(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
After a game like that, you tell yourself not to be sad. You tell yourself to look at the improvement. You tell yourself to look at a young, evolving team hanging with the NBA champs and taking them to the brink. You tell yourself that your team played its heart out and gave everything it had.
You tell yourself these things. But it doesn’t make you feel any better. In the end, it just sucks to lose. Especially when you’re that close to a big time win.
The Thunder took the Lakers to overtime, but came up just short, 101-98. And it’s not like the chances weren’t there. They were right there. The ball in your possession with 25 seconds left in a tie game. That’s what you want. Down one with 30 seconds left and a stud scorer waiting to take the shot. You want that. But both times, it didn’t work out for Oklahoma City.
The ball went to Kevin Durant both times and both times, KD came up with all air. It’s not like Durant was having an off night again – he scored 28 points on 10-24 shooting. He had a good night. Without him, OKC isn’t in the position it was. But what’s weird, is that Durant went 0-8 from 3. He’s actually 2-20 from deep on the season and has missed his last 13. I don’t know what the deal is, but it’s clearly a mental thing. Like I wrote in the last postgame, sometimes you just want the ball to go in so bad, that it just won’t. All you need to break out of it is to see it go through one time. Don’t worry about KD. He’ll be fine. And think about this: The Thunder’s hanging tough with their super-stud player not playing up to his potential. And we all know he will soon. So in a backwards way, this is encouraging.
One thing though: KD had 20 points at the half and only eight the rest of the way. He didn’t take a shot in the fourth until his attempted game winner. Of course you’d love the ball to go to your star and it’s a bit curious, but no complaints here. The Thunder was scoring because of hustle and ball movement. OKC didn’t need Durant to try and take the game over. It was all about scrapping and clawing and just getting the ball in the bucket. If Durant was a part of that, so be it. But I don’t think it was a matter of KD not wanting the ball or being passive or anything. It was just kind of the way it worked out.
Even if OKC had won the game and even if KD had hit the game-winner, the MVP of this game was Thabo Sefolosha. You see the box score and see Kobe went for 31 on 9-22 shooting. Maybe you’d assume Thabo just did decent work on The Mamba. But Thabo absolutely tormented Bryant tonight. He stripped him, blocked him, frustrated him, pushed him, pulled him and in general, just pissed him off. You can’t say enough good stuff about the way Thabo played tonight. He had four steals, hit two gigantic 3s and just made play after play after play. His strip of Kobe toward the end of regulation almost was the biggest moment of the night. If only KD could have knocked down a shot.
But you know what’s funny? As AWESOME as Thabo was, he finished as a minus-16 on the night. Yep, the only reason OKC was even in this thing was a big negative in plus/minus. Plus/minus has it’s value and I’ll always say that, but this kind of illustrates its flaws. Thabo was on the floor when the Lakers jumped out to an early first quarter lead and that put his plus/minus out of whack early. James Harden was in during the comeback. And while Harden made some big time shots and plays, he finished as plus-16. But in reality Thabo was far more valuable. Funny how that works.
As good as OKC played and as big a win this would have been, it’s pretty clear the Lakers weren’t at full strength. Kobe was a bit under the weather. No Pau Gasol. And in general, L.A. was just sloppy. The Lakers turned it over 24 times and made a lot of dumb plays. The Lakers outshot OKC 52 percent to 43 percent, but the Thunder got up 15 more shots than L.A. A lot of that was just because of effort.
A couple quick hits:
- Again, Etan Thomas was excellent. The big man finished with nine points and 11 rebounds and was just mean in the post. Doesn’t matter if he’s all alone on the glass – he’s swinging wildly when comes down with the ball. He had three huge blocks and did a much better job on Andrew Bynum than Nenad Krstic. I’m tempted to say he should be starting, but when Krstic is on with his jumper, he’s a huge part of the offense. Tonight, the jumper really wasn’t hitting and that’s why Thomas saw 32 minutes and Krstic just 14.
- Through four games, Jeff Green has been the most consistent player for the Thunder. He had another nice line – 18 points on 6-12 with five rebounds. And he’s doing a nice job defensively as Lamar Odom had just 13 points and eight rebounds.
- How about that charge James Harden took on Kobe? Harden read it perfectly, saw exactly where Kobe was going and stepped in and took it. Beautiful play.
- Kevin Durant finished with seven turnovers. Russell Westbrook six.
