(AP Photo/Don Ryan)
With the Thunder offense struggling, the stars sitting and one of the most important games of the season hanging in the balance, Oklahoma City needed someone, anyone to step up. You’d expect it to be Kevin Durant. Or maybe even Russell Westbrook, as he has the past few games. But even without wearing a headband, James Harden raised his hand. And by raised his hand, I mean scored 13 straight points for the Thunder in the fourth quarter.
I get asked a lot: “Is Harden a flop? Is he living up to the hype? Is his beard really THAT perfect?” Games like tonight are exactly why he was drafted third by Sam Presti. When OKC needs a secondary scorer, he has the ability to fill it up. He can create, he can shoot and he can score. He hasn’t always risen to the occasion, but remember, he is a rookie. But it can’t be Durant, Westbrook and Green every night. And the fact OKC can rely on Harden to provide that offensive spark could truly be the biggest revelation for this group as they head into the All-Star break.
But what had to happen after Harden cooled was the Thunder’s studs to step up. And they did just that. Westbrook made an aggressive play getting to the rim and drawing a foul. Then Durant rocked Nicolas Batum to sleep and knocked down a jumper. It comes down to playmakers making plays and OKC did enough to win. And that’s what it takes to sustain a winning streak. Have more points than the other guy and move on with your life. Considering the intensity and importance of this game, I don’t think I could be any more thrilled.
But it wasn’t just Harden off the bench. Eric Maynor (five assists) was steady filling in behind a struggling Westbrook. Serge Ibaka’s interior defense was stellar. Ibaka had four chewblockas and in the fourth quarter, he didn’t let LaMarcus Aldridge even attempt a shot. The entire night, the Thunder’s defense was nearly flawless. Chris Webber said after the game that Thunder just played the best team defense he’s seen all year from any team. Kevin McHale said followed with “absolutely”. Consider: OKC had 17 steals, forced 20 turnovers, held the Blazers to 40 percent from the field and had seven blocks. It was a theme from the outset as the Thunder didn’t allow a point until there was 7:50 left and forced the Blazers into a 1-10 start from the floor. Just a masterful game on that end.
Notes:
- OKC outscored Portland 30-16 in the fourth. As mentioned, Harden ripped off 13 straight in the quarter and KD had seven.
- It just felt like KD pressed a little in this game. 25 shots from him is a little out of the ordinary. He had 33 and 11 on 12-25 shooting, which by all indications is a fantastic game. And when he hit 26 points at the end of the third quarter, people were acting like he was playing bad. Talk about setting the bar high.
- Oh yeah: That’s 25 straight 25+ games for KD and he also eclipsed 5,000 points. Not in this game though. That would be a record.
- Kevin McHale on KD: “He’s the icicle: long, skinny and cold blooded”.
- Westbrook wasn’t great tonight by any means, but seven assists, five rebounds and three steals is a nice game. He definitely contributed to the win, which is what’s important. How about this though: four of Westbrook’s five rebounds were offensive. That’s just effort.
- Jeff Green absolutely carried the team in the first half. He played a game-high 43 minutes, was a plus-16, scored 17 points, had four steals and one block. Without his first half, OKC loses this game.
- Interesting end of the first half. Durant and Westbrook appeared to get into a little tiff over something and I don’t think Scott Brooks liked it. He wisely sat both of them down, letting Maynor and Harden finish the last three minutes of the half. I thought that was a great move by Brooks. Instead of trying to sort out the disagreement in the heat of battle, Westbrook and Durant were able to cool their jets a bit and discuss it in the locker room. Obviously everyone is still friends because if you noticed in the fourth quarter, Westbrook and Durant were back to fist-pounding and hugging as always.
- The first possession really set a tone for the Thunder defensively. OKC forced Portland into a shot clock violation and matched that defensive intensity basically the entire night.
- Durant’s juke and flush on Andre Miller was stunning. Literally stunning.
