THANKS JG!
What is it they say about the company you keep? The Elias Sports Bureau has a pretty eye-opening statistic. “Kevin Durant scored 28 points on Tuesday, giving him 407 in 15 games this season. Only three other players in league history had as many as 400 points over the first 15 games of a season at age 21 or younger: LeBron James (twice), Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Jordan.”
Darnell with a nice recap of the game: “And while Durant certainly did his part, with easily identifiable playmaking consisting of pinpoint passes and big-time buckets, Sefolosha made his mark where he routinely does — on the less glamorous defensive end. The Thunder notched its fifth road win and first in Utah since 2007 because of one key defensive switch Brooks made to start the second half. The Thunder’s coach put Sefolosha on Jazz point guard Deron Williams, who had single-handedly kept the game from turning into a blowout late in the first half.”
In case you missed it, there’s a familiar face at #2 on Maurice Brooks‘ Defensive Player of the Year Race: “2. Thabo Sefolosha, Thunder: He is building a reputation as one of the top one-on-one defenders in the NBA. Go check the tapes to see how he slowed down Brandon Roy, Kevin Martin, Kobe and D-Wade. ”
Kevin Ollie will have an MRI today: “Kevin Ollie, who missed Tuesday’s game at Utah with a sore right knee, will undergo an MRI exam today. Ollie said his knee has been troublesome for about three weeks, but the pain became unbearable in the first quarter of Sunday’s road loss against the Los Angeles Lakers when he attempted to challenge a shot by guard Jordan Farmar.”
Chris Silva has seen this before: “There were times when four, even all five Thunder players touched the ball on a single possession. Seeing the Thunder move the ball tonight made me think back to a passing drill during practice in which it has to make 100 consecutive passes through an offensive set before a shot goes up. The passing looked fluid against the Jazz.”
Silva also noted just how multi-dimensional the Thunder’s offense was last night in Utah: “Minus a five-minute scoreless stretch in the fourth, the Thunder scored every which way. It scored in transition (20 points), off turnovers (25), from behind the arc (8-for-18) and at the free-throw line (22-for-25). Kevin Durant had 13 points in the first quarter, Kyle Weaver scored five of his seven points in the third and James Harden and Jeff Green each scored 10 in the second quarter. “
An interesting question from Darnell “One of the things that Sam and I talk about every day, we have a team that has to earn minutes,” Brooks said. Translation: the days of PT liberally being handed out ended with Russell Westbrook last season. No longer is the Thunder in the phase of speeding players’ development by awarding extended minutes without merit. Ibaka and Harden are clear cases. Neither figure to unseat Thomas/Collison or Sefolosha so long as those veterans are more consistent and better defensively, no matter how lofty the rookies’ ceilings. But that doesn’t mean the position battles won’t intensify as the season marches on.”
Watching the Bucks vs. N.O. Ridnour is handling the ball quite a bit. He and Jennings are kind of sharing the PG duties.
I always loved Mike Wilks for a backup. He was an awesome team guy and he could play. He got a little run with the team in the teams last year in Seattle.
I think the reason why DJ doesn't get any touches in the post is because of the offense Scotty uses. We don't post up hardly anybody. Brooks likes to spread the floor and that even includes Krstic. Watch the LA game and see how they purposefully put Bynum on the block and feed him. It never happens for us.
http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/11/25/nba-power-rankings-entertaining-lakers/
we are 12th on fanhouse rankings
And seconds later:
DarnellMayberry
The #OKCTHUNDER has waived forward Ryan Bowen. A backup point guard could soon be added.
HOLY CRAP!
Via Darnell's Twitter:
DarnellMayberry
It's not all bad, folks. S. Livingston had stitches removed from his knee 2day & says the timetable for his return is up to him. #OKCTHUNDER
yeah well no lead is ever safe, but the odds of winning with a 15 point lead and 4 minutes has to be pretty high.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceLlz7dOOvY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCEsVa3ZBZA
@f5alcon
I would say up 15 with 8 mins to maybe, maybe 4 min mark. After that 4min mark, in NBA, its too risk with only a 15 point lead :)
yeah im sure thats the case, but i feel like we risk injuring our stars needlessly, esp the last minute of the game, no reason for starters then if we are up by double digits, maybe my 8 mins is to risky, but the last minute or 2 isnt, our bench is much better then last year they shouldnt collapse like they did last year.
f5alcon :
dork :@f5alcon
Good idea but bad in action. If you take starters out of the game when they are up by 10 (which in the league is not a decent margin) and the starters are no longer “with the flow” of the game and come back ice cold you would loose a lot more games than you would think.
