vs. 
Oklahoma City Thunder (22-59, 7-33 road) at LA Clippers (19-62, 11-29 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)
Time: 9:30 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder: 102.7 (29th), Clippers: 102.5 (30th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder: 109.8 (21st), Clippers: 111.5 (25th)
Pace:Thunder: 93.5 (8th), Clippers: 92.0 (13th)
And we’ve made it to the end. You know what that means? As soon as this one is over, we get to completely think about next year. That sure beats having to stare at a 22-59 record.
So what’s on the line here tonight? Well, obviously nothing really that important, but OKC ranks 29th in offensive efficiency and the Clips 30th and the two teams are separated by just two-tenths of a point. So there’s that. Also, the Thunder is one game behind Memphis right now and the Grizzlies play at home against Atlanta. So a Thunder win and a Grizzly loss means we’re looking at a tie for 27th worst record. While that’s definitely a storyline, I say forget the ping-pong balls and go win. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I’d rather get another win and avoid a 60-loss season. I know others might feel differently, but I’m not all wrapped up in the lottery. It’s a crapshoot anyway and even if you have the best chance, it’s not really all that great of one.
You know another reason to win? OKC is 0-3 against the Clippers this year. Sixteen percent of the Clips wins have come against the Thunder. That’s embarassing. How about not getting swept by the Clippers? I’m all for that.
Also, can I get just one more awesome Kevin Durant game. I actually would consider trading a 45-point KD explosion for a loss. I love watching him operate in his “I’m taking this effing thing over” mode. He probably will get 27 minutes and 12 points again because that’s the “plan” but still, I like Durant: The Offensive Machine better than Durant: The Season’s Almost Over and I’m Resting. But again, just me.
I’m sure Russell Westbrook wants a little redemption after a disappointing 11 points on 4-13 shooting in his last trip back to his hometown. Eric Gordon was fantastic and KD tried to match him but OKC lost 107-104 against a totally depleted Clipper team. That was maybe on of the worst losses in a season full of bad ones. But LA is relatively healthy and should have their regular roster sans Baron Davis in action tonight. Which means we’ll have a Hair Club For Men All-Star matchup of Chris Kamen and Nenad Krstic. Can’t wait.
Tip at 9:30 CST. Go Offense.
Memphis actually just won
We got nothing to lose
go for the win!
One more thing about this game... 9:30 CST tip-off times SUCK.
The End.
thanks to Royce and Joe for a great blog - Jax was right about the babbling on ESPN and other sites - love the conversation here - I hope the Thunder birngs home the win tonight!!!
hoops world snippet about interm tag being gone.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/TheWireStory.asp?id=18369
Good for Scotty!!
Thanks Jax and thanks Nix; that's very cool.
I'm just glad that Kaman finally cut his hair. There's no shame in being follically challenged, but it's really a sad thing to see a 7 footer with a big bad comb over.
I think we are going to have some very good draft discussions this year (starting tomorrow!!) ur team needs are pretty easy to define as compared to some years with this franchise.
And, I completely agree with the "win tonight" sentiment. The ping pong balls will take care of themselves.
Hopefully, Coach Brooks gets his first W as a full-time NBA head coach tonight! According to @okcthunder (twitter) and nba.com/thunder
You got it right Jax...
Thanks Royce and Joe...The only time I didn't like this site is when women's basketball was mentioned...other than that great work
... Krstic vs Kamen jumpball.. camera shooting from floor level.. big o' ROGAIN add being shown on the scorers table...
or as an inside joke for the people that watched the espn interview have krstic with his arm around westbrook pointing to a Rogain banner with a fan eating skittles in the background.. :)
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
Appreciate it Jax and it wouldn't be good without guys like you with interesting comments and solid points of view. Thanks for reading. Hopefully it continues to grow and we get something really good going around here.
And it's not like I don't have fun doing it...
As it's the last game of the year, I'd like to say thanks Royce and Joe, for doing a great job on the blog. The content on this True Hoop blog is as good as any True Hoop blog in the network. You don't miss a day without posting bolts. You always have a post game recap. And most impressive, you guys are almost always the first ones to post a pregame primer. Sometimes I'll check out the opposing team's True Hoop blog, and they won't have a pregame post until maybe an hour before the game. Yet, you guys have it ready to go by noon at the latest most times.
Well done. I've enjoyed the blog this year, and I enjoy all the regular subscribers and their points of view as well. I'm looking forward to spending my off-season here as well. I never thought sports boards would amount to much, after seeing the drivel posted on SI or ESPN conversations, but this has been a good experience. And for the most part, I've tried to behave myself (which I'm not used to doing - this is the Internet after all).
Anyway, as for the game, I'd like to see some competition. I'd like to see the crew play loose and free, with a will to win. And, this is Shaun's homecoming of sorts, so I'd like to see him do everything he wants to do in the game, giving his old fan base a trip down memory lane. Win or lose, I'm sure there are some Clips fans that would like to see Shaun do well.
There is something right with the world if I see a commercial tonight for Hair Club or Rogaine. I'll be looking for one. Think Rogaine could sponsor Krstic vs Kamen?
always play to win . . . always . . .
I love what Jordan did the year he got hurt (I want to say it was 1986-1987) . . . he was out a good chunk of the season and came back with about 10 games to go. They wanted him to sit out the whole season so they could lose as many games as possible to get a better pick. Jordan said no way. He wanted to come back and win. And this was even before the ping pong ball system. Then they tried limiting his minutes when he came back; he also balked at that. The guy's will to win was off the charts.