****Official 2012/2013 Oklahoma City Thunder Basketball Thread****

[dankrutka]

I dont know what Scott Brooks said during that time out when Milwaukee was up by 5 with 8 minutes left in the 4th but what ever it was, hopefully he keeps it up. Very "Gregg Popovich Like".

What was "Greg Popovich like?" Talking to his team during a timeout? I think Pop is the best coach in the NBA, but he gets credit for breathing these days. Brooks (incredibly) out coached him in the WCFs last year...

[Anonymous.]

I feel like Harden and Thabo are the only reason we beat the Spurs last playoffs.

[dankrutka]

I feel like Harden and Thabo are the only reason we beat the Spurs last playoffs.

Well, I'd argue that Kevin Durant played a large role. Lol.

I just can't help but think that if we still had Harden we'd be very similar to Miami right now instead of one of many teams that could win the west. I was always in favor of keeping Harden this season and next (with a max contract), we'd have to pay the luxury tax next season (which we should be able to afford with the gigantic profits the team has taken in with cheap contracts in recent seasons), and then trade Harden when his value would be sky high after next season. I just don't think this team can beat the Heat in a series.

The playoffs will determine whether the trade was successful.

[Teo9969]

Well, I'd argue that Kevin Durant played a large role. Lol.

I just can't help but think that if we still had Harden we'd be very similar to Miami right now instead of one of many teams that could win the west. I was always in favor of keeping Harden this season and next (with a max contract), we'd have to pay the luxury tax next season (which we should be able to afford with the gigantic profits the team has taken in with cheap contracts in recent seasons), and then trade Harden when his value would be sky high after next season. I just don't think this team can beat the Heat in a series.

The playoffs will determine whether the trade was successful.

No.

The next 5 years will determine whether the trade was successful.

[dankrutka]

No.

The next 5 years will determine whether the trade was successful.

Well, I don't totally disagree, but if we tank out early in this playoffs then it will appear that we gave up a legitimate title shot THIS season. Real shots at titles don't come around every year.

[Teo9969]

Well, I don't totally disagree, but if we tank out early in this playoffs then it will appear that we gave up a legitimate title shot THIS season. Real shots at titles don't come around every year.

OKC is for sure not going to lose the 1st round.

Memphis and San Antonio are the only 2 teams that one could reasonably expect to beat OKC out of the West, and I think even Memphis would fail to pull it out over the course of a series. But OKC may well not even draw Memphis in their "bracket".

Come the playoffs, I expect OKC to simply out talent everyone except for the Spurs and Miami. And I even expect them to out talent the Spurs...it's just the Spurs play so well within their system that OKC will have to really play well within their own to pull out a W.

If OKC makes it back to the WCF this year, and I think they will, I'd consider this season successful enough.

[Anonymous.]

OKC has a good chance at taking the #1 spot on Thursday. Spurs lost last night to the Heat at home.

Spurs play in Memphis tonight, then fly to Orlando to play the Magic on Wednesday and finish the back-to-back Thursday night here in OKC.


I feel like we need HCA way more this season than last, Harden took over game 5 in San Antonio last season. I know we can beat them, but being at home would sure be a good help.

[Anonymous.]

Grizzlies helped us out tonight. Spurs now just 1 game ahead of OKC. Thursday is a MUST win... We have had 4 days of rest and Spurs will be on game 4 in 5 nights.

[SoonerBoy18]

Grizzlies helped us out tonight. Spurs now just 1 game ahead of OKC. Thursday is a MUST win... We have had 4 days of rest and Spurs will be on game 4 in 5 nights.

But its pretty stupid how the schedule makers made the schedule because The Spurs will win against Orlando the night before they come to Okla.City I wish we could have at least played one weak team before we played the Spurs so it can be all tied right before we face off for the final time in the reg. season

[ljbab728]

But its pretty stupid how the schedule makers made the schedule because The Spurs will win against Orlando the night before they come to Okla.City I wish we could have at least played one weak team before we played the Spurs so it can be all tied right before we face off for the final time in the reg. season

Obviously the schedule makers knew before the season how this would work out just to frustrate the Thunder. LOL

[Mississippi Blues]

Obviously the schedule makers knew before the season how this would work out just to frustrate the Thunder. LOL

[dankrutka]

OKC is for sure not going to lose the 1st round.

Just to clarify, I didn't say 1st round. But 2nd round against Memphis, the Clippers, or Nuggets is not a sure thing. We'll see...

[dankrutka]

Obviously the schedule makers knew before the season how this would work out just to frustrate the Thunder. LOL

Don't understand what you're saying. Not sure why playing an easy team would help anything.

[ljbab728]

Don't understand what you're saying. Not sure why playing an easy team would help anything.

I didn't say that at all. I was making light of SoonerBoy's theory. I have no problems with the schedule.

[Anonymous.]

Honestly the Thunder should be any amount of scared of is the Grizzlies, Spurs, and Nugs.

Theories:


[if we get #1 and win round 1] Clippers and Grizzlies have had epic battles in round 1, they will destroy each other. If the Clips end up beating the Griz (like they did last season) Then we stomp the Clips easy. If we have to play MEM, we better hope they are worn down.

Thunder stomps Lakers or Dallas; slightly more difficult vs Jazz (they match against us well).

I think our worst chances are against a Houston or Golden State sleeper team [This is another reason why I want #1 seed].

Another scenario to ponder, if we are #1 and the Lakers somehow pull it off to get the 8 spot, I have an underlying fear of conspiracy officiating pushing the Lakers past us.


I don't know about you guys, but if the standings stay like they are and we end up the #2 seed - I think we are going to have trouble in round 2 - because that means we are playing Nuggets or Warriors, and Nuggets have our number as of late.

