Lets be honest, Durant,Wesbrook and the Thunder have..

[Hoopz2332]

no shot vs the Heat if they play in the finals. Durant and Westbrook isoing against the heat plays right into their hands. Thunder =low iq basketball at it's finest lol. When you take into consideration that Durant and Westbrook are not as eff on raw Fg% as Lebron and Wade, I see the heat taking the series in 5 games even without homecourt:rockon:

[SilkkTheShocker]

Agreed. If Wade is even remotely healthy than it might be a sweep

[sportjames23]

It ain't like the Heat have been setting the world on fire. They barely beat the Bobcats at home. If ATL beats the Pacers and meets Miami, don't think the Heat will roll over them.

And if Miami gets to the Finals (in the weak East, they should), whoever comes out West will beat them, IMO.

[SilkkTheShocker]

It ain't like the Heat have been setting the world on fire. They barely beat the Bobcats at home. If ATL beats the Pacers and meets Miami, don't think the Heat will roll over them.

And if Miami gets to the Finals (in the weak East, they should), whoever comes out West will beat them, IMO.

People said the same thing in 2012 and 2013 about OKC and SA beating them. And the Heat still won with injury problems. And no, they didn't "barely" beat Charlotte. They won by over 10 and were up big at one point.

[Akrazotile]

Let's be honest, OKC isn't getting by the Grizzlies.

[KG215]

I said it last night in the game thread but, a very tiny part of me is sorta kinda a little bit hoping we lose in the 1st round and that will be enough to force the front office to actually fire Scott Brooks. Being this f***ing incompetent in the halfcourt, when that's what the playoffs turn into for the majority of games, is inexcusable at this point. The core of the team has been together for 5+ years and Brooks has been the head coach that whole time. Struggling to even get someone open in a halfcourt set is pathetic.

[Akrazotile]

I said it last night in the game thread but, a very tiny part of me is sorta kinda a little bit hoping we lose in the 1st round and that will be enough to force the front office to actually fire Scott Brooks. Being this f***ing incompetent in the halfcourt, when that's what the playoffs turn into for the majority of games, is inexcusable at this point. The core of the team has been together for 5+ years and Brooks has been the head coach that whole time. Struggling to even get someone open in a halfcourt set is pathetic.


What's Brooks contract situation?

OKC isn't a market that's just gonna eat empty salary. If Brooks still has coin comin to him, they're gonna keep him.


Also, people give Brooks shit for the halfcourt offense, but never mention they don't have any players who can actually play in the post. When everyone knows Westbrook is gonna come down and either shoot or pass it straight to Durant, there's not really much a coach can do. They don't have a post presence. How is that Brooks' fault?? They also don't have a pass first PG. That's also not Brooks' fault. He's basically been given two iso scorers and some role players.


People blaming Brooks are delusional about the actual talent level on this team. It's really nothing special in terms of playoff style players.

[sportjames23]

People said the same thing in 2012 and 2013 about OKC and SA beating them. And the Heat still won with injury problems. And no, they didn't "barely" beat Charlotte. They won by over 10 and were up big at one point.


This Heat team isn't the same as those two years. They've struggled as much as Indy has since around All-Star break.

[Hoopz2332]

It ain't like the Heat have been setting the world on fire. They barely beat the Bobcats at home.

Barely? That games was a 20 point beatdown with like 3 mins left before the heat put on cruise control mode:biggums:



If ATL beats the Pacers and meets Miami, don't think the Heat will roll over them.

ATL does scare me more than the Thunder because of the Spurs system they use but Miami would beat them too.


And if Miami gets to the Finals (in the weak East, they should), whoever comes out West will beat them, IMO.


The only team that scares me from the West w/o having homecourt is the Spurs. Even the Clippers scare me more than the Thunder:lol

[SilkkTheShocker]

This Heat team isn't the same as those two years. They've struggled as much as Indy has since around All-Star break.

Struggled? Look to me they were coasting for the most part. I am not a fan of the flip the switch mentality either. But the Pacers got serious chemistry problems right now. The only team in the west that will be a tough out in the Finals for Miami is SA. The rest of those teams I don't see having a chance. OKC has no big man to take advantage of the Heat's turdbucket froncourt. They don't matchup well at all with Miami

[K Xerxes]

I said it last night in the game thread but, a very tiny part of me is sorta kinda a little bit hoping we lose in the 1st round and that will be enough to force the front office to actually fire Scott Brooks. Being this f***ing incompetent in the halfcourt, when that's what the playoffs turn into for the majority of games, is inexcusable at this point. The core of the team has been together for 5+ years and Brooks has been the head coach that whole time. Struggling to even get someone open in a halfcourt set is pathetic.

Assuming health, OKC is a dynasty if they manage to get a competent coach who implements offensive sets. It was embarrassing to watch Durant trying to wrestle Allen for post position (and failing) MULTIPLE times without any adjustments being made.

Brooks is simply a well paid cheerleader in a suit. Worst coach in the league and it's not even close IMO.

[Akrazotile]

Assuming health, OKC is a dynasty if they manage to get a competent coach who implements offensive sets. It was embarrassing to watch Durant trying to wrestle Allen for post position (and failing) MULTIPLE times without any adjustments being made.

Brooks is simply a well paid cheerleader in a suit. Worst coach in the league and it's not even close IMO.



:facepalm

[inclinerator]

It ain't like the Heat have been setting the world on fire. They barely beat the Bobcats at home. If ATL beats the Pacers and meets Miami, don't think the Heat will roll over them.

And if Miami gets to the Finals (in the weak East, they should), whoever comes out West will beat them, IMO.
miami doesnt get up for teams they know they should beat

[DMAVS41]

I said it last night in the game thread but, a very tiny part of me is sorta kinda a little bit hoping we lose in the 1st round and that will be enough to force the front office to actually fire Scott Brooks. Being this f***ing incompetent in the halfcourt, when that's what the playoffs turn into for the majority of games, is inexcusable at this point. The core of the team has been together for 5+ years and Brooks has been the head coach that whole time. Struggling to even get someone open in a halfcourt set is pathetic.

Yea, it would be interesting...

Brooks has to go...you know I've been saying this for like 4 years now on here.

They may still win on how good the team is, but they aren't close to playing at their optimal level...and the worst thing that can happen to a team is have title years wasted.

Most fans don't understand how important coaching can be. Going all the way back to the 11 WCF...that series was so close. People forget that the Thunder had leads going into the 4th qtr in 4 of the 5 games. If you switched coaches in that series...do the mavs still win? I really don't know...probably not actually.

Brooks ****ed them in the 12 finals as well...playing the bum Perkins way too much.

And if they don't win this year...it will likely because he ****s them again by not getting them to play the right way.

How is he still allowing WB to take so many 3's?????? You can't do that after 5 years of being together like you said.


