Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook got pretty used to not playing in the fourth quarter last week. Evidently it rubbed off on the rest of the team, because nobody showed up the final 12 minutes Tuesday in Utah.
It was a pretty rugged performance by Oklahoma City the first three quarters as the Jazz piled up offensive rebounds and the Thunder threw the ball away constantly, but still, after a solid close to the third, OKC was within seven headed to the fourth.
The Jazz rolled OKC up those final 12 minutes, outscoring the Thunder 23-15 to cruise to a 109-94 win. All those bad things the Thunder were doing and getting away with the first three quarters caught up to them in the fourth. The turnovers, the lack of defensive energy and focus, the inconsistent offense — eventually it wore the Thunder down enough to where Scott Brooks actually put Westbrook and Durant back in their familiar place on the bench for the final six minutes of the quarter.
Except obviously, circumstances were different this time. No dancing, cooing and yelling about OKC’s garbage time All-Stars in this one. The bench was a sullen place tonight.
Here’s what’s so strange about this game: The Thunder lost by 15 — their second largest margin this season — in a game they shot 55.9 percent from the field. How often does THAT happen? Couple significant box score issues to single out: 1) 10 missed free throws; 2) outrebounded by 12; 3) 16 offensive rebounds for Utah; 4) 20 turnovers and 5) 19 more shots attempts for the Jazz.
The breakdowns defensively were most on the interior where Serge Ibaka, Kendrick Perkins and Nick Collison couldn’t slow down Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap at all. Both were largely held in check in the first meeting in OKC, but tonight combined for 41 points and 17 rebounds. Ibaka and Perkins? They combined for 14 points and four rebounds. That’s right, in a game where rebounding was at a premium and the Thunder were getting massacred, their two starting bigs combined for four of them. That’s really just unacceptable.
Scott Brooks tried to tinker with the lineups to find a pairing that worked. Ibaka and Perk, Perk and Collison, Ibaka and Collison, Durant and Ibaka — nothing really clicked. I thought maybe a smallball lineup would at least create a mismatch for Utah and maybe force Ty Corbin’s hand, but all it did was force the Thunder to double down which opened up perimeter shots for the Jazz, shots they knocked down.
To make it worse, the Thunder’s bench was a complete no show. Until the third stringers added a few buckets late, DeMarre Carrol had equaled OKC’s second unit all on his own with 12 points. Kevin Martin looked out of rhythm after missing a game with the flu. Reggie Jackson was a bright spot, but he’s not equipped to really drive a bench unit. Without Martin providing a punch and no help from extras like Thabo Sefolosha (zero points) or Perk, the Thunder couldn’t keep pace.
Really and truly, just one of those games. It’s kind of amazing how you can look for unstoppable for a week and then get humbled right away. That’s part of the NBA season though. Games don’t carry over. Momentum is only as good as your latest performance. The Thunder went from pure and unfiltered dominance to having people ask questions about their coaching, rotations and bench.
Isn’t the NBA season wonderful?
NOTES:
- KD played a pretty brilliant offensive game despite the loss. He had 31 on 10-14 shooting after three quarters of work and finished with 33 on 11-16.
- Russell Westbrook drove the Russell Coaster tonight, scoring 22 points on 8-14 shooting, but had seven turnovers. He had eight turnovers in the first meeting against Utah. What’s the deal with Westbrook and turnovers against the Jazz?
- In a two minute span, Perk picked up a technical foul and then a flagrant. I thought this was a big deal when it happened, but then KD outdid him by picking up each in about a 15 second span.
- KD picked up his 10th technical of the season and it came after a strange flagrant foul. It seemed that Durant gave a forearm shiver the Alec Burks, but it’s hard to know. Pathetically, on the FS Oklahoma broadcast, they avoided showing the replay for a solid three minutes as the officials reviewed the play, then finally reluctantly aired it, a single replay with a terrible angle that didn’t really show anything. I get protecting players, but come on, that was embarrassing. Broadcast the game. Don’t just be a complete PR shill for the team.
- Scott Brooks shortened the rotations tonight, cutting DeAndre Liggins out in the first three quarters.
- That Durant coast-to-coast finish was pretty nice though, wasn’t it?
- Great stat from Darnell Mayberry: “The Thunder hasn’t turned it over more than 14 times in the past four games. OKC has 14 at halftime tonight in Utah.”
- Ty Corbin’s suit looks like it’s about two sizes too big.
- Because 800 people asked, the Thunder are now 4-4 in their alternate uniforms. They’re 2-4 on the road in them.
