Box score…if you can stomach it.
It’s tough to win in the NBA when you can’t shoot and you can’t defend. The Thunder found it out…again tonight against the Pacers in a second straight trip to the woodshed.
There really isn’t much to say about this game that isn’t just summed up by that first paragraph; we just didn’t score enough points or in any way efficiently, meanwhile the Pacers ripped us a new one. We allowed the Pacers, who shoot 49.7% eFG on the season to bomb away at 54.5% tonight. Our guys in blue, who are already fairly dreadful shooting on the season at a dead last in the NBA 47% eFG shot 44.5%. Add to that, we got into a running game with the third fastest team in the NBA and if you’ve been watching this season, you can imagine how well that has worked for us this season. Tonight each team used 104 possessions, one of the fastest games of the season for us, and were never really in the contest. We are 0-9 in games with a pace over 100, and have only won one game all season with a pace in the high 90′s, and that was a one point win against the lowly Kings.
I applaud Presti for filling out our roster with a bunch of long, atheletic guys who play defense (I’m talking ’bout you Weaver, Thabo, Westbrook), but this team is so bereft of shooters and scorers that it’s a wonder we’ve gotten this far. Outside of Durant, how many guys on this team would you say can consistently put the ball in the basket at a better than average clip night in and night out against NBA competition? Jeff Green? Maybe next year. He disappears in a lot of games right now, and I would call him a complimentary player at this stage of his career. Russell Westbrook? Streaky shooter/scorer at best. He has the potential but is shooting 41.8% eFG. Krstic? Uhhm 1-13 tonight. His jumpshot is also complimentary. Where are the guys who you can give the rock to and be pretty confident that he will get the score?
Our roster, especially the guards is filled with non scorers or non efficient ones: Thabo, Weaver, Westbrook, Atkins, Watson, Mason, Wilkins, Livingston. There is lot’s of versatility there, but not a lot of scoring. Weaver is putting up the best percentages right now (53.9 % eFG) but only takes a half a handful of shots per game. Livingston is firing away nicely after two games, but his career shooting is 44.5% eFG. Presti really has his work cut out for him to get this team more competitive on both sides of the ball. With a slate of playoff teams to match up against in the last dozen games or so, we’ve really been exposed. We are not ready for the party yet.
| Pace | Eff | eFG | FT/FG | OREB% | TOr | |
| IND | 104.0 | 112.5 | 54.5% | 23.9 | 17.9 | 14.4 |
| OKC | 95.2 | 44.5% | 19.8 | 23.5 | 14.4 |
- When I saw the starting lineup for the Pacers tonight I thought we might have trouble. We match up poorly with these guys. Our best offensive player doesn’t really get any advantage over all star Danny Granger. Hibbert was a nice pick for the Pacers in the mid first round, Murphy is most of what you hope Jeff Green becomes some day, Jack is steady and Brandon Rush was great at Kansas and is long and tall and can shoot. Where would we find an advantage here?
- The Pacers didn’t really play exceptional defense I didn’t think, we had a gazillion open looks at the basket, we just don’t shoot well. In those games where we actually shoot above our averages we look like a decent team, but when we shoot like we did tonight, or against the Blazers the other night, we see how far we have to go. We haven’t had very many dominant offensive games this season. Outside of the Spurs game last week, I think you have to go back awhile to find one.
- Livingston had his second quality game in Thunder blue. He and Westbrook were our best guards by far. It’s especially nice having Livingston in the lineup because it keeps Chucky and Earl on the bench.
- Any chance that the coaching staff might have mentioned that we needed to guard Troy Murphy out on the perimeter since he is 8th in the NBA in 3fg% and 13th in three point makes? I mean, just because he got six open looks and nailed all of them….just wondering.
- For a few minutes Brooks had a lineup of Westbrook, Livingston, Thabo, Durant and Green out there.
- Krstic got T’d for swinging a little kick at Hibbert after the two scuffled under the basket. I sort of wanted to laugh. I hadn’t seen that before. What would have happened if he did that to Shaq?
- The Pacers starters had 90 points. The Thunder starters had 52.
- All the Pacer starters went for double figures plus TJ Ford as well off the bench. We had three starters in double figures (barely) and three off the bench, who did most of their damage in garbage time with the exception of D.J.White.
- D.J. White had a nice first game. He can definitely score, which we really need. He shot the face up jumper, he posted up a couple of times and he was actually +1 on the game. He didn’t seem to be looking for rebounds all that much.
- We allowed the Pacers to shoot 50% for the game and 55% in the first half. The Thunder shot 28% in the first quarter and 31% in the third and only put up 19 points in each quarter.
- I appreciate the way our our PG’s rebound (Livingston and RW each had 7), but what does that say about our bigs if they lead the team in rebounds?
Wow April, that's a pretty dumb idea you threw out there. Durant didn't have a stellar game, but he was probably the single best player that we had on the court that night. At least he scored efficiently and played some (emphasis on "some") solid defense.
I say put Durant back on the bench or trade him (holy cow). Maybe we can start winning again.
Point 2 taken sir.
