Daily Thunder.com

J.G. :@Kev I’m with you on the “I messed up,” but responding to each and every twitterer (tweeter?) who makes an asinine and derogatory comment to him is, I would say, beyond the realm of admitting you had a bad play, no?

I'm not saying that he should respond to any of them . . . I was under the notion that he was irritated that people were criticizing him - I may be incorrect on that -

@Kev
I'm with you on the "I messed up," but responding to each and every twitterer (tweeter?) who makes an asinine and derogatory comment to him is, I would say, beyond the realm of admitting you had a bad play, no?

Many times I call Thabo syphilis.

It's love

In other relevant NBA/Oklahoma news: Taylor Griffin saw his first NBA action tonight. He had 2 points and 1 rebound in 8 minutes. Nothing spectacular, but good for him nonetheless.

He's officially the best Griffin in the league however.

I didn't like it then either. But it probably wasn't as bad as Vaden, I think giving up a second-rounder for Buddinger rather than Vaden would have been much better too. I remember we worked him out, should've followed through.

I didnt like the Mullens pick then - your post is just icing on the cake . . .

@Joe
HAHA! Done and done.

Hey Royce, I've got a perfect, brilliant smart thought of the week:

That guy Mark, the Laker fan with the blog in today's bolts, is an ass!

Kevin Durant took a lot of stupid shots, but that's not really the problem. The problem is that when the ball went to him that was the end of the offense, he hasn't been facilitating offense for others and that's one of the things he has to work on. All is well and good when his shot is falling, but he's a detriment to the team when it isn't because he doesn't really do anything else very well but score.

@Jax Raging Bile Duct
And she got the whole IOU thing backwards.... last time I checked it's Durant that owes us and not the other way around (at least that is the point she was TRYING to make).

@Kev
I'm not saying that SOME criticism isn't warranted and I'm not trying to make excuses, but it wasn't as bad as many are making it out to be.

And frankly, I don't expect much better against Ariza and Battier on Friday. But it will come. It will.

I don't know why we have to make excuses for our best player when he folds down the stretch - there is no comparison between guarding Kobe and guarding Durant . . . one player moves around, comes off picks, and drives fearlessly - the other one spends most of his time standing in place waiting for the ball - I am rewatching the 4th now - Artest expended little energy on defense because little energy was required. Durant has to start moving without the ball.

Carlson. Can't stand that broad. "Look, Daddy! I'm a hard-nosed journalist! This is my tough-girl face."

Danny :@Bryan

I even generally agree with some of her (Jenni’s) comments. But the general tone from which she approached the piece is just irritating and condescending.
I didn’t like it.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like I'm a 3rd grader when she's talking to me (via video, of course).

J.G. :@kev I’ll disagree with this half-way.
The only people Durant needs to be concerned with when messing up are his teammates, coaches and himself. Anyone else, including us, are merely spectators, for good or ill.
But I will agree that stats never tell the whole story because Thabo did a great job on Kobe, but Artest did an outstanding job on KD in the fourth and in OT. Just like Fisher and Blake got in RW’s head, I think Artest really got in KD’s (as did the 0-8 shooting from downtown).
All that to say, I expect a young team with no playoff experience to crumble down the stretch against the defending champions. No big shock here people. You have to learn how to close out games, you have to learn how to win and rise to the occasion.

I disagree - and I will liken it to the no-show that LeBron pulled a no show after the Cavs were bounced out of the playoffs last season . . .

if you're going to bathe in applause and cheers when you win, you ahve to answer the bell when you mess up - nothing big, just something along the lines of "I had a bad game, I know it, I will get better". It's that simple . . .

@Bryan
I even generally agree with some of her (Jenni's) comments. But the general tone from which she approached the piece is just irritating and condescending.

I didn't like it.

That's on the other side of the basket... and to be honest my eyes didn't leave the court much.

@Bryan

Probably because it was at the end of the game when everyone was on their feet. They escorted him out at the tunnel right under me, between 108 and 109.

I will refrain from being mean... but really Jenni Carlson?

http://newsok.com/multimedia/video/48234776001?custom_click=lead_story_title

@dork

Add in a little bit of European flair and call him "Il Duce".

@Jax Raging Bile Duct
Weird, I sit in 112... how did I miss that?