I had said last 8 mins of the game, so really they wont sit more then a few minutes, against utah durant checked back in with 6 minutes left, we had a 16 point lead, he missed 2 shots and had a TO the rest of the game, so him being in the game didnt help us, he could have sat 3 more minutes if we waited until it was an 8 point game.
I'm guessing that Durant gets to play whenever he feels like it... and since he loves playing... that's going to be often.
dork :@f5alcon
Good idea but bad in action. If you take starters out of the game when they are up by 10 (which in the league is not a decent margin) and the starters are no longer “with the flow” of the game and come back ice cold you would loose a lot more games than you would think.
I had said last 8 mins of the game, so really they wont sit more then a few minutes, against utah durant checked back in with 6 minutes left, we had a 16 point lead, he missed 2 shots and had a TO the rest of the game, so him being in the game didnt help us, he could have sat 3 more minutes if we waited until it was an 8 point game.
dork :@Kev
My guess as to why his post up game dissappeared is the competition. (Now I didn’t see any of his college games) but I know that in the NBA its MUCH harder just getting decent post position. Not to mention that at 6′9″ and at PF most of the guys will be just as big if not bigger than he is aswell as potentially more athletic.
good point - still, you think that he would at least attempt it more often, especially since he plays so much garbage time - I guess bulking up would help . . .
also, I watched a D-League game last year in Tulsa, and he didnt even post up then - puzzling . . .
Kev :
Jax Raging Bile Duct :I’ve got my fingers crossed for you Kyle.
I like DJ as a conventional PF. He had a good post game in college, but it hasn’t really shown up yet in the league. If he can bring that, then a Jeff Green to DJ White rotation is a really big change of pace. Different players with different games.
that’s the only way that DJ helps us is if he can post up - that part of his gane has virtually disappeared . . . I have no idea why . . .
Easy... the state of Oklahoma already filled it's quota for amazing post play while Griffin still wore Crimson.... hopefully, the new year gives us a clean slate.
@Kev
My guess as to why his post up game dissappeared is the competition. (Now I didn't see any of his college games) but I know that in the NBA its MUCH harder just getting decent post position. Not to mention that at 6'9" and at PF most of the guys will be just as big if not bigger than he is aswell as potentially more athletic.
Jax Raging Bile Duct :I’ve got my fingers crossed for you Kyle.
I like DJ as a conventional PF. He had a good post game in college, but it hasn’t really shown up yet in the league. If he can bring that, then a Jeff Green to DJ White rotation is a really big change of pace. Different players with different games.
that's the only way that DJ helps us is if he can post up - that part of his gane has virtually disappeared . . . I have no idea why . . .
@f5alcon
Good idea but bad in action. If you take starters out of the game when they are up by 10 (which in the league is not a decent margin) and the starters are no longer "with the flow" of the game and come back ice cold you would loose a lot more games than you would think.
@dork
Interesting... and scary!
It's amazing how quickly depth diminishes... I just hope that one of the three (Weaver, Ollie or Livingston) get's back on the court... soon!!
I've got my fingers crossed for you Kyle.
I like DJ as a conventional PF. He had a good post game in college, but it hasn't really shown up yet in the league. If he can bring that, then a Jeff Green to DJ White rotation is a really big change of pace. Different players with different games.
yes and no, they are making the young players earn their minutes and weaver turns the ball over way more then ollie, he has 3 TOs in 4 games ollie has 3 TOs in 14 games. He brings more to the table offensively though, both points and assists, his length also makes him a better defender. Really i feel like if we are up by more then 10 points with 8 minutes left we should play the backups until the lead dwindles to 10 then put starters back in, we may lose a handful more games but the starters get a few extra mins of rest and our backups get experience.
@B-RY
what? thats not a problem. Thabos not on the court when Harden comes in? Stick Durant on the opposing PG!! (thats half sarcasm btw :P) If you think about it it could (theoretically) work size + lengh = playing WAY off of the PG but still able to contest shots.... hey worst case scenario here people :P
Harden can only play point on offense... which means he can only sub for Westbrook when Thabo is on the court to guard the opposing PG. This presents a problem... hopefully Weaver's injury is VERY minor.
@f5alcon
But do you really think he SHOULD be behind Livingston and Ollie on the depth chart?!?!?
I don't know what Weaver does in practice, but I like what he does in games... Brooks needs to re-evaluate.
Thabo and harden can both run the point, also can slide durant back to SG and green to SF and play ibaka and krstic up front, we have a versatile lineup
@MartzMimic
What they heck man! And here I was all set to enjoy Thanksgiving in good Thunder spirits and you had to ruin the party! J/K.
