(Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOX SCORE - ADVANCED BOX SCORE
Kevin Durant is awesome. He’s a legit MVP candidate. He was fantastic once again against New Orleans with 30 points. We know this.
But this was Russell Westbrook’s game. He was huge on the offensive glass against Atlanta and he came up with an even bigger offensive board with 35 seconds left against the Hornets tonight. And the best part is, after sitting on the clock for 15 seconds, Westbrook finished off the extra possession he provided by knocking down a backbreaking jumper to put Oklahoma City up four with 15 seconds left. He flirted with a triple-double for the second straight night (26-8-10) and while KD will be the Thunder’s unquestioned MVP for the season, Westbrook was the MVP for the night.
And that’s what it takes to separate yourself from an average team with a superstar player, to a good team that actually may be able to compete with the best of the best. Instead of consistently relying on one guy to carry you, you can delegate to another playmaker to make it happen. Kevin Durant is going to be The Man 95 out of 100 times. But the fact that it’s looking like the Thunder can point to Westbrook and sometimes Jeff Green for that big play is more encouraging than anything else.
Not to say Durant wasn’t great tonight. Because he was. Another 30-point game coming on 10-20 shooting, 2-4 from 3 and three rebounds. However, Durant did turn the ball over eight (!) times, including five times in the first quarter. Consider: OKC turned it over just seven times against Atlanta. KD topped that mark all by himself tonight. And when it looked like KD might fade in crunch time while his team struggled offensively, Durant stepped up. Entering the fourth, he had 25 points. He didn’t take his first shot until there was 5:51 left. And he didn’t score his first points until there was 3:23 left. But unlike games back in late November, Durant asserted himself and then popped a beautiful baseline jumper and canned two free throws to seal the deal. It wasn’t a flashy 12-point takeover, but he made the big plays in the big moments to get a win. Which is what matters.
Notes:
- A trend that seems to be developing: As good as OKC seems to play the last four minutes of the third, they seem to play equally as poor the first four of the fourth. I think a lot of that is related to the fact KD sits the first four or five minutes of the quarter and the offense typically sputters.
- The Hornets didn’t take their first lead until 44 minutes in. But finally, a Darren Collison corner 3 put the Hornets on top for the first time, 95-94. That’s when KD scored three points to put OKC up for good. M-V-P.
- The Thunder started this one hot. They jumped out 14-2 early, but the first quarter finished knotted at 22-22. The reason? OKC didn’t score a point the last 3:42.
- Durant pulled the rip move perfectly on Peja early in the game, but somehow didn’t get the call. I’ve never seen that happen. As many calls as he got last night, he got the opposite treatment tonight. Not saying it was bad officiating, I’m more saying Durant wasn’t gift-wrapped any free throws. KD then pulled it again from the exact same spot and got the call on Marcus Thornton and used it on James Posey to get to the line to tie the game at 95-95.
- James Harden brought the headband back. I don’t know that it worked. Five points on 1-3 shooting in 15 minutes.
- Jeff Green is finding his 3-point stroke again (2-4). He looks confident taking it. He finished with 14 points and three rebounds, but was absolutely bullied by David West in the post the first half (15 points). However, West didn’t score a point in the second half. I thought a lot of that was that West seemed passive for some reason in the later stages of the game.
- Have we found that “shot-blocking big man” everyone always talks about every five seconds? I don’t know. But Serge Ibaka is looking pretty darn good as a rookie. If you’re not impressed by this 20-year-old’s ability, you’re not paying attention. I drool at what he could be like in two years. IN 22 minutes he had six points, eight rebounds and two blocks.
- How about Nenad Krstic people? OKC was actually looking for him in the third quarter. He ripped off 10 points in the third, eight coming on consecutive possessions. He finished the game 7-8 from the floor and was 7-7 before he was forced into a prayer at the end of the 24. He carried OKC offensively in the third and finished with 14 points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.
