vs. 
OKC Thunder (8-2, 3-2 road) vs. San Antonio Spurs (9-0, 5-0 home)
TV: TNT (Cox 31, HD 730)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:00 CT
Spurs lead series 1-0
View from the enemy: 48 Minutes of Hell
Game 2 is not Game 7. It’s a nice thing to say, but James Harden is wrong. Because that’s kind of a dangerous way of thinking. And also, you don’t get eliminated in Game 2. Yeah, lose and you put yourself in a tough situation. One where you have to beat the Spurs four out of five. Not an easy assignment. But all of OKC’s eggs shouldn’t be in Game 2′s basket. Just most of them.
I hope the team doesn’t feel it, but to me, there’s some sort of mental block in overcoming the Spurs. Like if OKC could just beat them once, the floodgates might open. With the way the Spurs have played, there’s a certain invincibility to them. Like they can’t be beat. They’re going to do something to beat you. And that’s tough to overcome.
Game 1 was a giveaway. And the Thunder might really regret it. They had an opportunity to grab this series by the stones and didn’t finish the job. Those type of things are what cost you playoff games and such, playoff series. There’s no margin for error. If you make a mistake, you might end up regretting it for a summer.
But there’s time to salvage it. Game 2 is an new opportunity, a new chance to make right. A new chance to bring things back even and open the door. It won’t be easy and the Spurs aren’t going to give it away. The Thunder have to correct transgressions and play better. Simple stuff.
Tip at 8:00 CT. Go Split.
@ff_pickups Here's a theory on what has went down so far.
The storyline that media wants is the unstoppable Spurs vs. New upcoming Thunder.
What better way to keep that storyline going then for the Spurs to win games at home to get to 20 in a row 18 in the playoffs.
To make it more dramatic then Thunder come back tie the series going into the 5 game depending how the games turn out, people still think the Spurs are favorites until the Thunder shock the Spurs in Game 6 or 7.
@ff_pickups *Correction 10-0 playoffs
@ThunderWins
I hope so! But I don't know if the other refs besides Joe Crawford influence games. He's the one that's so obviously influencing games, whether it's for some reason related to the NBA or some other clandestine reason, idk. All I do know is when he shows up, I'm puttin my money on the other team.
this series is only frustrating because of what we know this team is capable of, and what they are actually doing.. it is one thing to roll into a series when you are clearly dominated and lose, it is a whole different animal to come in on an equal playing field (in my opinion) and be so clearly outclassed when it shouldn't be the case.. the only finger i can point is the one i have aimed solely at Scott Brooks, as our talent level is equal if not greater then that of what the Spurs are working with, we just don't have the coaching IQ to contend at that same level.. i hope with everything i have that we can turn this around, and that our home crowd pours life back into this team, and i'll hold out hope if or until the clock reads 0 on that game 4 loss, but it is hard to see where we can turn this around with the game plan we are currently working with
@ChilamBilam12 Very well said my friend! I concur.
Some of you have no clue what you're saying and just blabbing garbage. Had Presti trade for Chandler not been recisinded we would hve had him for that season. We would have finish with a better record which means we wouldn't have been able to draft Harden and maybe get a dude like Tyreke Evans inztead(how's he doing?), that means we wouldn't have use for Ibaka and would have just let him stay in europe. The following season 09-10you Chandler missed nearly the entire year with the same injury that Presti was afraid of and his one more bad step from shortning his career. We would have never even made it to the 8th seed. Then we would have to resign him to that ugly contract which guess what? Means we wouldn't have been able to extend Russ. You see how you giyz just blab bullsh't. If Presti doesn't fire Brooks yeah its a bad deal. He's been pretty danm good. You wanted Howard? Not only is the dude having back surgery now, but his contract would comprimise resigning Harden and any other important role player.
@ElMexiThunder
Yeah, we don't know what would have happened had we gotten Chandler, as far as Harden is concerned. We might have still gotten him, remember Rubio was supposed to be the pick and we passed on him. If we pick 5th or so, he might still be there. Obviously, we'll never know.
@ElMexiThunder i think we are more doing a "what if" thing...at least thats what i'm doing as far as howard goes...realistically do i think its going to happen, well no...but...it's fun to just think about.
Personally I don't think this team is going to make a "major" move like that anytime soon in the near future. whether thats good or bad i guess we will find out in the coming years...and obviously this season isn't over yet so who knows whats going to happen
@bmuelle21 @ElMexiThunder Defense was key in both loses. Some of us dream of day when the other side just can't have a lay up drill.
@ElMexiThunder posters are always smater than GMs and coaches in every bbs or blog
@ElMexiThunder Well if they traded for Howard either Westbrook or Harden would have to be gone. If it is Westbrook then they could resign Harden. Unless there is a way to get him without trading either.
I wish we could run the pick and roll as well as the spurs...the way parker gets open shots russ would be unstoppable with his jumper
@bmuelle21 Yeah, we need a roll man. neither perk/serge is a threat on the roll.
Our roster has aged dramatically in the past year our bench is damn near useless.
@Lost Ones i'm curious to see how we would be had maynor been healthy
@bmuelle21 He wouldn't be a factor honestly our 3-4-5 position is one the weakest in the league
@bmuelle21 @Lost Ones Not sure he would make big difference in this series. This series is going to be won on D, don't think maynor's would do much better than fish/thabo.
