Now that’s the way to take some positive feelings into the summer. The Thunder absolutely embarrassed the Clippers Wednesday night in the season finale by a season-high 41 points, 126-85, and did it with a certain flash and flair.
It was a high-flying, high-intensity all-out assault that was as much fun to watch as any game this season. I seriously think the Thunder may have had something like 40 dunks (actually it was 14). They were coming from everywhere. Shaun Livingston’s awesome oop from Earl Watson. D.J. White’s two-hand destruction barreling down the lane. Russell Westbrook’s double-clutch lob in the third that he followed with a soaring flush that he capped with a little airplane strut. Jeff Green’s aggressive follow-up flush. And on and on and on. Those were just the best ones. I’ve got a post all ready to go for Thursday with the top 10 Thunder moments of the season, but I may have to revise and just post the game film from this game.
I really expected the team to come out with great effort as a way to show unwavering support of Scott Brooks. Boy, they sure did. Backing your leader with a 41-point destruction is a pretty good statement. And it’s good momentum to carry into the offseason. Now the team goes into the next couple months with a direction, a purpose and the feeling that something good is happening.
But man, the Clippers. I’ve read Bill Simmons’ rants about this group, but geez. That was such a poor effort. It’s really hard to describe it unless you watched it. Now a lot of it had to do with the Thunder’s excellent focus, intensity and execution, but a lot of it also had to with the Clippers lack thereof. I had to check and see if P.J. Carlesimo was coaching them. I suppose Mike Dunleavy is in the same ballpark. If the Thunder were sticking up for Coach Scotty, I think the Clips were doing the opposite for their guy.
It was actually a little eye-opening to watch. We’ve watched OKC get walloped by 30 before, but never with that poor of an effort. I’ve been frustrated sometimes with OKC’s effort and intensity, but it’s never looked that bad. The Clippers were literally were standing and watching the Thunder fly by and rise for uncontested dunks. For a second I thought I was watching the Rookie/Sophomore game or pre-game warmups. Brian Davis put it pretty well: “This is sad. This is just sad.” And in a way, I felt sorry for the Clips. Especially a guy like Eric Gordon who has ridiculous talent that’s trapped in that mess.
- Nick Collison is maybe the most boring dunker on the planet. He goes straight up and just puts the ball in. It’s kind of a perfect summation of his game – no flash, no pizzazz, just getting the job done. He grabs the back of the rim so there’s no give and he never “rocks” it if you know what I mean. It obviously doesn’t matter because it all counts for the same amount, but I’ve been waiting all year to say that.
- Shaun Livingston played his first game back in the Staples Center since his horrific injury. And he played like he had something to prove. He got his first start and played extremely well – six points, seven rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes. And a hair-raising dunk to go with it.
- D.J. White everybody! He had 15 and 11 off the bench in 24 minutes and looked great doing it. He has a great little 12-foot jumpshot and can get inside and score. But the best part was the way he hit the glass hard and even blocked three shots. Remember, he’s only played a handful of games and now he’ll have a summer to work and improve and I think next year he could be a major part in this team’s success.
- That first half was awesome. OKC scored 60 points, shot 53 percent, outrebound LA by 10, had 25 dunks and just turned it over three times. And the second half was just as good with 66 points. The Thunder shot 54 percent for the game, outrebounded the Clips 49-32 and had 17 steals. Yeah, good game.
- Westbrook can shoot a high percentage when he’s dunking it all the time. But seriously, great closing game by Russ. He had 14 points, seven assists, five boards and just two turns. He brought wonderful energy early crashing the boards and flying all over the defensive end. He also played in all 82 games this season, the only Thunder-er to do so.
- Nice to KD return to KD-like form. 26 points (8-15, 2-3 from three), nine boards, three assists and four boards. And Jeff Green was back to form with 19 points and five rebounds. Though he did have two awful airballs. Forgiven.
- The Thunder bench was excellent tonight. Absolutely excellent. There was no relapse to the Nets or Wizards game where OKC blew a big lead and let a blowout get close. The Thunder had a monster lead and closed with a bigger one. Of course it helped they were playing five dead bodies, but still. Earl Watson had 14 points and 14 assists. D.J. with the 15 and 11. Nick Collison with 17 and six. Damien Wilkins even played productive minutes.
- Speaking of the bench, how about their assist on KD’s follow-up dunk off Earl Watson’s free throw miss. Desmond Mason and Malik Rose were jawing with Marcus Camby and Camby was totally distracted and uninterested letting Durant go by untouched for the follow slam. Kind of a perfect summary of the Los Angeles Clippers right there.
