Henry Abbott of TrueHoop says it’s a fact that OKC will finish atop the West: “It’s a three-way race, with the Spurs and the Clippers in the conversation. But for as well as the Thunder have played so far, it seems to me they can play much better. They have been working through new approaches, roles and personnel. But late in the season it’ll be time to dial in.”
Marcin Gortat via Valley of the Suns: “Well first of all, I was looking for my car keys under the basket,” Gortat said. “I was trying to find my car keys because I lost them over there, so I was just looking for it. And Michael Beasley is going to get Krispy Kremes for the rest of the season for sure for me. It happens. The funny thing is that when [Kendrick] Perkins was standing under the basket he looked at me and I looked at him, and he said, ‘I know how it feels.’ He said, ‘Guards left you on the island, huh?’ And I said, ‘Yeah.’ Listen, it happens. I am not going to deny that was probably the top three dunks of the year, right? I mean at least I am going to be out there. I mean, I am just going to try to be silly about it. I am not going to cry. It is just part of the game. When he took off off one foot, I didn’t even lift my hands up, I already knew what was going to happen. I just tried to get out of the picture, or at least smile. It was bad defense, and then bad rotation, bad help. You can’t do anything.”
The NBA Geek on the All-Unsung team: “So, Thabo is a knock-down 3point shooter who’s also a good rebounder, great at not turning the ball over, collects steals and blocks shots. Martin scores more points, but only because he takes more shots (and given that Thabo starts, it’s hard to see how he could take more shots playing so much with Durant and Westbrook, although I will argue that Westbrook could look for Thabo on the wing more when penetrating in favor of many of the contested shots he takes). Thabo is truly playing amazing basketball right now. Yes, he benefits from being with Durant, but they aren’t just gifting him open looks; if you think NBA defenses are not aware of his shooting range and accuracy, you’re crazy.”
OKC is on top of ESPN.com’s power rankings: “More support for the Thunder’s case for No. 1 … assuming you can get past the fact that Kevin Durant is now 0-for-2 on his past two trips home to the nation’s capital: OKC tops the league in offensive efficiency and is knocking on the door of the top five in defensive efficiency.”
And on top of NBA.com’s: “The Thunder began last week with an embarrassing loss in Washington, but ended it by ending the Blazers’ nine-game home winning streak without Serge Ibaka or Thabo Sefolosha and with Russell Westbrook shooting 5-for-21. It was a coming-out party for DeAndre Liggins, who scored 11 points and grabbed nine boards in 40 minutes, more than twice as many as he’d played all season.”
HoopIdea is talking about the NBA and head injuries. Pay attention, Perk.
In fact, KD tweets: “Think I got a mild concussion after @KendrickPerkins slapped the thoughts outta my head today(pause) lol got damn lil Kendrick”
J.A. Adande of ESPN.com on KD’s mean streak: “All for the better. Not that there was much to dislike about Durant before. A two-time scoring champion by the age of 23, looked up to by youngsters, respected by the old heads. Only it wasn’t quite enough. Not enough to get him a most valuable player award, not enough to win a championship. Michael Jordan wouldn’t be Michael Jordan without the petty, vindictive side of him we saw in his Hall of Fame induction speech. Kobe Bryant doesn’t do soft and cuddly. They probably have more championship rings than close friends, and they’re fine with that. There are certain truisms in the NBA. You need multiple superstars to win a championship. And one of those stars better have a mean disposition, or at least be able to summon one on demand, as LeBron James did against Boston in Game 6 last season. You know what’s making it harder on Durant? That we’re not being harder on him. Because he’s so likeable he didn’t face a barrage of criticism for losing in the NBA Finals. That meant he had to generate the outrage from within.”
Nate Silver on TrueHoop TV giving the Thunder some dap.
From Elias: “Kevin Durant scored 41 points and Russell Westbrook scored 36 in Oklahoma City’s victory over Phoenix. Durant and Westbrook were the first pair of teammates to score at least 36 points each in a non-overtime game since November 29, 2008 when New York’s David Lee (37) and Al Harrington (36) turned the trick against Golden State. The last pair of Thunder/Supersonics to do it in a non-overtime game was Lonnie Shelton (37 points) and Gus Williams (36) on January 22, 1982 at Boston.”
