Kevin Arnovitz of TrueHoop: “Does Oklahoma City have anything profound to worry about? Thunder fans worry a lot about turnovers. But the high totals haven’t affected the offense’s overall efficiency, nor does it seem to produce a dangerous number of fast-break opportunities for opponents. More than anything, the turnovers seem like an ancillary product of an aggressive offense. Apart from that, the Thunder have an improved defense that has benefited from familiarity. Aficionados of high drama will yearn for a Russell Westbrook-Kevin Durant tug-of-war at a crucial moment, but there seems to be more trust than ever in OKC, on the floor and off.”
Berry Tramel on potential playoff opponents: “LA Lakers: Don’t count out the Lakers just yet. The Rockets, in eighth, are on pace to win 43 games. It’s possible they boost that up. It’s also possible they don’t. Forty-four wins might get the Lakers into the playoffs. To get to 44 wins, the Lakers need to go 25-13 the rest of the way. That’s possible. Not likely, but possible. Basically, play at about the success level as Memphis and the Knickerbockers have this season. Good news: The Thunder was built to beat the Lakers. Bad news: If the Lakers go 25-13 to reach the playoffs, they will enter with a load of confidence. History: The Thunder routed the Lakers twice before losing 105-96 Sunday. OKC went 6-2 vs. the Lakers last season, counting a five-game playoff series victory.”
Kendrick Perkins tweeted last night: “Sitting here thinking about the future of our league and I really think its time for a change with our unions leadership #random” Not so random: Perk’s agent is Arn Tellem, who sent this letter to all his clients in regards to ousting Billy Hunter.
John Rohde on schedules: “The Thunder’s overall strength of schedule to date has been exactly .500, which essentially translates to what you’ve seen is what you’ll get from OKC the rest of the way. If the Thunder maintains its current winning percentage of .756, that would equate to a 62-20 season and the West’s No. 2 seed behind 63-19 San Antonio if the Spurs maintain at .766 while playing an easier remaining schedule.”
The Raptors are hunting for a third-team to take Jose Calderon to facilitate a Rudy Gay deal. To the Trade Machine!
Part Thunder owner Aubrey McClendon is retiring as CEO of Chesapeake April 1. How will that impact the Thunder, if at all?
J.A. Sherman of Welcome to Loud City: “Earlier this season, we wrote that perhaps the best thing that could have happened to Kevin Durant’s career was to lose James Harden, because it forced Durant (and by extension, Westbrook) to get better in all aspects. However, one aspect to Harden’s game that was often missed is that until the playoffs, Harden rarely contributed much at the ends of games, but instead carried the offense for lengthy stretches, which allowed Durant and Westbrook to finish the games strong. This year, the Thunder have yet to find the guy who can carry the burden of the entire offense so that Durant and Westbrook do not feel the need to come back quickly and exert themselves. Kevin Martin is a welcome addition, but he is not equipped to play this role.”
Who are the best shooters from where?
Allow me to be That Guy about the Lakers: You know, they won five straight at one point in December. So maybe pump the brakes on this three-game streak, you guys?
If you think Stern's going to let the Laker's miss the playoffs and miss out on all that money from LA you're kidding yourself. He will MAKE SURE they get in. Trust me.
are there any theories as to why Russ's jumper is more Broke than last year?
@criznazy53 He may be pressing the issue to much trying to make up the pts from Harden. He seems like he doesent fully trust Kmart yet and seems to be pressing a bit but with russ its up and down all season long. As long as he comes around in the post season. He can chuck as many as he wants right now.
http://dailythunder.com/2013/01/aubrey-mcclendons-retirement-a-factor-in-thunders-future/
Nerlens Noel has a 16.89 block percentage and 7.4 average over his last five games.
What is our answer when Russ is broke with his jumper. Seems like this can happen more often than we would like.
Can we just rely on KD to single handed carry us? Or did the laker's prove we need another option to carry us?
Can we rely on Kmart to step up like Harden did, when we needed that third guy?
Kobe looks like he is playing like 10 feet off of Russ. Is that a key to beating okc , dare Russ to shoot the long range jumpers and hope that he is off?
What do you guys think?
@criznazy53 I'd like to see Ibaka see more looks if Russ jumper is off. I mean Ibaka has mean face up game and can hit from 15-18 i dont see why russ isnt taking advantage of that more.
@criznazy53 We own the Lakers. I don't really put any stock in Sunday's loss. Last game of a long road trip already with long games. When KD almost airballs a wide open shot from the elbow, you know he's tired.
The Lakers have figured out a system, but not an unstoppable one. It's the NBA, teams will adjust. They aren't making the playoffs.
@thunder_mike @criznazy53 as much ad i hate the lakers, you dont think they're making the playoffs? You're smoking something
@kennygee90 @thunderbolt @f5alcon By who ever you'd see at the 8th spot. LAL wont get passed OKC, SAS or LAC so it doesnt matter by who? 24-13 is a big deal considering LA hasnt sniffed that type of play aside from the last 3 games. Its a joke really that people are again saying LA can make something this year. Its just point less convo. Unless kobe keeps up his ast up and shot down (doubtful its Kobe still) then LAL will finish 9th or 10th. But yeah even if they do make the playoffs they are getting a gentlemens sweep for sure.
@MJOKC @thunderbolt @thunder_mike @criznazy53 Wait till the injury bug hits again, and it will.
@thunderbolt @f5alcon by who?
@f5alcon even so..why try to make the playoffs if you're going to get your ass kickedbin the first round..