- However, Westbrook played a really nice game. His energy sparked the team down the stretch in the fourth. He had 12-6-7 on the night and while his turns aren’t awesome, he really played a big game.
- Durant logged another 45 and Green 44. I fear these minutes are catching up to these guys.
- How about Lamar Odom airballing a free throw with a chance to seal the deal in OT? I like how he looked at his hands afterward as if the ball slipped or something. Riiiiiiight Mr. Kardashian.
- Etan Thomas has played so well, he’s actually cut in to Nick Collison’s minutes. Collison only got 14 minutes and had just three boards and no points.
- You tell me OKC is 2-2 with an OT loss to the Lakers heading to Houston and I’m taking it.
A thought on the last possession of regulation: I know it wasn’t good. It wasn’t at all what you want. The ball goes to Durant with 10 seconds left at the top of the key. You want that. You want the ball in KD’s hands at the end. But he took too much time getting himself steadied and decided to launch from 30-feet. He caught all air and now it looks really bad. But the thing is, I think that’s poor design. I think you want Westbrook driving and creating there. Durant isn’t much for creating his own shot off the dribble. You want KD taking the shot, but I like him being set up rather than being relied on to make it himself. If he nails it, we all celebrate and go home happy. But he didn’t and now it looks stupid. Just the way it is.
There is much to take from this game. All you could have hoped for coming in was a chance going into the fourth. And OKC held a two-point lead. Sure, winning would have been awesome. Losing sucks. But considering where we’re at and where they’re at, I think this is something to build on. Durant will be better. Westbrook is getting better. The team is beginning to find an identity on the defensive end. They’re gelling and believing. The good times are coming and while maybe the Thunder didn’t get it done tonight, we’ll look back on this one later this year and point to it as a major step in the maturation of this squad.
Next up are the Rockets Friday night in Houston. Don’t worry kids, we’ll get ‘em next time.
@CJ
I guess that would be because it didn't happen?
I haven't seen anyone here mentioning how the refs handed the game to you guys and you STILL couldn't win. Weird.
kev :enough hasn’t been said about Thabo’s OFFENSE was awesome down the stretch!
I certainly agree as Thabo was a huge reason why we went to OT at all. Just wish he could have hit that last open 3 to tie us up late in OT. Hard to fault him on that one though due to his play up to that point.
Anyone mention the +/-? Look at the boxscore link to ESPN. My first take is that the starters for the Lakers outplayed OKC's, and our bench outplayed theirs. Wouldn't have thought Thabo had the highest - and Harden the best + . On another note--let's hear it for defense! This is waaaaaaay ahead of where I expected this team to be defensively. This is a really good sign. And Thomas is giving everyone (fans, coaches, management, especially PLAYERS) a reminder of what it is like to have a hard-nosed, smart, and intense center on the team. We NEED a player like him, if not the man himself. He may be more valuable as a trade chip at the deadline with the way he is playing, but I hope some of him rubs off on Ibaka, White, and especially Mullens.
@Dylan
Last yr when KD couldn't miss..they were almost always catch and shoot situations..from the corner, from the top of the key, heck from well beyond the 3 almost falling out of bounds...money.
KD isn't a dribble in place for a while then shoot type of player..either catch and shoot or dribble, penatrate, and pass.
and I do hope this makes KD a better player..he seems to be very depressed after this one. Glad to see Green go right up to him after the miss though and tell him good decision and good shot..havin each others backs
Say what you want about Durant last night, but that moment at the end of the fourth quarter, when he was one-on-one with Kobe at the top of the key, dribbing the clock about before taking the last shot, was intense. It gave me goosebumps.
Sure, he airballed the shot, but how many moments did we have like that last year? The crowd was up and cheering, it just seemed like an important moment.
Remember, Kobe had moments like that (in the playoffs against Utah) as a rookie where he airballed buzzer-beaters, and he has said it drove him to be a better player. I imagine it does the same to KD.
right with kev on this one..
KD for one shouldn't have shot from that far out leaving 2 ticks on the clock. I think with the shot clock he could have took it to 1...1 second difference sure..but if Thabo doesn't get the steal...we are that much closer to a Kobe turnaround game winner.
For one I think we should have driven in and passed out...like last yr when KD could make em from anywhere...catch and shoot..not catch and dribble dribble dribble, throw up a prayer.