- Aldridge finished with 15 points, but as mentioned didn’t attempt a shot in the fourth and didn’t score until 17 minutes in. His damage was done only in the middle parts. Great defensive effort on him tonight.
- Nick Collison quietly had an excellent 28 minutes. Six points, five rebounds and a block.
- After hearing in the Daily Dime chat how Batum’s defense on Durant was all the difference in the first half, it was quite satisfying to watch KD knock down shots over him in the fourth. Batum is a very good defender, but the shots KD was missing early on were good looks and ones he typically makes with regularity.
- That’s 15 road wins this year for the Thunder. The last two seasons, the franchise has won a total of 15 roadies, combined.
- SIX. IN. A. ROW.
- This game had a playoff-like intensity to it. Granted, I don’t really know what a playoff atmosphere is actually like, but I’ve heard things.
This is one of those wins you put a little star by and remember down the line. The Rose Garden is no easy place to win. Yeah, the Blazers are hurt and this game would surely have been different had they been healthy, but they’re still a good team. But riding a five-game streak and with the distraction of the All-Star break ahead, OKC came out focused, energetic and intense. The Thunder took care of business on the road getting contributions from everyone. And best of all, I sensed a little crunch time, cold blooded killer instinct there in the fourth quarter from the team. Not just from Durant, but from the whole group. These guys are moving from “Going to be scary good in a year or two” to “Going to be scary good like… now.” Are we having fun yet?
Next up: All-Star Weekend!
can you guys please add that to a thunder shirt for us! "CHEWBLOCKAS"
@maanu
Glad you're around. We need ex-Sonic fans just as much as the new Thunder fans. You're the guys that educate us. :)
Also, we're tied for 5th right now, guys. And we actually own the tie-breaker at the moment!
Hum guys, I love Durant and he's a monster. He's definitely in the conversation. But come on, Lebron is untouchable. Not because of the hype. But because of the insane season he is having. When I hear that Cleveland would be decent without Lebron, that's insane too... OKC even has a better starting five than Cleveland. James is alone right now in a different planet. But Durant is definitely in the mix for the third place.
Joe: And from Switzerland too...Well, a lot of them actually, thx to Thabo. Even if I usually don't post, I come here everyday. Hands down of the greatest of the Truehoop network blog. And it is fitting that it comes with one of the most exciting young team of the moment.
Jax raging is right. Russ had a bad game but he understood that his shot wasn't falling and he defered to his teammates. And somehow he rises to the occasion at the end with the FT. If you look at his stats, he struggled mightily with the shooting but 7 assists and 4 OREB, we can live with it. And 3 steals as well. Talk about not folding when your offensive game doesn't click. He came with effort play and that is a huge reason why we won.
Oh and btw, who needs a shot-blocking big?
Superb analysis of a great game. I'm so glad the Thunder are playing this well. As a jilted Sonics fan, I should still be salty. But this team is scary good. I knew Durant was the truth but this is ridiculous. Westbrook is killing it with the boards & steals, Jeff Green continues to do all the little things and occasionally the freakish feats as well, it's really amazing.
More importantly, the perennial Sonics weakness is gone. While not considered top flight, the Nenad-Serge center combo is seriously holding it down.
Although my Sonics skipped town, I'm still a fan of the league, and if I'm gonna root for a team, it's gonna be them Thunder cats. Congrats OKC fans!
@Joe
thanks. Always love reading all of the comments you guys make. i learn more and more about basketball from everyone.
@Anonymous
Welcome sir. We have fans that I know of in Iceland and China. Now Ireland. Very awesome.
@Tom
Seconded, its also mildly reminiscent of Gervin's nickname who Durant is often compared with. Though I think that comparison is far more flattering for Gervin than Durant. Also, he works as a "cooler" because of his free throws, and once he gets his crunch time down it will fit even more. The Icicle, I love it.
