Wizards vs. Thunder: Pregame Primer
vs. 
Washington Wizards (3-7, 1-4 road) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (6-6, 2-3 home)
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: 7:00 CST
View from the enemy: Truth About It
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 102.3 (25th), Wizards – 103.7 (22nd)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 100.4 (7th), Wizards – 106.4 (18th)
Pace: Thunder – 91.2 (24th), Wizards– 92.2 (18th)
This one doesn’t feel as good as it did three nights ago. At that time, the Wizards were hurt again and limped out to a 2-7 record. But Wednesday, Washington put a beating on the Cavs and actually looked as good as their roster indicates. Now, of course that was at home and they’re 1-4 on the road, but still. I think we learned last week nothing is a gimme right now.
And let me tell you, I like riding the teeter-totter around .500. It’s fun. Sure beats the heck out of staring at 1-16 and knowing there is absolutely zero prayer to come anywhere close to it. But this is a big game for the Thunder. They’re still mired in this crappy stretch where most games are on the road and they get tossed a bone at home. But with two toughies ahead in L.A. and Utah, getting to 7-6 heading into that trip is big. Especially when you SHOULD beat your opponent AT HOME.
THE MATCHUPS
It’s Zero versus Zero. Gilbert Arenas is such a fun player to watch that I’m really looking forward to how Russell Westbrook does in his first matchup with him. Arenas is a scoring point guard, built a lot in the same mold Westbrook is. Except Arenas has a consistent shot.
The dangerous matchup here is Antwan Jamison against Jeff Green. Green hasn’t played very well the past week and Jamison can tear it up. He did exactly that last year against OKC, scoring 29 in both games. Right now, he’s averaging the quietest 31 and 10 I’ve ever seen. Jamison is a guy I always assume is hurt, but he never really is. This guy should get an underrated card. I think he deserves it.
Mike Miller already has one gamewinner against OKC under his belt, but he did it last season with Minnesota. I like Thabo matching with him and both Caron Butler tonight. Brendan Haywood is a rebound first center, and nobody knows him better than Etan Thomas, who played in D.C. for the bulk of his career.
This game is about hitting shots. Open ones will be there as the Wiz aren’t that great of a defensive team. But they have scorers so the Thunder D will be tested. And coming off a poo poo effort in Orlando Wednesday, the defense better get some of that mojo back or we could be looking at riding that teeter-totter down to the low end. Which isn’t nearly as fun.
Tip at 7:00 CST. Go home crowd.
woowzers.
Oh my gosh! That was awesome! Harden playing like a number 3 pick.
I can’t stop laughing, which is difficult because I’m eating Cookie Crisp.
Man, this is fun!
Mmmmmm,cereal and a thunder game.
@Floppy Punch!
Down to an eight point lead just like that, man…
That was fun. Some nice highlight plays in that game.
How about that lineup of KD, Green, Westbrook, Thabo and Harden? I kinda like it.
Harden, has been a different player as of late.
James Harden has made his presence known. Let his ROY begin to rise. Harden is in the building….
That small ball lineup was a great adjustment by Brooks. Brendan Haywood was absolutely murder in the middle (we need him!) and his effectively was severely compromised with Jeff Green playing center. Really gutsy move and it obviously worked. The offense became more efficient and the defense forced some turnovers and took advantage of all the mistakes the Wizards were making. I don’t think you see that kind of lineup against most teams, but it was effective here.
James Harden is gaining confidence in his shot, he does not look as tentative shooting the ball. He definitely had some trouble on defense today, though, despite the steals.
The center rotation is really concerning. Haywood made them all look like children.
solution = lets trade for haywood!
What would it take to get Haywood? Collison, rights to devon hardin? He would definatly be an upgrade on the block but I dont know if he would be a longterm fit.
Thanks guys. The recap is up.
Brendan Haywood definitely would not be traded by the Wizards. It’s possible Washington will also go to great lengths to resign him (depending on how they do this year.. if they keep this up they may just let him go) and OKC will be priced out. I could see him getting $8-$9 million a year to start if he keeps playing this way.
There are probably a thousand semi-realistic lineups, maybe more.
I’d think a coach and GM should review the whole list and circle the ones that intrigue them and then look for opportunities to use them and try to prioritize using th eones that most intrigue them. Do they actually take it that far? I don’t know. I would.
Prior to tonight they’d use that lineup one play.
How long til they use it again?
No use of Joe’s lineup for a third straight game after it looked good.
Good decisions in these uses but you’d want to try to get more than one-hit wonders.