I want to see Etan starting, Harden stepping up more from the bench. Also either RW needs to learn now when to press it and when to hold up (like say when it's 1 on 3...maybe set up a play?) or see Ollie in a lil more. He is a safe guy. He always makes the pass then gets open to switch the court if need be.
@kev
The most frustrating turnovers last night were KD's in my opinion. Toward the end of regulation, he had a 12 foot jumper on the left elbow, and instead of taking the shot he tried to dump it off to Thomas. It was deflected and stolen... these kinds of wasted possessions in crunch time really cost us last night.
We need to remember, though: Russ is 20, KD is 21. In many ways, they're WELL above the curve for their age. KD looked unstoppable in the first half last night, and Russ had some very nice drives to the basket. They still haven't quite figured out how to close games out, but that part of their games will come, too. In time, they'll learn what's expected of them in different phases of the game.
Part of RW's turnover total can be forgiven. Why? He's just now turned into a willing passer. Some of his passes are off the mark. For example, sometimes he forgets to lead the passer and the pass ends up behind the receiver. Others are bounce passes at a bad angle. Sometimes he tries to pass through a narrow crease, and the defense closes in to pick it off. I can deal with those - as he continues to pass, he will get better at it, and the mistakes above will decrease.
It's a far cry from last year's (and in the Portland game) turnovers. IMO these are bad turnovers. Travelling, losing the ball in traffic while driving 1 on 2 or 1 on 3, getting stuffed, etc.
I can confidently say that this team has a 3-part recipe for winning:
1) Defense
2) Ball movement
3) Limit turnovers
If we can do this consistently, these close games will start falling our way.
Josh :“The ball goes to Durant with 10 seconds left at the top of the key. You want that.”
I disagree. This is an NBA thing that I just don’t get. You put your best player at the top of the key, let him hold the ball while the defense gets set and then tell him to go 1 on 5 and force up a contested shot. This seems nuts to me, and it’s not just the Thunder who do this.
How about running Durant off a double screen on the baseline with about 5 seconds left and getting him a good look, or if the d helps pitch to the screener for a dunk. How about anything that will put pressure on the defense to guard everybody instead of setting up like a medieval castle. Call a play, execute it, get an open shot. Don’t just sit your player out there and have him jack up a terrible contested shot.
agree with Josh - that was the WORST possession of the game, and not becuase it as the final one in regulation . . .
enough hasn't been said about Thabo's OFFENSE was awesome down the stretch!
@Josh
I actually agree, I just meant that as you want the ball in Durant's hands to finish the game. And he had his chance.
KD seemed torn up about the loss last night, and definitely blamed himself. What he needs to realize is that he can be just as valuable to our team as a passer as a scorer. If he drives the lane, 2-3 defenders are going to collapse on him EVERY TIME. Find the open man, Kevin.
And for the first time since the move to OKC, I feel good about our SG spot. Thabo has been phenomenal this season, and Harden's perfect role is coming off the bench as a sixth man. Both knocked down shots consistently last night. SOOOOO glad we locked Thabo down before the deadline.
Let's just hope that Russ's recent turnover issues are the result of playing against better competition. I know we can't expect 10+ dimes every night... But I had flashbacks to last year at times (i.e., driving into the lane without a good idea of what he's going to do, throwing wild shots, trying to squeeze the ball between 3 defenders, etc.).
"The ball goes to Durant with 10 seconds left at the top of the key. You want that."
I disagree. This is an NBA thing that I just don't get. You put your best player at the top of the key, let him hold the ball while the defense gets set and then tell him to go 1 on 5 and force up a contested shot. This seems nuts to me, and it's not just the Thunder who do this.
How about running Durant off a double screen on the baseline with about 5 seconds left and getting him a good look, or if the d helps pitch to the screener for a dunk. How about anything that will put pressure on the defense to guard everybody instead of setting up like a medieval castle. Call a play, execute it, get an open shot. Don't just sit your player out there and have him jack up a terrible contested shot.
If Durant is going to get all the praise when times are good, then he's got to take the blame when he stinks it up . . .
he's a man - he can take it -
he stunk - we know it, he knows it, he will make up for it later . . .
