Comments on: Playoffs? Yes, playoffs. Or so says John Hollinger

By: dustbury.com » Eighty-two plus

dustbury.com » Eighty-two plus — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 01:31:19 +0000

[...] Royce at Daily Thunder gives Hollinger’s narrative version: The projection for the Thunder is a 48-win season and, quite possibly, a top-4 seed in the loaded Western Conference. For an 11-9 team, that seems optimistic — until one sifts through the Thunder’s first 20 games. They beat the Magic senseless, beat San Antonio and Utah on the road, and have been outclassed only once (an 18-point home whuppin’ by Boston on Dec. 4). In contrast, the Thunder own eight double-digit wins. [...]

By: f5alcon

f5alcon — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 15:02:05 +0000

with 11 wins already only getting 34 wins would be a big slump 23-39 the rest of the season

By: MartzMimic

MartzMimic — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:07:23 +0000

I tend to be optimistic when it comes to the Thunder, but I can hardly allow myself to even utter the P-word. It’s like the sword of Damocles is hanging over my head and I have the feeling someone’s going to be cutting the thread. I really thought that the Thunder would top out somewhere around 34-35 wins.

Of course, a 48-34 record would give the Thunder the same record the Jazz had last year when they grabbed the eighth seed. I ask myself, “Are the Thunder this year as good as Utah was last year?” I think the answer may be yes.

We always knew that for the Thunder to make a jump, someone was going to have to come back to use. We’re still in the first quarter of the season, but look at how many other teams – teams we thought were locks for the playoffs – are under-performing. And I don’t think any of us could have expected Oklahoma City to turn into one of the league’s top defensive teams, especially without a dominating center.

I just don’t know, fellas…

By: Kev

Kev — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:44:48 +0000

agree with those who say we are getting ahead of ourselves . . .

we have a shot to make the playoffs, but we still have a bottom ten offense that needs work – I think starting Harden would be a nice beginning . . .

if we win 41 games, then I would be pleased . . .

By: clarkem

clarkem — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:25:30 +0000

Royce just because you are a Traber fan, here’s a quote from today.
“Jim Traber just doesnt do that. I hate talking about my self in the third person, but it is usually all about me.”

By: ProfessorSearcy

ProfessorSearcy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:21:22 +0000

Hollinger’s power rankings, indeed any power rankings, should be taken with a grain of salt. Hollinger’s recieve a bit more skeptism because they are based purely off statistics and numbers. I would agree with everyone here that its only December and we all need to calm down. I would also agree with Royce from last night on ESPN that the Thunder is probably a .500 team and we’ll make the playoffs assuming the Hornets remain bad and the Rockets come back down to Earth. (seriously Rick Adelman is coach of the year)

However, would you rather look and see the Thunder as an 80% lock for the playoffs or sitting where Minnesota is and we were last year, playing for the highest number of pinballs in the hopper.

By: J.G.

J.G. — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:41:04 +0000

@Joe I don't know if I feel comfortable busting out an article that's a giant, "I told you so," to everyone who said, "I don't see any similarities between the Thunder and the Blazers no matter how many comparisons you have so clearly and eloquently given us as evidence." Okay, so they didn't say that last part, but they'd have to now, right? Hmm...well if Royce and you want to revisit it, I'd be happy to acquiesce to your request (go ahead and bust it out, Royce!). @Royce So you're saying I can make that article my "lock" of the week even though I have givien like 5 other articles, too? :)

By: justin

justin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:36:12 +0000

His numbers are skewed due to the nice game against GSW, but James Harden really has to either start games or play 30+ minutes consistently. Thanks to all those free throws, Harden now has a higher TS% than Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, and all the other guards aside from Ty Lawson. His assist percentage is over 20.0% (excellent), he’s getting tons of steals.. and really, his defense has been getting a lot better as the year goes on.

He’d be right up there with Brandon Jennings and Tyreke Evans for ROY if he were getting the minutes.

By: GAP

GAP — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:27:30 +0000

@Brett Nice find.

By: Brett

Brett — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:20:21 +0000

ESPN now has Brooks as #1 for Coach of the Year. Thabo, KD, and Harden stay at 2, 10, and 3 respectively.

http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/page/Awards-091208/awards-watch