- I think we know who won the offensive efficiency war. 126 > 85. This was OKC’s most lopsided win of the season and the most points they’ve scored.
- While there’s a lot negative about the Clips, I really like Steve Novak. He’s a free agent this year and for the right price, I’d love to bring him aboard. He’s tall (6’7) and he’s a lethal outside shooter. He can get his shot off anytime and could bring a great bench shooter to the Thunder. He wouldn’t require big minutes but could be a deadly scorer off the bench.
- The Thunder avoided 60 losses and improved by three wins this year. And you know the best part about tonight? Memphis also won, so by OKC demolishing the Clippers and feeling great about themselves they didn’t lose any ping-pong balls. Win-win!
So as we put a lid on this inaugural season, I feel it necessary to say thanks. Seriously thanks Thunder for an incredibly fun season. Thanks to Mick Cornett for never giving up on the pro basketball dream. Thanks to Clay Bennett for making it happen. Thanks to Kevin Durant for representing our team and state so incredibly well. Really, thanks to each and every player for being here. Yes, even you Robert Swift. Thanks to Sam Presti for putting a roster we can be proud of and one that gives us hope. Thanks to Brian Davis and Grant Long for calling all 82 games with the same passion, optimism and enthusiam no matter if OKC was up 30 or down 30. While they have their drawbacks, they do their best and bring energy every night and that is much appreciated. Thanks to Matt Pinto for flying solo all year but still giving a solid radio call. Thanks to everybody that comes here to read and talk Thunder. Thanks, thanks, thanks to everybody. I can’t wait to do it again next year.
baron mails it in so much, they know him at the post office. that's why such a 'good' player has nothing to show for it, and is now a clipper. losers incarnate.
@Anders
went back and re-watched the game - the Clippers offense was so bad that Livingston didn't have to do much on the defensive end. The only guy that was actually trying and moving was Eric Gordon. Livingston was on Baron Davis most of the time. Baron defenitely mailed it in.
And yes, I understand how to play the game the proper way, trying to get a call instead of passing the ball is not playing the proper way . . .
Yes - I watch everything - in fact, I usually rewind key plays and watch several times - it was a clear 2 on 1, all Durant has to do is slow down a little and wait on Westbrook. Result: easy two. It's not rally that difficult. Trying to get the +1 makes NO sense. Why? First of all, even for NBA players, it's difficult to get the +1 with contact. Does it happen? Yes? But still, playing that way is not smart. The defendeer is taught to foul you HARD so you don't get the +1. Second of all, if the player does not get the call , half the time he glares at the ref and doesn't get back on defense, which results in a good opportunity on the other end. Third, by playing that way on a regular basis, you are exposing yourself to an increased chance of injury by taking an unnecessary risk. All he needs to do is pass the ball. It's really just that simple.
kev :Livingston plays the point much better than Westbrook - he truly knows how to set up guys on the break (Watson did that last night as well) - hopefully RW can pick up on those nuances. Unfortunately, I can see why some of those things aren’t so easily learned.
But people start going one on one too much because of the talk and that’s when you get 2 on 1 breaks and 3 on 2 breaks that are ROUTINELY blown. Durant has these issues as well. At least twice last night, Durant had the ball on a 2 on 1 or a 3 on 2. He passed up the easy assist to take it in. He got fouled every time. Now he has to make the free throws instead of getting the easy two. Things like that don’t matter in a blowout, but if you’re programmed to play inefficiently, those things rear their ugly head in close games.
I guess there is people watched the game but didn't watch "everything"... Or don't understand how to play the game in the proper way?
Did you see how the 2 on 1 was developing? Westbrook was behind of the defence when they were running the fast break. He wasn't even in a clear cut line. How would you supposed to pass the ball backward at that point? That's not gonna help much. You rather get the +1 or at least foul, and shoot free throw when you are 86% free throw shooter. The 3 on 2 break was Durant's fault, being over excited after he did a great defence play and pawn the ball.
Let's be honest... How many time you see Westbrook run a fast break and setup his teammates with fast and easy shot... Not too many... How many times you see KD run the fast breaks and setup Westbrook? Quite a few actually, even though KD is the SF and Westbrook is supposed to be the PG.
