Kevin Arnovitz of ESPN.com on the game: “Less than a minute before Durant’s game-tying 3, Paul broke to freedom and slung the ball toward the hoop. When the shot clanked off the rim, Paul dove through traffic for the tip back to give the Clippers a 98-93 lead. But it was Paul’s final bucket, following the Durant 3-pointer, that provided the theatrics. Facing the Thunder’s defensive ace Thabo Sefolosha at the top of the floor, Paul waived off a screen from Blake Griffin and sized up his defender.”
Darnell Mayberry: “It’s a shame the Thunder players and coaches keep saying they don’t really care about the standings. Because they had a golden opportunity to regain control of their own destiny with a win tonight. The Spurs got smacked at home by the Lakers, and the Thunder could have gone up two games. Instead, the Thunder remains just a game ahead with the Spurs still having two additional games remaining and the head-to-head tiebreaker.”
Jenni Carlson in playoff seedings: “True, but in the West, the top seed has won the conference title and advanced to the NBA Finals 16 times since the current playoff format began in 1984. The odds are clearly in the top seed’s favor. Those are chances the Thunder could’ve swung in its favor with a win against the Clippers. Wednesday night was an opportunity lost. The truth is, we may not know for a couple months just how much it will cost the Thunder.”
Ryan Reid signed in Puerto Rico.
From Elias: “From Elias: Serge Ibaka had three blocked shots against the Clippers on Wednesday, extending to 22 his streak of games with at least one blocked shot. That matches the longest streak in the NBA this season; Andrew Bynum had a 22-game streak from January 25 to March 9.”
Jalen Rose to You-Know-Who: “It’s one thing to have an opinion about Russell Westbrook’s style of play, it’s another thing to say Kevin Durant has a problem with him and he should take a lie detector test. That’s way way different. They’re friends. So how do his friends and his family take that?”
Berry Tramel: “But Paul scored on a driving layup with 8.8 seconds left. The Thunder’s defense was interesting — Thabo Sefolosha drew the CP3 assignment, which was the proper move. Russell Westbrook had failed to keep Paul out of the lane much of the night. But Scotty Brooks’ defensive alignment included Kendrick Perkins staying near the top of the lane and not following his man to the corner. Perk’s job was clear; double team Paul and make him get rid of the ball.”
Interesting note: Last night’s loss was the first time this season the Thunder lost at home after leading after three quarters.
Jordan Heimer of Clipperblog: “After leading the conference the entire season, the Thunder find themelves neck-and-neck with the Spurs for the top seed after a recent three-game losing streak. On Wednesday night, we saw both faces of the Thunder: dominant stretches of whirlwind offense, undermined by foolish turnovers, stupid fouls and lackadaisical defense.”
"he who shall not be named" should be refered to as "water. pistol. pete. jr."
straight up fatality status. mortal kombat style.
Did anyone read Hollinger's Per Diem today, talks about contenders, their weaknesses and why there are more than expected. Specifically, he note just how terrible Perkins has been this year on every advanced metric. He says that the team should play more with KD at the 4 and Perkins on the bench. I think Perkins has very high value against very specific teams (Orlando, possibly LA if they are focused on Bynum) but overall a drag against most others. He has one specific skill that he does as well as anyone - defend opposing giant who make a living around the basket. When facing teams without such a player, or who do not focus on post-play, we should be adjusting by playing him less.
@Keith00 Other teams who he has value on defense against are Memphis and the Bulls assuming we meet up again.
@Keith00 He's been awful, it's no secret. He's recovered a little bit and is no longer quite as historically bad, but he's still a bottom 10 starting center in the NBA, IMO.
@justin_mia RAPM has Perkins as about the 50-55th best center this season. His estimate has worsened in the month.
@justin_mia PER has him at 55. Win Shares per 48 minutes at 52nd among centers playing 10+ minutes per game out of 72 centers and power forward / centers.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/PERDiem-120412/nba-title-contenders-state-union
Link for those who want to read it.
@Keith00 Yet against the heat 1st game he played pretty well.
@ThunderWins And his strong play was mostly offensive, finishing open dunks and making a couple jumpers that he rarely will in the future. I'm not denying he knows how to play basketball, but it seems silly to judge him positively on something he has consistently been terrible doing. We don't suddenly think Thabo is a scorer because he had a hot shooting hand from 3 on 55 total shots, do we?
