Two very good teams battled and one team won; probably the better team. I am okay with that. The Thunder represented themselves very well for most of the game….ok, well for three quarters and the more veteran deep playoff team put the foot on the gas to bring home the win.
I think many OKC fans would have dribbled in their drawers just a little if this game had been played before New Year’s last year. There were so many good things going for the Thunder. It’s pretty obvious that our expectations are just sky high after big wins against Miami and Orlando and teams of that caliber.
This game really seemed to be decided by a big momentum shift that came at the end of the third period. That was where the Thunder had the lead (75-68) and the mojo. Then Nick Collison came out to hedge on a screen and then recovered into the post. He was there just for a second and he got whistled for a defensive three second call. LBJ hit the technical making it 75-69. Next trip down LBJ nails a three pointer (with just a minute left in the quarter). We turn it over on a bad pass and just like a hot knife through butter LBJ nails another three. I said some bad words here because that tied it up at 75. KD gets fouled and makes one of two and Cleveland gets the defensiv rebound. Crap crap crap LBJ nails ANOTHER three to take the lead 78-76. There was no looking back.
Cleveland used LBJ in the pick and roll so much it made my head spin, and Brooks either by allowing or by design had the Thunder switch on the pick. We’ve talked about this a gazillion times on the blog here so it’s no surprise Cleveland knew what we all knew: Russell will more often than not switch the screen. GRrrrrr! Here’s the deal. LBJ comes up and sets a screen for the ball handler (Delonte West or Mo Williams). Now the ball handler gives up the ball to LBJ after he releases from the screen and Russell is now (because of the switch) guarding LBJ. Get it? 6’3″ point guard guarding the best passing big man in the game, the number two scorer in the league and a guy who probably has a red cape at home in his closet. This happened over and over tonight. Do the Thunder not know that LBJ averages over 8 assists per game?? Ok, so that gives LBJ uncontested jumpshots if he should choose to take them with his half a foot height advantage, or he can hit that quick fast guy who just gave up the ball who is now being guarded by a much bigger player, or he can hit that guy in the corner that is always there for the open three. Why is he open? Because LBJ has the ball at the top of the arc and all the defenders are cheating the middle trying to cut off the drive that LBJ is famous for. It’s a conundrum.
Both teams used the holy crap out of the screen tonight, Cleveland just has more deadly shooters.
Notes:
- No rebounds no rings is what Pat Riley used to say. The Thunder could only grab 5 rebounds in the fourth quarter while Cleveland grabbed 15 (5 offensive). Have you seen a team lately use the back tap as well as Cleveland?
- Also, 13 points and just six field goals in the fourth isn’t getting it done. It’s a shame because the Thunder were very hot in the first half scoring 54 points and 56% shooting.
- Here’s the killer stat: 25 for 29 from the free throw line through three quarters; zero trips to the line in the fourth quarter. They took away our game.
- We talk all the time here about how we have a stacked roster and so much depth but I still think we can use another shooter. A dead eye big balls assassin that can go on the second unit and coach can put in with the big boys when he needs some points. What’s Wally Z doing these days? Anyone?
- Only 30 made field goals for the Thunder is second fewest of the season and it won’t get it done most nights. We had 24 in the Portland loss, 31 in a loss to Sacto, 32 in losses to the Lakers and Boston. We’ve had one win and one loss with as few as 33 made FG’s. We need to make upwards of 35 FG’s with our slight 3pt shooting to be competitive most nights.
- We did a great job early defending the basket with three blocks in the paint before the first timeout. Only two more the rest of the game.
- More about the PNR. With Shaq in the game Krstic can shoot jumpers wide open all day long. Krstic screens for the ball handler Westbrook or whoever and then the ball handler flips it to Krstic. Shaq is such a shell of his former self that he can’t get out and defend outside of the paint. Why we didn’t do more of that is a a big question mark.
- As soon as Andy V or the big Z came in they both are nimble enough to get out and show and hedge the PNR. Shaq didn’t even try.
- Shaq did rotate over and swat a Westbrook drive, but it was in the paint and only took one step for the big guy.