- Another game in the alternate uniforms, which means I like them even less today than I did yesterday. Not just because OKC lost in them, but because instead of growing on me, they’re having the opposite effect. I think the reason is because when you watch regular games and see the Thunder in their home whites and then road blues, then see them in the navy alternates, it’s jarring. My criticism of the alternates all along is that they make the Thunder look like a different team because they don’t really incorporate anything Thunder in them. They’re unrecognizable in them. In more ways than just one, evidently.
- After 18 points and then 20 points, Thabo put up a big fat zero on 0-2 shooting tonight. So much for that.
- Serge Ibaka was a -28. And deservedly so. He had seven blocks, which was good, but he was completely soft on the glass and didn’t play focused defense on Millsap. One of the worst games Ibaka has played this season.
- Upside to this game: We got to see Perry Jones LEAP. That dude can get up.
- Brightspot: Reggie Jackson. He was very assertive running the offense in the second quarter and managed looking for his own while setting things up very well. He tied his career-high with 12 points.
- Brian Davis Line of the Night: “….”
Next up: Miami at home on Thursday.
just blow it all up and start over..
http://dailythunder.com/2013/02/wednesday-bolts-2-13-13/#respond
This is probably the wrong approach to take but I honestly think if getting hammered by the Heat tomorrow pushes us to make a deal to get better then I hope we get hammered. I don't think I've ever said that, especially about the Thunder but If we hammer them tomorrow night we may not do anything. That may be short sighted. Presti probably would not put that much emphasis on one game but that would be 6 losses in a row to them so maybe it would.
@okcjim IF it does, and that's looking in foresight i agree.
@okcjim We could tank the rest of the year and there would definitely be some changes.
@OBoy Jones III @okcjim what would tanking do?
@OBoy Jones III @okcjim LOL
@Lost Ones @okcjim NO WEVE GONE TOO FAR. BLOW IT UP
@OBoy Jones III @okcjim I'll entertain your sarcasm, that's counterproductive, could just trade assets
@Lost Ones @okcjim you want changes right? lets just turn into a bad team.
Speaking of thunder Blowouts Tulsa won by 33 last night. The only notable thunder players on the roster SG andy Rautins and Thunder 2nd round pick Hollis Thompson both played reasonably well
X-rays negative on Nerlens Noel, still has to get an MRI though.
@OBoy Jones III Xrays= pointless
@Lost Ones @OBoy Jones III an xray would show a break in the patella if there was one, but you're right. the mri is far more important.
@Lost Ones probably shows how serious of an injury it was. Normally they go straight to MRI.
LOL at that interview love it
Thunder were on a huge roll heading on the road and were humbled. Bounce back game tomorrow and a huge chance to pay it forward and end Lebrons little run.
@Fuzzy Logic DT is gonnna beeeee in a frenzy friday morning
Was looking at recent notable trades the Thunder has made in their time in OKC. Ever notice how you never really hear rumors about the trade before it happens? I know OKC is small market but they also seem good at flying under the radar.
@sooner403 Our local media doesn't seem to have many inside sources within the Thunder. The majority of Thunder related reports come from a guy in the Ohio media....and they're all wrong.
@OBoy Jones III well darnell keeps making russ mad, probably doesnt help him get inside info
@f5alcon Yup.
@OBoy Jones III @sooner403 who's that guy?
@Cold-Blooded @OBoy @sooner403 Sam Amico. He's had probably 10 thunder reports since the offseason and none of them have ended up happening.
Russ's reaction to that question is really weird. It was an innocent standard question. It's like he chooses to flip on media regardless of the question asked.
@BallSoHard I've always thought that question was pointless, not to mention the whole team was obvious frustrated with themselves (see: Perk skipping out on post game interviews), so I won't hold Russ' response against him.
And the few times I've gotten to watch his post game interviews, he usually blandly answers question in general, but some questions get under your skin after a loss that could have been winnable.
@novelisticbee0 True. I don't mind his responses at all. And, Media has to come up with some kind of questions to get writing material. Just odd the way he takes it sometimes. I would be frustrated as well.
@BallSoHard His 'Whaaaaaat?' was hilarious though. Lol
@BallSoHard Poppovich style?
@FF_pickups Pop is a media troll master.
Also think that Toronto pick is losing value by the day. Think you almost have to deal it now.