- I found it interesting Ibaka got the time down the stretch over Krstic though. It was a rebounding decision, plain and simple. Scott Brooks has shown in those scenarios, he’s going to go with Serge. Krstic may have been hot, but that’s what Durant, Green and Westbrook are for. Ibaka was in to rebound and protect the rim. The same scenario played out last time in the Ford Center as well. Krstic had a big third, but Ibaka played most the minutes in the fourth.
- Westbrook’s assist distribution tonight: Four led to buckets at the rim, two to 10-15 foot jumper, three to 16-23 foot jumper and one to a 3. When Krstic is on, Russ’s assists go up. It’s scientific fact.
- OKC went 10-20 from 16 to 23 feet. Another hot jumpshooting night. Westbrook was 8-10 at the rim and Krstic was 4-5 from 16 to 23 feet.
- Some credit has to go to Nick Collison who had 10 rebounds off the bench for OKC. He also scored six points, including a huge 15-foot jumper as the shot clock expired.
- I always wonder why teams like New Orleans and Memphis are so good at home when they have poor attendance. What’s the advantage there?
- OKC shot 59 percent from the floor in the first half and 57.5 percent for the game. Why was this close? Because NOLA took 18 more shots than OKC. Eighteen Thunder turnovers hurt.
- Durant just scores. It’s so natural and so fluid that you hardly notice 18 points in a half. Maybe it’s because we watch him do this darn near every game, but it just never seems like he “exploded” or anything. Does anyone know what I’m talking about?
- You already know, but that’s 23 straight games of 25 or more for KD. Oh and this stat is cool: KD with 44 25-point or more game this season. Last season, he had 43 total.
- I really like when Grant Long forgets where he is and yells things out like, “GET ON THE FLOOR!” or “HE’S OPEN! THERE HE IS!” It just adds a little personal flavor to the game. You can tell he cares and I like that.
This is the first time the Thunder have ever beaten the Ford Center’s former tenants and the first time the franchise has beat New Orleans in 10 tries. It’s a satisfying win for sure. Not only does this put OKC 28-21 and seven games over for the first time ever (not including Seattle), but it’s also four straight after the three-game losing streak and another two wins on a back-to-back. This team is just growing up exponentially. I don’t know if they’re playoff bound, but regardless of what happens, this team is good and I think they’ve made the improvement they needed for this year.
Next up: The Warriors again Saturday night in San Francisco.
Let trade for a hurt Yao, pay him 10 million for the rest of the year, and have our center for next year. We need more realistic trade ideas like this one, the deadline is coming!
555 :
spike :
RedDirt717 :Also, as annoying as Brian Davis is, I dont think there is an announcer in the league that loves the team more than that guy does.
Sean Elliott is the most unrepentant Spurs lover. Seriously, you have no idea how biased an announcer can be until you’ve heard him call a game. He whines about calls like an overprotective sports father.
Also, one of the announcers for Clevenland too… Don’t know his name, the older one… Man, he is the only one that I really can’t stand…
that's Austin Carr -
none of them can touch Heinsohn (Celtics) - dont know if he is still announcing; the last few games Donny Marshall (who was MUCH better) took his spot and Tommy was in the studio . . .
@555
That'd be Austin Carr..
spike :
RedDirt717 :Also, as annoying as Brian Davis is, I dont think there is an announcer in the league that loves the team more than that guy does.
Sean Elliott is the most unrepentant Spurs lover. Seriously, you have no idea how biased an announcer can be until you’ve heard him call a game. He whines about calls like an overprotective sports father.
Also, one of the announcers for Clevenland too... Don't know his name, the older one... Man, he is the only one that I really can't stand...
@Sammy
Yeah at this point it's kind of silly.. Oden fractured his kneecap in half, he's not even going to be the same player when he comes back..
I don't think any Blazers fans would argue that Oden has had more success thus far. I think their argument is that going forward, they'd still rather have Oden over Durant, dominant bigs bring championships, Durant = volume scorer, Tracy McGrady, Roy + Durant would be redundant, KD wouldn't be nearly as good without as many touches, Roy is the better wing anyway, blah blah blah. They can think whatever they like, we have Durant and they don't so neener neener neener.