Despite some of these new KD fans annoying me, you know I really like the Thunder and pull for them often. I don't want to see the Thunder waste years because of a shit coach. It happened to my team with Avery Johnson...but we never had teams this good...so it will be even worse for Thunder fans when you guys look back.

I think Brooks has to go...and I'd really like to see Durant get tougher and become a better leader on the court.

[SilkkTheShocker]

Assuming health, OKC is a dynasty if they manage to get a competent coach who implements offensive sets. It was embarrassing to watch Durant trying to wrestle Allen for post position (and failing) MULTIPLE times without any adjustments being made.

Brooks is simply a well paid cheerleader in a suit. Worst coach in the league and it's not even close IMO.

You're clueless :oldlol:

[imdaman99]

Up until 2 years ago, we all thought Bran was a choking loser who could never win a championship even with a stacked team. Times change, give this team a chance. This Heat team is not the badboy Pistons. People get older. Durant has just recently become the best player in the league, it's not like other best players won once they took that spot. Let's relax and enjoy the ride.

[Rocketswin2013]

Assuming health, OKC is a dynasty if they manage to get a competent coach who implements offensive sets. It was embarrassing to watch Durant trying to wrestle Allen for post position (and failing) MULTIPLE times without any adjustments being made.

Brooks is simply a well paid cheerleader in a suit. Worst coach in the league and it's not even close IMO.
Worst coach in the league? Have you seen Kevin McHale coach?

[Rocketswin2013]

Up until 2 years ago, we all thought Bran was a choking loser who could never win a championship even with a stacked team. Times change, give this team a chance. This Heat team is not the badboy Pistons. People get older. Durant has just recently become the best player in the league, it's not like other best players won once they took that spot. Let's relax and enjoy the ride. No, realistically only ****ing idiots thought he wouldn't win. The guy is too good not to.

[DaSeba5]

Miami is a terrible matchup for them. They have nobody in the paint to hurt Miami so Miami doesn't have to double team and body people in the paint. Bosh plays well against Ibaka. Miami can worry about Durant, let Westbrook do his thing, and force the role players to make plays for them, which isn't enough to beat Miami 4 times.

[imdaman99]

No, realistically only ****ing idiots thought he wouldn't win. The guy is too good not to.
I knew he'd eventually win too... but doubts started trickling after he kept losing to the Celtics and Magic. Durant is not 32 years old. He will win eventually. If he doesn't win this year, sure Bran stans can have a field day with it. But Jordan was the best player for a while before he finally won, same with Bran, Kobe was in a different situation.

But if they wanna trade Westbrook, it would be a mistake. Durant could not beat the Grizz without him. Grizz have great defense with both perimeter defenders + pick and roll + good defense down low.

[DaSeba5]

Up until 2 years ago, we all thought Bran was a choking loser who could never win a championship even with a stacked team. Times change, give this team a chance. This Heat team is not the badboy Pistons. People get older. Durant has just recently become the best player in the league, it's not like other best players won once they took that spot. Let's relax and enjoy the ride.

I'd be shocked if Durant never wins a ring in his career. If he doesn't that means LeBron dominated for several more years, the team got rid of Westbrook and OKC wasn't good enough to win a title, and/or there is a new star player in the league that wins titles. He's young. There's a lot of basketball for him to play.

[chosen_one6]

Lol at the Heat barely beating the Bobcats.

[jlip]

I disagree with the OP. The Heat appear to have taken a step back this season, while the Thunder seem to have collectively improved. If these two teams meet in the Finals the Thunder should be favored. I feel that it will take an epic performance by Lebron and Wade in order to defeat the Thunder this year if they were to meet.

[KG215]

What's Brooks contract situation?

OKC isn't a market that's just gonna eat empty salary. If Brooks still has coin comin to him, they're gonna keep him.


Also, people give Brooks shit for the halfcourt offense, but never mention they don't have any players who can actually play in the post. When everyone knows Westbrook is gonna come down and either shoot or pass it straight to Durant, there's not really much a coach can do. They don't have a post presence. How is that Brooks' fault?? They also don't have a pass first PG. That's also not Brooks' fault. He's basically been given two iso scorers and some role players.


People blaming Brooks are delusional about the actual talent level on this team. It's really nothing special in terms of playoff style players.
I do agree that the players do deserve some level of blame, but we've seen this team make deep runs in the playoffs before and I still think talent wise this is a championship caliber team. I'm just starting to heavily question the actuality of that happening with Scott Brooks as the coach. Tony Allen does as good of a job guarding Durant as anyone in the league, if not the best job. However, the fact that we're continually trying to set screens that spring Durant free around the 3P line, why the hell is Brooks not designing stuff that gets Durant in the mid and low post area? He's got a 6-7 inch height advantage on Allen and has done a pretty good job scoring on him when he gets the ball in those areas.

I believe Brooks deserves most of the blame. You've got the best or second best player in the league and another top 5-7ish player in the league, along with a third player who's probably a top 25ish player in the league. The role players aren't necessarily any worse in my opinion than the role players on other championship caliber teams and, to whatever degree you may believe they are, the only other championship caliber team that has OKC's top end talent is Miami (when Wade and Bosh are playing at or close to their maximum level) and MAYBE the Clippers.

[DMAVS41]

What's Brooks contract situation?

OKC isn't a market that's just gonna eat empty salary. If Brooks still has coin comin to him, they're gonna keep him.


Also, people give Brooks shit for the halfcourt offense, but never mention they don't have any players who can actually play in the post. When everyone knows Westbrook is gonna come down and either shoot or pass it straight to Durant, there's not really much a coach can do. They don't have a post presence. How is that Brooks' fault?? They also don't have a pass first PG. That's also not Brooks' fault. He's basically been given two iso scorers and some role players.


People blaming Brooks are delusional about the actual talent level on this team. It's really nothing special in terms of playoff style players.


The bold is just a joke.

You have the 2nd best player, a top 10 player, and a top 30 player.

Not only that, but they actually can all play quality defense...and the 3rd option guy doesn't need the ball much to have a huge impact.

This team is as good as any team in the league. The role players are solid. Thabo, Reggie, Collison, and Butler...that is absolutely fine. Not to mention as much hate as he gets...Fisher playing spot minutes is better than a lot of other guys in the 8th/9th man role. I'd like to see Adams play a bit more and Perkins play a bit less though...oh and Lamb. He should get some time here and there...could play kind of the...."we can't get anything going...lets see what Lamb can do" type role.

If this roster isn't good enough for Brooks...then Brooks is clearly the problem. Nobody would be saying this team didn't have enough talent for a coach like Pop or Phil or Larry Brown or Carlisle or Rivers or even Spo....

Brooks isn't the worst coach ever...he's not even terrible. But he's not good...

[Hoopz2332]

I disagree with the OP. The Heat appear to have taken a step back this season, while the Thunder seem to have collectively improved. If these two teams meet in the Finals the Thunder should be favored. I feel that it will take an epic performance by Lebron and Wade in order to defeat the Thunder this year if they were to meet.


