ESPN.com 5-on-5 on where the Thunder-Grizzlies series is headed: “I don’t expect Zach Randolph to miss every field goal in three out of four quarters again, but Oklahoma City figured out how to be physical against the bully in the yard. Now it’s up to Memphis to figure out how to keep up with Kevin Durant and his immense scoring help.”
Deadspin has to put together a 16-man one-on-one tournament and KD is the third-seed: “My only caveat about including Durant is that a lot of what makes him such a force in the NBA — that rip-through-and-jump-shot combination, for instance, which seems to put him on the foul line six times a game by itself — would render him completely insufferable in our hypothetical one-on-one tournament. Dwyane Wade and Paul Pierce would call cheapies all game long; Durant would draw real ones. It’d be unwatchable.”
Enjoyed this story about the Thunder’s PA guy Jim Miller.
Berry Tramel on fan reaction, or overreaction: “The Thunder’s Game 1 loss to Memphis certainly seemed to send Oklahoma City into a sky-is-falling funk. In a state accustomed to apocalyptic sporting events — college football games that determine Oklahoma’s collective psyche; do-or-die NCAA Tournament games — the NBA playoffs throw us a curve. Series basketball. Not 40 minutes, but a fortnight, to determine the superior team. Adjustments made from game to game. Rivalries developing from scratch. Two weeks worth of ebbs and flows that build to a possible epic showdown but most definitely do not include a Game 1 Armageddon.”
Chad Ford’s first mock has OKC taking Tyler Honeycutt: “The Thunder are solid at virtually every position on the floor. But with Jeff Green being shipped off to Boston this year, Honeycutt could come in and bring some depth. Honeycutt isn’t as big as Green, but he’s a talented, versatile wing with a great basketball IQ. He’d be a great fit in OKC.”
Nick Collison earns his money.
Nate Robinson on his future in OKC: “We’ll see what happens in the summer If I’m here I’m here. If I’m not I’m not. I just want to play basketball.”
Sean Deveney of Sporting News on unsung postseason heroes: “Harden struggled in the opener of the Thunder’s series against the Grizzlies, but he was terrific in Game 2, scoring 21 points and joining up with benchmate Eric Maynor (15 points) to keep Oklahoma City afloat when the starters were struggling.”
NBA Playbook on how OKC took away Zach Randolph’s space: “Zach Randolph struggled on the block the whole game, scoring just 8 points on 10 post up possessions in game two (0.80 PPP). Seeing Randolph struggle when forced to put the ball on the floor, expect to see Ibaka, Collison, and Perkins press up on Randolph every time he gets the ball on the block here on out. You are going to shut Randolph out by doing this (he was actually able to draw a couple fouls when getting to the rim), but I think this is more of an effective way to stop the hot shooting Randolph right now.”
Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal on Memphis adjusting: “By their own admission, the Griz didn’t handle the aggressive infiltration of their offense with the intelligence that’s guided them to this point. Memphis watched film Thursday morning and the popcorn-less viewing only confirmed what the team already knew: Oklahoma City did nothing special. The Griz had poor spacing. They made bad decisions passing the basketball and settled for jump shots.”
@okc baby
Seems like we were going under the screen and giving those jumpers to Conley. It looks like our strategy was to stay with Gasol and make Conley beat us. The thing is, Conley had a great shooting night and still didn't beat us. I doubt he shoots the ball that well going forward.
@Bryson
Have you seen how bad this draft is?
@Bryson
Most drafts I've seen have biyombo going well before our draft pick
@dylan
Your insane.
Biyombo will be the best shot blocker in the d-league next season.
Biyombo will go in the top 5
http://www.nbadraft.net/players/bismack-biyombo
I want us to take Bismack Biyombo...6'9" Center from CONGO. Shot blocking maniac. Sound like someone else we know...? Imagine our Congonese front line blocking every shot that came inside...Amazing!
We got to do a better job on Conley, Randolph and Gasol. Or at least figure out who we want to play defense on. If those three do work we lose.
Conley getting 24 points is not going to cut it.
