Good Saturday second rounders. Thank you for your support of Daily Thunder. Grizzlies huh?
The Thunder’s five-game series win over the Nuggets was really, really special. The first playoff series win in Oklahoma City history and it featured a number of memorable moments and plays. But it’s over now. It’s done. Now the Thunder have their next opponent and things are about to get real again. Soak up the taste of victory one last time and after that, I better not catch any of you watching this again. It’s time to move on and focus on that team from Memphis.
@Perkins Game Face
I don't think so, we need Perks weight on Z-Bo and Serge's lank on Gasol.
According to Darnell, serge is gonna guard Randolph and perk will be on gasol. Is that what was to be expected? Is this a good thing?
justin :
Denver’s better than Memphis. I’d be shocked if we lost this series with HCA, it’d be a huge upset and a big setback.
Totally agree. I felt if we got past Denver we could go all the way. Still do.
Just got my tickets. Section 108! Woohoo!
Go Thunder!!
Ah, scratch that last bit about usage from assists. I was thinking about offensive rating impact from assists.
Westbrook is almost always going to get more usage from assists. It is big FGAs nights for Russ vs KD that I'd most want to see. Another option would be usage - usage from assists, to keep the possessions used on FTAs.
@ATH
That's good data ATH. Comparison by FGAs might be a worthwhile split too.
Ozarkhick :@ATH@Boston
was one.
Thanks. I actually think I got them all, I just forgot to include the note and then messed up some addition somewhere else. These numbers are slightly incorrect.
Zach Lowe from SI picked OKC in 5. (preview)
http://nba-point-forward.si.com/2011/04/30/burning-questions-in-grizzlies-vs-thunder/
@ATH
@Boston was one.
@Bryson
Not to completely discount your theory. But it would have more validity if we were talking about the "old" Zach Randolph.
@Bryson
Did he look less driven last night? I don't expect it to play any sort of role.
KD missed 4 games, so I definitely missed one somewhere. Anybody remember all four he missed?
Something I think a lot of people are overlooking...Zach Randolph got his contract extension. I'm not sure if it will prove anything, but if its in his personality, he might be a little less driven. Maybe?
I just went through BBR's advanced game logs to find the this season's results in relation to whether Durant or Westbrook led in usage. Interesting results, maybe:
Durant 2010-2011 USG%: 30.6
Higher USG% in 30 games
18 wins (two ties w/ Russ) – 12 losses (.600 win%)
Westbrook 2010-2011 USG%: 31.6
Higher USG% in 51 games
38 wins (two ties w/ Kevin, two w/ no Kevin) – 13 loses (one w/ no Kevin) (.745 win%)
February and March were the big swing months. KD went 5-0 in Feb. and Russ went 1-5. Then, in March, KD went just 1-0 and Russ went crazy, 12-1.
In the playoffs so far it's KD 2-0 and Russ 2-1, and I'm sure you can remember which games are which off the top of your head.
From all this I glean it isn't necessarily a problem if Westbrook plays the leading man. Fourth-quarter USG breakdowns would help with the discussion.
Does anyone have Randolph's numbers with Ibaka guarding him? Statscube won't load for me for some reason.
I need a new car, does anybody on here work for any of the dealerships?
Sportsbook online giving 4:1 for FINALS MVP for Rose, Kobe, LBJ, and.....
Kevin Durant!
andrew :@kfmsooner
That is the last article of his that I ever plan on reading. No idea how the dude managed to get hired by ESPN.
I've wondered the same about quite a few over there, especially the TV "personalities".
@kfmsooner
That is the last article of his that I ever plan on reading. No idea how the dude managed to get hired by ESPN.
@kfmsooner
I cannot read it all,but If Russ is A- offense,KD is S+.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2011/insider/news/story?id=6449171
Chris Palmer is the worst writer I have ever read...This article is pathetic. If you don't have Insider, it's title is 'First Round Star Report Cards" and he lists Rose (A- on defense...WTF? Collison ripped him up), Kobe, Russ (A- offense, B+ defense), Joe Johsnon and Pau. Where's Dirk, Durant, Gasol, Z-Bo, The Big 3, etc.? What a bunch of drivel...
Everyone get downtown EARLY on Sunday! It is going to be absolutely insane with the Memorial marathon and the Festival of the Arts also (not to mention all the street construction). I'm actually really worried a lot of people will be late to the game... Can't wait though...
I cannot use Internet the whole day and I am surprised that we will play against Memphis.It will be tough series but we have enough big men to guard Zach and Marc.
@justin
I like Memphis, but I agree. I feel Denver would have beat Memphis. I just thin Memphis matches up perfectly against San Antone.
Id like to see harden go back to avg 18 a game
LOL at the soundtrack to that... "all I do is win" is a bit much
If we bottled up Nene so well, I think we should be pretty good with Memphis. My only concern is that Ibaka may be a little underweight for both Z-bo and gasol. But imagine this series with Green, he'd be getting 38 minutes a night and everyone would be flipping out about Randolph going for 40-15 every game.
Zach Harper, Daily Dime Live:
By the way, insane stat of the playoffs: Durant has a True Shooting percentage of 92.6% in the clutch so far.
Thunder S :
I find it interesting that the team was practicing pnr defense and closing out shooters on its off days. Looks like they were more worried abt San Antonio
Also our weak points on defense. We're fine at helping on bigs >.<
Denver's better than Memphis. I'd be shocked if we lost this series with HCA, it'd be a huge upset and a big setback.
Something to think about, we are 4 wins over the Grizzlies from playing in the Western Conference Finals...... Whoa. :O
I find it interesting that the team was practicing pnr defense and closing out shooters on its off days. Looks like they were more worried abt San Antonio
I know this video isn't of a Grizzly, but it's still a bear being scared by thunder and I liked it, considering what starts tomorrow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBrioPx0f8c&playnext=1&list=PLDC232CB25CAFCA15
I just watched something. I don't know what it was but it made me feel good. All I can think about is Memphis now...and the need to protect my picnic basket.