Thunder cannot beat the Heat by playing similar but less eff style

[diamenz]

with westbrook wasting precious possessions, no - they're not beating the heat, or any solid team in a 7 game series for that matter.

[Akrazotile]

[/B]

The bold is just a joke.

You have the 2nd best player, a top 10 player, and a top 30 player.

Not only that, but they actually can all play quality defense...and the 3rd option guy doesn't need the ball much to have a huge impact.

This team is as good as any team in the league. The role players are solid. Thabo, Reggie, Collison, and Butler...that is absolutely fine. Not to mention as much hate as he gets...Fisher playing spot minutes is better than a lot of other guys in the 8th/9th man role. I'd like to see Adams play a bit more and Perkins play a bit less though...oh and Lamb. He should get some time here and there...could play kind of the...."we can't get anything going...lets see what Lamb can do" type role.

If this roster isn't good enough for Brooks...then Brooks is clearly the problem. Nobody would be saying this team didn't have enough talent for a coach like Pop or Phil or Larry Brown or Carlisle or Rivers or even Spo....

Brooks isn't the worst coach ever...he's not even terrible. But he's not good...

Westbrook is a top 10 player????

Oh, right, you are a confirmed "impressed with hero iso ball" guy. I'm sure your top 5 is carmelo, westbrook, durant, rose when he's healthy, kobe when he's healthy.

The playoffs are about styles and matchups. Again, the Thunder have two redundant iso scorers. What else do you want them to do on offense? They have no post player to run an offense through. They don't have a table setting point guard.

Sorry but a Perkins-Ibaka-Collison frontcourt rotation is not propelling any coach into the HOF. Name a championship team with a worse PF-C combination than Ibaka and Perkins. Go ahead. It's not even like Durant is an impact guy on the level of Lebron. In fact, Duraint is a pretty one-dimensional player. He's really not close to the overall impact of Lebron. But, if you only judge basketball players by iso scoring, you might not realize that.

The Grizzlies have a complete TEAM. That's why they're having the same success with a no-name rookie coach as they did with a veteran coach. The game is not about star power and names on paper. This is why the Mavs won their title. They had a complete team with players that all complimented each other. That's what wins in this league. The coach doesn't wave a magic wand that makes players who are overrated because they sell shoes into a cohesive championship squad.


You honestly have no clue what you're talking about.

[DMAVS41]

Westbrook is a top 10 player????

Oh, right, you are a confirmed "impressed with hero iso ball" guy. I'm sure your top 5 is carmelo, westbrook, durant, rose when he's healthy, kobe when he's healthy.

The playoffs are about styles and matchups. Again, the Thunder have two redundant iso scorers. What else do you want them to do on offense? They have no post player to run an offense through. They don't have a table setting point guard.

Sorry but a Perkins-Ibaka-Collison frontcourt rotation is not propelling any coach into the HOF. Name a championship team with a worse PF-C combination than Ibaka and Perkins. Go ahead. It's not even like Durant is an impact guy on the level of Lebron. In fact, Duraint is a pretty one-dimensional player. He's really not close to the overall impact of Lebron. But, if you only judge basketball players by iso scoring, you might not realize that.

The Grizzlies have a complete TEAM. That's why they're having the same success with a no-name rookie coach as they did with a veteran coach. The game is not about star power and names on paper. This is why the Mavs won their title. They had a complete team with players that all complimented each other. That's what wins in this league. The coach doesn't wave a magic wand that makes players who are overrated because they sell shoes into a cohesive championship squad.


You honestly have no clue what you're talking about.

Name 10 players better than Westbrook.

Name 2 players better than Durant.

Name 25 players better than Ibaka.

Not only that...they have good chemistry.

You have no ****ing clue what you are talking about...not built for the playoffs. ROFL...this team is exactly built for the playoffs. They have legit star in Durant, a really good 2nd option, and a near perfect 3rd guy in Ibaka that doesn't need the ball to be good. And they play quality defense.

The ****ing excuses for Brooks and this Thunder team are endless....just ****ing endless. They lose one god damn game in round 1 and it's;

"well...we just don't have a good enough team for Brooks to work with"

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

The amount of spoiled fans with this ****ing Lebron super team generation is sickening. Mother****ers think you should have a perfect team every single year...

[Thunderfan86]

I knew he'd eventually win too... but doubts started trickling after he kept losing to the Celtics and Magic. Durant is not 32 years old. He will win eventually. If he doesn't win this year, sure Bran stans can have a field day with it. But Jordan was the best player for a while before he finally won, same with Bran, Kobe was in a different situation.

But if they wanna trade Westbrook, it would be a mistake. Durant could not beat the Grizz without him. Grizz have great defense with both perimeter defenders + pick and roll + good defense down low.
Listen, I'm not on the bandwagon of trading Westbrook, but to follow that comment by saying Durant can't beat the Grizz without him bothers me. If they were to trade Westbrook it's not like they would get nothing in return. They would get players who would compliment Durant and make the Thunder a more successful TEAM. Westbrook has a ton of value and it's not like we would get a scrub in return.

Just for the record, I'm not trying to start shit with you or anything like that. I may even be interpreting your post the wrong way, but sometimes people act as if we got rid of Westbrook we would get current Mike Bibby in return.

[Budadiiii]

Name 10 players better than Westbrook.

Name 2 players better than Durant.

Name 25 players better than Ibaka.

Not only that...they have good chemistry.

You have no ****ing clue what you are talking about...not built for the playoffs. ROFL...this team is exactly built for the playoffs. They have legit star in Durant, a really good 2nd option, and a near perfect 3rd guy in Ibaka that doesn't need the ball to be good. And they play quality defense.

The ****ing excuses for Brooks and this Thunder team are endless....just ****ing endless. They lose one god damn game in round 1 and it's;

"well...we just don't have a good enough team for Brooks to work with"

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm
It's not as easy as saying... "they have a star. and a good second option!!! and Ibaka can hit open jumpers, WOOOO!!!"

:facepalm

You really came off as a moron in this post. I've been telling you that OKC is far from stacked and that they don't have a good enough frontcourt to be considered anything great.

You don't even watch the games do you? :oldlol:

[DMAVS41]

Listen, I'm not on the bandwagon of trading Westbrook, but to follow that comment by saying Durant can't beat the Grizz without him bothers me. If they were to trade Westbrook it's not like they would get nothing in return. They would get players who would compliment Durant and make the Thunder a more successful TEAM. Westbrook has a ton of value and it's not like we would get a scrub in return.

Just for the record, I'm not trying to start shit with you or anything like that. I may even be interpreting your post the wrong way, but sometimes people act as if we got rid of Westbrook we would get current Mike Bibby in return.

Who are you getting though?

Rondo? That is the only guy I can think of that fits what you are talking about.

And I promise you...you'd be worse with Rondo than you are now. You could get back Rondo/Green/Bayless and I think you would still be worse.