- Jamario Moon is a very nice player. Very good defense on KD and clutch shooting.
- J.J.Hickson is a D.J.White clone: same kind of game.
- The Thunder allowed 16 points off of turns to only 8 for the Cavs.
- When you factor in three pointers the Cavs shot 54.2% eFG to the Thunder’s 46.4% eFG. Yuck.
- Points in the paint were about even 42-40.
- I made a note to myself watching this game about how the second unit of Livingston, Harden, Green, Ibaka and Collison only had one guy who could create his own shot: Harden. Then they proved me wrong and Green went crazy driving to the basket and hitting jumpers. Where has that guy been?
- Harden is really a wizard on the drive and dish as the creator.
- With the Thunder having a nice small lead in the second quarter their 6 turns in 9 minutes kept them from opening up a big lead that might’ve held.
- More about that switching: Brian Davis and Grant Long are always touting the versatility of the Thunder lineup. I’ve heard it a dozen times about how we are so long and fast and interchangeable that we can switch and still play great defense. They were rather mum on the subject tonight. I watched a debate between Kenny Smith, Sir Charles and Chris Webber on switching one time. All three agreed that it was a losing strategy in the end because it would be exploited. Point noted.
Jax Raging Bile Duct :My feelings is that if both teams brought their best games, Cleveland wins. They’re just better and have more pieces.
When fograw hits from half court, you know it’s just their night.
Overall, both teams played well. No one had a terrible night. JHard could have scored more in my opinion, but he took what the Cavs gave him, so I can’t really fault him for that.
I thought the momentum switched to the Cavs when Varejao had two back to back offensive rebounds early in the 4th. The Cavs had the ball for about a minute and a half because of those, and after that second offensive board, the whole arena yelled simultaneously “COME ON!” in disgust. You could see the deflation right then, and they didn’t even run out to contest fograw’s 3 pointer that he nailed. After that, you could just tell the Cavs had the momentum, and the Thunder couldn’t get it back.
I actually wanted to write about that "non-contest" last night and I forgot . . .
good coaches always tell offensive rebounders to look for the three ball if they dont have a clear layup - sure enough, the three was open. Durant's man was WIDE OPEN - Durant (rare this year) was lost and didnt know where his man was . . .
My feelings is that if both teams brought their best games, Cleveland wins. They're just better and have more pieces.
When fograw hits from half court, you know it's just their night.
Overall, both teams played well. No one had a terrible night. JHard could have scored more in my opinion, but he took what the Cavs gave him, so I can't really fault him for that.
I thought the momentum switched to the Cavs when Varejao had two back to back offensive rebounds early in the 4th. The Cavs had the ball for about a minute and a half because of those, and after that second offensive board, the whole arena yelled simultaneously "COME ON!" in disgust. You could see the deflation right then, and they didn't even run out to contest fograw's 3 pointer that he nailed. After that, you could just tell the Cavs had the momentum, and the Thunder couldn't get it back.
kev :
it’s pretty simple = when the game got tight, they made shots, and we didn’t.
The problem is our offense. What is it, 22nd ranked?
It bogs down, especially if Durant is missing. I wish they would post Green more – I remember him doing it at least once, but they’d rather have him firing threes I guess . . .
Green actually has a very respectable low-post arsenal and I am shocked and appalled by the fact that he doesn't utilize it enough and instead settles for 3 point bombs. The coaching staff is to blame for this as well because clearly they are not instructing him alter his approach on offense.
Also, not to sound like a broken record, but our offense needs the creativity and capability that Harden offers. He needs to start playing more especially with the starting unit. Our offense is as stale as any offense in the league and though I appreciate Thabo's D we need more help on the offensive end than the defensive end right now.
We need to develop Harden more and give him more PT. He wont necessarily come right in and have 20 point games consistently, but he is someone that will pump some life into our offense. He commands the attention of the opposing team's defense & can create for his teammates, precisely the things we are in desperate need of.