Kevin Durant's tapped into a new level recently, but before his injury this year Greg Oden was easily the most productive center in the league when he was on the court. His shooting efficiency was off the charts (top five in the NBA), block % top 10, TRB% top 5, and he was playing some great defense. The only thing that was keeping him from being the best C with Dwight Howard were the fouls. All that considered, it wouldn't have been farfetched to say Greg Oden was more valuable than Kevin Durant especially considering the positions they play.
After the latest injury, of course, and with Kevin Durant's January, you can't put Greg Oden ahead of him anymore by any measurement. If he comes back 100% (unlikely, IMO) and continues what he was doing before it's closer than you think.. Oden was very productive this season.
@Mark!
Not technically a "misnomer" but I get your meaning. And I think you're probably right, my point was mainly that in a pinch Ibaka can be a good option at center. If a better option comes along that would upgrade us at the center spot, you take it, certainly. And Ibaka isn't ready yet to handle a lot of centers in the league, but I think in a few years he will be more than capable of handling most centers out there, just not those upper-echelon, elite ones.
Eric4Mayor :@KevYeah i guess that one is worth -3 right?. I also seen him late on a switch on Thornton that cost them 2 points. But i thought he blocked Collision 2-3 times and made some good close outs that weren’t even his man.
he also gave up penetration a couple of times - once to Collison (he tried to pick him up) and once to Peterson . . . he did something else but I'm not at home now so I can't look it up . . .
everyone remembers the blocks (they were cool indeed) but few people get the subtle mistakes which (basically) cancel out a good play . . . hence one of the reasons for me doing this . . .
Oden is better than Durant only on the minds of blazers fans, it`s insane.
Portland fans are like an overprotective athlete`s mom, it`s amazing to watch. I`ve seen some argue that Roy should be the ASG starter over Kobe, and Aldridge was "snubbed" from the game, come on.
Also, does anyone thinks Cousins could drop to our spot, or maybe we could trade our 2 1st rounders for him? Every Kentucky game I watch makes me like him more.
@Lefty
Finding someone like Gasol or Howard is not going to happen, but to suggest you don't need to find someone who can hang with them on at least one end of the court is a misnomer. There's a reason Orlando and LA made it to the finals and other quality teams did not.
I think Ibaka is great, don't mistake me. Just saying I dunno if Ibaka is the answer at center. I view him like a better version of Birdman. He can step in, play with energy, get some momentum blocks and dunks, and play strong defense on the inside. I think he's going to be better because Ibaka is quick enough to guard smaller players.
@justin
I doubt West is significantly stronger than Green in pure measureable strength. I think you're right pointing out length; length plays more into technique where it can grant an advantage. I'm sure West just has a better grasp of when and where to apply his strength and Green does not.
@f5alcon
And the wins they do have have almost nothing to do with Greg Oden. I love Oden, but it's silly to say he's the better pick at this point. Heck, I probably would have chosen him in their position, but hindsight is much different than being in the moment. When they chose Oden, they made the right choice. It's just unfortunate that he is so injury-prone.
@Brandon
Hustle Westbrook is my fantasy NBA team
@The DON
The blazers shouldnt be talking we have a better record then they do.
@Mark!
Like I said in the game thread I don't understand why David West is so much stronger than Jeff Green.. they must be within five pounds of each other.
West is much longer.
@Mark!
True, but with centers these days being more like oversized PFs, I think Ibaka could be fine most nights. I mean, Al Jefferson plays a lot of center, and I thought Ibaka played some pretty impressive D on him. Ibaka can hang with guys like Biedrins or Birdman or Chuck Hayes (or, at least, should be able to). He'll be outmatched some nights, but let's face it, every team has at least one player that isn't the best in the league at that position. We're not going to get someone better than Dwight Howard or Pau Gasol, but Ibaka plays with an energy that at least makes him worth looking at. He may not be the long term solution, but he's closer to it than Byron at this point.