I feel bad for Weaver now, after a game like that he gets hurt in practice the next day. Hope he just tweaked it or something.
Though possible temporary solution for the PG problem is Harden to backup PG and having Durant play some SG. Would potentially allow more PT for the D.J. White fans in the house also :)
@MartzMimic
I think AI (with his ego now fully in check), would actually make a little sense as a back up.... but then again, I always had a man crush on him.
boozer also has a lot of chemistry issues with the teams he has played on.
The reason for sending weaver down was to get him in games playing, not because he is a bad player, and he was behind ollie and livingston on the depth chart.
On the DJ White discussion... it seems to me that Presti and Brooks ALWAYS opt for the more defensive-minded players for the rotation minutes. While agree that he provides a nice offensive spark of the bench, I just can't see how he helps versus Ibaka.
Darnell Mayberry tweeted that Weaver apparently injured his shoulder in practice today, leaving early to go see the doctor.
Maybe we could roll Harden to PG and sign AI to a 10-day contract to back up Thabo. No, I'm not being serious, but we are getting short-handed at the point.
@dork
Well I took too long to type that one up. By the time I posted it Kev kinda beat me to it >.< hehe
@Kev
True, Green really exploited him all night. But that probably has something to do with Utah's game plan as well. It seemed to me that until the 4th quarter, Utah thought they could just limit points in the paint and let the Thunder toss up some perimeter shots.... ooops
But as usual, I'm sure you have a better sense for what Boozer does on a game to game basis.
@f5alcon
It is something to be concerned about. But like I said earlier I'm content this year with consistant, energetic defense.
As far as White goes here is how I look at it. White is either going to get minutes behind Green or Durant. And there is the problem. The minutes behind these two are going to be split between(and not limited to) Collison, Etan, Ibaka, Harden, Weaver, White, Livinston. That is a lot of players and not alot of minutes. Now you maybe thinking Harden and Weaver? When they come into the game Thabo might slide to the 3.
Ibaka will continue to get more minutes than White because he also plays behind Krstic, which is not nearly as contested in playtime. I like Whites game but from what I have seen other than his shot what else is noteworthy? (same could be said about Krstic but he plays good positional defense also... and is a 5.)
@Kev
Okay man. Now you're just being cruel. :P Seriously, White or Bowen? That's a no-brainer.
B-RY :I wish there was a way we could steal Boozer…. I had never watched him play for an entire game before and I have to say that I was really impressed with his instincts and craftiness.
And he gets back to the basket so quickly and aggressively after receiving the pass… fun to watch, even if it was against the Thunder.
Boozer's defense is mediocre at best . . . notice how Green was WIDE open all night?? He is slow on rotations as well . . .
Robert :
Kev :
Robert :Kev, I respect your stance(s) on our guy’s defense. So, let me ask this seeking information not trying to counter your point - why is DJ White a defensive liability?
White doesn’t put up much of a fight defnensively. Etan and Serge are facgtors at the rim; DJ white isn’t. Both those guys guard centers - I don’t think White can hold up playing against a good low post center - he would probably get in foul trouble quickly. It’s that simple. Another poster cited his better offense - so what? Most of that was earned in garbage time anyway. Now, he could improve, BUT Serge is already much better.
It sounds like you’re talking about DJ White as if you want him to play the 5. He is no doubt nothing more (or less) than a power forward. I agree that he isn’t an above the rim player like Serge is but from what I have seen I didn’t think his defense was something to be called a “liability”. I think him and Serge compliment each other well.
I never said that - it was in response to you saying that White deserved more minutes than Ibaka - Ibaka can play the five; DJ White can't . . .
I wish there was a way we could steal Boozer.... I had never watched him play for an entire game before and I have to say that I was really impressed with his instincts and craftiness.
And he gets back to the basket so quickly and aggressively after receiving the pass... fun to watch, even if it was against the Thunder.
In watching the Lakers games, you have to wonder what OKC is thinking in sending down Weaver. Ollie gets hurt, and Westbrook is forced to play 42 minutes in a game that was over in the first quarter. Don't most teams carry five guards?? And Weaver is probably one of the best "fifth guards" in the NBA. He should be a lock on the roster - seven forwards and centers is enough.
1. Green
2. Durant
3. Krstic
4. Thomas
5. Collison
6. Ibaka
7. White or Bowen (we don't need both) . . .
I know some of you are Bill Simmons fans like myself and I thought this question from his mailbag today was worth posting...
Q: With the benefit of a little hindsight, how do you think the top-10 of the 2009 NBA draft would look if it went down today?
