is the starting five everynight.
Now lets do the bench.... Jackson 10, Waiters 8 , Lamb 8, Collison 8, Robertson / Perkins / Jones... ZERO turnovers !!!! in the 1 qtr & 4 th qtr. ...and get back to consistency. This will help put the "CHEMISTRY" back into this group, and they can start having fun again. Go Thunder !
Looks like KD may be back tomorrow.... Let me rephrase, we need KD to be back tomorrow.
Memphis is on a 5 game W streak with newly acquired Jeff Green and have won 9 of their last 10. Top two team in the West right now. If there is a confidence builder in sight, it is Saturday night's game.
I think Brooks' seat is beginning to get warm. Big game for him.
A number of NBA coaches Jerry Sloan, Cotton Fitzsimmons, Rick Adelman, George Karl, Don Nelson have gone through their success stages where they didn't quite make it to the NBA summit. Mark Jackson (GSW), Stan Van Gundy (Orlando) and Lionel Hollins (Memphis) were put on a short leash. Van Gundy & Hollins has been give new life (life support) with the Detroit Pistons & Brooklyn Nets respectively.
Scott Brooks' is on the hot seat; especially with the upcoming games against Memphis (2), Orlando, New Orleans (2), LA Clippers and Denver coming up.
So will Durant be ready to start against Memphis tonight?
Then why bother reading/posting in this thread? Surely you have better things to do with your time...
The main thing the Thunder need to figure out is what is causing their injuries and why? Perhaps their equipment and training staff needs to be evaluated.
I can't think of any injury this season to which you could attribute any kind of equipment or staff errors. There's an element of chance involved. Generally, some seasons will be relatively injury free and others will not be. The Thunder just happened to have a rash of injuries at the same time... chance.
Remember, everyone, it's all because of Kevin Durant's association with Nike!
I miss my team. You know, that one that can SCORE A FREAKING BASKET.
Where was the sense of urgency ? ....the body language was a look of "oh well".
If we do not make the playoffs this year, does Scott Brooks stay ? ....at this very moment we are 4 games back behind the #8 spot and we should be able to make a run at them. But if there is not a Sense of Urgency then our season will be over earlier than hoped.
They look at bad now as the OU Sooners did playing Clemson. Going through the motions shows up on TV too. That is coaching. That is Scott Brooks' role. If he can't find a way to make a run this year, then he doesn't have that "it factor" for coaches.
When teams have their struggles, then they look to their coach for that kind of leadership. This IS the time coaches earn their pay. This is the time we get to see what Scott Brooks has to offer. Is there more or is that it ?
Why has Waiters played in front of Morrow ? ...or Jackson ?
What is it that S. Brooks sees ? .... I see a liability when the ball in in his hands. ....and yes that is what is glaring for everyone else to see.
This is a Sam Presti decision. ...not so good. Speaking of good, Jeff Green sure looked good last night. Another former Thunder player helping the other teams defeat us.
It was obvious that Durant's return was a welcome sight. My observation of Kevin was that he wasn't quite at full strength. Memphis has always been a beast on their home floor. The Thunder has had previous success inside the Fed-EX Forum.
Let's not take away from Memphis; they have a great defensive prowess. Jeff Green has made this team more complete. You're playing a well-balanced machine in Memphis where the support players have stepped up to the plate.
The Thunder has not meshed. Their basketball dependency on Durant and Westbrook doesn't allow the team to close-out against the better prepared team when one of our two stars don't shine . There was more fight & energy exhibited when Durant and Westbrook were both out by player who were fighting for positions than you see now. Lance Thomas' performance against the Thunder in New York was an example.
It will be interesting to see how this season plays out.
Jeff Green is a Grizzly?
Recently acquired Grizzly:
Memphis Grizzlies acquire Jeff Green and Russ Smith in three-team trade with Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans | Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies 2015 Team Roster - ESPN
Along with Vince Carter (K.D.'s NBA boyhood idol) ; Memphis continues to add pieces to their roster.
Big night for OKC. I think it goes without saying that the team needs to win tonight.
Suns are hosting Grizzlies, could be a nice swing in our favor.
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