Thunder at Lakers: Pregame Primer
vs. 
Oklahoma City Thunder (7-6) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (9-3)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722, Tulsa Cox 27, DirectTV 679, UVerse 753)
Stream: Click Here
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM, 97.1 FM Tulsa)
Time: 8:30 CST
View from the enemy: Forum Blue and Gold
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 104.5 (21st), Lakers – 105.9 (16th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 101.1 (6th), Lakers – 101.8 (8th)
Pace: Thunder – 91.8 (2oth), Lakers – 94.6 (7th)
(Note: This pregame was written earlier in the week, so keep that in mind if anything is off.)
Here’s some good news: In L.A., Oklahoma City is 1-0! Good omen? Good omen.
I’m sure we haven’t forgotten the first meeting. And I bet the team hasn’t either. The problem is, it’s Sunday night at the Staples Center and the Lakers don’t often lose in this circumstance. Not saying it can’t be done, but it’s not an easy haul.
THE MATCHUPS
I like OKC at the point. Derek Fisher is a good defender, but he struggles with lightning quick guys and I think Russell Westbrook qualifies. That’s the one big star to the Thunder side. Obviously, the Lakers have the advantage at two-guard, but I’m sure we all remember Thabo’s stellar game against Kobe. And if OKC has any visions of getting a win, that will need to happen again.
Ron Artest is a tough match for Durant because Artest is such a bull. He can get underneath you and never, ever lets you roll off a screen or run the baseline without getting bumped. Durant played well against L.A. last time – for a half.
Jeff Green has always had trouble with Lamar Odom, but he did much better in the first meeting. Really, the place OKC struggled the most was inside against Andrew Bynum. Nenad Krstic can’t guard him, Etan Thomas can’t guard him. The best hope is to suck Bynum away from the lane with Krstic’s jumper and maybe get the Laker big man in foul trouble.
It’s a chance to make another bold statement, though hopes aren’t high. But hey, who really knows what the eff this team is going to do on a night-to-night basis?
Tip at 8:30 CST. Go Thundermen.
@Steve
Thats westbrook, and it’s not a pretty stat line.
BUT…….
Everyone here knows I am quite possibly the single most ardent westbrook basher, but tonight, he was the only starter who at least didn’t look like a scared, intimidated, rattled little girl…..so he is the least of our problems tonight
the problem was our PF playing like a SG having an off night, and our superstar being intimidated into irrelevance by artest
@The DON
I think he should get a look. Krstic has looked weak as of late, but has a had a few nice games… Even if they were games 1 and 2 of the year. I think we need to look at match ups when we decide who is going to get minutes. For example, we need Etan to bang against big teams, but he’s not that effective against small, quick teams.
The recap is up. Thanks guys.
@The DON
Interesting that you put up that youtube clip of Kemp. There is a Kemp reference in the recap.
Steve the mystery stat line was of course Westbrook’s.
With tonight’s game he goes to 5+ turnovers 43% of the time this season. Last season it was 22%.
@Joe
Oh yeah I just noticed.
I’m just hoping and praying that the flashes of Kempt Ibaka displays are eventually leading towards him turning into a kemp-like player.
*prays*
@The DON A.K.A. The Jacksonville Swagguar B.K.A. Frodo Swaggins
“I’m just hoping and praying that the flashes of THE DREAM Ibaka displays are eventually leading towards him turning into a DREAM-like player.”
I Fixed this statement for ya