2015-16 OKC Thunder

[Teo9969]

The only way this series goes to 6 is if Westbrook and Durant played like they did against Memphis in the 2014 playoffs. And if Westbrook and Durant are on, this will be a sweep.

[Anonymous.]

The OKC Blue did awesome last night against the Spurs.

Tonight will be exciting to see who comes to OKC this weekend.

Portland, Memphis, or Dallas.

[Laramie]

The Thunder reserves got some valuable playing time. Just hope these guys can bring that same A-game into the playoffs.

[Thomas Vu]

[QUOTE=Bellaboo;949263]

First Round exit to the Mavs who have the biggest jerkoff fans in the league next to the Lakers.[/QUOTE

The Thunder swept the Mavs (4-0) this season. Even last night the TNT commentators were talking about a second round Thunder / Spurs matchup.

and Barkley mentioned that the Thunder were the deepest team....

I hope he was merely reflecting the lead OKC had despite no starters

[dankrutka]

[QUOTE=Thomas Vu;949310]

and Barkley mentioned that the Thunder were the deepest team....

I hope he was merely reflecting the lead OKC had despite no starters

Yeah, I heard that comment and it's pretty absurd. The Thunder bench is the biggest problem for this team. Kanter has been great offensively and improved a little defensively (he's still bad), but every other player off the bench has been either inconsistent or unreliable. Who can you really trust off the Thunder bench besides Kanter consistently plays well?

[Laramie]

[QUOTE=dankrutka;949349]

Yeah, I heard that comment and it's pretty absurd. The Thunder bench is the biggest problem for this team. Kanter has been great offensively and improved a little defensively (he's still bad), but every other player off the bench has been either inconsistent or unreliable. Who can you really trust off the Thunder bench besides Kanter consistently plays well?

You're right Dan,

My take: Really feel that Donovan isn't resting players (Popovich style); but forcing the bench (reserves) to step up to the plate providing them with more playing time.

Notice that Durant, Westbrook & Ibaka were left at home; our trio wasn't there for moral support.

[Bellaboo]

[QUOTE=Laramie;949352]

You're right Dan,

My take: Really feel that Donovan isn't resting players (Popovich style); but forcing the bench (reserves) to step up to the plate providing them with more playing time.

Notice that Durant, Westbrook & Ibaka were left at home; our trio wasn't there for moral support.

Donovan commented that it made no sense to put them on the plane to SA after the Lakers game, then spend the day at the hotel, watch the game then get back on the plane for a late night trip home. He said this way they got better rest and used the training facility for meaningful work.

[dankrutka]

Thunder fans just have to hope that one of our bench players plays above their heads (Waiters, Morrow) or plays to their abilities consistently (SIngler, Payne, Foye), but I just don't see it happening. I really think Donovan messed up not integrating Payne more this season because I think he's got the most potential... even this season. Otherwise, I strangely think that Waiters and... Singler are our best hopes, which is sad. Waiters is who he is, which is an inefficient player who makes questionable decisions, but generally tries hard. When Singler hits his shots, he fits in well as a decent, diverse defender. But we know he loses confidence quickly and for months at a time.

For his all his great drafting, Presti really has struggled immensely over the years in finding competent bench/role players to fill out the team. The Kanter acquisition is a rare bright spot as that move is really looking decent now...

[Anonymous.]

I am with you on the Donovan [potential] mistake. I really think Payne and Morrow should have way more presence in our normal lineups. Morrow's ability to come in and knock down back to back 3s before the opponent can recognize and react to the switch is a huge advantage. And Donovan seems to forget Morrow exists half the time, thus instilling a lack of confidence in the player. Payne is the same way, only has immense upside to his game. What do we do if Russ goes down with a brief ankle injury or something during one of our rounds? Payne has limited playing time and will essentially be tossed into a raging fire.

[Teo9969]

I think Ibaka matters more than those other guys. As a fan base, we've focused so much on other aspects of the team that Ibaka's drop-off has only been a topic of discussion every now and then. The trouble is, he's a pretty critical piece.