I wouldn't trade WB unless it was a home run, but if you had to, I proposed the following trade this year.

Westbrook and Thabo and the Dallas pick this year for;

Jameer Nelson (expiring contract), Afflalo, Vucevic, and the Magic first round pick this year

At least that is a home run. You improve at SG and Center hugely...get a decent stop gap for the year at pg as Nelson/Jackson isn't bad...and then have a top 3 pick this year.

I wouldn't move WB, but at least something like that is huge for the present and long term.

But what point guard is doing all the things you are talking about? And where is the scoring going to come from if you lose WB in the playoffs for a guy like Rondo?

[DMAVS41]

It's not as easy as saying... "they have a star. and a good second option!!! and Ibaka can hit open jumpers, WOOOO!!!"

:facepalm

You really came off as a moron in this post. I've been telling you that OKC is far from stacked and that they don't have a good enough frontcourt to be considered anything great.

You don't even watch the games do you? :oldlol:

And I'm telling you....that you are just selling them short and making excuses.

Yea...I do watch the games. And I see a team that plays quality offense and quality defense. That has the 2nd best player in the league and a really good overall supporting cast around him.

You realize you don't just get a perfect team...right? Ibaka is the perfect guy at pf next to Durant and WB. He defends and rebounds well at the pf position...protects the rim very well...and can stretch the floor on offense...and is a pretty good pick and roll/pop player.

Ibaka/Collison/Perkins/Adams is not this horrible pf/c combination. It's not great, but you don't get to have an elite guard, elite sf, quality pf...and then also get an elite center.

You can't have a perfect team!...that fact that Brooks needs more is the point. A great coach would not need more help...


And GTFO...you are the one calling the Mavs stacked...you realize the Thunder roster is at least twice as good as the Mavs...right? Only thing in the Mavs favor is that our coach isn't a full time moron like Brooks. Although Carlisle leaves a lot to be desired in creativity on offense as well.

[DMAVS41]

This is why everyone here is sick of Durant stans and a lot of the Thunder fans....

You guys pretend like you have no chance to win the title...yet you claim KD is better than Kobe ever was. And go on and on now about how Brooks needs more.

It's pathetic. One ****ing first round loss and you guys are throwing in the towel on a team that has been together for like 5 years and has a top 3 team in terms of talent in the league.

If that isn't enough...you guys have the wrong coach and wrong star player.

You guys are turning into the new Rose fans

#bitchmade

[imdaman99]

OKC in 6-7 over the Grizz. This would be OKC's toughest matchup till the finals.

Can't give up already, in Goatbrook I trust :rockon:

[Budadiiii]

And I'm telling you....that you are just selling them short and making excuses.

Yea...I do watch the games. And I see a team that plays quality offense and quality defense. That has the 2nd best player in the league and a really good overall supporting cast around him.

You realize you don't just get a perfect team...right? Ibaka is the perfect guy at pf next to Durant and WB. He defends and rebounds well at the pf position...protects the rim very well...and can stretch the floor on offense...and is a pretty good pick and roll/pop player.

Ibaka/Collison/Perkins/Adams is not this horrible pf/c combination. It's not great, but you don't get to have an elite guard, elite sf, quality pf...and then also get an elite center.

You can't have a perfect team!...that fact that Brooks needs more is the point. A great coach would not need more help...

The perfect player next to Durant/Westbrook would be a competent center who can catch/finish/rebound. They don't have that.

They actually have some of the worst big men in the league.

An inconsistent jump shooter who makes low IQ decisions and becomes worthless in crunchtime is not the 'perfect third option' and I have no idea what makes you come to that conclusion.

Swap Ibaka for 2011 Chandler and they become infinitely better. WE WOULD NOT MISS IBAKAS 15 points on wide open jump shots....That is unbelievably replaceable.

Are in love with Ibaka because of his freakish athleticism and his highlight blocks that usually end up out of bounds so the other team gets another chance anyway.....

He has no skills. He can't catch and finish. He can't create offense. I could make a counter argument and say that he's the WORST possible 'third option' for THIS team...

what good is a guy who can't get easy baskets? Who can't take advantage of Durant/Westbrook's perimeter presence to get easy baskets in the paint....

All he does is shoot 20 foot jump shots. How does that help this team? How?

[Thunderfan86]

Who are you getting though?

Rondo? That is the only guy I can think of that fits what you are talking about.

And I promise you...you'd be worse with Rondo than you are now. You could get back Rondo/Green/Bayless and I think you would still be worse.

I wouldn't trade WB unless it was a home run, but if you had to, I proposed the following trade this year.

Westbrook and Thabo and the Dallas pick this year for;

Jameer Nelson (expiring contract), Afflalo, Vucevic, and the Magic first round pick this year

At least that is a home run. You improve at SG and Center hugely...get a decent stop gap for the year at pg as Nelson/Jackson isn't bad...and then have a top 3 pick this year.

I wouldn't move WB, but at least something like that is huge for the present and long term.

But what point guard is doing all the things you are talking about? And where is the scoring going to come from if you lose WB in the playoffs for a guy like Rondo?
Again, I'm not calling for Westbrook to be traded. I'm just merely commenting on the Westbrook or the Thunder ain't shit mentality. We need him unless we were to make a "home run" trade like you mentioned and if we did trade it would indeed be for a home run situation.

[DMAVS41]

The perfect player next to Durant/Westbrook would be a competent center who can catch/finish/rebound. They don't have that.

They actually have some of the worst big men in the league.

An inconsistent jump shooter who makes low IQ decisions and becomes worthless in crunchtime is not the 'perfect third option' and I have no idea what makes you come to that conclusion.

Swap Ibaka for 2011 Chandler and they become infinitely better. WE WOULD NOT MISS IBAKAS 15 points on wide open jump shots....That is unbelievably replaceable.

Are in love with Ibaka because of his freakish athleticism and his highlight blocks that usually end up out of bounds so the other team gets another chance anyway.....

He has no skills. He can't catch and finish. He can't create offense. I could make a counter argument and say that he's the WORST possible 'third option' for THIS team...

what good is a guy who can't get easy baskets? Who can't take advantage of Durant/Westbrook's perimeter presence to get easy baskets in the paint....

All he does is shoot 20 foot jump shots. How does that help this team? How?

Well, you'd be dead wrong that he's the worst 3rd guy. Who is playing pf? Who is stretching bigs away from the basket so WB and Durant can attack?

You put Chandler on this team and the spacing on offense becomes a problem. Teams would just force Thabo to take a lot of shots. They'd sink in on the Chanlder pick and roll...WB isn't even really a good enough passer to hit Chandler for his lobs that he needs to have an impact offensively to begin with.

Again though...you don't get a perfect team. Nobody has one right now anyway. All the teams have flaws currently...there is no 96 Bulls or 86 Celtics or 01 Lakers out there right now. Hell, there isn't even a team as good as the 05 or 06 Spurs in the league right now.