Dan :The team is just too young, and they have no experience playing meaningful games against the best teams in the league, they are melting under the pressure. The contrast between the Sac game and tonight’s game says it all, when there isn’t pressure, Westbrook is patient, doesn’t seek to force anything, Durant and Green get open looks, obviously against a poor defense, but Westbrook, and to an extet Durant and Green, try to force the ball inside too much in crunch time. If you watch good playoff teams, they are patient all the time, they keep their rhythm, and, because of experience, know that forcing the ball, doesn’t win games. Sure Westbrook and Green drive against 3 guys and make it once in a while but there were far more needless and sloppy turnovers. If we eliminate those kind of plays and are more patient, we can hang with anybody. And if KD is actually on for the entire game, we can beat anybody. Failure for young players can destroy their confidence, but KD is a different breed, and if the past is any indication, the league should be afraid of his new reason to work and play harder. If the first 3 games are what Durant looks like when he is off, then I can’t wait to see what he looks like later in the season. Also, Harden needs to be on the floor more, he plays like a seasoned veteran on offense and is starting to get it defensively, Thabo is just playing too well to give his minutes to Harden
Best post so far . . .
I concur . . .
As much as winning was important this year against LA this close loss is acceptable and still a confidence builder. I watched the game with 2 people who had never seen the thunder before, they liked westbrook, were frustreated by durants airballs and thought our uniforms are ugly.
Obviously Krstic is valuable , and he's the better offensive player, but we need Thomas inside, and even brought out a left handed hook yesterday - he's not useless on the offensive end - start em!!
More than anything, I'm encouraged--if we play this kind of defense against lesser teams, I expect to win a lot of those games by 10+ points. KD will get on track at some point, Russell will get more consistent as the season progresses, and Harden can only get better (which is scary for the rest of the league). Houston will be a good test on Friday, as I think of OKC and the Rockets as being roughly on the same level this season.
@Nix
Agreed on Krstic, he knocked down some big shots last night. Most teams in the league don't start a guy like Bynum or Oden. Etan has played great so far, but it's a bit early to call for Nenad's starting job.
DEFENDING KRISTIC:
We have two wins. Which center played better in those two wins? Kristic or Thomas? The correct answer is Kristic.
I KNOW Thomas is a better defender, and I'm definitely not discrediting Thomas at all. My point is that Kristic can be just as valuable when he's hitting his shots, and I think it's too early to take away his starting job. EVERYONE is giving Durant a pass for his shooting (rightfully so) but no one will let Kristic by. Nenad played more this summer than anybody on the team and it might take him a bit to get his legs back.
Kristic got us going at the beginning of the 3rd quarter and kept us in the game at a point the Lakers would have easily been able to jump out to a lead. I understand Thomas is definitely a better play down the stretch because of his defense, but you can't just throw Kristic out like he's nothing.
There are different situations where one of these guys will do better than the other. If Kristic is making his shots, he then opens up the lane for Green, KD and Westbrook to get into. Did anyone see how many turnovers we had trying to get the ball into a clogged paint that had Thomas and one other player in it?
All I'm saying is that it is too early to throw Kristic under the bus. Thomas will have games where he should get more minutes, but Kristic is going to have some great 20/8 games for us as well.
@Duncan
Kobe looked just fine, and regardless of Gasol's abscence, this team still had Bynum, Odom, Bryant, and Artest. That's a big time squad that knows how to win, and our guys took them to the wire.
I agree with your latter point however. With KD not really taking any shots in the second half, I would have liked to see more shooters and a different play call. If KD has been hot, then I'm down for letting him go 1-on-1 for the final shot. Otherwise I would have liked to see what could have been created off the dribble.
But hindsight is 20/20.
Either way, a 40+ win season looks far more plausible now than it did 2 weeks ago. Bring on Houston!
I was thrilled last night to take consolation in the fact that we took them to OT, caught up in the emotion of the game, but this mornings realization is that they were missing Gasol and Kobe was fighting the flu.
Having timeouts before the last play in regulation and OT wouldn't that have been an ideal time to put in our shooting lineup and toss Harden on the floor?
I would be remiss to not add my gift to the alter of Thabo worship we are building here! Salut Thabo!!!Je te ami!!!
On a related note, to anyone at the game, did they announce how much the silent auction for the signed picture of Thabo's block against Kobe last season went for?? I sent a friend to bid for me....
My turn, my turn!
