vs. 
OKC Thunder (2-0, 1-0 road) at Memphis Grizzlies (0-1, 0-0 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 105.4 (12th), Grizzlies– 86.7 (29th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 99.1 (10th), Grizzlies – 100.4 (15th)
Pace: Thunder – 95.4 (9th), Grizzlies – 94.6 (12th)
View from the enemy: 3 Shades of Blue
A return to the FedEx Forum. The place of triple-overtime games and manufactured feuds between players.
It’s the first time the Thunder and Grizzlies have met since Kevin Durant’s 39-point and Russell Westbrook’s triple-double Game 7 performances that sent Oklahoma City to the Western Conference Finals. It’s the first time the Thunder will have seen Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph since Nick Collison basically beat them up in the post like he had a lead pipe.
In other words, for a third game of the season, this one feels big.
Memphis coming in: The Grizzlies have played just once, getting romped Monday in San Antonio.
Three Big Things
1. Where’s Shane Battier? And who is this “Rudy Gay” person? Gone is the total nuisance in Shane Battier. Kevin Durant will now just have to deal with Tony Allen mugging him as he tries to run around a baseline screen. But there’s this other guy — Rudy Gay, I believe. Is he good? I guess he’s a new player the Grizzlies got, because he wasn’t involved in last season’s series. It’s a question as to what kind of impact Gay will have. Will he give the Grizzlies a much-needed scorer that can create on his own, or will he open up Durant’s world from Battier and Allen’s terror.
2. Does Serge show up? So Serge Ibaka hasn’t been great the first two games. Is something going on? Is he unfocused, taking a step back or did he overachieve some last season? I think this game will say a lot about where he’s at. There’s really no reason he shouldn’t get 25 to 30 minutes against Randolph and Gasol. I know Scott Brooks likes the way Nick Collison defends Randolph and the new Perk means more minutes for him, but Ibaka needs some playing time. And if he’s not getting it against a team he matches up well with, then there might be cause for concern.
3. Staying under control. In the playoff series, the Grizzlies feasted on stupid Oklahoma City turnovers. The games Memphis won came largely because the Thunder piled up 15, 18 or even 20 turnovers. OKC would get loose with the ball trying to play too quickly and Memphis capitalized by playing smart, possession basketball. The Thunder have more talent. They have the better team, top to bottom. But Memphis can beat OKC because with Gasol and Randolph, they have high efficiency post scorers that can get points consistently. A lot of this game might be determined by how much fouling Collison, Perk and Ibaka are allowed to get away with.
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go O-K-C.
westbrook's offensive game is much better playing with a stretch 4 (green). green was not good from behind the arc, but teams still guarded him opening up lanes for westbrook to drive. of course, I think the team is better post green, just saying as it relates to westbrook.
@sutpen I think he realized this so he did much in improving his mid range in lockout.But it is strange that it doesn't show in games
@sutpen if ibaka gets going it will help Russ some but maybe Westbrook needs to help Ibaka get going
@sutpen Westbrook is getting really good looks, as opposed to much of last season when he was forcing stupid shots. If he starts making shots like he should be he's easily averaging 25 ppg on 45%+ shooting,
@dollarbillrussell actually he was getting better looks with green and krstic in the lineup. hence his ppg and assist numbers.
@sutpen@dollarbillrussell My hazy memory would be inclined to agree about Green's impact on RW0's looks, but I am not sure the stats flesh that out. http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01/gamelog/2011/
@dollarbillrussell the looks he was getting were in the PAINT man. of course, he's going to average more points. he has one other capable offensive player to work with in the starting five.
@dollarbillrussell did I ever say "completely?" maybe you should look in the mirror before calling others retarded.
@sutpen So ppg is completely based off getting good looks? That is some of the most retarded logic I've come across. In that case I'm surprised Thabo hasn't averaged 15+ ppg up to this point.
Harden got 6 by 2 3pt before Russ in,and never had chance to shoot after it.Everyone knew who is better tonight but the better one became audience.
I really think playing during the summer helped KD become more clutch
@OkcBaby his first step looks pretty stronger and quicker.
@OkcBaby I do to. He seems more confident somehow. And his ball handling is definitely better.
@Old Man Game@OkcBaby yeah improved ball handling and court vision is what ive seen from him so far this year
starting lineup -1 in about 12 minutes. so far 2 blah games and 1 good one for that lineup.