You keep acting like the Thunder are going up against Bird/Mchale/Parish...

[Budadiiii]

We lost that game because we couldn't get critical rebounds..... we couldn't get easy baskets... and we couldn't defend Gasol/Randolph in crunchtime.

SOMEHOW Ibaka is the perfect third option because he can hit open jump shots from Durant/Westbrook.

:applause:

He's not actually getting the critical rebounds... or making the critical stops... or getting the critical baskets in crunch time and maybe freeing up Durant/Westbrook so we can play more of an inside/out game.... .

He's getting two highlight blocks a game which is enough for low IQ fans like DMAVS. :applause:

[Thunderfan86]

This is why everyone here is sick of Durant stans and a lot of the Thunder fans....

You guys pretend like you have no chance to win the title...yet you claim KD is better than Kobe ever was. And go on and on now about how Brooks needs more.

It's pathetic. One ****ing first round loss and you guys are throwing in the towel on a team that has been together for like 5 years and has a top 3 team in terms of talent in the league.

If that isn't enough...you guys have the wrong coach and wrong star player.

You guys are turning into the new Rose fans

#bitchmade
Is this post aimed towards me in any way?

[DMAVS41]

Is this post aimed towards me in any way?

no...not at all.

[DMAVS41]

We lost that game because we couldn't get critical rebounds..... we couldn't get easy baskets... and we couldn't defend Gasol/Randolph in crunchtime.

SOMEHOW Ibaka is the perfect third option because he can hit open jump shots from Durant/Westbrook.

:applause:

He's not actually getting the critical rebounds... or making the critical stops... or getting the critical baskets in crunch time and maybe freeing up Durant/Westbrook so we can play more of an inside/out game.... .

He's getting two highlight blocks a game which is enough for low IQ fans like DMAVS. :applause:

The fact that you think Ibaka is only a "highlights" type player shows you how biased or just stupid you actually are.

If you had Chandler averaging his 8 points 9 boards while providing less offense than Ibaka...you'd be bitching and moaning about him as well.

[Prometheus]

Swap Ibaka for 2011 Chandler and they become infinitely better.

:oldlol:

[Budadiiii]

Well, you'd be dead wrong that he's the worst 3rd guy. Who is playing pf? Who is stretching bigs away from the basket so WB and Durant can attack?

You put Chandler on this team and the spacing on offense becomes a problem. Teams would just force Thabo to take a lot of shots. They'd sink in on the Chanlder pick and roll...WB isn't even really a good enough passer to hit Chandler for his lobs that he needs to have an impact offensively to begin with.

Again though...you don't get a perfect team. Nobody has one right now anyway. All the teams have flaws currently...there is no 96 Bulls or 86 Celtics or 01 Lakers out there right now. Hell, there isn't even a team as good as the 05 or 06 Spurs in the league right now.

You keep acting like the Thunder are going up against Bird/Mchale/Parish...
Well we have another athletic jump shooting big named Perry Jones who can 'stretch the bigs away'.....

And lol @ Chandler making the spacing WORSE. We play Pekins a lot . Replacing Perk with Chandler who can catch/finish/rebound/defend/ and even make good passes when need be would open up things even more...

Westbrook/Chandler duo would be lethal.

Durant and Westbrook finally have a guy who can catch a pass AND FINISH.

Do you not understand how much that opens up the game and makes the spacing even better?

How many times have you seen Durant pass out of a double team to hit a wide open Perkins where he either turns it over.. bricks.... or misses the free throws. He's worthless. Chandler is a better/smarter defender so we get that too. A guy who can get those critical rebounds over Gasol/Randolph instead of giving them and1's in crunch time and effectively losing us the game....

I'm sorry but anyone who would rather have Ibaka rather than Chandler on this Thunder team does not know basketball.

Ibaka is replaceable. A 7 footer who can finish/rebound/defend and not to mention all the other intangibles he brings to the table... isn't.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Well we have another athletic jump shooting big named Perry Jones who can 'stretch the bigs away'.....

And lol @ Chandler making the spacing WORSE. We play Pekins a lot . Replacing Perk with Chandler who can catch/finish/rebound/defend/ and even make good passes when need be would open up things even more...

Westbrook/Chandler duo would be lethal.

Durant and Westbrook finally have a guy who can catch a pass AND FINISH.

Do you not understand how much that opens up the game and makes the spacing even better?

How many times have you seen Durant pass out of a double team to hit a wide open Perkins where he either turns it over.. bricks.... or misses the free throws. He's worthless. Chandler is a better/smarter defender so we get that too. A guy who can get those critical rebounds over Gasol/Randolph instead of giving them and1's in crunch time and effectively losing us the game....

I'm sorry but anyone who would rather have Ibaka rather than Chandler on this Thunder team does not know basketball.

Ibaka is replaceable. A 7 footer who can finish/rebound/defend and not to mention all the other intangibles he brings to the table... isn't.
doesnt change the fact that Ibaka carried the Thunder in the first half and already blocked 9 shots in two games.
he plays more than solid defense, too. cant expect no one to shut down a guy like Z-bo and Z-bo shot a pretty pathetic percentage for a huge part of the series
of course Chandler blocking shots and defend Centers would help but its not like Perkins cant guard most Centers. and losing Ibakas versatility for Chandler?? i dont know man.
Chandler is only good offensively off the PnR and when he catches it VERY close to the basket. he is no one to be trusted to create a good shot for himself in the post.
Ibaka>Chandler imo and especially when you have a guy like Perkins who already does what Chandler does on defense:coleman:

[DMAVS41]

Well we have another athletic jump shooting big named Perry Jones who can 'stretch the bigs away'.....

And lol @ Chandler making the spacing WORSE. We play Pekins a lot . Replacing Perk with Chandler who can catch/finish/rebound/defend/ and even make good passes when need be would open up things even more...

Westbrook/Chandler duo would be lethal.

Durant and Westbrook finally have a guy who can catch a pass AND FINISH.

Do you not understand how much that opens up the game and makes the spacing even better?

How many times have you seen Durant pass out of a double team to hit a wide open Perkins where he either turns it over.. bricks.... or misses the free throws. He's worthless. Chandler is a better/smarter defender so we get that too. A guy who can get those critical rebounds over Gasol/Randolph instead of giving them and1's in crunch time and effectively losing us the game....

I'm sorry but anyone who would rather have Ibaka rather than Chandler on this Thunder team does not know basketball.

Ibaka is replaceable. A 7 footer who can finish/rebound/defend and not to mention all the other intangibles he brings to the table... isn't.


I didn't say I'd rather have Ibaka over Chandler actually...I just said that if you had Chandler and no Ibaka...you'd be bitching about Chandler lack of offense and rebounding.

Like, you realize that Chandler couldn't even average double digit rebounds in the playoffs in 11...right?

I'd actually like the Thunder ever so slightly better subbing Ibaka straight up for Chandler, but it wouldn't change them much.