Of 6 western playoff teams (the 4 in the 2nd round plus San Antonio and Denver) and using regular season data, the Thunder ranked 3rd on frequency of inside shots, 5th on frequency of 3 pt shots, 1st on inside shot FG%, 5th on 3 pt FG%, 1st on reliance on PG for assists, 1st on getting / relying on getting to the line, 1st on quantity of 20+ pts/g scorers but last on # of 10+ pts/g scorers. It could be broken out further but I think I'll stop there for the moment.
Somebody with access to the mysnergy data might be able to roughly fill up much of such a table. (I have a software limitation and can't see it right now.)
8 main options
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
I agree that the degree of passing and movement and importance of spacing help in classify offense as complex or simple. The degree of diversity of who scores and from which locations would seem like other criteria. The techniques used to get shots and make them more open would be another level of detail.
@Thunder S
Sticking to what you do efficiently makes sense. The Thunder might over-emphasize some types of plays compared to other plays that are more efficient. But it comes down to whether you can get more quantity of the more efficient plays.
Should they try to get more 1b, 1c, 2b , 2c, 3a, 3b? Can they get them and still be as efficient as the average for those plays now or good enough to still want to go that way more?
I'd like to see a summary of the frequency and efficiency of those 6 options. We might not be able to do it exactly but it could be approximated.
@Crow
I prefer a simple offense, especially when you have talent. Teams with less talent should run an extremely complicated offense because they need to. This doesnt mean you cant have multiple options within the offense. For example, you could run basically three plays but have many options depending on how the defense is playing you:
1) get the ball to KD off a screen.
option a: kd shoots it if he is open (i.e. the trailer hasnt recovered and the opposing big man doesnt help)
option b: If the opposing big man helps, pass to the thunder big man who should have by now rolled to the basket.
option c: If the trail guy recovers, then have kd drive the basketball and look to either score or kick it out to the perimeter. note: works only if harden is in/another three pt shooter
2) westbrook drive off a high screen
option a: get to the rim and score or get fouled
option b: pick and pop or roll depending on the screener. i think ibaka could function as both.
option c. drive and kick to a three pt shooter (again assuming harden is in).
3) get the ball to harden
option a: harden making decisions off the elbow pnr
option b: if they overplay harden then have him backcut
I dont know what has historically happened but these are just thoughts on the thunder. I think is pretty much what the thunder do but each person needs to make better decisions in each play. that's the key i think- better execution. you could argue the big men are ill-equipped to finish some of these plays, but at the very least u get a chance for offensive rebounds with shots near the basket/or get fouled.
@Crow
I've always thought Adelman, Carlisle and Sloan had an offensive system that were more complex. At least to the point where 1st and 2nd year players couldn't feel confident in running it to it's fullest.
But then again, those 3 coaches never won championships. They did get close though.
I think the triangle offense is difficult to pick up and execute, and guys like Artest never do get it. Plus, you have to play a certain style at several positions to fit a role in that offense perfectly.
I've always thought San Antonio's offense was on the simple side, your basic inside out game with some great penetration. Orlando's offense was extremely simple three years ago, all inside out, but it worked with their personnel.
I love X's and O's and my personality is given to appreciate the strategy. I'd spend all my time as a coach diving into stat analysis with my crew trying to tweak this or that just right. But one thing I've always thought is that the best players always win, regardless of their system. I think it's as true now as it's ever been. I just think if those Kobe/Shaq or MJ/Pippen teams ran any style of offense, they'd still win it all. Just because they were the best players.
This year's Bulls are winning like banshees and it'll all because of their defense. Their offense isn't impressive to me in the least, but it works since Rose is as good as he is.
Starters offense is the one that needs improvement. Whether Thabo is starting or not. You want to compare the Lakers bench who only have Odom who can score. Yet with or without Harden our bench is far more superior. Just sayin. Even Phil Jackson was worried about our bench. Excuses are for losers.
With that said Harden and Maynor could go to teams like the Lakers or Miami for the money.
Scott Brooks recently said something like we have to or need to keep it simple, probably referring to the offense.
There is the Westbrook dimension of that strategy but I'll focus on the bigger questions for a moment, does the team have to or need to keep it simple?
Is that a key to their success and / or a possible near-term ceiling?
Do teams who get to the conference finals in the west or win a championship on average have a comparatively simple or complex offense?
