vs. 
Portland Trail Blazers (1-0, 0-0 road) vs. OKC Thunder (0-1, 0-0 home)
TV: FS OK (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 754)
Stream: Click here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 7:00 CT
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 109.2 (2nd), Blazers– 123.1 (2nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 102.9 (13th), Blazers – 112.5 (20th)
Pace: Thunder – 93.5 (4th), Blazers – 94.3 (14th)
View from the enemy: Portland Roundball Society
If there was ever a time to be pumped about a back-to-back, this feels like this is it. The grossness of that finish in San Antonio coupled with the fact the Thunder need to get back on the floor and work on some stuff make tonight’s game against the Blazers much appreciated.
The Thunder kind of terribly against the Spurs, but had their chance to win. I think that’s a good thing, but I’m not entirely sure. We’ll see. Tonight’s game will be a little different than the opener against the Spurs in that it’s in front of the home crowd meaning it’s an official introduction for Kevin Martin.
Portland coming in: The Blazers have played once, beating up on the Lakers.
Three Big Things
1. Westbrook vs. Lillard. Boy, am I pumped about this matchup. Lillard was pretty electric in his first game, but that was against Steve Nash and Steve Blake. Now he gets to go against the tank that is Westbrook, who you can be sure is a) excited to beat up on the rookie and b) really wanting to wash last night’s taste out of his mouth. Westbrook played terrible and he doesn’t typically do that two nights in a row.
2. Serge Ibaka. Really expected a little more out of him offensively than he gave against the Spurs. Only four points isn’t going to really cut it when the Thunder are looking to him to potentially be a new third scorer. He has the LaMarcus Aldridge assignment which is his priority, but he also has to get that offensive game going a little.
3. Fitting in. It’s only game two of the Thunder’s remodel. Kevin Martin quietly performed pretty well in his first run, but the Thunder need him to be a bit more aggressive looking for his. He’s a scorer by trade and can’t shy away from good looks. Remember: He said the two best players he’s ever played with are Brad Miller and Ron Artest. So he’s getting used to this whole Westbrook and Durant thing.
Tip at 7:00 CT. Go Bounce Back.
Things I liked about tonight's game:
1. Martin looked slightly less timid. He picked his shots well for the most part, and contributed nicely. He and KD seem to be toying with the backdoor cuts that Collison and Harden mastered over the last two years, and although Martin hasn't finished, it seems to be working.
2. While I don't think that Thabeet will amount to much more than a lane-clogging backup good for a couple rebounds and maybe a block, I have a seen a few flashes of confidence in him that may help him at least overcome that dark cloud called "bust" that hovers over him. His new teammates seem to be doing a good job of giving him what he's always needed, someone that has his back.
3. Russ' answer to last game. Yes, I still think for every good shot he took tonight, there were at least two bad ones (i'll get back to this later) , the difference is, they went in tonight. He was an animal on D, \and didn't turn the ball over near as recklessly as last game.
4. KD's rebounding. Can he maintain his 15.5 rpg average? (No, but lets enjoy it while it lasts...)
5. ROOKIES! The one minute glimpse into our potential future made a tear of joy flow down my cheek; or was it just a tear knowing that it was nothing more than a deceptive tease and that Brooks will most likely continue to bury them on the bench while Thabo awkwardly dribbles around, debating if he should shoot (basically turn it over) or pass it and go hide in the corner for some patented 4 on 5 action...
6. Perk is out! JK. The look on Perk's face sorta broke my heart... BUT... more Collison is never a bad thing, right?
Things I didn't like about tonight's game:
1. I'm pretty sure I could write this very thing about every game, but with both Thabo and Perk in the starting lineup, it pretty much acts like an offensive anchor. It holds us back so much, and with the newly added depth on our bench, I no longer see Thabo starting as an easy argument. I'm not saying Lamb and PJ3 will set The Peake on fire, but it's hard to deny the potential. We've seen them both perform well in preseason and saw that they know how to play. How are they going to get better sitting on the bench? It would help limit the possibility of another Maynor-Martin-Thabo-Collison-Thabeet lineup. Maynor-Martin-Lamb-PJ3-Collison just sounds so much.....better.
2. Serge, what the hell is wrong with you? Seriously. I understand that you earned that payday, but please do your damndest to justify it. Oh yeah, preseason called, they said you left your offense there and you have till next game to pick it up... don't forget.
3. Russ did well scoring, but I still think he needs to chill a little bit (I could not tell you how many times I've written this over the years to no avail). He seems to have less control of the ball so far this season. When he gets into the paint, it always seems to pop loose. How many times has he had to hit the floor diving for it? I hope they can soon realize that ball movement wins games, as proven in some of the best ball they've ever played; coming back from down 2-0 to San Antonio last year.
4. Brooks' rotations will always boggle my mind.
5. Maynor looks reluctant on everything outside of 75 footers. I hope we can still just use the "rusty" excuse, but how long is that the case?
Sorry so long. Had to get it out since i wasn't commenting live...