All great points and analysis (except for that Peja trade scheme--YEECH! No offense, but no WAY do we help Shinn out with his "Pej-ya-too-much"
I don't want to start any class warfare here, but the Durant doubters smell like Sooner fans to me (Clark, am I right?) You know the fair-weather, band-wagon, only support you when you are winning, crimson/creamers! I will sit stoically by and watch Durant go 3-22 all night long if I must because he is something special, and he is OURS!! Krystic on the other hand is a different story. I was SCREAMING at Brooks to pull him after the 3rd 18-ft clanged off the rim. (Finally after 14 minutes he heard me...)
I don't mind having a jump-shooting center (sideshow freak that it is) but if it ain't fallin' it ain't fallin', and the Lake-show bigs were eating his lunch!
Love, LOVe, LOVE me sum Thomas!! I pulled my 11 year old out of bed to come watch the fourth quarter and the OT (on a school night!) and kept repeating, "He's from Tulsa, and had a HEART VALVE REPLACEMENT, and NEW KNEES!!" This was received with a significant amount of eye rolling, but hey if you aren't annoying your kids, what fun are they?
So, we've been playing a nine-man rotation. I wish we just had one more guy the coaches trusted to put out there when Durant and Green need a rest. DJ White? I don't know who, but it would be nice to have ten guys to throw out there.
Really great game to watch. I'm regretting not going.
DEFENSIVE DOMINATION!
Yes, I know we lost, but this is the best defensive game we’ve played since I’ve been charting (almost 20 games). By far. If we played this way every game we’d be a lock to win 41+ games.
Thabo (+23): This was his best game defensively, and that it was against Kobe makes it even more special. I have him for four deflections and 2 drawn charges. That’s on top of all the blocks and steals. He had four mistakes, but again, it could be much worse against Bryant.
Green (+11): He gets panned A LOT in this space but he was bigtime last night. He started racing back in defensive transition! This is the first I’ve seen that. He also contested shots better than ever. He still has a ways to go however. I have him marked for four overhelps or under. That means he ignored or forgot his man four times – all of those led to baskets. Still, for Green, it was a very good defensive game.
Thomas (+13): Big time defensive player – Start him! Please!
Ollie (+8): Solid. NO defensive mistakes – that’s excellent.
Harden (+4): Only two mistakes. Solid effort.
Krstic (+4): had a stuff and a drawn charge.
Collison (+4): only one defensive mistake (went under on a shooter)
Westbrook (+1): still goes underneath screens way too much
Durant (-2): still gets lost in rotation, wasn’t nearly as active as the other wing players.
I hope we play like this every game! Is is Friday already???
5 man starting lineup had a -10 in 13 minutes, pretty much like last game. Their good raw +/- from the first 2 games has been completely wiped out.
23 3 point attempts by the Thunder ties the high from last season. Didn't make many but still notable that they took that many. But do they do it again and again and get better or shy away from it, again?
Pennington :
@B-RY
Ultimately though a great game, proof of the growth this team has gone through. I urge you all to get Bill Simmons’ “Book of Basketball” as a fan, and a player it is a great analysis of the game
Agree completely on the book. It's a very good read.
The DON :
Westbrook + our lotto pick + cour cap space for Chris Paul + Peja’s or Posey’s bad contracts
Do it Presti
Can we have stupid thoughts of the week!
Westbrook + our lotto pick + cour cap space for Chris Paul + Peja's or Posey's bad contracts
Do it Presti
Oh yeah. Two names that were a factor last year who haven't really been yet on the court. Livingston and Weaver. I'm thinking depth! If we get to 35 I am happy! If we get to 40 I am ecstatic. More and I will pee my pants!!!
Taz...
One other thing.
I think that Thomas should start and Krstic should come in as the shooting center. If Thomas starts then we would probably not have the 9-0 hole to dig out of at the start.
I am just so impressed with his court smarts and physicality!
Presti is a genius with the people he is bringing in.
Taz
The good news is.... We are still in the playoffs :)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings?season=2010&group=conference&seasontype=2&standType=standings
@Taz-Maniac
Thumbsup.
Ladies and gentlemen. Let's focus on the facts.
Fact #1: In 4 games we are 2-2 in what should be a tough stretch.
Fact #2: We have beaten the teams we should have beaten and lost to the teams that we "should" have lost to (but only by 11 points between the two).
Fact #3: Our defense is much, much better than last year.
Before I reminded you of some names from days gone by, let me ask those who have children, does anyone know of what is called a "growth spurt"? In a child, it is that awkward time when the bones grow faster than the body can handle and therefor, what use to be routine becomes impossible.