@DizzyDai
It's body type more than height.
Similar comparison can be made between David West and Jeff Green. Both are about the same size (height and weight), but one can hang at PF and the other struggles.
I'm not against Ibaka at the 5. He has the speed and leaping ability to compete with slower 7 footers.
Ibaka is only 6'10, but Howard is only 6,11. Is that major difference? I'd say no.
We're favored by SRS in four of our next five games. We're dogs @ Portland but if Brandon Roy is still out by then I like our chances.
The things I like right now are: KD is getting busy mvp style. Westbrook is really getting his game together since they got Maynor( who I like much better than livingston or weaver) and will probably be an all-star next year if he keeps it up, Ibaka might turn out to be awesome in a couple years, he would be a sophmore in college right now dunking over Aldridge, Cousins, Monroe, Anyone... Harden could become an all-star if he gets a little stronger and field goal % gets better ...it will (wouldn't trade him for evans or curry). Krstic is still young and improving. Jeff Green is getting better by the day and ray allen is losing it, see why they traded ) (keep him please). Looking good...
Single game Statistical Plus/Minus:
OKC:
Player SPM %Min Points
Russell Westbrook 10.5 72% 7.0
Serge Ibaka 13.1 49% 5.9
Nick Collison 4.1 62% 2.4
Nenad Krstic 5.1 45% 2.1
Thabo Sefolosha 2.7 41% 1.0
James Harden -2.5 34% -0.8
Jeff Green -3.2 86% -2.5
Eric Maynor -16.3 28% -4.2
Kevin Durant -8.5 83% -6.6
Westbrook and the POST PLAYERS won this game. That is a turnaround! Durant scored well, but those 8 turnovers cost the team enough to offset his solid scoring game--no steals, 1 block, 3 RBs, 2 assists don't offset 8 TO's.
And NO:
Player SPM %Min Points
Marcus Thornton 11.7 69% 7.5
James Posey 4.3 64% 2.6
Morris Peterson 3.3 17% 0.5
Peja Stojakovic 0.3 83% 0.3
Julian Wright -3.5 8% -0.3
Emeka Okafor -1.0 78% -0.7
Darius Songaila -1.9 53% -0.9
David West -2.1 61% -1.2
Darren Collison -16.7 67% -10.3
@Kev
Yeah i guess that one is worth -3 right?. I also seen him late on a switch on Thornton that cost them 2 points. But i thought he blocked Collision 2-3 times and made some good close outs that weren't even his man.
RedDirt717 :
Also, as annoying as Brian Davis is, I dont think there is an announcer in the league that loves the team more than that guy does.
Sean Elliott is the most unrepentant Spurs lover. Seriously, you have no idea how biased an announcer can be until you've heard him call a game. He whines about calls like an overprotective sports father.
RedDirt717 :I can’t stand Brian Davis, but anyone that hates on Grant Long is cold hearted.
I love listening to him get into the game.
Also, as annoying as Brian Davis is, I dont think there is an announcer in the league that loves the team more than that guy does. It’s an endearing quality that almost makes up for the fact that when he talks I honestly feel the urge to hit mute.
you're kidding right? It'd be nice if Long's comments matched the action on the court . . .
Eric4Mayor :kev, Russell -1? No way.
He had more than one boneheaded defensive play on the night . . .
the last one was a three given up and it forced a timeout call . . .
I would've written about it but I don't want to be redundant . . .
we need to start a movement to refer to Russ as Hustle Westbrook.. eh? eh?? or Russell the Hustle.. or Hustle Russell.. then the sound guys at the Ford Center can play the "Do the Hustle" song every time he scores instead of "Who let the dogs out" every time he scores..
"Oh and this stat is cool: KD with 44 25-point or more game this season. Last season, he had 43 total."
Considering that I spent the entire season a year ago in awe of KD's unreal scoring ability, I find this statistic to be absolutely amazing.
@Eric4Mayor
I noticed that tonight. When he get's a good pass from Maynor it's like watching a Middle school football player taking a pass from Sam Bradford.