You, as usual, are under-rating Ibaka...and over-rating Chandler.

[Graviton]

To win a championship you need a transcendent player that rises to the occasion and does all the little things that help a team. Durant/Westbrook are not there yet. They are both explosive scorers that can win a game by themselves, big whoop. They are not good enough to win a series on their own though. And right now that's what you see out there, 2 guys playing hero ball and trying to outscore their opponent.

Basketball isn't played on paper, you can't just put some random shit in a pan, mix it up with another something, put some other shit on top of it, fry it up, put it in a tortilla, put it in a microwave and expect it to win you a championship. One thing that has been a key in almost all playoff runs is the big man, when the tempo slows down and you need a crucial basket you can't rely on perimeter players. Saying "OKC should win" is completely baseless, they can't even close out games in the halfcourt yet.

[KyrieTheFuture]

To win a championship you need a transcendent player that rises to the occasion and does all the little things that help a team. Durant/Westbrook are not there yet. They are both explosive scorers that can win a game by themselves, big whoop. They are not good enough to win a series on their own though. And right now that's what you see out there, 2 guys playing hero ball and trying to outscore their opponent.

Basketball isn't played on paper, you can't just put some random shit in a pan, mix it up with another something, put some other shit on top of it, fry it up, put it in a tortilla, put it in a microwave and expect it to win you a championship. One thing that has been a key in almost all playoff runs is the big man, when the tempo slows down and you need a crucial basket you can't rely on perimeter players. Saying "OKC should win" is completely baseless, they can't even close out games in the halfcourt yet.
Literally everything in this post is what was said about Miami and they won two years in a row.

[Budadiiii]

I didn't say I'd rather have Ibaka over Chandler actually...I just said that if you had Chandler and no Ibaka...you'd be bitching about Chandler lack of offense and rebounding.

Like, you realize that Chandler couldn't even average double digit rebounds in the playoffs in 11...right?

I'd actually like the Thunder ever so slightly better subbing Ibaka straight up for Chandler, but it wouldn't change them much.

You, as usual, are under-rating Ibaka...and over-rating Chandler.
This team is very flawed. That's all anyone is saying...

I would rather have a second option frontcourt player ala a Pau Gasol than a PG.

Perimeter players tend to get overrated in that sense.

Westbrook isn't > Gasol...

You keep saying they have everything they need... well.... sure if KD/WB play to an unreal level throughout which they are capable of... but it's not as reliable as a kobe/shaq duo or kobe/gasol duo....

You need both the inside and outside presence. We're overloaded in one area and don't have enough in the other.

But if you put a Phil or Pop in charge of this team... they become a lot better and probably do win it all this year .

is that the argument you're making? Scott has no excuses?

[Fudge]

Meh, Thunder in 6.

Thunder in 5 against Memphis.

[DMAVS41]

This team is very flawed. That's all anyone is saying...

I would rather have a second option frontcourt player ala a Pau Gasol than a PG.

Perimeter players tend to get overrated in that sense.

Westbrook isn't > Gasol...

You keep saying they have everything they need... well.... sure if KD/WB play to an unreal level throughout which they are capable of... but it's not as reliable as a kobe/shaq duo or kobe/gasol duo....

You need both the inside and outside presence. We're overloaded in one area and don't have enough in the other.

But if you put a Phil or Pop in charge of this team... they become a lot better and probably do win it all this year .

is that the argument you're making? Scott has no excuses?


Flawed implies huge problems...

If you are using "flawed" to describe just not being all time great or near perfect...okay we agree

The 12 Heat were flawed. The 13 Heat were flawed.

The 11 Mavs were hugely flawed on this definition.


Yes,they are not as well built as the 09 and 10 Lakers, but also...some of that is on Brooks...I'd say more than some...

That is what I'm saying...

[Graviton]

Literally everything in this post is what was said about Miami and they won two years in a row.
Miami had a PG+PF hybrid All-Time great that actually worked on his post game. That's why they won, plus some key 3s from clutch role players. Durant isn't Lebron, he can't set up plays like Lebron, he can't score in the post like Lebron, he can't defend or rebound like Lebron.

Lebron is that transcendent player, Durant isn't. Durants and Westbrook game is predictable, you know what they will do as soon as they pass half court. That makes them easy to guard and easy to shut down. Lebron on the other hand controls the flow of the game and keeps you guessing, hence why he has had legendary performances in their playoff runs so far.

Not to mention Spo actually changed his offensive gameplan and started running plays for Lebron in the post, their rotating team defense that forced so many turnovers was also another factor. Okc doesn't have the offensive system nor the defense in place to have that kind of success. Lebron to me is worth more than Durant and Westbrook combined.

[knicksman]

just don't play westbrook and their ceiling is finals. Their problem really is having a cancer on their team. Westbrook is another Marbury/Robertson type of player where players don't want to play with. statwise he may be top 10 but impact wise, he is negative. And OKC isn't a complete team. The recipe for a championship team is having at least a 1st option, defensive anchor, and pg(decision maker). That's why dallas is great despite having their 2nd option injured because they are a complete team. Id rather have a kidd/chandler combo than the dumbest decision maker in the league.

[oarabbus]

just don't play westbrook and their ceiling is finals. Their problem really is having a cancer on their team. Westbrook is another Marbury/Robertson type of player where players don't want to play with. statwise he may be top 10 but impact wise, he is negative. And OKC isn't a complete team. The recipe for a championship team is having at least a 1st option, defensive anchor, and pg(decision maker). That's why dallas is great despite having their 2nd option injured because they are a complete team. Id rather have a kidd/chandler combo than the dumbest decision maker in the league.



Westbrook has single-handedly won them games. He's singlehandedly won them playoff games.

[dazzer87]

Westbrook has single-handedly won them games. He's singlehandedly won them playoff games.
Exactly and how far did KD go last year in the playoff without Westbrook again?

[knicksman]

Westbrook has single-handedly won them games. He's singlehandedly won them playoff games.

you could also say the same for other players

[Budadiiii]

Exactly and how far did KD go last year in the playoff without Westbrook again?
Yeah.... lol @ Westbrook being a negative. He's a big positive.

Durant/WB aren't the problem. The problem is lack of big guys and most likely a coaching issue. But honestly.... what more could you do with this lineup rather than play Westbrook/Durant iso ball.... not much you can do when you're forced to play Kendrick Perkins and Thabo Sefolosha 30 minutes a game for defensive purposes....

You take those guys out and you suffer on the other end. One dimensional players deserve to die. **** these guys.

[k0kakw0rld]

Up until 2 years ago, we all thought Bran was a choking loser who could never win a championship even with a stacked team. Times change, give this team a chance. This Heat team is not the badboy Pistons. People get older. Durant has just recently become the best player in the league, it's not like other best players won once they took that spot. Let's relax and enjoy the ride.
http://img4.hostingpics.net/pics/986228tumblrm95bexgqTA1ryquz8o1r1400.gif (http://www.hostingpics.net/viewer.php?id=986228tumblrm95bexgqTA1ryquz8o1r1400 .gif)

[ArbitraryWater]

I find it embarassing how after every loss people turn to Westbrook being the fault and reason...

