Durantula :Great breakdown as always… Only one mistake, unless I kissed it and the Lakers traded Pau for Marc. Great job.

thanks – I have Gasol issues I Guess – I watch too many Grizzlies games. . .

I fail . . .

Overall, the Thuder’s score was +37 (above average), but it was negative in the 1st quarter, when the game was still in doubt. Marc Gasol (who was out last time these two teams met), Andrew Bynum, and Kobe Bryant proved too much for our defense.

Defensive Leader: Serge Ibaka (+15)

Nick Collison is an above average defender, but Ibaka is simply better. Nick is a better positional defender inside, but Serge has more lateral quickness. Serge can play pick and roll defense better because he has the ability to reach the perimeter shooters in time to challenge the long jump shots. Serge also has more shot blocking ability. The defensive possession of the year occurred early in the second quarter. Serge was fronting Gasol in the post. The ball was thrown over Serge and Gasol caught it, seemingly ready to score easily. Serge rotated around and blocked Gasol from behind. After the offensive rebound, Adam Morrison drove in to score an easy one and Serge swatted it out of bounds. Then, after the ball was inbounded, Marc Gasol attempted a turnaround shot only to be turned away by Ibaka. Folks, it doesn’t get any better than that.

Later in the second quarter, Ibaka was at it again. After Jeff Green missed on a runner, the ball was rebounded and Derek Fisher quickly passed ahead to Josh Powell, who was poised to score on James Harden, who was out of position to put up a serious defense. Meanwhile, Serge had been outrunning our guards (Westbrook and Thabo) to get back and help. He arrived in time to pin the ball on the glass. It was just an awesome display of effort. This excellent display of transition defense was not an aberration, there were various other times where he sprinted back to help the team in transition. Remember, this is a guy that is six feet ten. Look out Nick Collison, someone is trying to steal your playing time . . .

Ryan Bowen (+10)

Talk about a guy making the most of his playing time: he had two deflections, and a nifty steal when he stepped in the passing lane. It was all in garbage time, but still you have to appreciate the effort.

Kevin Durant (+6)

It was a great night for blocks for the Thunder, and Durant chipped in two. Ron Artest (KD’s man for the majority of the evening) was quiet for most of the night, as Gasol, Bynum, and Bryant used most of the possessions.

DJ White (+5)

All DJ’s “scores” came in garbage time as well, but he seemed more active than usual. If he ever gets any meaningful minutes, hopefully he will play just as well in those situations.

Etan Thomas (+4)

Jeff Green (+2)

James Harden (+1)

Thabo Sefolosha (-1)

Well, after registering a +23 last time out versus the Lakers, Thabo delivered a clunker. This game seemed to be played in the interior, as their post players and Kobe (who also post up) went to work. This difference hindered Thabo’s ability to be a major defensive factor. He also had four mistakes, two of those involved Kobe “schooling” Thabo with deft moves. Thabo will have to wait awhile to get his revenge.

Nenad Krstic (-2)

Kevin Ollie (-2)

Russell Westbrook (-2)

Usually you have at least a good defensive night when you record three blocks, but his usual “slow to react” off the ball defense brought down his overall score.

That has got to be a some sort of sick joke

Am I the only one uncomfortable with all the undeserved hype we’re getting prematurely?

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-091123/seeding-west

If you want trivia.