I can't stand Brian Davis, but anyone that hates on Grant Long is cold hearted.
I love listening to him get into the game.
Also, as annoying as Brian Davis is, I dont think there is an announcer in the league that loves the team more than that guy does. It's an endearing quality that almost makes up for the fact that when he talks I honestly feel the urge to hit mute.
Dan2 :
It’s really amazing that KD scores as much as he does when we don’t have any sharp shooters or big men that score in the post. Melo has Martin and Nene and Billups, Lebron has great shooters around him like parker and Z is a decent post player, Kobe obviously has had shaq, odom, and now gasol and bynum. Westbrook is great driving to the basket, but most of KD’s points are him coming off a screen or creating going to the hoop, if Ibaka turns into a threat down low, or we get a sharp shooter, or pick up a big that can score, aka bosh, KD could really take off efficiency wise.
Ibaka has the worst hands I've ever seen. He makes Kwame hands look good.
It's really amazing that KD scores as much as he does when we don't have any sharp shooters or big men that score in the post. Melo has Martin and Nene and Billups, Lebron has great shooters around him like parker and Z is a decent post player, Kobe obviously has had shaq, odom, and now gasol and bynum. Westbrook is great driving to the basket, but most of KD's points are him coming off a screen or creating going to the hoop, if Ibaka turns into a threat down low, or we get a sharp shooter, or pick up a big that can score, aka bosh, KD could really take off efficiency wise.
kev, Russell -1? No way.
@astrorob
Awesome.
Not sure if this has to do with the t-shirt, but espn just referred to kd as Durantula...
@Durantula
Hopefully, it will be Andris Biedrins' last game playing against us.
Well, we have Golden State up next so maybe Durant can go ahead and get 45 more and fly by 'Melo. :)
I just did the math....
49 games @ 29.693 = 1455 points. Add 3 points to that, and take 1458 / 49 games = 29.755 (2 points is 29.734)
That's crazy!! Now, he just needs to keep it up for the next 33 games.
Carmelo: 29.736
Durant: 29.693
Tough to get much closer than that..
I have been very impressed with Westbrook lately. I thought Green had a good game. Certainly compared to what he did through most of January.
Well, San Antonio won and PHX is on their way, but it's amazing to think that 5th place isn't very far away. 2 road wins would likely put us in 5th in the West going in to the all-star break. Simply mind boggling to think about...
@Paul
Nope.
Is tonight's first half where West pushed around Green, enough motivation to possibly move some contracts and one of our many picks for Haywood?
@clarkem
Maybe, don't remember. I'm only suggesting this as a lineup to match up with teams that give us a ton of trouble down low (Memphis and the Lakers come immediately to mind). I think it would be worth a look for 5-8 for a few nights.
@Sammy
Didn't Durant say that he didn't feel comfortable at the 2?
With Portland already losing tonight, if San Antonio and PHX were to both lose (both were up last I checked) we would end the night in a 4 way tie for 5th place!!!
Also, just to preempt the calls of 'Durant can't play 2!' do you guys realize the two most used lineups with Durant at SG last year were: Watson/Durant/Green/Collison/Petro and Watson/Durant/Green/Collison/Swift? Are we really blaming positioning for the failures of those five man units?
@justin
Oh please, get Grant Long off the air. I'd pay extra to not have to listen to Brian Davis.
At only 20, I think it's fair to expect Ibaka to gain some weight as he grows older. I thought he played exceptionally good post d tonight. I agree that if Green is you PF, Ibaka at center is probably not going to work unless he makes a quantum leap offensively. With a 'true' PF I think he'd be just fine. Honestly, with the vast improvement in team defense that we've seen this year, I'd be interested in experimenting with going big again. Westbrook/Durant/Green/Collison/Ibaka. Not as a permanent thing, but this could be a useful lineup when facing a team like the Lakers.
Technically the Warriors play in Oakland... not that it really matters me, but I'm sure someone from Cali will be reading.