Thunder beat writer for the Oklahoman, Darnell Mayberry joins TGR to talk Thunder travel habits, how the new guys have fit in, and preparing for the playoffs.
He also shoots Joel down pretty good, so you wont wanna miss that. Our Deep Thoughts segment has never been so steamy. Lots of talk, about STDs, packages and sleep habits!
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lol at the James Harden gossip at about 23:00 minutes.
@lemur123
ESPN has become a lot like CNN/MSNBC/Fox. There is less news to report than time to fill so they have to create news.
It's irritating how much control they have over the national general consensus, but it doesn't make them (or the people that follow them) any more correct than a stopped clock.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/news/story?id=6283857&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2finsider%2fnews%2fstory%3fid%3d6283857
Chris Palmer is a joke. I've hated this series the whole way (methods of comparison, key weakness vs. key weakness and skill vs. skill make no sense- does it really matter that Rose is faster than Wade when Wade is faster and more productive than virtually every SG in the league, and does the fact that one player has a good hookshot really make him an inherently better or worse player) but this is probably the most egregious comparison. Palmer watches one Thunder-Clippers game (the last one) and suddenly concludes Griffin is better than Durant (tweeted Griffin's line was better than Durant after the game). I find it most amusing that he says the key difference is Griffin improves those around him more than KD. Is he not aware of the records of the Clippers vs. Thunder, especially last year when the Thunder had less collective talent? The differential in quality between the stats and non-stats guys on ESPN is really astounding.
Most people would say that perk is prob as good as he is going to get offensively but I actually agree with you Daniel... I don't see any reason why he couldn't evolutionize his game another few steps (offensively, defense is fine of course, still always something he can work on there too) but I really believe that with the right work post game could be serge's go to offense... I believe he us already showing some signs... Its mostly needed confidence... But my god this guy has only been playing organized ball 5 years right!? And he is showing that he is an eager leaner IMO... You know who else didnt play much organized ball before NBA and became an all-star right? Tim Duncan! He was a swimmer I'm sure everyone knew... Bet it took three strokes to make it to the other side of the pool for him ha
JJJ :@thunderstruck4life It would be nice if we had a back-to-the-basket scorer to rely on though.
I agree that this is the one piece we are still missing: a guy who can post up and get us some easy buckets inside when the outside shots aren't falling.
Serge has pretty good footwork in the post sometimes, but he's not a consistent enough finisher. I would like to see Perk work on this part of his game. He's big enough to back people down easily, but like Serge, it's the actual shooting part that he struggles with.
@Greg
Yeah. Everybody needs supporters. I rooted a little extra for him.
@Crow
Remember you being a long-time supporter. Good for Kyle, indeed.
Mohammed has shot well in each of the 4 playoffs he played decent minutes in, 2 of which he took 6-7 shots per game.
Perkins has shot well in each of the 3 playoffs he played decent minutes in. 2 of which he took 4 shots per game, one year 9 shots per game.
Of course they will have to get the pass first.
Good for Kyle. Ties his NBA career high. He was a good pickup for Utah.
I second that Andrew
I wouldn't trade places with anyone except the Lakers headed into these playoffs. I don't think thats a half bad position to be in.
kyle weaver - 19 points off the bench tonight for utah.
The team has 6 games to prove their main components aren't in over their heads. Russ needs to flat out play better. He looks like a chicken with his head cut off too often, and he's hurting the team more than helping it when he's not hitting crazy threes. KD needs to stop forcing a jumper. If he's going to force a drive, I can live with it. But to chuck and chuck when one extra pass is all the offense needs is stupid. Brooks needs to pull his head out of his rear and stop denying truth. The starting lineup has consistently blown leads in the third, and come out flat on one end or the other in the first. Harden is too good to keep chained to the bench, and Russ/KD absolutely need someone near their level to keep them grounded on the court.
@thunderstruck4life
My guess is that Presti will wait another year and see how Ibaka does in the starting role for an extended period. We really need a scoring wing to (hopefully) anchor the bench next year the way Harden does now. Not sure what they will do with the backup 4/5 position though. It would be nice if we had a back-to-the-basket scorer to rely on though.
Another question for everybody... I know we have many a big man in the mix right now and in a great position there... Realize we are prob going to really go after the 3/4 positions on the draft prob... Should we try and get a big man who can score though... In instances when Durand and Russell are flat? Could lat or any others maybe be that guy... Just would like to see us expand our offensive scoring options even more... I know I'm being a little nit picky with this though
Good word... How about Dallas Portland... Is Dallas falling flat possibly? I just do not feel like they are an elite team this year even with tgeir record... But I know they are a good team.. I just know we can beat any team if we play our hearts out in a 7 game series when I look at some of the scores with teams like Dallas and spurs ect
I don't follow twitter closely so I hadn't heard that.
