vs. 
LA Lakers (3-2, 0-2 road) vs. Okla. City Thunder (2-3, 2-0 home)
TV: ESPN (Cox 29, HD 720)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:30 CDT
Series: Lakers lead 3-2
View from the enemy: Forum Blue and Gold
Nick Collison was right on. “We can’t rely on the building to win the game for us.” No you can not. It’s not like this is the first hostile environment the Lakers have played in. They’ll be ready for the Sea of Blue. Though we’ll sure do our best to make an impact.
There’s honestly not a ton to say about it. We know what the Thunder need to do. We know what they don’t need to do. It’s just about playing well now. Russell Westbrook has to get back to what works. KD needs to play well. Jeff Green needs to hit a shot or two. And the role players have to play well. That’s not too much to ask is it? Everyone play really awesome?
This is a first for this team. Their backs are against the wall. They’ve got the Lakers ready to close it out. How will they respond? I think we’ll learn more about this young team tonight – win or lose – than at any other point in the season. That is, until we see what they do in Game 7. See what I did there?
Tip at 8:30 CDT. Go Everyone.
Great game and great season,
I loved the fan reaction after Westbrook missed the shot at the end of the game. Standing and cheering for the next 10 minutes. That was awesome.
This team has a great future, can't wait for next year
Last note-loved the reaction by Green and KD after Russ' shot missed. Those guys both struggled at times throughout the series (Green had a nice game tonight and Durant was awesome but showed his age) but they wanted a chance at a game 7. Jeff Green, in my opinion, did an admirable job playing at the four this year. Given that his best position is the three im not sure if he is in the long term plans, but he will be a heck of a player in this league for the next ten years
Great season for the thunder and probably the best possible outcome for them long-term.
If there is anything to keep guys motivated it is a tough playoff loss like the one this evening.
This team has a million things to improve on and yet they went toe to toe with the Lakers. Im excited for the offseason and the future. Ill be very interested to see how Presti builds this team for next year.
@justin
All in all, especially considering the age of most of our players, I'm not dissatisfied with what happened. I think we played our hearts out, and for the most part, we couldn't have asked for much more. Next year, we're gonna be seriously scary. Maybe we can celebrate by KD having his coming out party for the playoffs next year and making a deep run.
@f5alcon
Maybe some low post moves and a better 15 footer and we would be laughing about how we freaked out about not having a low post threat.
greAT season boys
@justin
yeah, i cant wait to see the next year version of ibaka
f5alcon :ugh 6 months is too long.
Yep.
Other than Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka I guess, nobody else really performed better than the regular season in the playoffs.
Kind of disappointing, but expected considering the inexperience of our coaching and players.
This is the offseason to make it happen and solidify that core..
Crash Davis: "I got a lotta time to hear your theories and I wanna hear every damn one of 'em...but right now I'm tired and I don't wanna think about (basketball) and I don't wanna think about quantum physics...I don't wanna think about nothin'...I just wanna be.
ugh 6 months is too long.
Are there any teams that are much higher than us in the draft order that would rather have multiple first round picks (even though lower in the round) and in turn will give up their 1 higher pick?
What truly are the options we have with the massive number of draft picks we have?
I am not changing the starting-up because it is a good lineup for us and we won 50 games that way...
(... but I am not going to use it a single second of the 4th quarter in any of the 6 games because...?)
I am not changing the start-up because it is a good lineup for us...
(but it in the end I use it less in game 6 than any other game because...?)
Couldn't have asked for a better surprise than winning 50 and playoffs, lets do it again next season. We should pickup James Andersen and a big like that kid from FSU.
I just think we need an actual center. I know the market isn't great for that type of player but that's what we need
@justin
So basically we need all the premiere free agents PFs such as Amare'e (Bosh is obviously gone) to sign, keeping Lee's price tag from driving up too high.
Kobe just said:
"We won't see a more athletic team the rest of the way."
@Dylan
I'd be shocked if Lee got the max.. though it's probably better than giving Rashard the max.. couldn't believe that.