I DEMAND HE STARTS GETTING AT LEAST 30 MPG!
kev :the best thing from that three point shot is that Thabo tried to block it and almost got it . . .
that’s defense . . .
And that's just it... they made GREAT shots to put the game away despite good defense. Oh well.
last post should have referred to the half court shot . . .
the best thing from that three point shot is that Thabo tried to block it and almost got it . . .
that's defense . . .
it's pretty simple = when the game got tight, they made shots, and we didn't.
The problem is our offense. What is it, 22nd ranked?
It bogs down, especially if Durant is missing. I wish they would post Green more - I remember him doing it at least once, but they'd rather have him firing threes I guess . . .
@The DON is SO hot right now
100% agreement. I have a feeling that we are staring into the abyss right now. That half-court three pointer could very well be the begining of something awful.
Seems to me that there were a number of things that just went the other way late. For one, there seemed to be a lot of non-calls by the refs - I can think of at least four non-calls in the final quarter. And with Lebron hitting contested threes like that, well, what can you do? Oh, and three words: half court three. Freakin Williams...
Add to that, that someone seemed to have put a lid on the basket for the Thunder, and there ya have it.
It's really hard to be mad. The team played good ball for most of the game but just didn't make shots down the stretch. And Lebron clearly was on a mission to hush all the Durant v. Lebron discussion from over the summer... I'd say that argument is pretty well settled for the time being. KD is certainly one of the best in the game right now (top 5-10), but Lebron is just GREAT! Durant can take over a game, but Lebron is just supernatural.
Man we have such a brutal stretch right now. I really hope we survive this and come out still at .500 or above
I can really see us going on a losing streak and falling behind, but I am hoping my fears are not going to come to fruition
"What’s Wally Z doing these days? Anyone?"
Recovering from surgery. Chillin' with his family.
Probably about 1 chance in 3 he joins a contender in March / April.
ok. all this talk about giving up on russ and shortening the leash on him. the guy is in his 2nd year in nba. he got killed tonight by a team that made it to to conf finals last year. give him a break. lets examine him at the end of 82 games.
@Chris
And what was the deal with Grant Long and the dialing crap?
You got to make Williams beat you we didthat tonight and he tore us up from downtown. If Brian Davis makes one mor county reference I'm putting a gun too my head.
justin :
The DON, Scottie Brooks is not the kind of coach that is going to air out his concerns in public. Especially considering that Sam Presti is such a conservative, cards to the vest type of GM, and him and Scott seem cut fromt he same cloth.
In reality I’m sure these are major concerns for the team (along with other things with other players).
Well thats what I certainly hope is the case, but it's just an assumption giving presti and brooks the benefit of the doubt (which they have earned)
@spike
Eh, using three point % can be deceiving. The fact that Cleveland is shooting above 50% from the three in 17 out of 24 games just means they can shoot the piss out of the ball. I mean, they shot 3-12 from the three in the win over Portland, and 10-24 from the three in the loss to Memphis. So, to bring up 3-pt % as a correlation between wins and losses is just false.
I'd be more concerned with it if the Cavs shot the three at a high volume. They don't. Around 18.5 per game, putting them 14th in the league. They are second in the league in three point % though. What does that mean? They have some pretty damn good shooters.
Good overview, as usual. And I have to congratulate you on using the initials "LBJ" more times in a paragraph than anyone since the 1960's. :)
I expected OKC to probably lose tonight, but not the way they did. Frustrating 4th quarter after a really competitive game up to then. Good point about the end of the 3rd quarter. That's when it really started. James hitting those 3-pointers from back around the Canadian River. And when Moon (?) hit that half-court shot as the shot clock expired in the 4th, you could just feel the air get sucked out of the building. That's when I knew the ship was taking on water in a hurry. And the Thunder's inability to score from anywhere in the 4th quarter, long-distance or up close, was epitomized by Jeff Green I think it was, being almost right under the basket on one possession, going up for a shot, and hitting the bottom of the backboard.
That's about the way it went that last quarter - Cleveland hitting long-distance 3's like the basket was about six inches away, and Oklahoma City making you wonder if they thought scoring was against the rules.
