Comments on: TrueHoop Network 2009-10 Previews: Oklahoma City Thunder

By: Expectations, and the obliteration of | Daily Thunder.com

Expectations, and the obliteration of | Daily Thunder.com — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 18:26:14 +0000

[...] So today, I started shuffling through some preseason prognostications for a look back on what was predicted for the Thunder and how that stands relative to where we are today. Considering that Oklahoma City isn’t just battling for the playoffs anymore, but playoff seeding, I felt like maybe this would remind us all what an amazing season this has been. I found them interesting, so I thought I’d share. Let’s start with this guy: [...]

By: Crow

Crow — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:20:07 +0000

If interested:

Durant takes the 6th most 16-23 footers in the league but on a FG% of 42% compared to league FG% of 40%. Among those who take 5+ of these a game his FG% is right at the median. He probably is better late in games though.

Krstic makes this list too in the shortest minutes of anybody, at 41% FG%.

Green fewer attempts but is still in the top 25% on attempts but at 32% FG%. Only 1 player who took more attempts shot worse and Green tied for 2nd with McGrady.
Westbrook at 38% FG and Thabo at 27% last season.

The Thunder 4th highest in the league on 16-23 foot attempts and 2nd lowest of that FG%.

By: Royce

Royce — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:06:35 +0000

@Chris Not a bad idea. I think I can swing this. Let me get organized and we'll try it. (Last contest, the draft one, we had like... well, a BUNCH of entrants and it was hard to get them all sorted.)

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:02:59 +0000

As someone said earlier 40% is pretty close to the after new year win percentage from last year. Maybe I am being too optimistic but I would like to see that number go up even if just a little, I think 38 wins would be the perfect number. Any chance we can get a win total contest going Royce? Maybe KD’s ppg as a tie breaker…? Awesome prize (t-shirt) for the winner?

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:01:27 +0000

@Jax Raging Bile Duct I guess we are of differing opinions here. I'm specifically seeing KD as a star, and the rules really are different for stars. I've seen Lebron, Wade, and Kobe win games from the free throw line all the time. The team denies the layup, but seems to invariably be called for a foul. And when I see the refs swallow their whistle, it seems to have more to do with who is committing the foul than if a foul was or was not committed.

By: Jax Raging Bile Duct

Jax Raging Bile Duct — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:52:55 +0000

@Keith

I don’t think your strategy is a bad one, but I also don’t think it’s as easy as that. I don’t have any stats to back this up, but in my mind, refs swallow their whistle that late in a game. You know a team isn’t willing to be beat in the last seconds by a layup, so you know the D will be tough, the shot will be tough, and the contact will be tough with a slimmer than normal chance of a whistle. I think a pick and roll or drive and kick scenario to get a guy an open shot from 18 may be just as effective in that scenario (9.2 seconds left).

I just don’t see refs putting guys on the free throw line to win it all unless the foul just can’t be ignored, and most are ignored that late in the game.

By: DC P

DC P — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:51:06 +0000

I believe the Thunder should have kept Tre Kelley. He would have helped provide stability at the point gaurd position and when comfort set in possibly have some big scoring nights.
I’m not speaking down on Livingston or Ollie, but after Westbrook takes the bench with his pure athleticism you’re not left with much to control the floor. I know Livingston was on his way to superstardom but he will never get that back again and Ollie is 37.
Other than that I think they should have a pretty decent season. That is unless things get out of hand in the beginning of the season again and looking at the schedule it very well could.

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:35:49 +0000

@scott
U-Verse has Fox Sports and KSBI so the answer is yes

By: Keith

Keith — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 22:06:39 +0000

@Jax Raging Bile Duct And how many games did we lose by 5 or less? Free throws are free points for this team. I accept the premise that Durant can hit a 20 footer at a high rate, but deny the conclusion that it is more effective to shoot a 20 footer than get within 5 feet and draw contact.

By: Jax Raging Bile Duct

Jax Raging Bile Duct — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:50:50 +0000

I’m trying to remember if any of our buzzer beaters last year, resulting in a win or a loss, was done on the free throw line. I can’t think of any.