[Teo9969]

Kilgore, I knew you were talking about a 2nd round exit.

Glad that we get the Spurs in a similar situation to what they were given when we played them in SA last month (we were playing 4th game in 5 nights and the 2nd night of a back to back...on the road).

For those of you taking them seriously, here's why I'm not scared of Denver: Who do they have that will absolutely take over a game against playoff defense? It's the thing people just forget about when watching the regular season, but every single team's defense rises to whole new levels when the post-season starts. Think back to last year's playoffs: How many unreal shots do you see on a regular basis from the KD's, LBJ's, Tony Parker's, Nowitzki's of the world? There are so many of them that it becomes common place to think they are going in, but it's the only thing that really separates these teams from the Indianas, Golden States, and Denvers of the NBA. I mean, seriously, I seen exactly 1 game this year where Collison has played like he plays in the playoffs, and that was the other night against Memphis...Teams are going to have to beat a Collison, Sefolosha, and Ibaka that are all playing their hardest and have plenty of time to scout the other team's offense.

Scout Kevin Durant all you want, but if his shot is falling, there is no defender on the planet that can stop him.

Ty Lawson is their best shot at that kind of offensive player...that's not good odds for them.

[dankrutka]

I didn't say that at all. I was making light of SoonerBoy's theory. I have no problems with the schedule.

Apologies. I meant to respond to his comment, not yours.

[dankrutka]

I agree that I'm skeptical of the Nuggets until they do it, but I'm not writing them off either. They remind me of the 2004 Pistons team which didn't have a superstar either. If you put a gun to my head if say the Thunder will make the Dinals again, but I don't have a ton of confidence.

I actually want Utah in the 1st round. They don't scare me.

[Bill Robertson]

But its pretty stupid how the schedule makers made the schedule because The Spurs will win against Orlando the night before they come to Okla.City I wish we could have at least played one weak team before we played the Spurs so it can be all tied right before we face off for the final time in the reg. season

One weak team? The Thunder haven't played a team that's above .500 since Memphis on March 20th. 5 games against pretty weak teams since then.

[SoonerDave]

Grizzlies helped us out tonight. Spurs now just 1 game ahead of OKC. Thursday is a MUST win... We have had 4 days of rest and Spurs will be on game 4 in 5 nights.

And Ginobli's hamstring appears poised to send him to an extended absence that may creep all the way into the playoffs. This is a *monstrous* break for the Thunder. We *must* take advantage of it.

My biggest concerns overall for the Thunder overall this postseason? 1. Miami. Don't know if anyone can win 4 out of 7 against them. 2. Bench. Thunder bench is a shadow of last year's, IMHO. Trying not to say the "H-word," but you know how that is...

[Anonymous.]

One thing we know for sure, you can't do much worse than Harden did in the Finals. I Think Martin is way less emotional and thus will be able to take over parts of the game with his icy cold daggers.

I like it when Reggie runs the point with Martin on the floor, Russell does not do a very good job finding Martin.


But this conversation is still a few months down the road

[dankrutka]

One thing we know for sure, you can't do much worse than Harden did in the Finals. I Think Martin is way less emotional and thus will be able to take over parts of the game with his icy cold daggers.

I like it when Reggie runs the point with Martin on the floor, Russell does not do a very good job finding Martin.

But this conversation is still a few months down the road

Yeah, but we wouldn't have made the Finals without Harden. He's a considerably better player than Martin.

Our bench would be vastly improved if Reggie took all of Fisher's minutes. Fisher might be the worst player in the NBA that gets minutes for a contender. If Brooks continues to play him it could cost us. It's even more ridiculous considering how well Reggie is playing now. Brooks could be OKC's biggest liability in the playoffs.

[Anonymous.]

Yup, it boggles my mind that Brooks sat Maynor only 2 months into the season after performing mediocre, now Maynor is playing quite well considering he is recovering for Portland.

Now you simply replace Fisher into Maynor's spot and now it makes no sense. Fisher has done ZERO things for the last 3 weeks, he had that one week where he was hitting some shots. But now he does nothing.


At no point should Fisher ever be out there unless Reggie or Russell are injured. Playing Fisher as a shooting guard (which is what Brooks is doing) is INCORRECT! Lamb is a shooting guard, why not play him in this position?! What ever happened to Liggins!?

Yea yea, I keep repeating the same thing every time we speak of Fisher, but it is astronomically frustrating.


I feel like Presti signed Fisher on, as a backup just in case something happened to one of our PGs... I don't think he realized Brooks would give the useless SOB 15 minutes per game.. Ridiculous.

[Bill Robertson]

I think Fisher did make a difference last year and was happy to see him come back. That has since changed. I have to agree with everyone that he has brought nothing this year. Reggie needs to be on the floor those minutes.

About Maynor. I don't know if Brooks gave him enough time or not. I do know there are players in every pro sport that play really well for one team and then go to another and do nothing. And vice versa.

[Anonymous.]

Well Dallas pretty much lost their playoff hopes last night. Lakers blew them out in LA.

So basically the Lakers and Jazz are tied for 8th seed right now.



This is setting the stage for several things:

Scenario 1: We beat Spurs Thursday night (great chance @ #1 seed)

We then play Lakers or Jazz.


Scenario 2: We lose to the Spurs Thursday or lose some of the easier games remaining on OKC schedule (Knicks and Pacers are statistical hardest opponents remaining)

We then most likely play Houston.


I think (no, I KNOW) we want the first scenario, Harden can take over games and the Rockets have shown strength versus the Spurs. So we have a good shot at having Spurs knocked out early, and if not - at least we don't have to deal with the Rockets.

I still go back to a fear in my head that if the Lakers make the 8 spot, whoever is #1 is going to be playing against some really bad officiating.