One thing about Russ that I think bears mentioning. He didn't have a near quadruple double type performance last night, and we all agree that he had a down game.
BUT, Blake didn't torch him this time. That's improvement.
AND, he didn't take 18 shots. There was a gameplan that didn't include Russell scoring, and he went along with it and didn't force his shot. That is MAJOR improvement.
Him and Russ should be workout buddies.. same story with Russ.
It's easier against a team like PDX who have no interior shot blocking at the moment..
He needs to work on that mid range game in the offseason, and finishing more consistently at the rim.
It would be nice if harden can become assassin like more often, just be able to take over the game when we need it, take pressure off durant.
Durant can win mvp if lebron gets hurt and is out the rest of the season, besides that it wont happen, if mvp actually meant most valuable it would be different, we would suck without durant, cleveland would be decent without lebron.
I like Kevin McHale's nickname for Durant ha he said " he's the "Icicle" long,skinny,and cold blooded"
watched the game on NBA TV. when harden went on his one-man assault, i really wish i could've heard the commentary of one brian davis and his sidekick grant long.
instead i was lulled to sleep by the confused portland broadcasters.
I really want to see that crossover on Miller again.
Two quick observations:
1) When I think of Thunder and Thunder Basketball, I think of a Big Blue Wave... thanks Grant Long.
2) In the fourth quarter, it was the first time that I've seen KD take pleasure in absolutely busting everything in everyone's eye. I think he knew that their fans disrespect him every chance they get. I was enjoying it to say the least.
justin :Still LeBron is throwing up 30 / 7 / 8 on even HIGHER scoring efficiency than Durant (.618% TS).
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=goiuZ
That’s a pretty lonely list for LeBron..
The fact that Jordan did all that without taking 3s and in a hand-check encouraged league makes you realize just how completely ridiculous he was and how far LeBron has to go to get anywhere near him. As a die-hard Knicks fan growing up (and yes, Isiah killed me, haha), I never liked Jordan, but in retrospect you just have to concede he's the greatest wing player ever and all LeBron can hope to do is be 1A in that discussion.
John Hollinger wrote a great piece on the Thunder: http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-100209/daily-dime
@JD
Uh...yeah. They use it a lot. It's pretty cool the way they do it now - not so much when they did a version of it by Hinder...
I didn't get to see this game, but I listened to the third quarter before going to sleep. I kept checking the box scores in my dreams and everytime we were losing, so it was nice to wake up and see that in the real world, we had won the game.
Of course, I also dreamed I was three hours late for work and that I was stuck on the island from Lost, so I don't know where to put the Thunder boxscore in that context.
Brandon :
Durant and Westbrook are the cover page on ESPN’s NBA page.. the title is “Thunder Struck”.. cool!
Never been to a game, but have they ever used that song to introduce the players? Cool idea.
Well Durant gets more points per shot than Lebron, so in that sense he's the more efficient scorer. His usage numbers are a good deal higher as well, as he basically plays point guard in that system. When you view Lebon as a SF, those numbers seem incredible. But as a point guard, not so much, because those assist numbers don't seem so out of place.
I still can't believe how well the Thunder are doing this season. This is my first season back following the NBA for about 15 years and it's great to see my franchise doing so well, especially with such a young team. Are there any other Thunder fans from the UK out there?
Durant and Westbrook are the cover page on ESPN's NBA page.. the title is "Thunder Struck".. cool!
Look, I love durant, but objectively his play doesn't touch lebron's. Not even close, really. Not only is James one of the best playmakers in the league, he's a more efficient scorer than durant. If lebron keeps up this level of production and wins a few titles, you're going to have a very very hard time convincing me he's not the GOAT.
We talk about durant as a once in a generation talent, doing what he's doing at his age. It's fantastic, it really is. But take a look at the numbers James put up as a 20 year old. In an odd way, following durant so closely has helped me better realize just how crazy special lebron is.