-- Michael McNamara, Jacksonville
SG: Love this question. Let's say David Stern decides everyone in the top 10 can do their picks over after seeing the first four weeks of games. Here's how the revised top 10 probably goes:
1. Clippers: Blake Griffin
2. Grizzlies: Brandon Jennings
3. Zombies: James Harden
4. Kings: Tyreke Evans
5. Wolves: Ricky Rubio
6. Wolves: Thabeet
7. Warriors: Stephen Curry
8. Knicks: Jonny Flynn
9. Raptors: Ty Lawson
10. Bucks: Furious
The big differences: no way Minnesota screws up that Rubio situation a second time, no way Lawson falls out of the top nine and no way Jennings goes lower than second. He's the single biggest draft surprise since Kobe in 1996. Draftexpress.com's Jonathan Givony was the only one I can remember this past June even attempting the "Jennings has a chance to be awesome" case. My friend Hirschy was the only New Yorker I knew who thought the Knicks should have drafted him at No. 8. Admittedly, that would have been borderline insane. Lawson made more sense.
Kev :
Robert :Kev, I respect your stance(s) on our guy’s defense. So, let me ask this seeking information not trying to counter your point - why is DJ White a defensive liability?
White doesn’t put up much of a fight defnensively. Etan and Serge are facgtors at the rim; DJ white isn’t. Both those guys guard centers - I don’t think White can hold up playing against a good low post center - he would probably get in foul trouble quickly. It’s that simple. Another poster cited his better offense - so what? Most of that was earned in garbage time anyway. Now, he could improve, BUT Serge is already much better.
It sounds like you're talking about DJ White as if you want him to play the 5. He is no doubt nothing more (or less) than a power forward. I agree that he isn't an above the rim player like Serge is but from what I have seen I didn't think his defense was something to be called a "liability". I think him and Serge compliment each other well.
@Kev
DJ won't have to guard a good low post center because DJ wouldn't be the guy guarding said low post center. DJ is a power forward, not a center.
in the games last year white average 8.9 PPG, which wasnt garbage time, he is a legit scorer. Also he was BIG 10 player of the year, its not like he was some no name player, dont get me wrong i like ibaka and his defense is more valuable then DJs offense most games, however when shots are not falling and we are behind playing him might give us a scoring boost, it isnt like we cant utilize them both situationally. Really thomas will be phased out or traded at some point, his expiring contract is more valuable then his numbers.
On a separate note i was looking at FG% and outside of collison who only averages 4 PPG we dont have anybody in the top 30, krstic is our best starter at only 48% and thats 3rd worst in the league for best FG% among teams starters.
@Durantula
Not saying that we won't need him this season. I belive the descussion in general was not just about this year but the future also. If you notice not alot of discussion has been made about how we love collison, but rather when the younger guys get playing time. And yes, we love Collison for his sheer bball IQ and hustle if nothing else. (collison was an example)
Just talked to Royce who is on his way home. He is doing bolts tomorrow as well as a DT-Shirt question and answer post later today. So, if you have any question either post them here or in the t-shirt post. Thanks!
Hey,
Has anyone else noticed that Darnell's post-game stories have been getting a lot better?
@Kev
Wish I had seen the game... thank goodness we have such a great community here that I can actually get a sense for what happened without having to keep track of every little thing...
@B-RY
@dork
Thanks gentlemen, I am glad I Tivo'd it - despite the blowout, it was great watching and analyzing Serge's play.
Etan is our most physical player. We will need him at times this season.
@Kev
Thanks Kev I had been waiting on that one (lakers breakdown) to see exactly how my man crush did(Ibaka).
@Kev
Good point... and good breakdown on the post-game thread.
Robert :Kev, I respect your stance(s) on our guy’s defense. So, let me ask this seeking information not trying to counter your point - why is DJ White a defensive liability?
White doesn't put up much of a fight defnensively. Etan and Serge are facgtors at the rim; DJ white isn't. Both those guys guard centers - I don't think White can hold up playing against a good low post center - he would probably get in foul trouble quickly. It's that simple. Another poster cited his better offense - so what? Most of that was earned in garbage time anyway. Now, he could improve, BUT Serge is already much better.
@f5alcon
That reason is Ibaka.(so I belive) Ibakas ceiling is alot higher than Whites and from what I have heard Ibaka is a gym rat similar to Durant. White is more than likely getting out worked in practice by Ibaka (thats my theory and I'm sticking to it :P)
If anyone is bored - my defensive breakdown of the Lakers game is up on that recap thread . . .