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I really didn’t think there was any way the Thunder could win their 50th game (giving them a plus-27 win increase) and win it by nine, and it give me a slightly uneasy feeling.
Don’t get me wrong, this was what Oklahoma City needed. The Thunder snapped a two-game skid and a stretch they’d lost four of five by beating a quality Memphis squad 114-105, and did it by playing well in the last three minutes. Some momentum and some confidence has been built heading into the series with the Lakers. But the fact the Thunder struggled with some of the same issues that had gotten them into trouble this past week is what is bothersome. They gave up 56 points in the second half and executed poorly at times in late in the third and in the fourth. Again, they won. I’m happy. I’m actually thrilled. I mean, 50 wins! But if this game were an effort to right some of the wrongs from the last week, I think I’d give them a C-.
On that: I think one issue we’ve begun to see from OKC in games they have a comfortable lead, is that in the second half they go into the NBA equivalent of the prevent defense. They slow the offense down, dribble the 24 down to 13 or 14, pass twice and then chuck a jumper. The Thunder built these leads playing loose, playing free, running, cutting, sharing the ball and taking good looks when they got them. It’s when they take their foot off the gas that they get themselves into this weird offensive funks where everything turns to jumpshots. And the thing is, every NBA team goes through those spells. It’s teams like the Cavs, the Lakers, the Hornets and other squads with a star player that can get snapped out of the said funk because their star player makes some shots.
Now the last three minutes, OKC opened it up a bit and pumped the lead back into double-digits. The Thunder have got to find that balance of slow start, start up. That’s way easier said than done, but if on seven or eight straight possessions the slow down game isn’t working and you find yourself taking all 20-foot jumpers with three on the shot clock, maybe get back into that groove of looking for quality shots early and running the floor. Kevin Durant, who was stellar with 30 points on 12-18 shooting, hit two big shots for the Thunder in the fourth and made sure this thing didn’t get REALLY interesting. And Eric Maynor was absolutely excellent (15 points, 10 assists, five rebounds) and got the key playing time down the stretch simply because, he was doing a good job running the team.
The Thunder led by as many as 27 in the first half and was playing loose and fresh. Shots were dropping and it looked like it was going to be a full-on party in the Ford Center. But Memphis had something to play for and when the Thunder relaxed, the Grizzlies bit. Don’t get me wrong, I think this is what the Thunder needed. Most importantly, they won. They closed the game well after giving up a big lead. But the fact they went through some of the same ailments that have gotten them gave me just a slightly queasy feeling heading into the playoffs. That’s all.
Notes:
- How about Serge Ibaka tonight? Good. Ness. He had 15 points, nine rebounds and a career-high five blocks. One of them, I thought he popped the basketball he spiked it so hard. And his fast break dunk nearly made me hurt myself I jumped up so fast.
- Kevin Durant put on a show in the first quarter. He dropped 14 in the quarter and showed off some handles with a slick between-the-legs, behind-the-back move and then a no-look dish to Jeff Green. Then he popped a step-back jumper. Then he bumped his head on the Ford Center ceiling rising up to block a Rudy Gay shot. AND THEN he nailed a fadeaway 3 to end the first. It was something else.
- I thought Scott Brooks did a solid job managing minutes tonight. KD played the most with 38. Jeff Green played 34, Russell Westbrook 25 and Thabo 27. The bench saw a lot of minutes with Maynor playing 29, James Harden 26 and Ibaka 32. I think he would’ve liked to given the starters a little less and guys like D.J. White and Byron Mullens a little more, but Memphis’ comeback screwed that up.
- Eric Maynor is absolute money at the buzzer. He did it against Duke and he continues to do it in the NBA. It’s impressive.
- KD finished the game 5-5 from the line meaning he shot 90 percent from the free throw line for the season. That’s unbelievable.