Didn't get to watch the game except the 4th quarter. I saw a few plays of Thabeet doing really well. Am I totally off or does the Thunder training staff actually have magical powers and turned his garbage game into something useful??
Ibaka needs to hang out with Olajuwon
@DooDooBrooks
http://www.espn.com
They have a comment section on the articles they post and a separate one for every game. You'll be a star over there.
DT, I dont want to here crap bout how good Serge is...overpaid just like Perkins,,,defensive star thats it
Just in case you all missed it....
http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/11/back-on-track-okc-takes-down-portland-106-92/
If Houston gets a couple more pieces they might be dangerous!
@DooDooBrooks they have cap space to sign another max they will contend next year at the latest
@tygablood @DooDooBrooks There's not another max player who's going to hit the market next year though.
@DooDooBrooks yea, imagine if the had serge and durant and westbrook!
@RRRWHATEVER Serge is azz
http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/11/back-on-track-okc-takes-down-portland-106-92/
Kmart could be that guy that puts us over the hump if we get to the Finals. That 3rd wheel you can count on
http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/11/back-on-track-okc-takes-down-portland-106-92/#more-22683
@Legendary_Dork damn you
This season going to be depressing with Harden averaging 35+ and taking KDs scoring title....hope it somehow doesn't happen
@tygablood Russ will make sure it happens!
@tygablood Well it's a good thig KD is going to average 15.5 rebounds right? Since what happened in the first two games is what is going to happen the rest of the season.
@tygablood and with this comment...im leaving
Has Thabeet exceeded the expectations that were had for Aldrich this early in the season? I know he has in my eyes. I expected little from Cole and nothing from Thabeet.
@PNT Less fouls and better rebounding is what he should concentrate on, in addition to not getting lost defensively.
@PNT If he fouls less, yes.
daaaaym ron artest just did the hokie pokie
dailyharden.com
@OBoy Jones III Sounds like a porn site.
@EternalThunder @OBoy Jones III LMAOLMOALMOA...i was going to Pause it
Clippers will be contending for the 2 spot in the west with us....
@BallSoHarden my prediction of them being # 3 in the West is looking like a real possibility.
@BallSoHarden you mean with the Spurs?
@okcjim @BallSoHarden spurs will be 1
@BallSoHarden Oh the clips are number 2 alright.
The Phoenix Suns' new court looks an awful lot like Oklahoma State's...
@TreyFiveOnMyBack That's what I thought when I first saw it.What's more annoying though is that they redid the court because they thought they were going to do a bigger rebrand (go orange and black, new logo, toss the purple). But they jersesy and logo weren't ready, so you have the new style court and the awkward uniforms and it's just a mess.
I wish they would have kept the purple.
@Jooseppi Yeah. I live out here now, and a friend at work said something to that effect. I guess they are unveiling the new uniforms next season.
no one talking about the win?
everyone's playing GM?
ok see you guys later.
@OBoy Jones III KD had 17 boards :)
@supreme35 there we go. i was hoping for 20 when he had 10 in the first half.
@OBoy Jones III @supreme35 I was hoping for his first trip-dub myself.
@OBoy Jones III The Rockets win with Harden's 45 points is all that matters bro.
@EternalThunder not sure if serious
I'd just like to put this thought out here... What if we traded Russ when he was at his peak value for Dwight ? Then we could have an amazing Pick N' Roll with Harden and Durant.. Everyone knows Harden is better PNR-wise than Westbrook. AND we would still have Dwight Howard and Ibaka Underneath and shooter on the wing..
@whatsgoodinthehood Dwight Howard was never going to extend here. Bad trade. Essentially throwing away assets.
@Jooseppi its an auto championship tho...
@whatsgoodinthehood @Jooseppi comparing an ankle injury which is more often than not just a sprain to the back injury howard had where the nerves made his left leg go dead is sorta silly. He couldn't do a calf raise on that leg for two months. it's the worst type of injury a big can have, with all the banging they do with their backs. also, having to do with nerves, it will often haunt them for an entire career once they're damaged. Russ has sprained his ankle on more than one occasion, and he still has never missed a start since he's been a starter.
@TreyFiveOnMyBack @Jooseppi This is the first time he has had any injury.. thats like saying the first time russ injures his ankle that he is injury-prone..
@whatsgoodinthehood @Jooseppi There is no such thing as an auto championship in the NBA. If you were talking about NASCAR then carry on.
@whatsgoodinthehood @Jooseppi are you under the assumption his back will last the full season? i predicted both him and nash will be out with injury at some point this year. I'm already 1 for 2.
@Jooseppi LOL please...
@whatsgoodinthehood Not so sure about that.
@whatsgoodinthehood It would have taken RW + Ibaka for Howard.
@EternalThunder And no... are you telling me Arron Afflalo and Harrington is better value?
@EternalThunder harden would still have one year on rookie deal
then you can sign and trade Ibaka because he is VERY replaceable
@whatsgoodinthehood And tell me how that would work salary wise Mr. NBA trade wizard.