If he can find a way to play to his pre-injury form, especially on the defensive end, then the Thunder will fare a lot better in these playoffs.

And if he doesn't, Presti needs to move him in the offseason while the name still has some clout.

[Anonymous.]

GAME 1 - Mavericks at Thunder, Sat. April 16, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

GAME 2 - Mavericks at Thunder, Mon. April 18, 8 p.m. ET, TNT

GAME 3 - Thunder at Mavericks, Thu. April 21, 7 p.m. ET, TNT

GAME 4 - Thunder at Mavericks, Sat. April 23, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

GAME 5* - Mavericks at Thunder, Mon. April 25, TBD, TBD

GAME 6* - Thunder at Mavericks, Thu. April 28, TBD, TBD

GAME 7* - Mavericks at Thunder, Sat. April 30, TBD, TNT

[Laramie]

GAME 1 - Mavericks at Thunder, Sat. April 16, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

GAME 2 - Mavericks at Thunder, Mon. April 18, 8 p.m. ET, TNT

GAME 3 - Thunder at Mavericks, Thu. April 21, 7 p.m. ET, TNT

GAME 4 - Thunder at Mavericks, Sat. April 23, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN

GAME 5* - Mavericks at Thunder, Mon. April 25, TBD, TBD

GAME 6* - Thunder at Mavericks, Thu. April 28, TBD, TBD

GAME 7* - Mavericks at Thunder, Sat. April 30, TBD, TNT

Those games are Eastern (Standard) Times.

[Anonymous.]

Here is the schedule with central time and our local broadcast team.

[Teo9969]

[Anonymous.]

Domination.

What was the deal with ESPN using [what looked like] a static photo of the canal when it was completely DEAD for their commercial cutaways? Looked super weak...

[Laramie]

Western Conference Playoff - seeds 3 vs. 6 - Game 1 results.

Oklahoma City Thunder 108 - Dallas Mavericks 70

Mavericks vs. Thunder - Box Score - April 16, 2016 - ESPN

[Jake]

Bad loss.

[Pete]

Durant was 7 of 33. That's 19%.

Still, we should have won it at the end.

[Sonny_Crockett]

First Round exit.

If Nowitzki tore his ACL, Mavs will still win the series.

Mavs match up better against the Spurs anyway.

Durant will be in Cleveland next year.

Rick Carlisle is a basketball genius while Ray Charles could do a better a coaching job than Billy Donovan.

[dankrutka]

First Round exit.

If Nowitzki tore his ACL, Mavs will still win the series.

Mavs match up better against the Spurs anyway.

Durant will be in Cleveland next year.

Rick Carlisle is a basketball genius while Ray Charles could do a better a coaching job than Billy Donovan.

Pete, at what point do you just ban someone who is clearly trolling and adds nothing to the conversation?

[dankrutka]

Bad loss, but also a total aberration. The Thunder defense played fine. KD just forced it a bit too much causing the ball movement to struggle. This was maybe KDs worst career game and OKC lost by one. OKC missed a lot of good looks late and that generally works out, but it didn't happen tonight. Everyone needs to step back from the ledge.

[Celebrator]

First Round exit.

If Nowitzki tore his ACL, Mavs will still win the series.

Mavs match up better against the Spurs anyway.

Durant will be in Cleveland next year.

Rick Carlisle is a basketball genius while Ray Charles could do a better a coaching job than Billy Donovan.

Well, you're just a bucket of sunshine around here. Thanks so much for your contribution.

[Thomas Vu]

So glad hes gone. What doesn't make sense to me is why force feed somebody who's having an off night? We'll take one from them for sure.

[Celebrator]

So glad hes gone. What doesn't make sense to me is why force feed somebody who's having an off night? We'll take one from them for sure.

We'll take three and move on, how about that?!!

[Anonymous.]

Honestly, Dallas is just as shocked as we are that they won that.

This to them is like the 2010 playoffs where OKC put up a fight with the Lakers. It feels awesome, but deep down you know the pain is coming.