@kev
Stats never tell the whole story. Those stats certainly don't highlight Kobe's composure v. Durant's rough decision making down the stretch, but I think people are overlooking what a nice job Artest did in the fourth and in OT. Everytime Durant caught the ball he was at least 30 feet out with a face full of Ron. A few times, he had to post up and use his body just to create enough space to dribble the ball.

Clearly Kevin showed his youth last night, but it's not as if he stunk it up the entire game and cost the team a W against the Kings or something. It was the Lakers and Ron Artest. Give the guy a break. The composure will come.

@f5alcon

110-111 area.

@Clark Matthews
I'd wager against "most lakers fans" being classy. Like Yankee fans, you can't have a soul to cheer for the Lakers.

@jax what section was the lakers fan thrown out of?

@kev
I'll disagree with this half-way.

The only people Durant needs to be concerned with when messing up are his teammates, coaches and himself. Anyone else, including us, are merely spectators, for good or ill.

But I will agree that stats never tell the whole story because Thabo did a great job on Kobe, but Artest did an outstanding job on KD in the fourth and in OT. Just like Fisher and Blake got in RW's head, I think Artest really got in KD's (as did the 0-8 shooting from downtown).

All that to say, I expect a young team with no playoff experience to crumble down the stretch against the defending champions. No big shock here people. You have to learn how to close out games, you have to learn how to win and rise to the occasion.

I think i just came up with Thabo's nickname...his jersey number

Thabo "The deuce" Sefolosha.

IDK have a nice quazi defensive ring to it for me.

Bryan :Because the topic just won’t seem to die, and because I feel horrible for Kevin Durant, I would just like to point out a few quick stats.
1) 7 turnovers by Durant…. AND Kobe Bryant
2) 41% shooting by Durant…. and 40% by Kobe
3) 28 pts, 4 reb, 5 asts, 1 stl for Durant…. 31 pts, 6 reb, 4 asts, 3 stls, 1 blk for Kobe
4) Durant was defended by Artest/Bryant…. Kobe was defended by Thabo/Harden/Durant
Now I know that Durant made a few mistakes down the stretch, but ONE made shot at the end of regulation and we are talking about what a hero he is. Instead, we are talking about how Kobe carried the lakers (WITH the WORST shot % of all starters but RW) and how Durant is somehow hurting the team or not living up to the hype.
Give me a break people.

stats don't tell the story . . .

Thabo did a GREAT job on Kobe and Kobe's a past MVP - Durant missed lots of wide open shots . . .

Any link to the negative comments KD got after the game?

I floated "Thabonator" a while back but, ehhh, it's just okay.

Harden can steal some minutes from Ollie. I wouldn't mind a bit.

I think "Thabo" is good enough. Why a nickname? I do call him "Sefo" occasionally.

andrew :Durant is responding to some of his haters on twitter.. I really wish he wouldn’t, between this and his tweet responding to the +/- truehoop article obviously it bothers him when people talk negatively about him.. If he is going to be a superstar he needs to let this stuff roll off his back.. It wouldn’t even bother me if he developed a Jordan-esque attitude(see his HOF speech) and used every little slight he ever got as motivation.. he just needs to not give credence to his haters by responding to them.. Speak with your game KD!

amen . . . when he messes up he has to take criticism . . .

Thabo is making it real hard for Harden to get on the court for extended minutes, but the last three games he has shown his potential and his immediate value.

I'd like to see how he plays next to Thabo personally... maybe while Thabo is subing for Durant (though Green seems to be serving that function most).

How about Thabo Wabo.....shaking head.......

Thabo is playing the best basketball of his career. He finally has some confidence in his shot and seems to be passing much better.

RE: Harden's Rookie Rankings.

I honestly think we don't want him winning it. I mean, if you think about it, the rookies that win it are the ones getting tons of minutes. So far, it looks like we really want Thabo in that starting two spot, and if Harden starts getting tons of minutes, that can only mean Thabo is getting fewer. Sure, we definitely want Harden to do well and if his numbers can increase in the playing time he's getting, wonderful. But as it is, we're playing well, and I think he can make a nice little niche for himself coming off the bench. I mean, what really good team out there is getting tons of minutes from a rookie? Obviously we're still young, but soon we need to get over this rookie idea and start winning games with established players.