Do they vary is such descriptions depending on series match-up? Do you really benefit in going all the way by having the ability to do both successfully enough?
At the moment I mainly just have this question and am interested in hearing various observations / opinions / analysis.
DJ 7 :
So i think we all for once and for all agree that Thabo shouldn’t be in the starting unit next season, and the team is far better off with Harden starting. I haven’t seen the wierdos who keep crying that Thabo’s defense alone should be the reason why he should keep starting.
You seem to be the one crying. Just sayin
Whether we'll be able to afford Russ, Ibaka, and Harden long term really depends on the new CBA and how much ownership is willing to spend. We've never seen this ownership group in a position of having a championship caliber squad assembled and ready to pay for. Presti has done as good a job as can be imagined in assembling this roster in a way that no one gets overpaid. We shouldn't need to go over the current tax line to keep this roster together, but if ownership isn't even willing to spend that much, we may have a real problem.
@Skeletor
No probs there either. I'll be at the parade downtown just the same.
Even if we win we'll still be flying stealth because we're not the Heat, Celtics, or Lakers
@Skeletor
Best news of the day, thanks! :)
Ibaka returned to practice and will play
@Skeletor
Skelly, I'm perfectly OK with everyone ignoring us. If we fly under the radar and we pop up in the WCF or the Finals what are they gonna say then? We're lucky? Pssssh. I'll take a stealth approach every day of the week. It means more satisfaction for me on the back side.
I hope that tomorrow not only do we win but also have a complete offensive game where RW gets 10 assists so that the pundits will let this RW vs. KD drama die
@Skeletor
Don't pay attention to anything Ric Bucher writes.
Why is ESPN not letter this go? The Thunder have lost the least amount of games in the playoffs out of all the teams in the West, played great defense minus one game, and all anyone can talk about is the "rift" between RW and KD.
You mentioned players such as Lebron, Wade, Rose, and Dirk in your chat yesterday, and when asked for your playoff MVP so far you mention Dirk, Bron, Wade or DRose. Where's the love for Durant and that Thunder team in OKC? Only one passing mention of them in the whole column yesterday and it was in a reader question.
Ric Bucher
(1:47 PM)
Just haven't been overwhelmed by the way they've played collectively. KD has pulled out some games for them on offense, as he can, but the disconnect between he and Russ is troubling.
woah...is this is a cool pic or what
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2011/0505/nba_g_gasol_b1_576.jpg
bouzi4real :How much would an old inconsistent Allen cost? Plus I think he retires soon.i was thinking on the lines of a rip hamilton. I guess they would be damn near the same thing at that point.lol
Allen has a $10M player option for next year, which I assume he'll take with the new CBA looming
Funny how since we're in the playoffs, we haven't really discussed the draft. I know we are now, and have been a little bit as of lately. Not as much as last season for sure.
So are we really going to rely on Aldrich next season to play 14-20? I don't know how i feel about that. I like Aldrich, and he's shown signs of being able to play as a solid back up, but man i don't know if he'll be able to handle that.
@Thunderkid89
no way we'll get Jimmer. Utah and Indiana pick before us.
@Justin
Do you think Jimmer Fredette would be a good fit in OKC. He can shoot, so I think he might could take Cook spot if we can't resign him.
@DJ 7
*Shouldn't be starting.
@gr8ball83
What the Thabo should be starting one?
I can already imagine what they'll be saying.
@DJ 7
oh just wait til you see the responses to this post....
So i think we all for once and for all agree that Thabo shouldn't be in the starting unit next season, and the team is far better off with Harden starting. I haven't seen the wierdos who keep crying that Thabo's defense alone should be the reason why he should keep starting.
@bouzi4real
Well true, but i'm speaking of a player with their similar make-ups. A 3 point shooter, who can cut off the ball, and is a vet. It'll come cheap, and pretty much what the team would need if Harden were to leave.
Its not a question of whether or not we need another consistent scorer for our bench. Harden will start soon, and whether he leaves or starts we'll need that scorer. I don't see Maynor avg 11 pts a game, or Cook avg 11 points a game.
Thats the problem with L.A. they don't have a consitent scorer from their bench besides Odom. Odom already has to do too much for his role besides scoring. Compared to Harden, Odoms role is somewhat more difficult. L.A. tries to spread their offense with their bench, and what happens when you do that with inconsistent players? you get no scoring.