@Crow yeah thank god harden DOESNT start
@yunghawg i seriously doubt Brooks even considers starting Harden for 40 games or the entire season.
starting maynor-harden over westbrook-thabo might be an interesting question if they were open-minded
@dollarbillrussell@yunghawg@Crow Hate to say it, but I agree - this team's 5-year championship window just opened, and it's too big and too important to mess it up by hanging on to a guy who can't or won't put the team ahead of his own game.
So...Rose, Paul, DWill, Rondo, and Westbrook are the top 5PG's in the league. Rose, Paul, and Williams aren't available to OKC. That leaves Rondo, or another second-tier PG from elsewhere in the league.
@The_Beard_Knows well i did add... until at least 10-20 games in
i still prefer to know where the stats are even early though
and think it might be interesting to know which ones are looking good or bad
I mainly hit the weak ones tonight but i'll look harder for good ones
@Crow never thought I would read the line "...i am not too concerned about personal stats..." from you
russ is a wildcard in presti's hand. probably have to gamble some to win young.
@Crow agreed
despite possible appearances, i am not too concerned about personal stats until at least 10-20 games in
@dollarbillrussell@Crow honestly i kinda hope westbrook sucks the whole year (and we still win a lot of games) just so we could maybe get him cheaper. i just dont think i could ever bring myself to trade westbrook if im presti. russell still has a helluva lotta potential in him.
have they announced the deadline for extensions yet? i'd think that they'd close it sometime early to mid Jan.
@yunghawg@Crow I realize I'm probably overreacting, and like I said I've been one of the biggest Westbrook supporters out there, but if his game doesn't start to turn around within the next 10-15 games I think you'e gotta start exploring trade possibilities.
@dollarbillrussell@Crow but for "basketball reasons" its always made sense to me
@dollarbillrussell@Crow yeah i know. not to mention westbrook would probably murder brooks and his family
it won't happen agreed. i am just yakking
@yunghawg@Crow Bringing Westbrook off the bench would essentially destroy this team's chemistry. Whether or not it's a good idea as far as on-court goes, it can't happen.
@Crow COULD. NOT. AGREE. MORE. ive been saying this since the beginning of last year... it just fits westbrook's game more to come in and be some instant offense like jamal crawford or something. and its hard to dispute that KD and harden play great with each other
This comment has been deleted
@deleted_1998213_Don'tStoptheSergeing well I predict westbrook goes 0-14, has 11 turnovers, but 14 steals and 12 blocks. he heads in the game winning shot.
I don't need any crazy stats from him. I would be happier if he wouldn't be so selfish. @deleted_1998213_Don'tStoptheSergeing
@deleted_1998213_Don'tStoptheSergeing youre right..... thats crazy
@yunghawg@deleted_1998213_Don'tStoptheSergeing Prediction for tomorrow: during the game @deleted_1998213_Don'tStoptheSergeing is going to be really pessimistic and say we're going to lose in the first quarter
KD was clutch in that game. Several times he responded when we needed it.
@nomad was not a quiet 32 from durant. several big shots and they needed every point.
I brought this up last season and it was shot down as ludicrous. How would you guys feel about a Westbrook for Deron Williams trade now?
@dollarbillrussell three games into the year man. watch more basketball.
@dollarbillrussell can't react to an off night, that said Russ' usage % needs to plummet
@The_Beard_Knows@dollarbillrussell agreed.... the only pg i trade westbrook for is chris paul, and i STILL have to think about it for awhile
@yunghawg@The_Beard_Knows i'd personally rather have Deron Williams than Chris Paul simply for the injury concerns.
This comment has been deleted
@deleted_1998213_Don'tStoptheSergeing game to game it doesnt matter much.... over the course of a season its pretty telling
@yunghawg@deleted_1998213_Don'tStoptheSergeing absolutely agree. No one disputes its validity when it is used to make a case for Collison.
@deleted_1998213_Don'tStoptheSergeing@The_Beard_Knows yeah.... +/- leaders at the end of the season for the past 3 or 4 years are people like chris paul, LBJ, d wade, etc. etc......and nick collison haha
Right now, Thunder are winning despite Westbrook. Sometime soon, they are going to have to win because of him, which means he better get straightened out quick.
@courtsense Despite Westbrook and Ibaka. That's 2 of our 4 best players. We're gonna be alright guys just give it some time.
@courtsense either that or truly let the chains off of harden as a playmaker.
z-bo, gasol and gay all pulled down 12 boards a piece and combined for 60 points... and we still got the win...
Rudy Gay should thank the new CBA which makes kd earn more than him.They are different level players