- Serge Ibaka and Etan Thomas played really well together in the first half. Thomas took on the opposing center on the block leaving Ibaka a chance to rove a bit, hence the four first half swats. But in the second half, Brooks didn’t play Thomas a second and instead went with Green-Ibaka for most of it. Ibaka had to play the five and while he did a solid job there and inside OKC didn’t get abused or anything, Ibaka wasn’t near the force anymore.
- Memphis turned it over just nine times tonight. That’s a big reason they stayed close.
- I have a Film Study coming on this soon, but boy, OKC’s transition defense needs some sharpening.
- I see no reason why Rudy Gay shouldn’t average 25 a game for the rest of his career. He’s got ability leaking out of his ears. It’s about playing for the full 48, all 82 games. But he should be a star. He’s got he talent.
- Jeff Green took eight 3 pointers tonight. Granted, he was open for most every one and he’s a good shooter, but when you finish as well as he does at the rim, I think it’s smart to put it on the floor every now and again, especially after you’ve missed five straight from deep.
- With the master Hubie Brown calling this game on ESPN, I’m curious as to if anyone out there watched the FSOK broadcast. That’s dedication to your hometown guys if you did.
What’s funny about this game is that the score never got closer than eight in the second half. Oklahoma City really had in it hand the whole way, but because of the way it went with Memphis going on a 27-10 run or whatever it was, I think we started having flashbacks. The Thunder played relatively well and I think got back to some basics. The first half saw some really solid rotations defensively and late in the fourth, OKC got stops, rebounds and executed on the offensive end. If this game would’ve been played at 8-12 point margin the whole way, I think we all walk out happy.
But the fact OKC got up big then went flat for a bit letting the Grizzlies back in it, is what gives us the sour taste. But no matter what, this is win No. 50 (!!!) and puts the Thunder on the winning side headed into the playoffs. I think I’m good with that.
Next up: PLAYOFFS BABY. PLAYOFFS.
@RH
RH :
And major props to the four guys who all were sporting “It must be the beard” shirts along with the beards themselves. They were awesome.
Thanks. That game was a blast! I was thrilled to be part of it. We were hanging around the court after the game and some of J. Hard's family saw us and brought us down to the court to take some picks with James when he got out of the locker room. He was surprisingly impressed and even seemed a little taken aback. He's seems to be a genuinely nice guy, real laid back. Fear the Beard!
That is amazing @i_Blocka
I'm not sure that I would have been able to compose myself well enough to say anything to one of the "4".
Send Kobe home with his tail between his legs.
@i_Blocka
That's awesome! I saw you on ESPN sporting it. Which was cool.
Sported my "Why Not?" shirt courtside and Westbrook came over and talked to me. He loved it.
Sported my "Why Not?" shirt courtside and Westbrook cm over and talked to me. He loved it.
@Terry
Being an OKC native, I find it odd that I've never heard of "Oak City". Then again I don't book a lot of flights.
I guess Oak City is alright. It reminds me of Oaktown which is a nickname for Oakland.
slimjimzv :Hubie is the best and I really like Mike Tirico, but someone needs to tell him to stop with the ‘Oak City’. I lived in Edmond, Norman or OKC my entire life and have never . . . ever heard anyone call it that. If he wants to shorten the name ‘OKC’ is fine. Just as many syllables and we actually use it.
I've heard that phrase all my life. Airline pilots, football announcers, newsman, etc. have all used it. I like it.
I'm from the Southeastern part of the state and we sometimes refer to it as Ok City. More just a lazy way of saying Oklahoma.
Airline personnel call us "Oak City" or "Oke City". That's where I've always heard it. I think it sounds aight.
Royce, your comment about Etan and Ibaka in the first half is exactly why i like the idea of Ibaka starting at PF someday. Opposing centers will keep Serge on his heels, but from the 4 spot, Serge can really have the freedom to move around and get his long arms in the air. And Green can still get starter minutes and provide scoring from the bench like Harden has this year.
Oh well, first things first: BEAT L.A. GO THUNDER!!!
@Chas
When I lived in Kansas City, we referred to OKC as Oak City.
