Rob Mahoney of HP with a terrific defense of Russell Westbrook: “However, if we look at all of the lineups that played more than 25 minutes this season featuring Westbrook and Durant without Green, we see a completely different result. 10 different lineup combinations that fit that criteria totaled 921.6 minutes of playing time over the course of the regular season, and with Green out of the mix, those lineups were collectively 7.8 points better per 100 possessions than their opponents. In contrast to the old starters, the new starting lineup is doing quite well; the Westbrook – Sefolosha – Durant – Serge Ibaka – Kendrick Perkins lineup was 5.8 points better than their opponents per 100 possessions in 271.4 regular season minutes.”
John Hollinger writing on breakout players in the postseason: “While Wednesday night wasn’t a great showcase of Ibaka’s offensive skills — he had five turnovers despite hardly touching the ball — the series as a whole was a spectacular display of his talents. “I-block-a” sent back an estimated 12.4 percent of the 2-point attempts by the Nuggets in the series, according to Basketball-Reference.com, turning aside 24 shots in five games. None were bigger than his two at-the-basket denials when the Nuggets led by nine with fewer than four minutes left on Wednesday. Take those away, and it’s game over; no amount of Durant heroics would have mattered.”
M. Haubs of The Painted Area asks a great question: “It leads to this question I’ve been pondering: if you were starting a franchise, and you could have either any one player in the league, or Sam Presti, which would you take? I would generally always take a player, and would probably still do so in this case, but I really have to think about it. It’s a testament to the fact that Presti is, in my opinion, easily the best general manager in the league currently, and is already getting close to establishing himself as an all-time great.”
Really liked this recap of the Thunder’s Game 5 win.
Emma Carmichael of Deadspin on KD’s Game 5: “What I love about watching a Durant jump shot is that he hardly needs to get his feet set to unleash one. Kobe Bryant and Ray Allen are legendary for their discipline in this regard; they both can appear to have been rooted to a spot as they pull up, even if they’ve just barely curled around a screen. Durant always looks like he could have, just as easily, taken another step and driven to the hoop: There’s a fluid momentum to his rise and release. He looks like he wishes he didn’t have to stop to watch it go in.”
No statements from the NBA on the backcourt violation that wasn’t. The call was entirely correct.
Tom Ziller of SBN on OKC’s defense: “The Thunder’s defense was mediocre during the regular season, just No. 15 in the league. The Nuggets’ offense ranked No. 1, scoring 112.3 points per 100 possessions — better than the Spurs, Lakers, Suns or Heat. You would have expected Denver to push Oklahoma City by scoring efficiently with consistency, and by forcing the Thunder to beat them by outscoring them. But that didn’t happen: Oklahoma City’s defense stepped up.”
Clark Matthews of The Lost Ogle on Russell Westbrook: “Sometimes this style creates Sportscenter highlights, and other times it leads to us as fans getting as frustrated as we did while staying up way past our bedtimes on Monday night. Most of the time it creates winning basketball. Without the play of Russell Westbrook, the Thunder are probably not an NBA playoff team, and certainly not on the verge of going to the second round.”
New Kevin Durant Gatorade Prime Commercial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziThIko2fqI&feature=player_embedded
My game one tickets just sold. If you are interested in the game 2 tickets here is the link: http://bit.ly/l3JvFN
@Grolgar
I'm in the same boat so I'll be rooting the Griz on with you.
thanks guys.
@Vince
Possible schedules for Thunder:
http://newsok.com/schedule-scenarios-for-okc-thunders-second-round-nba-playoffs-series-released/article/3563166?custom_click=headlines_widget
@JJJ
Geeze. I'm going to all the games and I won't complain once it starts, but it doesn't benefit either us or Memphis to start games at 8:30pm Central. Darn TV!
I have to leave town next weekend so I really need the Griz to win tonight so I don't miss a home game. I already wanted them over the Spurs, but now the stakes are serious! Go Griz (for one more game)!
@Vince
There's an article on NewsOK.com
We basically play the same days as the Miami-Boston series
@JJJ
Where's this from?
In all seriousness, the Knicks might be a good fit after Billups' contract expires next season.
@Sammy
Why would Minnesota need a point guard? They drafted three of them two years ago -- wait, never mind...