I mean, did y'all watch the game last night? KD had dozens of possessions where he couldnt free himself up, and that was HIS FAULT... Russ hit tons of clutch shots, and also late shotclock bail out shots... people say he shouldnt have driven it to the rim? KD was all the way behind the 3pt line... nowhere for the pass

[knicksman]

Exactly and how far did KD go last year in the playoff without Westbrook again?


just like the start of the season. Just because it takes a lot of games to figure out how to win esp when losing a pg(ala nash/amare), it doesn't mean they cant beat Memphis. of course Durant has been playing/dependent to westbrook for already 5 years so losing that player would take time to adjust.

[NumberSix]

OKC always have a great chance with their ref advantage. They can routinely be down 5 with 12 seconds left and make it up. They will ALWAYS get a call when they need it.

[knicksman]

I find it embarassing how after every loss people turn to Westbrook being the fault and reason...

I mean, did y'all watch the game last night? KD had dozens of possessions where he couldnt free himself up, and that was HIS FAULT... Russ hit tons of clutch shots, and also late shotclock bail out shots... people say he shouldnt have driven it to the rim? KD was all the way behind the 3pt line... nowhere for the pass


Did kd need to be freed up without westbrook? And ibaka has proven to be a capable 2nd option yet westbrook wont trust him. At least pass the ball than a 3 point shot with 20 seconds left on the shotclock . And basketball is a rhythm game. If you have 2 players jacking 28 shots, the team is off.. And it affects players motivation on defense too if they don't have touches. That's why OKC started losing when westbrook came back. Its a sign that nobody wants to play with a cancer like him.

[ArbitraryWater]

Did kd need to be freed up without westbrook? And ibaka has proven to be a capable 2nd option yet westbrook wont trust him. At least pass the ball than a 3 point shot with 20 seconds left on the shotclock . And basketball is a rhythm game. If you have 2 players jacking 28 shots, the team is off.. And it affects players motivation on defense too if they don't have touches. That's why OKC started losing when westbrook came back. Its a sign that nobody wants to play with a cancer like him.

:hammerhead:

[Prometheus]

Did kd need to be freed up without westbrook? And ibaka has proven to be a capable 2nd option yet westbrook wont trust him. At least pass the ball than a 3 point shot with 20 seconds left on the shotclock . And basketball is a rhythm game. If you have 2 players jacking 28 shots, the team is off.. And it affects players motivation on defense too if they don't have touches. That's why OKC started losing when westbrook came back. Its a sign that nobody wants to play with a cancer like him.

I agree.

:wtf:

[DMAVS41]

I find it embarassing how after every loss people turn to Westbrook being the fault and reason...

I mean, did y'all watch the game last night? KD had dozens of possessions where he couldnt free himself up, and that was HIS FAULT... Russ hit tons of clutch shots, and also late shotclock bail out shots... people say he shouldnt have driven it to the rim? KD was all the way behind the 3pt line... nowhere for the pass

This...WB has his flaws, but he's asked to make a lot of shit happen when Durant is being pushed out of the play by Tony Allen for half the game.

But meh...losses happen...especially against a team like the Grizzlies. They are just good and you aren't sweeping them...

[russwest0]

Russ was good from the start but got reckless as hell in the 2nd half. Durant was absolutely the better 2nd half/clutch player for OKC. You want to call out Durant call out him only scoring 8 points in the first half and having a very small impact.

Westbrook's problem is he's not getting Ibaka involved enough.

[DMAVS41]

Russ was good from the start but got reckless as hell in the 2nd half. Durant was absolutely the better 2nd half/clutch player for OKC. You want to call out Durant call out him only scoring 8 points in the first half and having a very small impact.

Westbrook's problem is he's not getting Ibaka involved enough.

True.

WB isn't supposed to be as good as Durant though.

[andremiller07]

The Thunder has NO 3RD OPTION, that's there biggest downfall, Ibaka is NOT a 3rd option a guy who can only make wide open dunks and wide open jumpers cause no one is worried about stopping or containing him is not a 3rd option. A 3rd option has to have some form of playmaking even the slightest that you can throw the ball to and say go to work and get out of the way.

No one on the Thunder team fits that bill, honestly everyone says they are stacked but in reality the team outside of Durrant/WB is complete garbage and they would not go anywhere unless it was LeBron/Wade as the 1/2 instead of KD/WB. I can't think of another two player combo on the same team that could take this team anywhere under the same circumstances.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Flawed implies huge problems...

If you are using "flawed" to describe just not being all time great or near perfect...okay we agree

The 12 Heat were flawed. The 13 Heat were flawed.

The 11 Mavs were hugely flawed on this definition.


Yes,they are not as well built as the 09 and 10 Lakers, but also...some of that is on Brooks...I'd say more than some...

That is what I'm saying...
the 11 Lakers werent flawed for shit. maybe just an average talent level for a franchise team but not flawed at all.
2 great- to elite perimeter defenders(Stevenson/Kidd,Marion) CHECK
floor general( Kidd) CHECK
attacking wing player/good perimeter scorer(Terry, Marion could still occasionally attack the rim)
Elite Frontcourt ( Dirk,chandler is as elite as it gets, PERFECT FRontcourt mix of reliable offense and defense)

stop underrating the fuq outta your 2011 Mavs. they were great and while not the most talented maybe, they were built nearly perfect.

and the Thunder are a little flawed but not much. thexy have a Frontcourt that provides good and sometimes elite defense. shotblocking is there.
lack in reliable post scoring but thats that.
Miami has none of these things and just repeated.
Westbrook is better than post 2011 Wade so if Durant is as good as you guys say, NO excuses.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Russ was good from the start but got reckless as hell in the 2nd half. Durant was absolutely the better 2nd half/clutch player for OKC. You want to call out Durant call out him only scoring 8 points in the first half and having a very small impact.

Westbrook's problem is he's not getting Ibaka involved enough.
Westbricks blessing and curse is this: he always plays with the same motor, the same aggressiveness. he will attack the rim and take his shots aggressively EVERY GAME.
most of the time that is good but when you are on a stacked team like the Thunder and have an alltime scoring talent like Durant playing next to you, you sometimes have to take a step back and set your teammates/ elite level teammate up and call plays for him.
Westbrook never or very rarely does that. if he could learn he doesnt always have to be super aggressive he will be a scary SOB on the court:coleman:

[knicksman]

I guess Charles and shaq are stupid for blaming westbrook because ISH said so. I guess OkC from no. 1 team to almost being no. 3 when westbrook came back is just a fluke. I guess Iverson, Marbury, Robertson being considered cancers are just flukes. I guess Kidd replacing Marbury which made new jersey being one of the biggest turnaround and making it to the finals is just a fluke.