It took Parker 10 yrs to mature to a point guard. Now everybody on his jock. Still would take Russwess, CP3, DRose, DWill and Rondo over him anyday!
@Dicharden Seriously? Parker has already ht more big, clutch playoff shots in his career than those other 5 guys put together.
@courtsense True this year! I'll take DRose, DWill, CP3, Wessbrook and Rondo over TP, sorry
@Dicharden I understand...those guys are all great, but different. I'm just saying Parker deserves a lot more credit for winning big games.
@Dicharden Uh, what? Last time I checked, Parker had already won 3 titles - and a Finals MVP trophy - by the time he was 25.
Mature that...
@courtsense So he's a HOFmer?
@Nick the Quick 4 Life @Dicharden
Parker turned 30 just recently.
@Dicharden Parker is unquestionably a Hall of Famer...he's been the spark-plug of the Pop/Duncan era.
@Dicharden He probably is closer than most people give him credit for and Parker still is under 30.
@Dicharden I think he's tailored for this spurs offensive system. Get's way more good looks and assist opportunities then the others on that list, because of Pop
maybe we can package brooks in a deal with orlando for howard, I heard they are looking for a coach lol
maybe we could sell them on the whole he won coach of the year thing
@bmuelle21 We can toss in Lazr, Perkins, Cook, Nazr and another player to be named later.
@ThunderWins they would be stupid not to take it...personally I think brooks would put that deal over the top lol
Skip is looking like a prophet after tonight.
@C-Wil Do people think Westbrook played terribly?
@Arent @C-Wil No, Coaching is becoming suspect!
@Arent @C-Wil I don't think Westbrook played terribly. But his one-speed-fits-all approach (100 mph all the time) really grinds on me after awhile. His greatest strength is also his greatest weakness - both physically and mentally, the guy simply has no transmission, no gearbox whatsoever.
Where guys like Parker and CP3 use subtle shifts of energy, rhythm, and tempo to find cracks and create easy scoring and passing opportunities for themselves and teammates, Westbrook is all fire and speed and recklessness. It works marvelously to an extent...but I still question whether it's conducive to winning a title, and for this team, if it's even compatible with Durant and Harden.
@courtsense @Arent @C-Wil
Probably the fairest criticism of Russ I've read . . .
@courtsense @Arent @C-Wil
We scored 111 points tonight and have the number 2 offense in the league. We've got to get stops if we want to win, you can't give up 120 in the playoffs and expect to win. Matter of fact, a championship team should NEVER lose if they score 111 points. It's on the D.
@courtsense @Arent @C-Wil Well said, but i do think he's matured this season, he does defer more this year, when he doesn't have it going, slows down somewhat. But sometimes i just want to ring his neck out with some of his decision making. Actually it works well with JH, since harden is complete opposite, it gives the thunder different looks.
@Arent @C-Wil people who don't watch basketball. he took a few bad shots, but played pretty well overall.
@Arent @C-Wil He played a good game. Just getting no love from the Refs when he goes to the basket. Not finishing well at the rim this series
@neo12 @Arent @C-Wil
I think it's not that Westbrook isn't getting love, it's that Tim Duncan is getting mad, crazy amounts of love from the refs. And that trumps Westbrook's love.
@Arent @C-Wil all skip cares about are the shots, which is stupid
Yeah, Tiago was so great tonight *sarcasm*
I guess brooks should start second guessing :/
Doug Collins couldn't get it done with MJ, maybe Scott Brooks will be the next Doug Collins.
I love that we r given no chance by the media to take game 3 and 4, as if the spurs blew us out both games like they did with the jazz and clippers, CANNOT WAIT FOR THURSDAY NIGHT !! Go thunder !!
@LPCes99 Tough to beat a team that has won 20 in a row 2 straight games. Not impossible but an uphill climb
As one of the NBA writers pointed out, this OkC team was built to beat the Lakers; they never anticipated the Spurs still being this good. Ironically, after beating the Lakers handily in the Semis, OkC will now likely lose in the Conference FInals for the second straight year to an older, slower, less athletic team that succeeds with superior ball movement, player movement, knockdown 3-pt shooting, collective effort defensively, and better coaching/scheming.
@courtsense
In the next 96 home-court minutes, we're going to find out whether we've reached our ceiling for this season.
@ThunderChick2010 I think the Thunder will get Game 3, but even if they do, Game 4 with Pop's Spurs coming off a loss will be incredibly difficult.
@courtsense
I know, cemitten . . . no likes for me.
@courtsense
I'm usually pretty optimistic--probably to a fault--but I just think we HAVE reached our ceiling for this year. Sadly, I think we'll be fortunate to snap the Spurs' winning streak and not get swept. I hope, of course, I'm absolutely wrong and will be glad to own up to being a doubting Thomas if we somehow pull this out.
@courtsense yes, very similar to last year against the mavs. okc just can't match the spurs' depth. give a coach like popovich that many pieces and the coaching advantage is going to be even greater.
@courtsense In denial! but well said!
@courtsense We have the personnel to give them the spurs a little more trouble, but alas scottie insists on playing perk.