2012 NBA Finals - Thunder vs. Heat / Celtics

[OKCisOK4me]

Oh, I hope Perkins gets traded to Orlando, lol.

[OKCJapan]

Many people going into the finals were saying that the Thunder were going to win it. I think many people were overlooking their inexperience and were basing it on their athleticism. However, Miami is also a very athletic team. Which in a real sense cancels each other out and then your left with inexperience.

Even though they were inexperienced, I still believed the Thunder could win. After game one, I watched some interviews of James, Bosh, Wade, etc. One overriding theme coming from their mouths. was "We're going to do whatever it takes to win"

In contrast, coming from the Thunder side, the theme was "stick together".

Looking at how the last 4 games played out, getting past the bad or lack of refereeing, I saw a Heat team that was battling for loose balls, tipping loose balls, contesting the ball on the fastbreak and turning the Thunder fastbreak into an turnover the other way, offensive rebounds, etc. It was those things in my mind that determined the outcome of the series. The Heat literally went out and did whatever it takes to win.

Does that mean the heat are a better team than the Thunder. No! In my mind, head-to-head, the Heat and the Thunder are evenly matched. No one can stop Lebron James one on one. Same can be said of Durant. No team is going to make 14 threes night in and night out. These factors were not the outcome of the series.
as said above, the Heat did whatever it takes to win.

What this means is that the Heat had a better mentality than the Thunder. Durant always says, "I'm going to keep trusting my teammates that they are going to make the shot or make the right play". That philosophy is great for teamwork. However,
What about doing whatever it takes. Sometimes that means you must step away from the "team is one" mentality and do whatever it takes to get the win. In the series at times the 3 other players were just standing and watching Russ or Durant try to make a play with 2 or 3 defenders all over them.

I think the Thunder should take this mentality a their theme for next season. If you start saying it, others will start saying it and before long everyone starts believing it.

[SoonerBoy18]

*Gives the Thunder a standing ovation* Great season, proud of our team. Building success to be continued.

[Dustin]

I hope the fans greet them at the airport! They deserve it after this outstanding season!

[OKCisOK4me]

I hope Al Gore was right about Global Heat... (pun intended)

[MonkeesFan]

Oh, I hope Perkins gets traded to Orlando, lol.

In your dreams

[Spartan]

I hope the fans greet them at the airport! They deserve it after this outstanding season!

What time?

[Dustin]

I don't know exactly. Probably around this time. 2-3AM

[OKCisOK4me]

In your dreams

Haha... I like Perk. Id honestly never wish that... ;-)

[MonkeesFan]

Haha... I like Perk. Id honestly never wish that... ;-)

Yeah but it is a shame he played horrible in the Finals, same with Harden

[BoulderSooner]

I don't know exactly. Probably around this time. 2-3AM

2pm today

[G.Walker]

I hate to say this, but this was a missed opportunity for the Thunder. I am tired of people saying that they are young, its not their time, and they will be back in the Finals next year. People just don't realize how hard it is to get a ring in the NBA. Just ask Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, the list goes on and on. Anything can happen between now and next year, players are not guaranteed to stay, injuries will come, and other teams will get better. Tomorrow is not promised, so you have to live for today.

[BoulderSooner]

I hate to say this, but this was a missed opportunity for the Thunder. I am tired of people saying that they are young, its not their time, and they will be back in the Finals next year. People just don't realize how hard it is to get a ring in the NBA. Just ask Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, the list goes on and on. Anything can happen between now and next year, players are not guaranteed to stay, injuries will come, and other teams will get better. Tomorrow is not promised, so you have to live for today.

almost all the players on our team are guaranteed to stay next year .. everyone but nazi and fisher

[G.Walker]

almost all the players on our team are guaranteed to stay next year .. everyone but nazi and fisher

Not true, any player can be traded, there all already rumors that the Westbrook for Rondo trade might be revisited.

[Lord Helmet]

I hate to say this, but this was a missed opportunity for the Thunder. I am tired of people saying that they are young, its not their time, and they will be back in the Finals next year. People just don't realize how hard it is to get a ring in the NBA. Just ask Karl Malone, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, the list goes on and on. Anything can happen between now and next year, players are not guaranteed to stay, injuries will come, and other teams will get better. Tomorrow is not promised, so you have to live for today.

Agreed. thunder will be a favorite to get back, but in this league there are no guarantees. Your list of players above might be a lot shorter if not for a Mr. Jordan.

[BoulderSooner]

Not true, any player can be traded, there all already rumors that the Westbrook for Rondo trade might be revisited.

no there is not .. not from any credible source

[kevinpate]

fwiw, I hope everyone remains.

[SoonerBoy18]

fwiw, I hope everyone remains.

Nazi has to go.

[Just the facts]

Tomorrow around 130-2pm arrival.

Anyone see the ref giving Miami Head Coach a high five?

I saw it and I think he was telling him to stay off the court.

[BoulderSooner]

Nazi has to go.

next year is the time for cole to grab the 4th post spot .. and hopefully show what he can do .... it would be ideal for him to move into the top 3 post rotation in 2 years and have us say good by to perk ..

[G.Walker]

no there is not .. not from any credible source

http://www.metro.us/boston/sports/ar...opped-up-again

I saw the actual segment and Broussard stated this trade might be revisited, and he got the information from NBA executives, so dont think everything is all lollipops and ice cream behind Thunder management doors.

[BoulderSooner]

http://www.metro.us/boston/sports/ar...opped-up-again

I saw the actual segment and Broussard stated this trade might be revisited, and he got the information from NBA executives, so dont think everything is all lollipops and ice cream behind Thunder management doors.

that is his opinion .. not based in fact ....... westbrook is not being traded unless we are getting back dwight howard

[BDK]

Why on earth would they trade the guy who brought the ruckus in the finals just to keep the guy who wilted in the finals?

[Pete]

Obtaining Perkins gave us the inside defensive to stop the Lakers and Spurs -- big improvement in that regard.

To reach the mountain top, it seems we need a scoring power forward or center. Those are hard to come by but we don't have anyone that can just muscle up the shots inside when Westbrook and Durant are struggling.



But what a fantastic run!! So incredibly exciting and since every season has been better than the last, if that trend continues we can only win it all next year. At the very least, we will be right in the middle of the hunt.

This experience will make us better even if there aren't any roster changes. And since we are younger than every other main competitor, we are likely to improve more than anyone.

[Bellaboo]

Dailythunder.com reporting plane arrives at WW at 1:30 - 2:00 pm.

If you can go out and greet, that'd be great !