Westbrook is better off to be a SG instead of PG, because he always go for scoring before passing. Most of the time that I see him doing the pass is when he got himself in tough situation and about to get block, "he does get block a lot of time because he didn't think straight before going into the lane. Look at the passes he made to teammate, ex Collison, he didn't really setup Collison with easy basket. He just passed them because he was out of control and lucky that Collison could manage to put the ball in. Just compare to the passes of Watson's then you would understand. Westbrook is more like AI type of PG right now, but at least AI can almost score at will. Hopefully he will learn and get better. Rookie point guard is not impossible, just look at Derick Rose. Just too bad KD didn't help the team to get the #1 draft pick last time.
By the way, One thing you were right was, Livingston is much better of choice for PG than Westbrook...
so, was bill simmons at this game? i'd absolutely love to hear his thoughts...
I would love to have Novak. He could play for about ten minutes off the bench, kind of like Walter Herrmann (Also a free agent.) on Detroit. Novak could be a nice piece to the puzzle.
Livingston plays the point much better than Westbrook - he truly knows how to set up guys on the break (Watson did that last night as well) - hopefully RW can pick up on those nuances. Unfortunately, I can see why some of those things aren't so easily learned.
Grant Long was talking about guys going back to play against tough competition. That's cool that the players stay in shape. But for anyone that's ever seen or played in streetball games, you know what bad habits are reinforced. In those games there is plenty of trash talk, and that does intensify the game. But people start going one on one too much because of the talk and that's when you get 2 on 1 breaks and 3 on 2 breaks that are ROUTINELY blown. Durant has these issues as well. At least twice last night, Durant had the ball on a 2 on 1 or a 3 on 2. He passed up the easy assist to take it in. He got fouled every time. Now he has to make the free throws instead of getting the easy two. Things like that don't matter in a blowout, but if you're programmed to play inefficiently, those things rear their ugly head in close games.
Anyone else LOVE having Livingston start the point and Westbrook play the 2, that is one frickin athletic guard combo! Not saying this is the lineup of the future but there are alot of positives. When westbrook has the ball in his hands and he's NOT the point guard it means he has the green light to score by being one of the last players to touch the ball; meaning less turnovers. But because he's been developing that eye-to-pass, at times it's like having 2 pg's running everything! Very cool!
He slimmed down because he had jaw surgery and just could not eat well in his recovery.
I think he is gonna bulk it up in this summer, just like the rest of the team will.
DJ reminds me of PJ Brown/Joe Smith kind of player...Hopefully he can bulk up some more...He seem smaller then I remember him in college...(but of course that was college)
will have a report on it later - sorry with the late start I was only able to defensively chart the first quarter - in that quarter he guarded Baron Davis, who was sleepwalking through the contest - I will be back later tonight to give you more on the last three quarters . . .
Hi guys, wonderfull that Thunder finishes on a high.
But Im very curious to hear more about Livingston... a dunk, a start and more than 30 minutes... no turnovers.
It all sounds pretty good. But who was he matched up against, how did he deal with the Clippers' powerfull guards, how is his shot coming along, how was defense and first step?
The Clips weren't tanking - they just didn't show up - there is a difference - I think they just don't care. They have a bunch of selfish guys on the Thunder. Still give credit to the Thunder for taking advantage and embarassing them in their own house. I love it when you make the home team get booed . . .
Great stuff.
Who else was happy for Livingston when he got that throwdown???
No, the Clipps weren't tanking, they are a selfish team, and have been all season. Al Thornton was out, and he's selfish, and Zach is out and he's the most selfish. That team really needs a Larry Brown/Jerry Sloan dose of reality.
Ok, maybe they were tanking because they are selfish. :o)
One thing I failed to mention was the possibility that the Clips were tanking to get the second worst record over Washington. But the Wiz lost as well so they tied. But I just don't like to think that teams would intentionally lose to just get 50 more ping-pong balls. I know it happens, but I don't like to think about it.
Oh man, I didn't know RW had 399. That sucks. I mean that's great, but so close to a square number.
I think I'll leave this one on my DVR for a while.
The only thing that went wrong in this game, is RW ended up with 5 rebounds instead of 6, leaving him with 399 rebounds for the season.
Shaun looked like he was having the time of his life out there. It's good to see him playing without concern for his knee.
DJ White just may end up being the beast we hoped he'd be all along. I love his jump shot. Watching him hit those 8-14 footers reminds me of David West.
I feel bad for Eric Gordon too. I think he's the only one interested in playing hard and getting better. Maybe his crew will come around next year. I'd like to see what he could do when his teammates care as much as he does.
@Tate Kelley
Amen.
Good Article man, that game was awesome. I am so glad we have the Thunder. Now let the draft talk begin.