OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[dankrutka]

There is zero chance Ibaka returns for this series. The Finals are an outside possibility, but not this series.

[s00nr1]

Same starting five tonight. #Facepalm

[warreng88]

Does anyone remember KD playing in Rucker Park where he scored 66? I think it is a thing there that once someone starts to get on fire, the whole crowd starts to increase the noise, not like on defense, but more of "Yeah" sound and then erupt when he makes a basket. Here is the link to the video, skip to 3:45 and again around 4:15 and you can see the sound I am talking about.

KD Rucker Park - YouTube

I think if a few people could start to do that Sunday night, it would catch on quickly and be great to see on national TV.

[Just the facts]

Here are the JTF keys to Thunder victory.

1) Westbrook needs to drive to the basket on every possession - preferably right at Parker. Get the Spurs in foul trouble early and often.
2) Durant either needs to shoot the second he touches the ball or pass it. He is a turnover waiting to happen. He should have the ball in his hands no more than 3 seconds per possession.
3) Block out on the defensive rebounds (someone needs to show Perk what that is because he never does it).

[s00nr1]

#1 is an absolute must. Russ can get to the rim anytime he wants against SA as was proven in the 3rd quarter of game 1.

#2 -- never understood why KD doesn't play off the ball in the post. OKC had only 7 turnovers at the point they took the lead with 4 mins left in the 3rd and then turned it over 3 straight possessions. Killer.

#3 -- I actually thought Perk played decently in game 1. Perk on Duncan is probably our best defensive advantage in the series as silly as that sounds. SA's best minutes after we had taken the lead came with Duncan on the bench.

[dankrutka]

With this same starting 5, Thabo needs to shoot the 3 and not pump fake and settle for a 15 foot 2. He's too hesitant. He's not a good shooter, but he needs to shoot with confidence. If he's missing bad then he just can't stay in the game. He has to be at least a threat. Collison needs to create some plays passing and get some garbage buckets. His shot looks bad and that shouldn't be his primary offensive contribution. He also needs to just give up on the 3 point shot. Play sound defense and let's do this.

[Richard at Remax]

I would be surprised if they didn't feed Thabo a few shots right off the back to see if he is a go or not. and he can't take up a whole shot clock to wind up his shot either.

[Anonymous.]

Wow no Butler or PJ in the starting lineup?

Brooks seriously will not make a change until faced with elimination.

Here is to another terrible start to tonight's game.

[blangtang]

Thunder play better:

1) With a lead
2) From behind

What do you all say?

[Just the facts]

Here are the JTF keys to Thunder victory.

1) Westbrook needs to drive to the basket on every possession - preferably right at Parker. Get the Spurs in foul trouble early and often.
2) Durant either needs to shoot the second he touches the ball or pass it. He is a turnover waiting to happen. He should have the ball in his hands no more than 3 seconds per possession.
3) Block out on the defensive rebounds (someone needs to show Perk what that is because he never does it).

Clearly the Thunder didn't listen to me.

[ljbab728]

Clearly the Thunder didn't listen to me.

That seems to be a common occurrence, Kerry.

[Jake]

Embarrassing.

[zookeeper]

Clearly the Thunder didn't listen to me.

But, how about Steven Adams? Six rebounds against the Spurs and seven points in his 24 minutes. What a pick he was. Everybody was right about his free-throw shooting though.

[mugofbeer]

Yeesh......clearly they miss Ibaka a lot more than they missed Westbrook earlier in the year. They are looking pretty well done.

[zookeeper]

Yeesh......clearly they miss Ibaka a lot more than they missed Westbrook earlier in the year. They are looking pretty well done.

I don't think it's as much about Ibaka as it is Durant and Westbrook going 1 for 10 from three point and the team going 2 for 17. Sometimes they fall and sometimes...

Edit - Make that 2 for 19.

[OSUMom]

They dug themselves this hole when they went that huge stretch when, every time, Westbrook would take the ball down and jack a three point shot. Every. single. Time. Then Durant decided to get into the fun and HE started jacking three point shots. Every. Single. Time.

[OKVision4U]

They dug themselves this hole when they went that huge stretch when, every time, Westbrook would take the ball down and jack a three point shot. Every. single. Time. Then Durant decided to get into the fun and HE started jacking three point shots. Every. Single. Time.

..and that is the reason you need a coach that the Thunder respect.