Right?

The biggest thing he's done so far, to me, is push Thabo for that spot. I don't know if that's why Thabo has had such a great start, or if it is just a product of him having an offseason with the organization, but I think having a legitimate threat behind him is making Thabo play even harder (if that is possible). Why don't we have a nickname for Thabo yet?

@Royce
I regard Thorpe's "Rookie Rankings" as a throwaway feature after he mysteriously dropped RW to 6th at the end of last year. He clearly only watches highlights, so someone like OJ Mayo or Jerryd Bayless gets overrated, while a guy who dishes out dimes tends to get overlooked.

Durant is responding to some of his haters on twitter.. I really wish he wouldn't, between this and his tweet responding to the +/- truehoop article obviously it bothers him when people talk negatively about him.. If he is going to be a superstar he needs to let this stuff roll off his back.. It wouldn't even bother me if he developed a Jordan-esque attitude(see his HOF speech) and used every little slight he ever got as motivation.. he just needs to not give credence to his haters by responding to them.. Speak with your game KD!

Oh and no new comments on Harden for this week's Rookie Rankings.

@Bryan I didn't mean to expose anyone's tight pockets. The body issue featuring Torry Holt's mangled fingers were worth the money. Oh, and the NBA rumors you can get for free at hoopshype.com

@KingGondo
I hope you and C-Web (one of the best names ever) are right. Durant has a couple more really good defenders coming up against Ariza/Battier in Houston. It will be interesting to see how he handles it.

If you read this stuff KD (please tell me you don't), get mad and go off for 40-10-6-3-2!!!!!

I thought Durant got fouled on at least 3 of his turnovers. But Kobe got hit a few times without a call, so it really was just letting them play last night. Except for the random offensive foul calls throughout the game.

@Bryan
EXCELLENT points.

@Scott H.
Well now I fell a bit cheap and silly... thanks a lot

Bryan :
Because the topic just won’t seem to die, and because I feel horrible for Kevin Durant, I would just like to point out a few quick stats.
1) 7 turnovers by Durant…. AND Kobe Bryant
2) 41% shooting by Durant…. and 40% by Kobe
3) 28 pts, 4 reb, 5 asts, 1 stl for Durant…. 31 pts, 6 reb, 4 asts, 3 stls, 1 blk for Kobe
4) Durant was defended by Artest/Bryant…. Kobe was defended by Thabo/Harden/Durant
Now I know that Durant made a few mistakes down the stretch, but ONE made shot at the end of regulation and we are talking about what a hero he is. Instead, we are talking about how Kobe carried the lakers (WITH the WORST shot % of all starters but RW) and how Durant is somehow hurting the team or not living up to the hype.
Give me a break people.

Great points, someone should send this to KD. Although, maybe it's better for us if he's a bit mad at himself. As C-Webb said, he could be SCARY for the next few games.

And I'd also like to say that I'm stoked that Green is finally getting some attention. I had a feeling that last night would be a bit of a coming out part for him (you can find that on the preview thread in case you don't believe me).

And the Thomas/Green tamdem.... nice

In regards to ESPN insider, you can get a subscription to the magazine for about $5. I just renewed for $1.00. That gets you ESPN insider. Easy cheese.

@Royce
Yeah some comments would be cool, short of copywrite infringement. But really I'd just like to get a sense of what the narative is regarding Harden's play so far.

Because the topic just won't seem to die, and because I feel horrible for Kevin Durant, I would just like to point out a few quick stats.

1) 7 turnovers by Durant.... AND Kobe Bryant

2) 41% shooting by Durant.... and 40% by Kobe

3) 28 pts, 4 reb, 5 asts, 1 stl for Durant.... 31 pts, 6 reb, 4 asts, 3 stls, 1 blk for Kobe

4) Durant was defended by Artest/Bryant.... Kobe was defended by Thabo/Harden/Durant

Now I know that Durant made a few mistakes down the stretch, but ONE made shot at the end of regulation and we are talking about what a hero he is. Instead, we are talking about how Kobe carried the lakers (WITH the WORST shot % of all starters but RW) and how Durant is somehow hurting the team or not living up to the hype.

Give me a break people.