Watched the first half on ESPN. But found myself missing the enthusiasm from Davis/Long. We had two turnovers/dunks, crowd was crazy, and the ESPN guys were telling a story not even discussing the game (and didn't even mention the play).
Once ESPN switched games, I thanked God for Fox Sports!
ESPN's HD picture is much better though.
Fox Sports did show the evenings' roster and the post-game appreciation by the Thunder while ESPN loaded some more commercials in there.
I've heard that many times and wonder if that phrasing, "Oak City" might catch on here. Language is so fluid. It kind of makes sense too sense the timber line cuts right through OKC filing our metro with Blackjack Oak trees.
slimjimzv :Hubie is the best and I really like Mike Tirico, but someone needs to tell him to stop with the ‘Oak City’. I lived in Edmond, Norman or OKC my entire life and have never . . . ever heard anyone call it that. If he wants to shorten the name ‘OKC’ is fine. Just as many syllables and we actually use it.
My thoughts exactly. Royce could you send that message up through the ESPN hierarchy?
@KingGondo
You'll see him in the 3rd quarter of every game once the lakers are up 20...
Hey everyone i am a huge thunder fan from boston. so yeah, i am a celtics fan, but i would like you all to know i went to the celtics thunder game in my westbrook jersey. anyways, as a celtics fan i am very familar with the beat LA chant, and i absolutely loved that it happened during the game tonight. there is nothing a fan like me can ask for more than the thunder taking out la in the first round. i mean lets face it, the celts have no chance in the post season this year, so LETS GO THUNDER!!! BEAT LA!!!
I'm worried about Westbrook. He's looked flustered and frustrated for weeks now and it's affecting his play. We live and die by westbrook in this series; if he disappears, we don't have a prayer.
Beat L.A.!
f5alcon :
DT shirts are all over the place i counted 9 that were shown on the big screen
Agreed! I sported mine tonight and even made the big screen a few times, but I counted at least one DT shirt in every lower bowl section that I examined, which amounted to at least 20 or so - including one Why Not? playoffs shirt courtside next to the Memphis bench.
And major props to the four guys who all were sporting "It must be the beard" shirts along with the beards themselves. They were awesome.
Wow he had to go at least 5 for 5 on foul shots or 14 of 15 to get to 90%!
He got it right on the button.. that is pretty cool!
He is absolutely phenomenal... I don't see how any body who is a fan of the team could even insinuate that he is a choker.
Great looking team... great young leader!
i watched espn, but dvr'd the local broadcast. i want to hear the local interviews and such, but hubie is a basketball encyclopedia. (and he had the coolest old white guy permed 'fro in the eighties...)
fyi you can replay this one on ESPN3 right now
Kevin Durant blew the record out of the water for most FTA while shooting 90% or better. Previous record was Dolph Schayes with 696 attempts, Kevin Durant had 840. Moden record is Reggie Miller with 600 FTA. I think this is one record that won't be broken by anyone any time soon. For him to stay healthy and play all those minutes while shooting that well.
Some other interesting Kevin Durant notes.
- After going 12/18 from the field tonight, Durant finished with a FG% exactly the same as last season (47.6%).
- Durant attempted more threes this year but shot them less efficiently. Everything else remaining equal, if Durant had managed to shoot the three like he did last year (42.2%), his scoring average would be 30.8 points per game.
- Durant becomes the 19th player to ever average 30 points and 7 rebounds in a season. Of those, only four have done it while scoring more efficiently than Durant: Kareem, Jordan, Malone, and Rick Barry. He joins LeBron as the youngest to do it.
- Durant becomes the 6th player to average 30 points a game while scoring 60% TS or higher, joining the aforementioned and Adrian Dantley. He's the youngest to do it by two years (Kareem was 23).
No matter how you slice it, what an incredible season. Honestly, even though he's 21 years old, I don't know how he can top this.
f5alcon :@JelloPuddinPuphe might want a durant/lebron finals
Seriously f5alcon?! I just went from six to midnight...
