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League pass has been purchased. I have been really impressed with Westbrook's ability to crash the offensive glass and his explosiveness to the rim. I had read a lot about Durant's improved shot selection but didn't see it in the second half tonight. Same for Jeff Green, he was really forcing it. A tough back to back where the guys really ran out of gas. Bayless had himself a game too.

Thanks for the answers guys. I am trying to get the NBA package added as we speak so that I can participate more intelligently in these conversations and obviously to get my NBA fix.

Sorry for the double post. Royce is right, the small lineup was against Portland, not the Kings.

Also, you guys reply too fast.

@Taylor

how often Watson and Westbrook are on the court together.

Pretty often actually. At least once every game. Usually, Watson will finish the game rather than Weaver. Weaver is getting lots more minutes now that Mason is out, and I haven't looked lately, but it sure seems like he's playing just as many minutes as Watson is. If Westbrook is being a bit shaky with the ball, turning it over and what-not, you'll see Watson come in quickly and Russell move to the 2.

Does Westbrook move to the two or do they each consistently control the ball?

When Watson is in the game, he's playing 1. I've seen Watson try to defend a 2, and it's just murder. He doesn't have a 2 mentality on offense either, so it's almost always Westbrook at 2. I've seen Atkins come in with Watson at time, and Watson will play the 2, but it's those end of the game and we're up by 30 situations, or when the other team is playing really, really, really small.

Is their ever a small lineup of Green/Durant/Weaver/Westbrook/Watson

Rarely. You almost always see Nick or Krispy or Wilcox or Smith in the lineup. I saw them go to a small lineup the other day against the Kings, and it was surprising to see such a small linuep.

is Weaver getting any time at the one?

I can't ever remember seeing Weaver at the 1. You can tell if he's bringing the ball down that he's out of his element, and definitely not interested in setting up the offense.

OKC uses a Watson/Westbrook backcourt a lot actually. Westbrook moves to the two typically. And I haven't seen a linuep like you mentioned yet, but the Thunder did use a lineup of Watson, Westbrook, Weaver, Atkins and Joe Smith against Portland last week. Which was weird.

But yes, they've used three guards quite a bit. And it has worked alright most times. And don't worry about the questions... that's why we're here!

Po widdle seattle pepul .... i'm sooo sowwy fo them.

Not.

Build an arena or shut up. You weren't done wrong. It was your communities choice and you took it.

I am unable to watch the Thunder games living in Utah but am curious as to how often Watson and Westbrook are on the court together. Does Westbrook move to the two or do they each consistently control the ball? Is their ever a small lineup of Green/Durant/Weaver/Westbrook/Watson (maybe not those specific 5, but at least the three guards) and is Weaver getting any time at the one? Sorry for the questions. I am trying to talk my wife into letting me spend the $99 for the remainder of the NBA package!

No I agree. Most Oklahomans don't hold anything against Seattle people. We totally get their issues with the ownership, their own city and the league. We don't blame them. They ought to boo and be pissed. There's just a fine line between hating us because they're our team now and hating the people responsible.

@Nick
"I hope you won’t hear hate spewing from Portland fans."

Oops. Yeah, sorry. I didn't mean to imply that. My post was just me being silly and ridiculous and over-the-top. I'm sure that the vast majority of Portland fans are good people and nothing like that.

It's just that after a year or more of reading and hearing venomous posts and comments from Seattle fans, I've grown accustomed to expecting that kind of attitude. And then reading that article from last week stating that there are groups of people from Seattle planning bus trips up to the game specifically to boo the Thunder... it was just easy to let my imagination wander.

But no, I do not think Portland fans are like that. Most NBA fans are just normal folks who go to games because they love their guys and want to cheer them on, not because they hate others.

I hope you won't hear hate spewing from Portland fans. That isn't the way they roll. I actually think it is best to let Seattle fan vent though. I just moved from Seattle after living there for 2 years. That city WAS done wrong. I feel sorry for them. It benefited OKC and nothing can be done except (hopefully) healing.

OKC will look better if their fans don't react to any stupidity you may hear (epithets are not OK though). It is natural to want to defend your team but ignoring the whole situation is what is best.

Just don't judge Portland based on how tonight's fans react. You will always find the A-hole fan if you look but many will be Seattle fans that were personally hurt by the situation. I grew up in Washington on the border of Portland Or and have always been a Blazer guy first but I know I was sad they left.

Game prediction:

As they start the game, a thunderous chorus of boos descend upon the players. Fans yell out epithets to the players standing near. Russell Westbrook hears a particularly hurtful comment and his eyes begin to well up.

Kevin Durant looks over and, seeing a tear come down the cheek of his little buddy, begins to boil with anger. Hot coals stoke in his soul and his eyes shoot balls of fire. Vowing to seek revenge, he storms up and down the court like a demon possessed. Single handidly he destroys Portland with a career high 95 points.

Well... maybe not.

Yep, I'd be happy to keep it to within 10. Since I was so stinking close with my prediction last night, I'll make another. I'm thinking Portland 114, OKC 104.

It took the best games of Nick Collison and Earl Watson's seasons to beat the Blazers in OKC last week. It would be going out on a serious limb to think we could get that again.

Still, I'm looking forward to the game. GO THUNDER!