@bouzi4real
Sadly, Harden so underrated because he hasn't developed chemistry with Westbrook like he has with Maynor. Think about how often Harden would get open looks, clear lanes if he played with starting unit and Westbrook used him as a safety value. Drive to the basket Durant being double teamed and other team cheating his direction pass out to Harden who is BB savy enough to take the open shot or make the extra pass to the right person.
I watched the exchange with Maynor and Harden last game and it was obvious to me that they knew where the other would be and were focused on playing off each other. Harden driving to the basket to force them to play him honest; Maynor moving without the ball to sweet spots where he felt comfortable hitting the 3.
It still remarkable to me that during 4th quarter our bench was outplaying the Grizzlies starting unit. If that continues, we win this series.
@bouzi4real
justin :
bouzi4real :So that beggs the question…who is our third best player? Harden or Ibaka (or obbaka , like I see on the espn boards)?
I do not think this question is fair to Harden, since he obviously is not in the situation where he can use all his ability. Serge has every opportunity to do what he does on defense and the boards, and even more opportunity on offense at times. We saw what Harden can do after the ASB when he has opportunity. He’s had less in the playoffs due to the usage and minutes of other players going up.
Agreed, but as far as who we can keep. Ibaka is the easier choice. He may be a top 15 PF for the rest of his career, or a top 10 in one point. Harden has been playing like a top 10 SG post-ASB, but has fallen in the PO's because of usage, minutes, and situations in which we insert him into the game.
Harden is the better player for their respected position, BUT it'll be cheaper to keep Ibaka, and easier to deal Harden or replace him. Having Thabo as a starter frustrates the offensive tempo. Having Harden benifits the offense, and even though he may not be as good as Thabo defensively he's right up there, and we don't lose much.
If Harden left, by signing a player thats a 3 point shooter, and can cut(a Vet would be best) is easily what we would need if he left. We'll just have to find another scorer for the bench either way if we start Harden or he leaves.
How much would an old inconsistent Allen cost? Plus I think he retires soon.i was thinking on the lines of a rip hamilton. I guess they would be damn near the same thing at that point.lol
bouzi4real :
So that beggs the question…who is our third best player? Harden or Ibaka (or obbaka , like I see on the espn boards)?
I do not think this question is fair to Harden, since he obviously is not in the situation where he can use all his ability. Serge has every opportunity to do what he does on defense and the boards, and even more opportunity on offense at times. We saw what Harden can do after the ASB when he has opportunity. He's had less in the playoffs due to the usage and minutes of other players going up.
So that beggs the question...who is our third best player? Harden or Ibaka (or obbaka , like I see on the espn boards)?
@bouzi4real
Agreed. Not easy to get a guy of Ibaka's cieling, and already producing talent. Harden is there too but its easier to replace Harden then it will be if we let Ibaka go. That was the key part of the trade really.
I don't think we let Cook walk. If Harden does we'll have to replace him witht he type of player you just mentioned. An Allen type of player, of course not as talented. Well then again i can see us getting an older Allen once he's done with Boston.
@justin
Prob depends if he averages 12 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks a game next year. and if Harden still doesn't start.
Relative to their positions, Harden could easily be better than Ibaka. Will Serge ever be a Top 10 PF? Post All Star break you could make an argument that Harden was a Top 10 SG.
I think garden could easily be replaced by a vet with a good three and manageable defense. Serge and his backside defense is very rare a la bird man . It wasn't too long ago that people where begging dour a shot blocker for this team.
I'mReally interested in seeing lat williams play with the thunder next year. He will be the 2nd sf on the roster if we let cook go.
@DJ 7
My point is its their fault for signing a guy whos been struggling to a contract like they did.
Man Chicago is ridiculous. They already want out with Boozer. The guy has had injury problems the last two season, and has been inconsistent. Its not like they have a Odom, Ibaka, or Davis coming off their bench. They better cherish what they got right now unless they want Boozer to say f u and stop making the right plays like he did in Utah.
@kfmsooner
Agreed. I rather keep Ibaka over Harden though. Not easy to get big guys like Ibaka.
@kfmsooner
+10