Since this happens to taller people more often, I would bet that everyone who plays basketball can relate at some time or another. My theory on what has happened is that last year it was easy when you had players like (here come the names…) Wilkins, Watson, and Wilcox came off the bench, Durant knew what he had to do; Carry the team.
Now you have the likes of Thomas, Ollie, and Hardin coming off the bench who can carry the team when things are going badly. I especially like Thomas and Harding. Durant (and Westbrook) I think are unsure of what to do at times. Shoot or pass. They get caught up somewhere in between and miss the shot.
My take is that this is a "growth spurt" and that once they get a handle on how to control it, this is going to be an awesome team. I think that if Sefolosha continues to play like he did tonight, I think that he should get an extra million a year even if it is not in the contract he just signed. He basically shut down and frustrated the NBA player of the year (decade). This is not a fluke!
As a final point can anyone tell me a player that they would want to get rid of. Last year we had Wilkins, Watson, Petro, and Wilcox who we would cringe when they came on the court? Personally, I cannot condemn any of the guys on the team at this point. They all have their pluses and minuses, but they all stay in the game.
Let me finish with fact number #4
With 4 more KD connections and 2 more connections with any other player in the last two games we could be 4 and 0!
Stop the whining about Durant!
Taz
This loss really hurts but it gives me so much hope down the road. Next year when we add more big pieces to the puzzle I can't even imagine what we're gonna be like. Anyone else think it might of been smarter to put Durant on Odom and Green on Artest? I just that would have been a better defensive matchup.
Big games for Thabo and Thomas!
I'm so glad that Thomas is on the team right now (and at the price we paid!). Tonight he provided that muscle and meanness inside that the Thunder really needed last year.
I loved watching him shake opponents off when he had defensive rebounds. He was tough.
Fun game to attend.
All sentiments are echoed.
Thabo, Green, Harden and Thomas brought their A games.
Durant and Westbrook brought their B games.
I don't know what game Krstic brought, but he was schooled all night. I worried about that since Oden had his way with him on Sunday.
I don't like to watch Ollie play.
I think Nick Collison must have pissed in the ref's cereal.
There's no way Brooks set up a 30 foot jump shot as the game winning play. I'm sure it was designed to get KD the ball on an isolation up top, but KD just didn't do anything with it.
KD turned it over several times on penetration moves, and I think it got to him, because it seemed that he was afraid of Ron Artest in the second half. He seemed to avoid him at all costs. He didn't drive right at him, he wouldn't shoot with Artest close to him even though he's got the height advantage. No play more evident than the last play of regulation when KD didn't even try to angle for a closer shot.
I think the heavy minutes are getting to him.
Westbrook was out of control and made some bad decisions, but then he'd come right back and make a good one. He's not there yet. He's good against teams that aren't pressing him or playing good defense. Sunday and tonight he faced teams ready to man up and play good D. Fisher may not have the legs he used to have, but he's a good player. Fisher doesn't defend the pick and roll well, but we don't really run Russell off pick and roll much. Not yet anyway. Russell tried to force too many passes into crowded areas, and took a couple ill-advised shots.
I don't want to sit through an entire season of watching Kevin Ollie dribble the ball for 13 seconds while he can't decide what to do with the offense. He needs to get something started before that shot clock hits 5 seconds.
I can't wait for James to figure out how to play better defense. I know defensive schemes are hard to figure out from college to the pros, so I'll give him this year, but he's a liability on that end of the floor. Of course, he's also had to face Brandon Roy and Kobe Bryant in back to back games. But James is certainly a pleasure to watch on the offensive end. He only went 3-9 tonight, but you can just tell he's thiiiiis close to having his offense figured out.
And MASSIVE FAIL for ESPN Highlights.... they got Thabo's strip and Green nice jumper, but they kept calling the Thunder the Lamoyn Dolphins, as if they didn't belong in the same stadium as the Lakers.
This game was not a fluke and teams would do well not to sleep on the Thunder.