If Memphis wins tonight:
G1: Sunday at noon on ABC
G2: Tuesday at 830 on TNT
If San Antonio wins tonight:
G1: Tuesday at 830 on TNT
G2: Thursday at 700 on TNT
Regardless of tonights game:
G3: Saturday at 400
G4: Monday at 830
@justin
Lakers, maybe, once Fisher retires?
Miami, maybe.
Minny?
Detroit?
There wouldn't be many, but Maynor gets a lot of respect around the league, and all it would take is one team.
@Loud City Jimmy
36 hours seems an awfully quick turnaround by NBA playoff standards. I'd be surprised by that. Could be wrong.
justin :It’s pretty sad that Susan Bible is able to get more interesting, candid quotations from the Thunder players and staff than Darnell et. al.
+1
Lefty :@justin It’s encouraging that we held one of the best in the league FG%-wise so low. Bodes well for the coming series.
Gonna be a long few days until we play again. Anyone wanna come over for some D&D?
I'm in!
Any word about the times of the games for the next series...the guys on the Sports Animal in Tulsa said if Memphis wins game 6 we will open at home on Sunday at noon. Anyone else heard anything?
Don't the clippers have Bledsoe developing right now? And with Mo Williams, I don't see them taking Eric. Cleveland maybe if they decide to go for Derrick Williams but I guess I don't see it happening. I hope Eric stays but I got the same feel Sammy did.
What team would start him right now? I don't see any teams that would replace their current starter with Maynor. Maybe the Clippers or Cleveland for the sake of having a young guy to develop?
If there was opportunity for him to start he'd be dumb not to take it...
Maybe I'm reading between the lines a bit too much, but what I get from that article is Maynor is out after his rookie contract. He wants to start somewhere.
It's pretty sad that Susan Bible is able to get more interesting, candid quotations from the Thunder players and staff than Darnell et. al.
I'm selling my tickets to the first two home games. (G1) http://bit.ly/jKC7VB (G2) http://bit.ly/iLEstg
I'll sell them lower and without fees to any DT readers. e-mail me if you are interested:
jason.l.hines@gmail.com
@christian283
That was a really good column. Thumbs up!
@Brew
LOL, Brew! Maynor is the perfect backup -- that was a fun read. Interesting what Westbrook said.
Brew :@christian283
I love Maynor. If it came down to keep Westy, and lose Ibaka or Harden, or keep Maynor, Serge, and James, that would be one tough decision, and a run-on sentence to boot!
This is an interesting scenario! I wouldn't want to have to make that choice either!
Hey all! I'm still ecstatic about winning the series. Can't wait to start the next one. Here's another video I made recapping the series with denver. All we do is win! Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyBMGzdsGH0&feature=channel_video_title
@christian283
I love Maynor. If it came down to keep Westy, and lose Ibaka or Harden, or keep Maynor, Serge, and James, that would be one tough decision, and a run-on sentence to boot!
@PNT
I agree. Hopefully that stops after this post-season, but I suspect they might keep it going for a while longer.
Can't believe you didn't include this new gem in Bolts:
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=19615
insider article on post season MVP's so far.... Durant is 3 and Ibaka is 6
@justin
It's encouraging that we held one of the best in the league FG%-wise so low. Bodes well for the coming series.
Gonna be a long few days until we play again. Anyone wanna come over for some D&D?
Well, the dream for having HCA in the WCF died last night. Oh well, it was a long shot anyway.
I think it is funny how many here have felt compelled to comment on lack of sleep being a problem in the playoffs. Come on now!!!
I didn't realize how poorly Nene ended up shooting the ball for the series against us. After game one there were some big concerns about him but he ended up with lower productivity for the third year in a row in the playoffs.
I think the media need to give a rest to the whole "a team that was 3-29 at one point two seasons ago." There are exactly 3 players from that team that are still with us (KD, Russ, and Nick). Our current second unit would beat the starters that were on the floor for the first ever game in OKC. TOTALLY different team.
the mahoney article was a great read. imo RW could also benefit from a little more role definition. everyone else does- kendrick perkins rebound and low post defender, ibaka - block shots, kd- score, harden- scoring off bench etc.
rw's role seems to be scoring/get kd involved/just generally be aggressive but even this is vague. IMO if the coaching staff were to put more emphasis for him on on-ball defense and pushing the ball in transition (something i think we could do a lot more) then i think this would help him out as well. i know he'll be fine, i just think part of the problem is lack of clarity from coaching staff/what he should be focusing on in each game.
Its my Birthday.