OKC Thunder 2013 - 2014

[dankrutka]

Serge is listed as day-to-day now.

That's crazy. I didn't think there was anyway he'd even be close to playing in this series. Very glad I was wrong. The big question is, how much will it hurt his athleticism if he can play?

[Anonymous.]

DAM! I knew it!

This large break between Game 2 and 3 could make this a series.

In Ibaka we trust.

[AP]

Royce Young says might be as soon as Game 3. That would be huge.

[Just the facts]

The Spurs consistently apply basketball principles that you are taught in junior high which we rarely, much less consistently, use.
--block out
--it's faster to pass the ball down the court than dribble it. This is why the Spurs set up their offence so much faster than we do.
--in the half court...stay spaced. We have some of the worst spacing I have ever seen...which is what happens when you don't run plays and people are just standing around
--we throw temper tantrums like little kids

All 4 points are spot on. For item 2, we do the exact opposite by letting Durant bring the ball up the court and when we do the ball travels more vertically than it does horizontally. It is amazing how fast the Spurs get back on offense (usually why RW is still on the other baseline arguing about a no-call).

[Laramie]

'Pass the ball' (sounding like a damsel in distress)...

Come on State Farm; this sequel 'byproduct' on Chris & Cliff is just plain stale. There are only so many commercials that you can produce with this individual 'looking stupid' at himself...

Right after he invented the pass he invented the flop.

Looked like on the Ibaka injury; Chris Paul attempted one of his infamous flops when his legs got tangled with those of Serge. Not to put the blame on Paul, but if that was the play in which Ibaka was injured--it sure looked as though Paul wanted the official's attention.

http://www.nba.com/video/channels/nb...ka-injury.nba/

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[trousers]

All 4 points are spot on. For item 2, we do the exact opposite by letting Durant bring the ball up the court and when we do the ball travels more vertically than it does horizontally. It is amazing how fast the Spurs get back on offense (usually why RW is still on the other baseline arguing about a no-call).

It takes us forever to get the ball down the court. It's either a full fast break or a slow stroll down the court. We give every defense time to set up.
Get the ball down the floor, if no opening then set up your play. The quick movement down the floor is what creates mismatches.

[Urbanized]

It's because the Thunder always moves the ball up the court with the dribble. The ball moves faster via pass than it does via dribble. It's why the Spurs - as slow as they are - catch the Thunder on their heels on defense. The Spurs pass. The Thunder doesn't. It's as simple as that.

[Urbanized]

And by the way, the Thunder doesn't pass, not because of "selfishness," but because the scorers have no options to pass TO. Guys don't hit their spots, they don't move without the ball, they stand around, and usually 3 of the 5 guys on the floor are zero threat to score. It's why KD and Russ are always playing "hero ball"; they have no other options. The other team's defense doesn't have to account for anyone other than the two All-Stars. When KD is blanketed via double-team or elite defender - or simply in a funk or pouting - Russ has one option: Russ.

The team often (usually?) doesn't have discipline, offensive sets OR the right guys on the floor. Recipe for disaster.

[BoulderSooner]

And by the way, the Thunder doesn't pass, not because of "selfishness," but because the scorers have no options to pass TO. Guys don't hit their spots, they don't move without the ball, they stand around, and usually 3 of the 5 guys on the floor are zero threat to score. It's why KD and Russ are always playing "hero ball"; they have no other options. The other team's defense doesn't have to account for anyone other than the two All-Stars. When KD is blanketed via double-team or elite defender - or simply in a funk or pouting - Russ has one option: Russ.

The team often (usually?) doesn't have discipline, offensive sets OR the right guys on the floor. Recipe for disaster.

and they have had a top 2 O in the league in both of the last 2 years ... and they were top 7 this year even with out russ ..

[Urbanized]

The scoring ability of Russ and especially KD usually covers for the lack of offense from the rest of the team. USUALLY. It leads to teammates and coaches becoming complacent. "Hey, we've got KD. He'll bail us out..."

The only player on that team who NEVER slips into complacency is Russ.

[Jake]

Starting lineup is awful offensively, even with Ibaka. Ibaka can only score when someone feeds him the ball and when he has an open jumper. He's not a back to the basket kind of scorer. (if he was, it'd help a lot) Perkins obviously isn't good offensively and Sefolosha is probably the worst offensive SG I have ever seen. The starting 5 basically has 2.5 people who can score.

This needs to be fixed this offseason. If this team can have a top 10 offense with 2 offensive liabilities in the starting lineup, imagine if all 5 players could make some shots.

[ljbab728]

This doesn't win anyone any games but it's fun.