The team is just too young, and they have no experience playing meaningful games against the best teams in the league, they are melting under the pressure. The contrast between the Sac game and tonight's game says it all, when there isn't pressure, Westbrook is patient, doesn't seek to force anything, Durant and Green get open looks, obviously against a poor defense, but Westbrook, and to an extet Durant and Green, try to force the ball inside too much in crunch time. If you watch good playoff teams, they are patient all the time, they keep their rhythm, and, because of experience, know that forcing the ball, doesn't win games. Sure Westbrook and Green drive against 3 guys and make it once in a while but there were far more needless and sloppy turnovers. If we eliminate those kind of plays and are more patient, we can hang with anybody. And if KD is actually on for the entire game, we can beat anybody. Failure for young players can destroy their confidence, but KD is a different breed, and if the past is any indication, the league should be afraid of his new reason to work and play harder. If the first 3 games are what Durant looks like when he is off, then I can't wait to see what he looks like later in the season. Also, Harden needs to be on the floor more, he plays like a seasoned veteran on offense and is starting to get it defensively, Thabo is just playing too well to give his minutes to Harden
.... and stuff
And moving on to something besides the Durant rants....
Green has really proven all of us naysayers wrong (myself being one of them). We all said that he couldn't play as a legit 4 and that Odom was his superior... well not tonight he wasn't. Green was a BEAST and is just one reason why the Thunder kept it so close.
Thabo.... thank God Chicago didn't need him. That strip of Kobe at the end of regulation was BIG TIME!
Thomas was freakin amazing! But he needs to not knock of Green's head when they both go up for the same rebound.
Harden was a lot fun to watch... man he is going to be good. And he didn't really seem to struggle that much guarding Kobe - and THAT CHARGE!
Kirtic pissed me off in the first half... but he acquitted himself well in the second half.
And Westbrook was not as bad as some are making it seem. The Lakers are a great defensive team even without Gasol. And they did a really nice job on help defense in the second half, denying open looks, easy passes and forcing KD, RW and Green into tough double team situations that ended with turns.
The Lakers just freakin great on D when they put in the effort... and that's what happened tonight. The championship Lakers GUTTED OUT a defensive win against our Thunder and all you people are doing is whining about some tough minutes at the end for a REALLY young team. Just stop and see the game for what it really is.....
Vindication
I think that Jeff Green should have the chance to take some of these end-of-the-game shots, especially if Durant is having a tough night.
In college, Green was an absolute monster in the last seconds for a Georgetown team that always found a way to win close games. Always. Does anyone remember Green's buzzer-beater against Vanderbilt in the NCAA Tournament the year the Hoyas went to the Final Four? It was only one of many- the man is clutch and should maybe get a chance.
Granted he was a rookie in this game, but kobe definitely had some growing pains as well. His performance at the end of the game was similar to Durants tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws2yhBzJjis
I mean, the last two games by Thabo guarding Roy and then Kobe...simply phenomenal. A mid-first pick and $14M for 5 years of Thabo? Presti's going to have that trade and extension on top of his resume for a while. Don't get me wrong, I like Harden but I don't know how he takes Thabo's starting job this year.
The Ford Center was LOUD tonight. And there were only 14-15,000 Thunder fans there, since many seats were filled with front-running, bandwagon-hopping, fair-weather fans who can't name three players on the team they root for.
I'm somewhere in between "KD's going to be fine" and "wondering if Dallas will trade for him since they fired that statistics dope." He really was invisible for most of the last 25 minutes. Part of that is credited to Artest, some blamed on Brooks, but Durant's obviously pressing.
Last point...the officiating tonight was simply horrendous. Both ways, granted (at one point in the 3rd quarter, we had 12 fouls to the Lakers' 19, after we'd spent 30 minutes shooting jumpshots while they attacked the rim.) They blew a sideline call on Green's dunk in the 3rd (he was six inches out), blew a basic out-of-bounds call with 2 minutes left (Thabo supposedly knocked the ball out of bounds perpendicular to the movement of his hand), blew the Collison traveling call (and missed one on Powell the next trip) and were wildy inconsistent down low. I'm not a guy who bashes refs, and I can't imagine how difficult it is to judge games played at that speed, but they did a very poor job.
@B-RY
I'll take your word for it. Wasn't too thrilled about the shot though, felt like we could have got a better look with a little more patience.
@Pennington
Keep in mind though, Kobe didn't have that eff you mentality at age 21. LeBron didn't get it until he dropped 48 in the playoffs against Detroit. Durant is way ahead of those guys at his age.
The fact he had the gusto to take the shot he did says something to me.
KD did have that one incredibly nice pivot against Kobe in the first half, where he ball faked, then ducked under Kobe. Left Mamba in his dust.