I would think though, that point 1 would explain why his defense is suspect. I imagine that playing defense in D-League isn't anything like playing against a playoff team. So I'll throw him a bone when it comes to inconsistency. 1st game back he played good defense. 2nd game back, it wasn't so good. We'll see how he plays the rest of the year (what little remains of it).
I forgot to mention it in the write up, but when the Pacers did some switching around in the third, they used a backcourt of TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack. We countered with Weaver and Livingston and got smoked -11. Kev alluded to the small fast guys, can't be guarded by 6'6" Weaver and 6'7" Livingston.
And Jax, you are right, Green was a team worst -25. He was in and out during 4 stints during the game, in each stint accordingly he was: -9, 0, -6, -4 (I know that doesn't equal -25, but that's what is shown).
good post Jax - I'd buy your theory on Livingston except
1) it's only his 2nd NBA game back from an injury
and
2) he's playing for a spot next year(assuming his contract is not guaranteed
I know we were down 30, but to me, THAT is when you show what kind of player you are.
I sat at the game wondering what Kev would say about Green's defense. I got to go to the game with my dad. He doesn't get to attend many games, but caught the last two. He caught a few games to start the season, and he wonders why everyone says that we've improved. I don't blame him for thinking that, since the only games we've shown up for have been San Antonio in the last three weeks.
Anyway, we sat there just counting the points scored on Jeff Green tonight. Every time the ball moved from one side of the court to the other, and then back again, who was the guy who lost his man every time? Jeff Green.
Durant had a nice effort, but the one play where the Pacers had the ball on their end of the court, and we nearly came away with a turnover amidst a scramble for the ball, he just stood there alone, watching. Then when Indiana came away with it, they lobbed it for a wide open slam right in front of Durant, who was still just standing there.
Our whole row was calling for Brooks to bench Green and Durant. If we're gonna lose, we'd at least like to see players who are on the court trying hard.
If it weren't for the Spurs, I'd say we've mailed it in for this year. Maybe I can't blame them, as there isn't much to play for.
RW, Livingston and DJ were trying hard, and I appreciate that. RW would have had a great game had he not been pulled. I like to see him have more steals than turnovers. And 4-9 is good for him. Livingston would have had about 104 assists tonight if our guys could shoot.
Also, I noticed Kev saw that Shaun didn't play so well on defense tonight, and I guess I must have dismissed his effort. Most of his minutes were in the game during garbage time, and neither team was playing defense. Also, he still looks a bit slow with that knee, so I'm not sure if that's the reason for the defensive effort tonight or not. I tend to think it's more the fact that he was down by 30, and what's the use of playing D if you're the only guy on your team doing it.
Nenad cost Russell about 5 or 6 more assists tonight.
I completely agree with you guys on Green. What happened to the tenacious rebounder we saw in January and February? It's like he doesn't even care anymore.
Also, can I just point out that Nenad Krstic went 1 for 13 tonight. Holy crap in a basket. That's stinky.
I like what D.J. had. That's encouraging. And Livingston had another nice line.
I don't know what the deal is. Maybe they're just limping to the finish line and have lost interest a bit.
Defensive Indifference
1) Jeff Green’s transition defense was AWFUL. Yes, tonight he was guarding a different kind of four – Troy Murphy. Still, I can safely assume that: Green has played against him at least a couple of times; Green has seen Murphy play several times on TV; Green has a bevy of assistants telling him that Murphy can shoot three pointers – especially when trailing on the break. I looked at Green going back downcourt. He was you’re your garden variety high school player: his eyes are LOCKED on the ballhandler. He makes no attempt to pick up his man. Sure enough, three times the point guard patiently waited and delivered the ball to Murphy. Bang. There’s nine points right there. Murphy also got a 4th three off an offensive rebound when Green was in the vicinity while not guarding anybody. Later on, Murphy baptized DJ White with another three off the break – but least White has half an excuse – it was his first live look at Murphy.
2) The only two wing guys that had a positive (but mediocre) score were Thabo and Durant. Thabo had to save face in the 2nd half face after a horrible first quarter. Granger took advantage of every false step taken by Thabo. Thabo did have a good 3rd quarter as he recorded two “contests” and a block. Durant still gives up penetration too much, but he recorded two deflections and a block. Durant also rotated better than usual. Still, there’s room for improvement.
3) So much for Livingston’s good defensive game on Friday. He was a turnstile tonight. He spent much of the evening watching people shoot (no close outs) and trailing badly on screens. When playing weakside defense, he got burned watching the ball and not recognizing his man cutting until it was too late.
4) Kyle Weaver cannot play the one defensively, well, at least he failed at it tonight. Weaver readily gave up the lane to TJ Ford, forcing other guys to help, which led to open shots on the outside. I think Atkins (or Watson) will be back on Tuesday.
5) I was glad DJ White had a great offensive night; but he is out of place defending threes (he did so in 17 possessions in the 4th). He gave effort, but he doesn’t have the foot speed to keep up with the wingmen. Weird matchups usually occur in blowouts, so I can’t see him defending threes on a regular basis.