Also, getting beat is one thing. Getting run out of the gym is another. We lost and lost heart at the same time. THAT is where a coach should get in their grill and demonstrate to them that WE DONT LOSE LIKE THAT HERE. 35 point loss? No excuse.

[OKVision4U]

Brooks was sitting on the bench in the 4th qtr....how does he do that? ... that is accepting defeat.

I guess they are just gonna "flip on the switch in OKC" and play better.

Brooks, you may need put a fire under them or SA will sweep ya in 4.

[s00nr1]

So much to say about the worst loss in FRANCHISE HISTORY (regular or postseason). This much is for sure:

1. Presti has been given too much credit. There is simply no two-way talent behind Ibaka and that falls solely on him. This team was severely damaged during the 2012 offseason after a trip to the NBA Finals. Sure, Adams is looking like a nice pick but Presti traded away a top 10 player in the league for a "nice pick."

2. OKC has a coach that simply cannot adjust on the fly. He inserts PJ3 into the game in the 2nd quarter and Tony Parker covers him for 8 straight possessions. Brooks didn't call for the ball to go to him ONCE....even as simply a decoy. Why even bring Perry in??

3. The type of basketball OKC plays is not going to win them a title. Period. Poor defense is not a playoff issue -- it was an issue ALL season (worst in the league in 3-pt defense, and also worst team in the league in allowing uncontested shots). Turnovers....are not a playoff issue (been a problem EVERY year under Brooks and has not improved).

Ask yourself this question -- if Chris Bosh gets injured, does Lebron allow a game like this to happen? Do the Heat lose by 35? No chance. The "team" aspect went out the window when Presti traded an all-star away for pennies. No elite, championship-caliber team suffers double-digit deficits in 9 of its 15 playoff games. It is clear a change at the top is necessary. Plain and simple.

[Mel]

Didn't care for that game much at all.

[SOONER8693]

Didn't care for that game much at all.

Right now you're looking at a 4 game sweep by the Spurs. And what is most irritating, the Thunder players don't seem to be bothered by all this too much.

[SoonerBoy18]

That Scott Brooks press conf. Done it for me. It is seriously time to fire this man. We are constantly getting EMPTY minutes from Thabo, Collison and Perkins. Smh.

[zookeeper]

The team's chemistry was poor, the coach has to take some blame for that as well.

For example, Russell Westbrook yelling at Durant telling him to "wake-up!" while pointing to his head. Frustration.
You can watch it here.
https://vine.co/v/MH9H1vvO1Qe

[OKCJapan]

The last few posts have some validity to them. However, I really think everyone is missing the main point. We do not have a back-up for Ibaka. Some sports analysts assessed rightly when they said it was a MAJOR blow to the team. He brings so much to both end of the floor. Much more on the defensive end. If he was playing, I think SA does not have as many point in the paint in game one. Tonight's game is was just a confirmation of how much Ibaka impacts a game with the ability to score and rebound. He could have been that third option tonight in the to help curb the tidal wave they got hit with in the third Quarter. I think the Thunder can win these next two games at home, However, they wont win if #0 and #35 do not shoot well.

Right now The Thunder are probably the 3rd best team in the Playoffs. Behind Miami and San Antonio. San Antonio just turns it up a couple of notches in the post-season. I think everyone has come to grips with we are a post-Harden team. For San Antonio Tim and Manu have about 2 to 3 years left. After that, It doesn't matter what anybody says concerning Pop's offense that it is so good they don't need Tim or Manu; they will drop a couple of notches in the West. At that point, as long as we can keep the core in tact, develop the talent already on board, maybe add a couple of valuable players from free agency, then I think we will be the favorites to win a title not just a contender. So, we will have to be a bit more patient.

One point mentioned in a recent post that I would tend to agree with, is that Scott Brooks can at many times can be a very poor Playoffs coach. I do not think there is a negative sentiment in the organization that would move Presti to make a coaching change though. At lest not at this point. So, I think we will have to be patient Thunder fans for at least a couple more years.

Well, after saying all that, I hope the Thunder can find something defensively in Ibaka's absence to turn things around in games 3 and 4. Without Home advantage, I just don't see us going back to SA and getting one there this time around. I hope the Thunder prove me wrongs though. Thunder UP!

[venture]

Hypothetical, and it might have been discussed already, say Brooks is let go. Fisher is being discussed for a coaching position somewhere. Would he be a good (or bad) choice for OKC to have some ease in the transition or would it just be awkward?