Perkins is a fine player, but is limited. We knew that when we traded for him, knew that when we extended his contract. He is already being paid for everything he does. I do not think it is inappropriate to sugarcoat that he is having a bad year and minimal impact in most games.
Anyone have an idea of when the first round playoff sched will be solidified? I'm in town from the 4th to 7th and am desperately hoping to catch a game - though that would likely mean and game 5 or 7 in round 1...
Otherwise i'm gonna have to find a watch party of some other raukus place to shout at the Thunder!
Also whats the best place in OKC to get thunder swag - looking for some short and a few T's and may be a hat...
Let me know Thunder fans!
@ThunderBelize Thunder Shop at the arena has everything. They're open every weekday 'til about 6pm, but close up earlier on game days. Best selection otherwise is On Deck at Quail Springs Mall or Penn Square Mall. Other mall stores (JCPenney, Dillard's, Champs, etc.) have some stuff, but it's usually hit-and-miss. Of course, if you're looking for official Daily Thunder apparel, go to Tree and Leaf--tucked way back in the shopping center at NW Expressway and Rockwell.
@ThunderChick2010 Noted!!
any other good venues to watch a game aside from Brix? and where can I get a good steak?
@ThunderBelize
Ask again when everyone is in a better mood (i.e., after a win) and you will get more feedback. :)
@ThunderBelize A lot of people will suggest Cattlemen's Steakhouse, which, I think, is famous and has been around for a while (I'm not from here originally, so I'm a little unclear on its history). My Dad and I tried it for the first time recently and were underwhelmed.
I've always found Saltgrass to serve great steak, but that's more of a chain restaurant and it sounds like you're looking for a local place. I'm sure some of the other people on here know some local places in Bricktown.
@ThunderBelize sorry . . . no clue
@ThunderChick2010 Okay last question. What is the best Pre-paid data SIM card I can get from a gas station or 7-11 store? Phone is unlocked so carrier is not a big deal as long as it's GSM... any suggestions? (I know not really a tech forum, but... Thanks!)
@ThunderBelize If you're in Bricktown, BRiX (aka JiNX) has a crystal-clear big screen, the most comfy chairs, and they actually keep the volume up during the game. Bricktown Brewery and Toby Keith's both have lots of Thunder spirit. BB is right next door to JiNX; they have better food and plenty of TVs. TK's has lots of TVs, but their biggest screen always has a greenish cast. Good food all over Bricktown, but I'll let others direct you in the best steak category.
I'm not sure, but you might even be able to watch games on the giant screen right outside the arena. The street is blocked off during games, so I think you can bring a lawn chair, buy food & drink, etc. -- if the weather cooperates.
Our guys are playing so mediocre right now falling into a lot of bad habits and just generally half assing it, I hope they can flip the switch when the playoffs begin. Seems like a bad way to finish.
@Old Man Game No matter the age, this schedule is taking a toll on our players. Russ's defense has never been particularly good, but he's look less and less inclined to try more recently. KD hasn't been putting up 30 nightly, even against inferior defenses. Harden has probably shown the least wear-down, but he also plays the lowest minutes of the three and generally gets to play more against backups.
17% of our possessions end in a turnover. In the playoffs when the possessions slow down and become increasingly more meaningful, that's not good.
@SeanzieCrews No reason to panic. Every contender has big flaws right now. And like Russillo said on yesterday's NBA Today: every champion in the last years had at least one huge weakness (like turnovers, rebounds, free throws, fouls...) in their postseasons.
Let's just wait and see what we have in the postseason.
@diddoff No panic here, I know when the time comes that we're going to be fine. Just pointing out a stat that currently is foreboding.
@diddoff I have complete and utter confidence that the Thunder are good enough to find a way to win games in the playoffs and make it to the Finals.
Tim Legler is making some great points on First Take today regarding the Thunder.
@SeanzieCrews what did he say?
@Thunder S He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named pointed out the low assist totals, but Legler said that it didn't matter because our FG% is still very high, even if the baskets are unassisted, they're getting baskets. He also made some comments regarded our Def. FG% that said in the playoffs could be a huge factor for us because we are good at it.
That's a nutshell of what I can remember.
Mannix @ SI predicts no Russ on the Olympic team. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/chris_mannix/04/12/us-mens-olympic-basketball-team/index.html?eref=sihp&sct=hp_wr_a1
@Wanderer If Russ gets cut for freaking Rose and Deron Williams I will give up in our countries ability to look past the media and see basketball talent. Not that it will matter, 2012 olympic gold is about as done as the sun rising.