@f5alcon @thunderbolt 24-13 is not a big deal if the team has found itself...if they still have chemistry issues then it'll be a problem
@thunderbolt they have to go 24-13 to make the playoffs, unless houston and the mavs fall apart, play 21 road games and only 16 home games. they still play 18 playoff teams.
@kennygee90 @thunder_mike @criznazy53 o shit, you'rehere?
@thunder_mike @thunderbolt @criznazy53 what the lakers needed was a system that catered to everyone, and this new system looks like its doing that...talent isnt the problem, chemistry was...once you find chemistry then their talent will overwhelm you...whether they've found the right chemistry and balance, is yet unknown but the team is headed in the right direction
@thunder_mike @thunderbolt @criznazy53
No they don't. They are only 4 games back. They can easily make that up. They are about to go on their Grammy trip, CUPCAKE, I expect them to come out 5 and 2 and put even more pressure on Houston, Dallas, and Portland, all of whom I expect to fold. .
@thunderbolt @thunder_mike @criznazy53 Just because they figured out an offense doesn't change the fact that they're old and lack depth. They have to be nearly perfect to make the playoffs... IN THE WEST. Not happening
@MJOKC @thunder_mike @criznazy53 ofcourse not, but kobe will them on to the last game of the regular season. :)
@criznazy53 when russ jumper is on, it doesn't matter if kobe is sagging off or not
@thunderbolt @criznazy53 my question is when his jumper is off.
@criznazy53 he just make pretty one handed off the dribble passes
By the way russel to dunk contest,and martin to 3point contest
@No beard no fear do you think westbrook will win it...
@thunderbolt Westbrook would jump Threw a Kia and dunk it.
@thunderbolt yea,but he need a good show
We need trade for big man,but I would live jimmer in okc http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=8o39w7m
Manti Te'o Greatest Love Song Collection
No. 9 Windmills of Your Mind by Sting
This song actually came from the movie The Thomas Crown Affair. This rendition by Sting would be perfect for the backdrop at the end of the Manti Te'o movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TtdW--jhAQ
I don't see a deal where we get Garnett, without having to trade Perkins. As much as Perk loves KG, there's no way he's going to the bench silently. And there's no way Ibaka comes off the bench. So it has to be Perk, and not KMart that goes in a trade.
http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=aexa7ek
I'd even give up the Toronto pick. Getting KG (and losing Perk) is akin to drafting a good to great player in the lottery. That way, KG anchors the middle. And Barbosa helps the 2nd team out immensely.
@AlexR44 Dont think KG would dismiss his no trade clause if Perk goes back to Beantown. I think only way KG would accept the trade is if Perk stayed here. Which could be amazing having both him and perk in the middle but that mean either Ibaka is part of the deal or K Mart is and in that case our bench would be an even bigger problem. KG is too old for the money he wants anyways.
@AlexR44 Honestly, trading Perk would be ideal, as it's his long term salary that would be keeping us from receiving a long term contract in a deal.
@AlexR44 We'd have to give them a shit ton of stuff would they do it? nah
@Lost Ones @AlexR44 That's the one guy I feel like he would listen to. KG taught perk everything he knows, so Perk would shutup.
@AlexR44 with brooks you never know he might bench ibaka.
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/49283/courtvision-the-worst-shooters-so-far
@OBoy Jones III I was really glad that Russ didn't make that list lol. Also fascinating that Gallinari made both the best and worst lists.
@Mr_F I think it's funny that every time I watch the Hawks Josh Smith is shooting that mid range shot that he's awful at.
People hating on Lamb even though he had highest 2FG % in past decade for SG's in college. Kmart is good now, but he isn't half the player which Lamb will become.
@Sigmund I play great in the park. I might be 3x the player lamb could be.
#inspiration
@Sigmund It seems like your trade below was a lot more about Lamb and less about KG. Lamb is good, but he's not that good. He's not balanced or experienced like K-Mart. I'd keep K-Mart unless we're getting a better player in return. Lamb is a serviceable replacement for K-Mart, but someone else would have to make up that consistent production like a KG, Vince Carter, Shawn Marion type 3/4
@Sigmund People putting Lamb on a pedestal even though he hasn't done anything in the NBA yet. How many players don't get 500 minutes in their rookie year and end up stars? Kevin Martin is a good player, probably twice the player Lamb will likely become.
@[censored] Kevin Martin didn't play 500 minutes in his rookie season, LOL.
@Sigmund @[censored] yea he didnt.
@[censored] @Sigmund Blake Griffin missed his rookie season not saying he's BG
@Lost Ones @OBoy Jones III @[censored] @Sigmund
Actually it changes his rookie year.
@Lost Ones @[censored] @Sigmund So what's your point? Lamb has played 64 minutes than Blake Griffin with a broken knee cap. Is that supposed to be a good thing?
@okcjim @Lost @OBoy @Sigmund Im pretty sure i know this.
@OBoy Jones III @[censored] @Sigmund he was considered a rookie because he was injured before the season started, he was still drafted in 09 it changes nothing.
@Lost Ones @OBoy Jones III @[censored] @Sigmund Blake was considered a rookie the following year as I'm pretty sure he won ROY
@Lost Ones @[censored] @Sigmund Blake was considered a rookie his 2nd season because he was injured his first season.
@OBoy Jones III @[censored] @Sigmund andrew bynum played 338 minutes his rookie season the argument is stupid
@OBoy Jones III @[censored] @Sigmund that's a terrible argument, he still had less then 500 minutes of experience
@Lost Ones @[censored] @Sigmund his coach didn't have the option of playing him.
@OBoy Jones III @[censored] @Sigmund Still didnt play...
@Lost Ones @[censored] @Sigmund Blake was hurt....