[Laramie]

Ibaka going down and forcing someone else to start does not = adjustments. If anything, Jones should be starting for Ibaka, he is the closest replacement.

Brooks set us up for this disaster by not playing Lamb, Jones, Adams (hell even Roberson) in any regular season meaningful minutes. Lamb had that random spurt of games where he got minutes, then stopped knocking down shots. Brooks removed him and never gave him another chance.

Brooks only makes a change when someone was hurt, that's why guys this season got minutes. Not because Brooks wanted to build these players to shine on the big stage.

Look @ Green for the Spurs. That is our Lamb. From scrub to star, but not under Brook's watch.

Let's look at this situation from another perspective.

When someone goes down, whatever replacement you make is an adjustment; as to whether or not it is effective is another question. Would someone like to make a suggestion? Why would you make changes when you're successful with what works?

Development of players like Lamb depends on Lamb who needs to continue to improve to earn those minutes. Scott Brooks has done a good job with what he has. How many teams lose a key player like Ibaka and open the conference finals on the road against a veteran (full roster) team like the Spurs with success?

Some of the players acquired by the Spurs occurred when Sam Presti was on their staff. Small market teams build primarily through the draft. It's takes time for small markets like OKC to build through the draft and acquire an occasional pick up (Caron Butler); you can't turn a player like Lamb into a Danny Green (4-year veteran) overnight and come anywhere close to a 60 win season.

Starting lineup is awful offensively, even with Ibaka. Ibaka can only score when someone feeds him the ball and when he has an open jumper. He's not a back to the basket kind of scorer. (if he was, it'd help a lot) Perkins obviously isn't good offensively and Sefolosha is probably the worst offensive SG I have ever seen. The starting 5 basically has 2.5 people who can score.

This needs to be fixed this offseason. If this team can have a top 10 offense with 2 offensive liabilities in the starting lineup, imagine if all 5 players could make some shots.

They do need to explore some future strategy to give them some offensive fire power for next season.

Our lineup is venerable at this stage because despite beating the Spurs four straight in the regular season; Coach Popovich has tweaked his lineup and focused the pressure on Durant and Westbrook; they know we have nothing else to offer from our starting five. They (Spurs) have exploited the loss of Ibaka whether Popovich wants to admit it or not.

Our bench has been competitive; two scorers among the starters are not going to beat the weapon-laced Spurs team.

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[Mel]

Coach has got to dial in to this team. We have played them twice and it's time for a change. Pops knows how to play us. Time for Brooks to do some changing.

[Dustin]

Serge is back and is perfect so far!

4/4

[ljbab728]

A ray of sunshine for the Thunder tonight which will put a little doubt in the minds of the Spurs.

[Pete]

Back in business!

Different team with Ibaka.

If we can win the next one, I really like our chances.

[AFCM]

I was unable to watch the game. Was Ibaka really the difference, or did the Spurs just happen to have an off-night (or the Thunder just happen to have an on-night) while Serge was on the court?


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[ljbab728]

I was unable to watch the game. Was Ibaka really the difference, or did the Spurs just happen to have an off-night (or the Thunder just happen to have an on-night) while Serge was on the court?


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Serge wasn't totally THE difference but he had a major affect on the outcome. The Thunder caused the Spurs to have an off-night just like they have for eight games in a row at the Peak.

[DavidD_NorthOKC]

I think Popovich telling the Spurs "you know Serge is coming" in a time out huddle says a lot about Ibaka's impact.

[Laramie]

Welcome back,

Serge Ibaka!!!


San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder - Box Score - May 25, 2014 - ESPN

"Oklahoma City looks oh-so pretty... ...as I get my kicks on Route 66." --Nat King Cole.

[AFCM]

Serge wasn't totally THE difference but he had a major affect on the outcome. The Thunder caused the Spurs to have an off-night just like they have for eight games in a row at the Peak.

Awesome. Thank you for the feedback.


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[soonerguru]

I was unable to watch the game. Was Ibaka really the difference, or did the Spurs just happen to have an off-night (or the Thunder just happen to have an on-night) while Serge was on the court?


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Without him, we probably would have lost, so yes. We need his presence in the paint and his deadeye shooting inside the arc.

[Just the facts]

I was unable to watch the game. Was Ibaka really the difference, or did the Spurs just happen to have an off-night (or the Thunder just happen to have an on-night) while Serge was on the court?

Serge was 100% the difference. Durant and Westbrook were turnover machines with no offence in the first quarter, while Ibaka was nailing down jumpers, rebounding, blocking shots, and getting lose balls. At one point RW was 1-8 and Ibaka was 5-5.

[BrettM2]

We are now 1-0 when I return for a game. #you'rewelcomeOKC