What if LeBron decides he wants to come play WITH Durant next year? How insane would that be. I'm not smoking the happy grass, I know it'll never happen, but what if. You could put Durant back at the 2, or put LeBron at the 2. Unfortunately, while we DO have cap room, I don't think we have enough cap room to sign a max contract player. Plus LeBron wouldn't leave a small market to come to an even smaller market, but it's fun to think about nonetheless. LeBron and KD playing together with Russell, Uncle Jeff, Harden and Ibaka? As Royce would say "I think I just peed a little."
The Icicle! I like it more than the Duranutla.
ok, here's your scenario:
while posting online nude pics of himself, LeBron accidentally trips and sets off one his loaded guns, sending a bullet through his left thigh - the resulting injury takes him out for the rest of the season...
KD then takes the MVP
Still LeBron is throwing up 30 / 7 / 8 on even HIGHER scoring efficiency than Durant (.618% TS).
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/tiny.cgi?id=goiuZ
That's a pretty lonely list for LeBron..
I have a question that must be both asked and answered. It is epic in nature, WHO IS BIG BLUE?
@justin
Ya, deff still no lock, but that would get him enough publicity to make it a serious race
@Jake
Agree. If OKC keeps winning and Durant breaks the mark, it'll actually be a legitimate debate.
@Jake
That is a possibility. It still might not be enough, but it'd definitely make it very close if KD breaks a modern record set by Jordan. Good call.
So, I agree with justin that Lebron is still pretty well ahead of KD in the mvp race, but heres a hypothetical:
KD goes another 15-20+ games with 25+ essentially assuring him the scoring title and breaking Jordan's mark of 40 straight such games. The team wins 48-52 games. So hes over doubled his teams wins from last year and has done something that noone else has since Wilt. Then I think he wins MVP.
This streak is starting to get some real publicity, and if he breaks Jordan's mark, I think thatll be enough to put him ahead of LBJ
justin :
Lebron: 29.811
Durant: 29.745
Carmelo: 29.461
rats!
Lebron: 29.811
Durant: 29.745
Carmelo: 29.461
Where is kev?
who has the NBA scoring lead right now?
is KD still 0.000001 points behind the leader?
@justin
I know we've been down this road before, but I still sa KD is doing more with less.
If KD finishes third in the MVP voting, I'll be thrilled. His time will come. He certainly has a great case, but overcoming the hype and attention of LeBron and Kobe is hard enough. But LeBron is having an amazing season.
@jeff
Then book it! :-)
@Aenema
Didn't feel like looking it up.. but they're on pace for 65 wins. If LeBron had won two in a row going for his third maybe they go to Durant..
@ gap
hahaahahahahahah dont worry about being a homer... thats what we are all here for... we bask in the glory of the great icicle that is durant.. im thinking scoring title might be in the bag... mvp is tough... lebron is kinda good... but i believe it was c-webb tonite that said if okc gets 4th KD wins mvp
@justin
I think someone is exaggerating that winning streak.
The Cavs have won like 3532 straight games with two of their primary ballhandlers out and LeBron averaging something like 30 points and 9 assists a game. We'd have to pretty much run the table and win 60 for KD to have any chance to take this award from LeBron. If we get close to 50 wins I think KD is a sure second place, which is incredible in its own right for a 21 year old, but he won't win it over LeBron barring something outrageous happening.
How about Jeff Green tonight. Put us on his back in the first half.
@Jeff
Don't ask me I'm the biggest homer on this site (pause), but I would say so if we go from 23 wins to 50 and KD can win the scoring title, I would say so :-)
Also, I keep hearing on almost every broadcast on NBATV that he's in the mix for the award.
well anyone wearing something from the rip city couldnt hit an outside shot... (see 77 points at home)
Oh, and did anyone else get excited every time Rudy Fernandez hoisted a 3?
This team is everything that the NBA should be about. Great guys that are good friends that play the right way. It is just a pleasure to watch.