[knicksman]

This...WB has his flaws, but he's asked to make a lot of shit happen when Durant is being pushed out of the play by Tony Allen for half the game.

But meh...losses happen...especially against a team like the Grizzlies. They are just good and you aren't sweeping them...


Actually its him trying more when OKC has proven he isn't needed on the team

[russwest0]

Brooks's biggest mistake as a coach right now by far is his complete lack of trust for younger players and his overwhelming allegiance towards washed up veterans like Perkins, Fisher, and Butler.

Reggie Jackson has been with us all year playing like a legit 6MOY candidate and here we are in the playoffs and he's splitting minutes with Derek Fisher and getting 5-10 less minutes per game than Caron Butler....

Steven Adams in the final 10 games of the season shot 60% from the field, rebounded and defended well, yet only got 14 MPG. Here we are in the playoffs and he's only in the rotation as a guy getting 3-5 sporadic minutes a night and getting pulled instantly for one mistake.

As soon as Kendrick Perkins made that easy ass putback to send the game to OT, I knew we were ****ed because that meant rather than making the correct choice and going small for all 5 minutes of OT we were gonna stupidly reward Perkins with 5 minutes for that shot alone and get beat while playing 4v5 on offense.

[Hoopz2332]

no shot vs the Heat if they play in the finals. Durant and Westbrook isoing against the heat plays right into their hands. Thunder =low iq basketball at it's finest lol. When you take into consideration that Durant and Westbrook are not as eff on raw Fg% as Lebron and Wade, I see the heat taking the series in 5 games even without homecourt:rockon:


http://i.imgur.com/4TRaHdn.png

Westbrook and Durant are all volume and no eff especially when they are getting their edd padded by FT's


http://i.imgur.com/Ji3WQvN.png

[Hoopz2332]

I hope Thunder make the Finals vs heat, Thunder would be quick and easy work for the heat:applause:

[icewill36]

miami doesnt have the perimeter OR interior defense the grizzlies have. KD never struggles to score against miami. their problem is defending against miami.

the grizz are just a tough matchup for them. yall are crazy if you think they would struggle offensively against any other team.

[dunksby]

To be honest I don't think we can take out the Heat if Durant and Westbrook play like this. But do I think the Heat are as good a defensive team? No. Do the Heat have better paint presence? No. Fact is the two matchups are completely different and our duo sucking bad last night doesn't mean shit if the Thunder face the Heat.

[icewill36]

To be honest I don't think we can take out the Heat if Durant and Westbrook play like this. But do I think the Heat are as good a defensive team? No. Do the Heat have better paint presence? No. Fact is the two matchups are completely different and our duo sucking bad last night doesn't mean shit if the Thunder face the Heat.

the thunder definitely need to move the ball more, but they will not struggle like this against any other team period. the only teams in the league that play memphis style of ball are chicago and indy and they most likely will not make it to the finals, and even if they did the thunder would crush them.

memphis is their biggest obstacle if they refuse to pass the ball more. clippers would be a great challenge too but in a different way. if they make it passed memphis every other defense is going to be a joke in comparison.

[Hoopz2332]

To be honest I don't think we can take out the Heat if Durant and Westbrook play like this. But do I think the Heat are as good a defensive team? No. Do the Heat have better paint presence? No. Fact is the two matchups are completely different and our duo sucking bad last night doesn't mean shit if the Thunder face the Heat.


The thing is the heat have the D when they lockin in and are much better offensive teams than the grizz. The heat when they turn it up and can make a a game go from a 5 point lead to a 15 point one in the blink of an eye. The heat get double digit leads with ease almost every time they play the Thunder.

[icewill36]

The thing is the heat have the D when they lockin in and are much better offensive teams than the grizz. The heat when they turn it up and can make a a game go from a 5 point lead to a 15 point one in the blink of an eye. The heat get double digit leads with ease almost every time they play the Thunder.

their defense is shaky this year. it has more lapses than ever before. there are too many old guys playing for miami, and of course the lack of size is still an issue. miami is not a lock to make it back to the finals much less win it by any stretch

[Hoopz2332]

their defense is shaky this year. it has more lapses than ever before. there are too many old guys playing for miami, and of course the lack of size is still an issue. miami is not a lock to make it back to the finals much less win it by any stretch


Thunder style plays right into Miami hands though. GRizz want to grind it out whereas the heat don't care if the THunder want to run because Thunder are less eff low IQ version of Miami. More Thunder quick shots = More Miami transition offense which is easier for wade to beast in than the grind it out 1/2 court pace.:applause:

[dunksby]

The thing is the heat have the D when they lockin in and are much better offensive teams than the grizz. The heat when they turn it up and can make a a game go from a 5 point lead to a 15 point one in the blink of an eye. The heat get double digit leads with ease almost every time they play the Thunder.
I can only see LeBron and maybe Bosh locking in on defense, Wade cannot afford to play at both ends given he'd have to defend Russell. That said the Thunder are not a good defensive team either meaning a Heat vs Thunder finals wouldn't be decided over who's the better defensive team.

[SilkkTheShocker]

their defense is shaky this year. it has more lapses than ever before. there are too many old guys playing for miami, and of course the lack of size is still an issue. miami is not a lock to make it back to the finals much less win it by any stretch

How is their lack of size an issue against OKC? Is Perkins going to go off? Face it, in a potential Finals rematch, OKC is going to end up playing small ball against Miami. And they don't have a shot in hell of winning 4 games out of 7 playing that way against Miami.

[dunksby]

the thunder definitely need to move the ball more, but they will not struggle like this against any other team period. the only teams in the league that play memphis style of ball are chicago and indy and they most likely will not make it to the finals, and even if they did the thunder would crush them.

memphis is their biggest obstacle if they refuse to pass the ball more. clippers would be a great challenge too but in a different way. if they make it passed memphis every other defense is going to be a joke in comparison.
Clearly we lack good ball movement, game 3 was the worst of all considering awful ball movement I don't think we'll ever be that bad. Still Westbrook and Durant have a duty to involve others in the game.

[SilkkTheShocker]

I also don't think OKC can win with Westbrook's low NBA IQ. I can see Durant going off and Westbrook taking terrible shots. Westbrook played right into Miami's hands at times. He can be baited

[Hoopz2332]

Westbrook has been the best player for Thunder vs Clippers. That's not going to cut it vs the Heat:oldlol:

[imdaman99]

I agree that the Heat are a terrible matchup for OKC... but let's not act like 4 out of the 5 games were not nail biters that needed a play or 2 to swing the momentum. I remember OKC being up 10 in the 3rd quarter of game 3 when Fisher pulls up for a dumb floater and bricks it and leads to a run.

Heat would probably still win, but I need to see the 2 best players this year go at it. Spurs had their chance last year and blew it.

[bdreason]

Heat in 5.