OKC Thunder 2014 - 2015

[PWitty]

There was a stretch a couple months back where Russ was averaging around 35 shots per game, and when I called that out for being excessive you disagreed. It's not like a 43 shot game is out of left field. Russ is a high volume shooter and he always has been. Hence, the pleasure. I think I said the same thing back then, but just because a guy fills the assist column doesn't mean he is keeping everyone involved. When you're the sole ball handler on an up-tempo team you're bound to end up with assists unless you literally never pass the ball. My biggest critique of Russ is his bad decisions. I get that his aggressiveness is what makes him special but he's experienced enough now that he should be better at keeping his bad decisions in check. He still takes far too many risks on defense (causing others to over help and leave their man wide open) and far too many bad shots.

As for the last two games, I'm not going to root against the Thunder so I say let things play out and what happens happens. But what would end the season on the best note from a morale standpoint? Missing the playoffs and going into the offseason feeling slighted by the injury bug, or making the playoffs and (potentially) getting it handed to you by the Warriors while also feeling slighted by the injury bug? They both suck.

I'm also expecting Russ to have 10 assists in the first quarter. It seems like every time there is a debate over his shot attempts he comes out completely focused on passing the ball.

[PWitty]

Aparently Kobe Bryant is good with it: https://twitter.com/kobebryant/statu...84147516190720

I was so close to posting that myself, haha.

[okatty]

What a competitor - I heard a national commentator say today that if Thunder is on TV he cannot miss game for one reason - to watch Russell Westbrook.

Russell Westbrook will not settle for ninth - Oklahoma City Thunder Blog - ESPN

[dankrutka]

Ha ha. Well, Kobe has become an inefficient chucker late in his career. Lol. Anyway, I certainly did not try to make any of this a referendum on Westbrook, who I think is a top 5-10 player that I've long defended. I wouldn't have thought it would be controversial to suggest that shooting at an historically unprecedented volume is probably not in the best interest of the team. Anyway, Aldridge is out so let's unite around going 2-0 and the Spurs beating NOLA on Wednesday. And then let's unite on Ibaka returning and us causing the Warriors some problems...

[dankrutka]

All comes down to Wednesday night. Thunder have to win at Minnesota and the Pelicans have to lose to the Spurs at home for the Thunder to get in. The Spurs are playing for the 2 seed so they should be taking the game seriously.

Next question: How is Ibaka progressing?!?

[Laramie]

San Antonio Spurs are currently tied with the Los Angeles Clippers 55 - 26 .679, Clippers have Phoenix left on their schedule. Spurs own the season series against the Clippers 2 - 1 as the tie breaker.

Will Popovich rest his players on the road @ New Orleans?

A win, the Spurs finish 2nd, open playoffs (2 vs. 7 - Dallas.)_
A loss, the Spurs could finish 3rd & open playoffs against (3 vs. Memphis.)

Conference - Eastern & Western playoff schedule:

1 vs. 8
2 vs. 7
3 vs. 6
4 vs. 5

Houston vs. Memphis series tied 2 - 2.

NBA Playoff Tiebreakers: How Do They Work?

1. Division winner (this criteria is applied regardless of the division assignment of each NBA team).

Southwest Division
San Antonio 55 26 .679 @ New Orleans
Houston 55 26 .679 ...home vs. Utah
Memphis 54 27 .667 GB - 1 ...home vs. Indiana

2. Better record in head-to-head games

San Antonio vs. Dallas
Series tied 2 - 2

Won - 101 - 100
Loss - 93 - 99
Loss - 94 - 101
Won - 94 - 76

San Antonio vs. Memphis
Series tied 2 - 2

Won 107 - 101
Loss 116 - 117
Loss 87 - 95
Won 103 - 89

San Antonio vs. Houston
Spurs lead series 3 - 1

Loss 98 - 81
Won 110-106
Won 110-98
Won 104-103

3. Higher winning percentage within division (if teams are in the same division)
4. Higher winning percentage in conference games
5. Higher winning percentage against playoff teams in own conference
6. Higher winning percentage against playoff teams in opposite conference

Complicated situation in which the last game of the season could change the playoff positions in the Western Conference.

[Urbanized]

Pop's not resting anybody. He wants to lock the two seed.

[Bullbear]

Pop's not resting anybody. He wants to lock the two seed.

that is certinaly my hope..

[Bill Robertson]

I would't bet on it but the Clippers could lose tonight then the Spurs don't have to win tomorrow. I think I'm a Suns fan today.

[Anonymous.]

I would't bet on it but the Clippers could lose tonight then the Spurs don't have to win tomorrow. I think I'm a Suns fan today.

What? You want OKC to miss the playoffs that badly that you are hoping the Suns beat the Clippers, so the Spurs rest against the Pelicans?

[okatty]

Wed night is shaping up to be a fun viewing night! Hopefully it's fun anyway.

The Sat radio poll question on NBA Radio today was who we would you rather watch in the playoffs Russell or Anthony Davis. They were taking callers and interesting to hear views from other cities about RW. One guy said its like playing against the Tasmanian Devil. It might feel like that sometimes!

[Bill Robertson]

What? You want OKC to miss the playoffs that badly that you are hoping the Suns beat the Clippers, so the Spurs rest against the Pelicans?

OMG!!!!! I must not have been awake yet when I typed that. Noooooooooo!!!!!!! I want the stars to align and the Thunder to go as far as possible. I'm going to go give myself lashes or something.

[okatty]

Russ pretty much has scoring title sewn up. If he goes SCORELESS tonight, Harden needs 35 to overtake him. With a 15 point game by RW - Harden would need 53 to catch him and so on....

[Anonymous.]

Clips beat the Suns, so it is on the Spurs to beat NOP tonight to get the #2 seed.

Would be a shame if Spurs beat the Pelicans, and the Thunder goes on to lay an egg in Minnesota.

[okatty]

Spurs favored by 5.5 tonight over Pelicans in NO and Thunder favored by 13 @ Wolves. Hopefully favs hold serve.

[Teo9969]

Minnesota winning could cost them the leagues 30th winning %. OKC **SHOULD** be going to the playoffs. This season hasn't exactly given us what **SHOULD** happen :-/.

[dankrutka]

Minnesota winning could cost them the leagues 30th winning %. OKC **SHOULD** be going to the playoffs. This season hasn't exactly given us what **SHOULD** happen :-/.

Minnesota definitely wants to lose. They'll have the worst record & best lottery odds. They're holding out most of their team and will barely have enough players. A loss would be embarrassing.

[okatty]

Funny match-up of the night in NBA is Miami v Sixers. Miami almost certainly loses a draft pick if they win. And Sixers want to lose to increase their lottery odds. Score may be in the 50's. Think i'd take the under in that game.

[Tigerguy]

Welp...

[Jake]

[okatty]

Think of all that money we are saving not buying playoff tiks.

[jn1780]

Now what? Anyone remember what we used to do here in the city in late April and May before the Thunder started making it to the playoffs?

[Dustin]

Think of all that money we are saving not buying playoff tiks.

Think of all the money DT businesses are losing because we aren't in the playoffs.... Lol

[okatty]

Think of all the money DT businesses are losing because we aren't in the playoffs.... Lol

Very true! I'd gladly buy those tiks! Golf anyone? Ride river trail? All sorts of time to burn with no BB now.

[Teo9969]

I predict the most productive spring in OKC in quite some time :-P