It could be that there are so many dope free agents out there this offseason that by the time teams are ready to settle for the david lees of the world, there's no money left
or some rich team might strike out on the big guns and give lee a rashard lewis contract, you never know
justin :@Colin
B
It’s going to be a long wait especially when you don’t have a vested interest in the Draft Lottery..
Just sit back and enjoy the playoffs. The Suns-Spurs series and the rest of the Cavs series (presumably against Boston and Orlando) should be excellent.
@Colin B
It's going to be a long wait especially when you don't have a vested interest in the Draft Lottery..
@Sammy
5/70 would be tough but if it's just straight $14m (or even better, front loaded) then maybe. If it's an escalating contract that's too much.
I think most agree we need some kind of acquisition to open the offense up a bit or get Harden a lot more involved.
I just want to say how proud I am of this team. I never expected to become such a die-hard NBA fan. The kind of turnaround we made in just one season is nothing short of amazing.
I don't know what I'm going to do in the offseason...I guess I'll have to settle for football.
Is it next season yet?
Sammy :
5/65 I do in a heartbreak. I think someone goes over $14m per, though.
Lol. Freudian slip. "Heartbreak" = "Heartbeat."
How long till summer league?
5/65 I do in a heartbreak. I think someone goes over $14m per, though.
david lee was offered a 4/40 or something close to that last year. his numbers improved and he became an "all star".
might be a reach
Sammy :@JustinHow much would you pay for Lee? I think he’d be a good acquisition, but it’s a little closed minded to say that he is “the only move.”
I was being sarcastic.. obviously there are other options. I'd do 5/65 for Lee.. LMA type of contract.
KD: "Next season starts now."
We shot 36%? Dammmmmn.
@Justin
How much would you pay for Lee? I think he'd be a good acquisition, but it's a little closed minded to say that he is "the only move."
@Snowflake
It would be better than Collison / Ibaka on the boards and light years better offensively.. of course not as good defensively, but we were fine defensively (aside from the boards) with Krstic / Green.
@jhoan
That's true.. I wouldn't go over 5/65 for Lee but he might get offered more. You never know..
@The DON
No wait. Isiah Thomas?
Pau's putback was on Ibaka, not Collison.
KD in the presser, the guy is so awesome.
see justin the problem is not getting david lee. the problem is how much does david lee want to be paid. i think he could do defence as a PF and his midrange shot is much improved. but i think he would want to be overpaid
@justin
Do you think Lee/Ibaka would be better than Collison/Ibaka?
@jdstorm
Future draft picks? unprotected of course
Ibaka / Lee would be better than Krstic / Green defensively, especially with an offseason of coaching.
The DON :
We need to trade KD for Gortat, Russ for Mike Conley, and Harden along with Ibaka for JJ Barea
^^^make those moves and we win a ring every year for 12 years straight
^^^^ anyone that disputes this can never be taken seriously
I think if we moved Green to sixth man, we'd be a lot better, because we'd have one more guy on the court than the other team.
Tough ending, but a great season, and great showing by the Thunder crowd.
i would like to see a lineup of..
westbrook
harden
durant
lee
*a real center whos not a girl*
green 6th man
@The DON
Mark Cuban?
Russ and Ibaka will be awesome next season.
@Mic
Awww, shucks!
justin :
Snowflake :I just don’t think adding an undersized center is the answer
He would play power forward, his natural position. Green would go to the bench where he belongs on our team.
But who closes out games? Westbrook, Durant, Green, Lee, and Ibaka? I still think we would have trouble defending good low post players
Your team had me on the edge of my seat yelling at the TV. But they're just that good and will be for a very long time.
Please ignore Muppets. There are plenty of Laker fans that respect heart, skill and determination when they see it, which the young Thunder have in spades.
@The DON
But then who's left to trade for eddy curry?
THEDON,
You don't think a frontcourt starting lineup of Lee and Ibaka next year with JG as 6th man is a signifcant improvement? I can't think of a better upgrade that we can afford.
Snowflake :I just don’t think adding an undersized center is the answer
He would play power forward, his natural position. Green would go to the bench where he belongs on our team.
haha just throwing names out there..