@slimjimzv
I like The City
Hubie is the best and I really like Mike Tirico, but someone needs to tell him to stop with the 'Oak City'. I lived in Edmond, Norman or OKC my entire life and have never . . . ever heard anyone call it that. If he wants to shorten the name 'OKC' is fine. Just as many syllables and we actually use it.
f5alcon :@JelloPuddinPup
he might want a durant/lebron finals
Stern want's LeBron to beat Kobe so that he can have that proverbial previous #1 handing off the torch to #2 making him the new #1 due to his finally winning the big game in epic fashion. I'm pretty sure that Stern has dreams over that scenario.
holdmymartian :
Hopefully we can steal a game in L.A..
That will be key! I think if we're going to have any chance of winning this series, we have to take one of the first 2 games in LA. It doesn't matter if we split at home still, but we have to get it into our minds EARLY that we can play playoff-caliber basketball on the road against the defending champs. If we come back into OKC down 0-2 and then split the games at home then we run the risk of putting a lot of emotional baggage on young shoulders by making them fight for their lives in a hostile environment in the 5th game. I'd love to see us going into a game 5 scenario tied 2-2 (or even better, with a lead 3-1 by taking 1 in LA and both home games.)
Any way this plays out, will be awesome in my opinion because quite frankly, we weren't expected to be here! That doesn't mean we shouldn't have expectations and goals, but still. Oh, and all the nationally televised games will be sweet too!
@JelloPuddinPup
he might want a durant/lebron finals
Hopefully we can steal a game in L.A..
Daily Thunder shirts were everywhere. Also, I got the "Beat LA" chants started in section 321. I love that we got to show that to the entire country our fan spirit.
justin :
Even if Bynum isn’t healthy, Gasol / Bynum is murder for our front line.
Thomas/Ibaka could be a interesting pair to throw at Bynum/Gasol.
@Royce Young
Need to hurry it up. He's quickly become a fan favorite.
@Vega
I'm not 100 percent sure, but I'd guess two or three weeks.
Royce, when is that Ibaka t-shirt going to be ready?
Lakers in six.
Next up? LA Lakers!
...and the NBA Referees!
...and David Stern!
(Cause you know David Stern does not want the Lakers to lose in the first round!)
Even if Bynum isn't healthy, Gasol / Bynum is murder for our front line.
@t w
Sorry dude, but Sasha is garbage. It does hurt their bench depth though, considering Farmar just got hurt too. Heck, we might even see Adam Morrison some in this series.
Bynum is the key though. If he's healthy, it'll allow Odom to come off the bench which changes everything.
@t w
There goes the Lakers' championship hopes. lol
Kobe isn't healthy and 5 days rest won't make him healthy. Bynum might be back but game shape doesn't seem realistic. From what I hear Farmar strained something the other night. Derrick Fisher is old slow and capable of hitting big 3's and thats it. Phil still doesn't really trust Shannon Brown that much, and Mbenga is in no way better than Collison Ibaka Krstic but probably as good or better than Thomas. Odom is healthy and good when he wants to be, and Pau is really good.
I got to go to the game tonight, and it was awesome! I can't count the number of Ibaka jerseys I saw people wearing - and tons of DT shirts as well. I'm so happy for these guys.
The lakers Vujachich just sprained his ankle and couldn't walk to the locker room! Thunder can beat the lakers gonna have to run them old guys and smack kobe in his broken finger and hope bynum can't go. It's possible.
Chewie. Power of the Wookiee, man.
Ibaka looked like a beast tonight!
@Cpt. C-Note
That's absolutely.......stupid.
BEAT L.A.
RISE TOGETHER!
@f5alcon
I'm jammin my Zombie Sonics shirt right now!
...free throw shooting SEASON ever...
Not a Thunder fan, but just gotta say how impressed I am with Durant's free throw shooting. Leading the league in free throw attempts and shooting 90%? That's completely ridiculous. Maybe the best free throw shooting ever.