Even so, it's hard for me not to be pretty darn happy with this team. All you have to do is think about November & December of 2008, compare them to the same two months of 2009, and you realize how being frustrated at losing a game like this is yet another sign of how much better this team has already become.
Tough loss tonight. We really could've pulled that one out if Cleveland wasn't so on from behind the arc.
And man, is lebron a force of nature or what? Imagine if he played on a really talented team.
Non calls and lucky threes all night. When LeBron is hitting 5-8 from three, you're going to lose. And when Ilgauskas can slap whoever is blocking him out for a back tap and not get called for a foul, it's going to be a long night.
Interesting note from the commentators: Cleveland was shooting 38% from 3 in losses and 50% from 3 in wins. It doesn't bode well for their title hopes if they need 50% from 3 to win. They shot 50% tonight and got the win.
The DON, Scottie Brooks is not the kind of coach that is going to air out his concerns in public. Especially considering that Sam Presti is such a conservative, cards to the vest type of GM, and him and Scott seem cut fromt he same cloth.
In reality I'm sure these are major concerns for the team (along with other things with other players).
@justin
the dynamic is that brooks is convinced westbrook is a start PG in the making. His comments about westbrook have consistently shown that is what he thinks of him
He's still learning and it's a young team there's no reason to shorten the leash, but I just wonder what the dynamic is like between him and Scottie Brooks.
Westbrook just drives me nuts. What drives me even more nuts is the fact that he has such a long leash from the coaching staff
I have a hard time Scottie Brooks hasn't noticed the effects of Russ 'crashing the offensive glass' or switching off his man / taking low percentage jump shots. Is there any concern that Russ is a difficult player to coach? We know he's got sort of an impetuous personality, I wonder sometimes if he just does his own thing sometimes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32345200@N06/sets/72157622871941237/show/http://www.flickr.com/photos/32345200@N06/sets/72157622871941237/show/
slideshow of photos I took tonight.
Tough game. But even with the double-digit loss, I felt pretty good about the way these guys competed.
Kevin played like a superstar, matching Lebron punch for punch, in the first half. I think he was something like 9-13 near the beginning of the third. Then, Cleveland absolutely locked in on him, forcing 6 straight misses. No one was able to pick up the slack.
@ChastenLouise
lol, me either.
Defensive Downer
Actually, it’s hard to be too disappointed. Cleveland is good. Really good. In my opinion, James is the best player in the league. And I don’t think that it’s close. Why am I wasting print on this well discussed topic in a defensive breakdown? See Thabo’s section for details. As for the score, it was an +11. It was well below average, but the -6 posted against the Celtics is the team’s low water mark for the season. I think the effort was there, but great offense trumps very good defense. Period.
Nenad Krstic (+6) - It’s the first time this season that Krstic has topped this list. He did a good job on Shaq, but I don’t give him too many props for that because I think that Shaq is done. Still, it was fun watching Krstic force Shaq into miscues. I will take three plays in the 4th quarter to show you Krstic’s versatility on defense.
Play #1 – Jeff Green has just missed for the Thunder, and the Cavs’ Jamario Moon is coming upcourt in transition. Meanwhile, Westbrook is in his usual spot, hanging around the offensive glass instead of getting back. Isn’t Mo Williams the Cavs’ second best offensive player? (Again, no I didn’t forget about Shaq). Anyway, Russ is trailing the action, and Williams is going up the left side. Moon spots him and flings him the ball. Krstic is closest, and contests the three that Williams shoots after getting the pass. Most big guys in this situation watch, but Krstic acted. Good for him. Remember I broke down a similar play from Durant last week.
Play #2 – Shaq is in the post, and Krstic is defending. Shaq is backing down and Krstic holds his ground. Shaq is ready to dribble for the 4th time when Krstic reaches out and pokes it away to Russell Westbrook.
Play #3 – Again it’s Shaq vs. Krstic in the post. Shaq wastes no time and he turns to score without dribbling. Krstic holds up and draws the offensive foul.