It could be nothing, small or bigger. But either it will come out or it won't.
Against Denver limiting their 3 pt attempts is pretty important. Playing the Thunder, teams may focus on limiting FTAs. Denver hasn't been fouling much lately and has gotten a lot of 3 pt attempts. Today against the Lakers both defenses achieved reductions on these items. But the Laker defense gave up too many fouls and the Laker offense was held to very poor 3 pt shooting.
When I really start tp think about it I liked durants attitude last night after the game...
Obviously not happy.. But simply he said "you know we have had a couple of bad games, we can't freak out... Just have to fix the things that need fixed an make our shots"... Of course not word for word verbatum there but nonetheless that kind of comforted me a little more thinking about it this afternoon... Denver is going to be a challenge but hey... We had the second best record in the month of march... We are a good team... It's just wake up time.. Still trying to find out y Westbrook was excused the other day.. Haven't found anything on it yet... Crow are you around? Have you heard anything bud?
Well looking ahead SA has the easier remaining schedule (@atl, sac, utah, @lal, @phx) than the Lakers (utah, gold st, @port, okc, sa, @sac). Before the lakers - spurs match-up, SA just has 1 team above .500 to play while the lakers have 2. I guess im just being hopeful than either us or portland can beat them to put SA up 3 games with either 2 or 3 games remaining.
OT, but it's really starting to bother me. And actually, it's bothered me since 2008.
I wish that the Oklahoman and Royce would use "Thunder" as a plural noun.
The Thunder are winning the game.
The Thunder have been very successful since the trade (aside from this weekend).
It's the right way. I promise.
@Grolgar
Agree
OUThunderfan :
That just about locks SA into the 1 seed in the west.
How do you figure? If San Antonio loses at LA then LA will have the tie breaker. Aside from that game, LA is only 1 game out of taking first.
I'm glad Denver won. While Denver scares me, I still don't want to see the Lakers in round 2. If we can't beat Denver with home court (which we'lll maintain unless they beat us in Denver and OKC) then we aren't good enough anyway. If we can get by Denver then I like our match up with the Spurs...
@Bender
I no what you mean,trying to stay positive
@walker
None taken, I feel crazy thinking that. But at least we will really know where we stand and match up against the Nuggets after these games coming up, before the playoffs. But wow, they are impressive.
Anyone else read today that Jerry Sloan is open to coaching again if the situation is right? Would he be a good fit for this team?
No disrespect intended
I might be crazy, but I think the key to this Nugget team is limiting Gallo/Chandler. I think Durant is gonna have his work cut out for him defensively
@Bender
Yea you crazzzy
No. We definitely have the hardest first round opponent of probably any top team in the NBA
Also, i'm going to the Denver game at home with my wife, and she has never gone to a game where the Thunder have lost
So... we've got to play Denver. Am I crazy to think I'd rather play any of the first 3 seeds?
My only hope is that a team riding high after beating the Lakers at home, who then has to play against a team just as talented in desperation mode has the making of an upset
That just about locks SA into the 1 seed in the west.
Justin, which nuggets players do you see giving the thunder trouble on Tuesday? Gotta figure it'll be the Felton Lawson combo no?
Kobe Bryant hero mode. LOL.
They way they're playing defense they might not cool down. They're certainly gonna be in every game they play. The difference between them and the thunder in terms of offensive execution is astounding.
Although, if the Nuggets win this game, they'll only be three games back and we have a game @LAL left, including the two against Denver. I think the two Denver games will show us pretty much where we're at.
Skeletor :
WE all keep on waiting for them to cool down, but what if we wait all the way to a first round exit. They have to lose eventually, and keep this intensity and level of play up all the time can they? Right?!?!
If they're the better team, they're the better team. They're certainly not more talented, though. They're just playing smart, and playing the way they need to play so they have the best chance to win.
The only time I remember the Thunder ever doing that was the beginning of last season and in the playoffs last year.
Brooks probably goes on the hot seat of the team blows a first round series with HCA to Denver, and rightfully so IMO.
WE all keep on waiting for them to cool down, but what if we wait all the way to a first round exit. They have to lose eventually, and keep this intensity and level of play up all the time can they? Right?!?!
Denver is great and they are well coached. They know what they have to do on both ends. I wish the Thunder did.
Man, now Russ has an Ozarka commercial. He is really cleaning up with these local Tv spots. KD's agent needs to wake up.
Denver is playing well (aside from Gallinari's missed fts), but the Lakers are just too good.
Looks like I jinxed Denver.
Holy guacamole, Denver so far is flat out playing with L.A. Hate to say it, but we may be getting ahead of ourselves with all this concern about who the second round opponent will be considering who the first round opponent is.
Off topic, but someone tell me why Michael Wilbon is a part of ESPN's NBA broadcast team as an analyst? He adds nothing. NOTHING.