Dan Devine of BDL on KD’s poster: “Kevin Durant’s been hunting for poster victims pretty much all season long. We’ve seen him ring up Toronto Raptors rookie Jonas Valanciunas, go end-to-end to throw one down on Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith, turn a blocked shot into a vicious slam on Dallas Mavericks big man Chris Kaman and just miss a supreme detonation on Brooklyn Nets reserve Andray Blatche. It’s almost like the Oklahoma City Thunder star entered this season saying, “Yeah, it’s kind of cool being the best scorer alive, a legitimate threat to join the 50-40-90 club and a rising MVP candidate on a perennial title contender, but what I’d really like to do is make sure everybody knows that I’m one of the league’s most ferocious in-game dunkers, too.” Well, KD, we get it. And now, in the unlikely event he didn’t before, so does Phoenix Suns center Marcin Gortat.”
https://soundcloud.com/dtd-podcast/down-to-dunk-podcast-episode
at least Gortat had class about it haha
http://dailythunder.com/2013/01/kevin-durants-10-best-posters/
I wouldn't sign Martin for more than 5 mil/year. he is a poor fit for us bc he tends to just stand at the perimeter and clank bricks up all game. I say we trade him for anything if he still has any value at this point
@tygablood Martin has over-adjusted his game in the last month and needs to make another adjustment to where he creates more offense for himself or others. Martin was hailed as a better fit than Harden his first month with the team. Adjustments are normal, we're fortunate this team has a Durant that can carry a team through the adjustments.
@tygablood
trollin'...trollin'...trollin'
@tygablood Damn those 42% three point brick layers.
@justin_mia I. Told u a week or so ago wait till the ASG and his percentages will be corrected, he is regressing hardcore right now
@tygablood Westbrook stunk the first month and a half. He's going to have some ups and downs.
@justin_mia @tygablood that are a 1st, 2nd and 3rd option with the 2nd unit of the best team in the nba.
Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh Players with a better rebound rate than Bosh in 2013: Greivis Vasquez, Ray Allen, Eric Bledsoe and Russell Westbrook
I haven't seen anything but negative comments on here about Martins defense but he's been playing his rear off on defense lately. When we played Houston even their broadcasters were saying he didn't do that when he was there. I've been impressed with his effort there. I think he's already under appreciated here because he's had an off game or two and maybe because people are comparing him to Harden but I'm very impressed by what he's brought.
We've had this discussion before and it is kind of a team based stat but he's actually got a better defensive rating than Harden had last year in pretty much the same role with solar players.
Similar not solar
@okcjim Martin would be more effective if we had more ball movement. He's smart and is great off the ball, problem is we don't have a system or plays that can take advantage of that, leaving him alone at the 3 point line. The only guy who tries to create something with him is Collison
Leaders in 4th Qtr scoring: 1) Durant 8.6, 2) Kobe 8.5, 3) Melo 8.1, 4) Jamal Crawford 6.4, 5)Harden 6.1
What kind of deal is Dallas trying to be open to? Signing a big name or free more cap? I don't think we have anything they need/want.
@BallSoHard Dallas is looking for the kind of deal where they take a young "star" player like Rudy Gay and give expirings or cap relief in return.
Or they'd be willing to take on the salary of one player Barea to get a prospect Williams in exchange for expirings.
@BallSoHard I don't know what Cuban is thinking really. He wants to win, but it is obvious from the start that he wants to reel in the big fish next year. Sooo, I am predicting he wants to get a little more cash off his books.
If Dallas wants to deal...
Maynor and give their #1 back to them for Darren Collison.
BD, GLong, and Matt Pinto would hate it (having 2 Collisons on the floor at the same time) but we would like it.
If Martin is here in two months, it means he's getting resigned. If Presti doesn't think he'll get him back at a cost he likes, Martin is gone to the highest bidder.
@Fezzy Ownership may want to save $$$.
@justin_mia @Fezzy they were going to sign Harden for 13.5 per yr they'll sign Martin for 8-10
@Lost Ones Martin??
@okcjim I hope not here not even even worth 7million
@Fezzy I disagree I think he would take less to be here as he knows he's not a #1 option.
@ThunderWins I should rephrase my first post because I feel that you're misunderstanding it. If Presti does not think Martin will re-sign here at a price Presti likes, he'll ship him out at the deadline.
@Fezzy Now that i can agree to. Unlike Harden I think he wants a chance to win it all.
No one on our second unit can run the pick-n-roll well...this is our problem. When Kmart can't come free off a screen, we are screwed.
@BallSoHard I think Martin can but we don't do it a lot.
@justin_mia @BallSoHard yeah ive seen collision set it up a few times for him, no where near what harden could do of course, he was a ballsmith ~
@Gyella @Legendary_Dork @BallSoHard @justin_mia I tend to agree here...plus we have Jeremy Lamb and PJ3 waiting around for next year. I think our bench gets deeper next year with a year under it's belt. Remember Brooks doesn't really let the rookies get too much playing time. It's an odd tendency.