@HookemKD @Wanderer i am fine with him not playing, getting tired, potentially injured.
@Wanderer @f5alcon @HookemKD If Russ doesn't make the team, no harm. The fact is, the Olympic team is structured vastly different than the Thunder or any other single NBA team. Everyone is a role player in some way except the absolute best (Lebron, Kobe, maybe KD now). And in filling roles, it's stop being just about who is the overall better player. Russ is just as good as Rose, but Rose fills the passing PG role better. Russ is better than Iguodola, but Iggy is the superior defender. Would it be a bit of a hit to his ego to not make the team? Sure.
But if you had your pick of all the best players in the world, not everyone is going to make the team.
@f5alcon @HookemKD Tend to agree but I remember some talk after the 08 Olympics about how muc the young guys learned about work ethic, killer instinct, etc from the vets like Kobe, so there might be something to that. Of course, none of those young guys have subsequently won a chip so maybe that's all bs.
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/12/video-bird-magic-on-late-night-with-david-letterman/
Great interview of Bird and Magic
Jenni Carlson's statistic doesn't make much sense. So 16 out of 27 times the #1 seed has won the WCF? That doesn't seem that overwhelming considering the #1 seed gets home court throughout and is supposed to be the best team, so while the odds may be "clearly in the top seeds favor" the 16/27 (or ~60% of the time) argument doesn't really support anything.
@HookemKD It would probably be better in context with other seeds. For example, what is the percentage chance if you are the second seed, or third, or 4th? 60% overall doesn't seem like any sure thing, but compared to 20% or 10% at a lower seed, suddenly that not sure thing is still many times more sure than the alternative.
@Keith00 Roughly 20% of the time the 2 seed wins, roughly 20% of the time the 3 seed wins, only two times has a seed below that won. I guess she is including the 83-84 season which would make it 16/28 for the #1 seed, or 57% #1 seeds and 43% #2 seeds. However 9 of those #1 seed wins have been from the Lakers. If you look at teams outside of LA there are 7 #1 seed winners, and 8 #2, 3 or 6 seeded winners. So really it isn't that dominating. You definitely don't need the top seed to win the WCF.
@HookemKD No, but it does push home my point. Having the #1 seed gives you a three times greater chance of success historically. I'm not sure the where of the #1 seed matters. The where may affect the likelihood of being a better team (it seems to outside NY), but ultimately the seeding itself is it's own organization.
The fact is, the top seed is generally the best team, that's why they have the top seed. If we don't get a the top seed, it should be an immediate flag that we are not the favorites to make the finals. As it is, I'm not sure we would beat SA even if we had home court in a series.
Blake Griffin flops after hitting himself in the face http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHgADbmFLCM
Perk "made" him do it. :)
Last night looked eerily familiar to last season's Western Conference Playoffs. What exactly was the offensive strategy the last five minutes of the game? It's amazing how poor the ball moves and that Brooks doesn't do anything different. I really hoped he had learned a lesson from last season's playoffs? What happened to getting Durant the ball at the top of the key like the first of the season?
So last night was my birthday and they gave it away with me in attendance. Thanks a lot. I guess maybe the team doesn't care about me after all. I'm crushed.
On a serious note, has anyone else noticed Durant''s demeanor as he comes out during the pre-game intros? He looks tired and disinterested and not jacked up at all. That has really been concerning to me. I think he's sick of the regular season and ready to get on with the playoffs. He's not playing with a lot of fire right now.
Like Perk says: can't get bored with the process . . .
@SmackDaddy
I've noticed KD and a number of the superstars doing the same thing in the opening lineup intros - walk at a snail's pace and look bored out of your gourd. Much different than KD in last year's lineup intros. Once he does the slow walk he kind of picks it up, but not the skipping routine he did all alst season where he looked like a kid who was hyped up to play. Sure the condensed season has become a grind. Just hope they know where to find and flip the "ON" switch when the playoffs start.
Happy Belated Birthday, SmackDaddy! (I'm quite sure this is the first time in my life I've ever said those words.)
he's been like this the whole season honestly
@Lost Ones I didn't notice as much until after the ASB.
@diddoff She won't call back...
@diddoff @TaoMaas Made me lol
@TaoMaas Either the schedule or Kate Upton
Yeah, I don't think KD was like this at the start of the season. I think the schedule is wearing on him.
Wet Pistol - please, keep the thunder name outta your mouff.