Also, note that these plays were consecutive trips by the Cavaliers. It was an excellent defensive display from Nenad.
Thabo Sefolosha (+5)
Thabo spent a lot of time on LBJ, and he did a decent job. The main problem with LBJ is that he’s going to take what you give him. Compare his game with Kobe’s. Sometimes, you KNOW when Kobe is going to shoot (whether he is contested or not) by reading the look on his face. One time, Thabo prepared to go on the side of a screen, LBJ saw this and popped the three before Thabo could recover. Another time, Thabo was retreating in transition, but he doesn’t have the quickness to stop LBJ in transition. James pulled up from three and made it. On another trip in the 4th, he switched off a screen and gave James to Westbrook. Lebron of course takes advantage, and he drove in forcing a foul. It’s a tough night when you have to guard King James.
Nick Collison (+5)
It’s a joy to watch Collison play. You can tell he is very intelligent. He is proactive rather than reactive. If he is guarding a minor threat (Z), he will position himself away a step or two more than usual to give more help. He also moves his feet very well. He makes minor corrections, while most players that are more athletic over do it. This combination of talents explains why he usually gets a drawn charge call every game.
Russell Westbrook (+1)
For Westbrook anyway, it was a decent showing. He contested a lot more than he usually does, and he was active with his hands. However, he still has most of the same defensive issues that have plagued him the whole season.
Serge Ibaka (+1)
Jeff Green (zero)
The Cavaliers ran the same play near the beginning of each half. Twice, Jeff Green was the victim. In each instance, LBJ had the ball on a side of the court. On the weakside, J J Hickson picked Russell Westbrook in order to get Mo Williams open. EACH time, Green had his head turned has was focused solely on Lebron. Of course James attracts attention, but to be a great defensive player you have to have your head on a swivel. In the first half, Williams was wide open and hit a three. In the second half, Green ran to contest late and Mo simply drove by and hit a slashing Hickson for the layup. Thabo also picked up a foul on the play in trying to stop Hickson from scoring. Thabo received a -1 for the play, but you don’t want your defensive stopper helping on a minor player when he has his hands full with Lebron.
Kevin Durant (zero)
Of course (again), the defensive gameplan was to stop Lebron. BUT part of being a great defensive unit is recognizing situations. In the 1st quarter, Thabo was guarding LBJ, and James was driving. However, Thabo had good position on him, and you could tell that James was going to put up a shot that would be contested. However, Durant went to help WHEN IT WASN’T NECESSARY! Lebron spotted the hole in the defense, and he fired it over to Parker in the left corner. Parker drained the three. I remember watching the Spurs over the last several years. They usually would not leave their assignments until their teammate was beaten. We are a very good defense, we are not at the great level as of yet.
Shaun Livingston (-2)
James Harden (-5)
I don't like the other James.....
I am talking about James Harden not the other James guy. lol
I think that James should have some plays run for him instead of him always setting up the others. I think he should run some of the KD and Thabo plays were he comes off of the double screen and catches it at the elbow for a turnaround jumper. Or at least run him of a baseline screen and have him pop out for the corner 3. Something other than him setting up everyone. I love his game, but I also love his shot too.
Call me a homer, but the non calls in the fourth quarter were atrocious
@Joe
Yeah, he aged fairly quickly towards the end there. Actually, he was serviceable, to good, as a shooting threat in the middle of last year. Then once the playoffs rolled around he looked like he was 65 years old. Basically about as quick as Shaq is now.....
@Colin
Ahh. I take your word for it. He was pretty good for us before the Joe Smith trade. Probably our best scorer in that terrible Durant rookie season.
"We talk all the time here about how we have a stacked roster and so much depth but I still think we can use another shooter. A dead eye big balls assassin that can go on the second unit and coach can put in with the big boys when he needs some points. What’s Wally Z doing these days? Anyone?"
Probably decomposing somewhere. After going through a year of him last year, let me tell you first hand the dude is finished.
He also led the league in three pointers that were actually two's because his foot was on the line. Most maddening thing ever.