@rednuht it's how this rotation has been working for a long time.
@okcjim This isn't how the rotation works. It's not 5 off and 5 on. Brooks can always have 2 of Durant, Westbrook and Martin on the floor at anytime during the game.
@Tronchaser @okcjim @Gyella @Legendary_Dork @justin_mia see Memphis...see Miami...see NY.
@okcjim @Gyella @Legendary_Dork @BallSoHard @justin_mia Gotta have a good bench.... see the Clippers.
@Gyella @Legendary_Dork @BallSoHard @justin_mia it's just the 2nd unit. Jackson, Kmart, Thabo, Collison and Thabeet only has 1 consistent offensive threat.
@BallSoHard I don't disagree. That would also give us another guy to guard Lebron most likely. I just haven't seen a good potential free agent with a good contract that would be a good target for that at the 3.
@Legendary_Dork @BallSoHard @justin_mia I don't understand this argument that we lack scoring when we're #1 in the NBA in offensive efficiency. Durant & Westbrook have proven they can go 40 minutes a night time and time again. They are true anomalies in that sense and that's why I think most people can't wrap their heads around it b/c they are comparing them to their traditional sense of an NBA player. Will they be able to go 40mins forever? No. But they can do it for at least 2 more years barring injuries. Serge has proven he can give us 15/night. Martin is hit or miss but all you need is 1 more player to step up and score. All of our bench players and even Thabo has proven they can have a hot hand from time to time. I just don't agree that we need another scorer with our current line up. 30-8 speaks for itself as does the Portland and Phoenix wins.
@BallSoHard reddick!
*I don't disagree.
@okcjim I don't. Although, someone who can give KD a rest who can also score would be nice. Liggins has been great but I don't think this is a long term solution. We need a scorer in the playoffs.
@Legendary_Dork @BallSoHard @justin_mia that's why I've been saying we need one more scorer. PG is the most logical place for that extra IMO. Brooks is shooting 46 and 40 this yr. He can score.
@BallSoHard @Legendary_Dork @justin_mia just scoring in general is what we lack, martin is hit or miss . course he is still new and getting used to the system, but we need at least one more person to take the pressure off him, kd CANT play 40+ mins a night.
im glad that reggie can at least give russ a rest
@Legendary_Dork @justin_mia I think this is what is lacking...
@justin_mia @BallSoHard Its a shame since Martin used to create more then does now.
Backup PG is still our deadline priority IMO. Aaron Brooks is much better and obviously more experienced then Maynor or Jackson and he should be easy to get because he's expiring and he's not playing much. He already knows KMarts tendencies because they've played together for 4 years.
@okcjim
Derek Fisher, anyone? (Troooooollllllll!!!!!!)
@okcjim I don't see how backup PG is a priority in the playoffs when we have a guy who will be playing 40+ minutes in games that are close.
@Jooseppi @okcjim What about the 5-8 minutes the back up will get during the PLAYOFFS? When every game matters and every possession matters those minutes are valuable... And mind you that our point guard will almost, with a certainty, have a game where his decision making will be questionable and need a "breather". And what happens with foul trouble? We need to upgrade the back PG
@Jooseppi @okcjim and is tough as nails.
@OBoy Jones III @OBoy @ThunderWins @Jooseppi he has and he's not a good offensive player. He can shoot when he's got 3 seconds to wind up but that's all he brings offensively. Brooks at the PG gives us a threat there and keeps Thabo or liggins in for d
@okcjim @OBoy @ThunderWins @Jooseppi This year it's been Thabo taking those minutes I think.
@OBoy Jones III @ThunderWins @Jooseppi and pg. so who else on this team plays those minutes and hits those shots?
@okcjim @ThunderWins @Jooseppi at shooting guard.
@okcjim @ThunderWins @Jooseppi Yes and hopefully we prevent this from happening again.
@ThunderWins @Jooseppi fisher sure played a lot last year.
@okcjim our back up PG doesnt need to be chris paul or anything, just give russ enough rest and be competent to run the second unit.
@Legendary_Dork @okcjim Do yall not see the lack of flow in the second unit's offensive production? Jackson isn't there yet and I can't imagine him being the backup during the playoffs. Geesh... we're trying to win a championship here
@Legendary_Dork if Kmart is off the 2nd unit sucks. Brooks is a good scorer/shooter.
@Legendary_Dork @okcjim Its just a matter of time - he still learning when to pick his spots.