@Mr_posey
find a rookie contract big that is better than what we have, on a team that is willing to give him up and we can make that trade young fella
@Mr_posey Nah Hold onto it. its 15-30 protected for the next few years, so if Toronto do have a good season or two. we have time
@DJ Scott Brooks aka jdstorm @Mr_posey they are not going to make it to 15, we are getting it this year, and yeah looks more like a 10th or 11th pick
@Mr_posey @f5alcon @DJ Scott Brooks aka jdstorm
In most drafts it is a big difference but this draft seems to not be very top heavy but to have a solid 15-20 players in it. THere will still be value in the 10-14 range.
@f5alcon @Mr_posey 10-11 is fine. there is always a stud who inexplicably drops during the draft process to around pick 10
@f5alcon @Mr_posey
I still like Alex Poythress if we can get him. He's got Thunder written all over him.
@Mr_posey but for what? all of the other teams see it losing value as well.
@f5alcon @DJ Scott Brooks aka jdstorm The value of a player from 5-6 compared to 10-11 is huge. My reasoning for trading. I'm not sure if Gay is a rental player for them either though
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to discern Russell is usually short with the media after a loss. When KD gets his 13th technical...I suppose some of the local media love might get on that train a bit. Russ didn't get a T last night. From what I saw he didn't have a tantrum during the game much to his credit...since basically OKC played the game with two of its starters going virtually invisible and being complete no shows. I'm not going to defend or rake Russ for his behavior with the press. I don't care. I care what his teammates and coaches feel in their hearts. If they want this guy in the foxhole next to them.
Here are some other questions I'd have liked to seen on tape from Darnell and others:
To Perk..." You played 28 minutes and had 1 rebound and 4 turnovers, do you think brutal would be a fair word to describe your performance?"
To Serge..."You blocked 7 shots and yet finished the night at -28....how is this possible?"
To the cerebral Nick Collison..."Did you sense earlier in the day the team was looking ahead to the Miami game?"
To Scott Brooks... "Your team showed an obvious lack of urgency for this game...why not an injection of Deandre Liggins sometime before mop up time?"
To Thabo..."Do you feel like you let your teammates down when you go virtually invisible offensively from time to time?"
To Reggie..."Nice game. How do you describe to the average fan how the game is now slowing down for you?"
Just some random thoughts.
@El Prez
Those are some good questions. The Thabo question is an insult worse than the Perk Question. I'd love to hear what Nick says but you let him off the hook with a coaches question.
@PerkPuntI thought Nick was horrible last night. He's my favorite player, but you're right... I went easy on him because last night was so unlike Nick Collison. Mea culpa. You got me.
I can't honestly think of a snarky question to ask a guy who usually gives up his body for his team ... scratches, claws and bleeds for that extra inch. Maybe he watched Bambi on pay per view in his room before the game. Don't really know. Maybe the whole team watched Bambi before the game while I was rocking out to the Foo Fighters and Van Halen. Don't really know.
@BallSoHard @OBoy @OBoy @El @PerkPunt Lol i just don't know how he can learn to stay down on Dirks pump fakes but then fall for every pump fake on Millsap. At the start of the game it was like Serge didn't even know Millsap was capable of making midrange jumpers.
@OBoy Jones III @OBoy @El @PerkPunt Saw this last night when you posted it. Man, that's bad. But, it's that same effort. It's like he is so focused on getting those blocks. His best attribute is sometimes his worst.
@OBoy Jones III @BallSoHard @El @PerkPunt
Think about how hard it is to go -28 when most of your minutes are paired with KD and Russ---or at least one of them. You really have to have a bad night to go -28 when KD is one of your linemates. It would be like going -5 in a hockey game paired with Gretzky and Messier. Tough to do.
@BallSoHard @OBoy @El @PerkPunt atleast he hasn't regressed http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7ZY3PjZpgK8
@OBoy Jones III @El @PerkPunt Serge played one of his top 2 worst games of the year. I followed him the entire game on defense (you should try it sometime). He was god awful. Mostly the effort wasn't there. His blocks overshadow his numerous flaws on the defensive end.
@OBoy Jones III @BallSoHard @El @PerkPunt I'm gonna go with Ibaka, we don't expect points from Perk. But Perk only grabbing 1 board is a little ridic.
@BallSoHard @El @PerkPunt He was terrible but Utah's backup bigs probably played a part in it because they're both young and very athletic. I'm still deciding who played worse between Perk and Serge.
@El Prez @PerkPunt I, too, thought Collison was horrible. It's odd, usually when the big men are having off nights Nick comes in with the defensive spark.
@El Prez
Nick the expectations high not you. I would absolutely hold him responsible for not meeting those expectations. But i get what you're saying he does play hard most of the time.