Thunder at Nets: Pregame Primer
vs. 
Oklahoma City Thunder (15-14, 7-7 road) at New Jersey Nets (2-28, 1-12 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: 6:30 CST
Offensive Rating: Thunder – 106.1 (17th), Nets – 96.8 (30th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder – 104.7 (8th), Nets – 108.9 (24th)
Pace: Thunder – 92.1 (20th), Nets – 92.7 (14th)
View from the enemy: Nets Are Scorching
I’m a broken record, I know. But the more this team wins, the more terrifying these should-win games get. Especially when they’re against a 2-28 team. I’m just having trouble getting used to a team that beats most every team it should. We didn’t see this last year and I haven’t gotten used to the idea of feeling confident. I still feel like at any time, to any team, this group could lose.
That said, this would be a bad one to drop. No, the Nets aren’t as bad as their 2-28 record, but that’s still no excuse to lose to them. Yes, Yi Jianlian is back and that’s improved New Jersey. BUT THAT’S STILL NO EXCUSE TO LOSE TO THEM.
The Nets coming in: I refuse to make fun of New Jersey’s horrible record because I remember being there. I remember 3-and-freaking-29 all to well. It’s not fun to be a part of. The Nets have lost nine straight after beating Chicago for their second win back on Dec. 8. They’re right in the middle of a seven-game homestand, that last had them playing Saturday against the Rockets. As I mentioned, Yi is back, and while that’s made them more competitive, they’re still losing. They are the WORST offensive team in the league by efficiency standards and with OKC being one of the best defensive teams, that appears to be the rub.
THE MATCHUPS
The key matchup here is Devin Harris versus Russell Westbrook (Harris has been hampered by injury a little though). We all know how fantastic Russ has been lately. In his last three, he’s been nothing short of awesome. But that was against Derek Fisher, Steve Nash and Ray Felton, three not so great defensive point guards. Harris, while captaining a 2-28 squad, is a good player. Russ will have to work harder defensively and that might sacrifice some of his offensive game. They key for him is to just distribute the ball because the Nets don’t defend and nobody should be able to guard Kevin Durant, or even Jeff Green, who should have an advantage over Yi.
New Jersey has a major advantage inside with Brook Lopez, but with OKC’s deep front line, I have a feeling the Thunder will be able to balance it somewhat with Nenad Krstic, Serge and Nick Collison. I said Russ will likely guard Harris, but I could see Westbrook sliding over and checking Courtney Lee and Thabo getting the Harris assignment. You’ve got to love the versatility of the unit. I’m sure Scott Brooks loves these options.
The Nets starting five isn’t horrible (sans Trenton Hassell; anytime Trenton Hassell is starting for you, I think that could be a reason you’re 2-28), but the Thunder have a major advantage with their bench. It should be a game where Durant gets his 30, Green plays well and if Westbrook can do his job, OKC should coast. If Harris outplays Westbrook substantially, New Jersey could upset OKC.
OKC has taken care of business to a pretty good degree so far. With the win over Charlotte, the Thunder are 10-2 against sub-.500 teams. But still, I’m not used to the idea of watching half-interested because I know my team will win. We’re not there yet. Everything is still somewhat of a toss-up, especially on the road.
Tip at 6:30 CST. Go Please Don’t Freaking Lose to a 2-28 Team.
We will be eligible to have alternate jerseys next year. I’m hoping for epic dark blue ones that will replace our utterly boring road unis.
@Mark!
Can you say.. DIRK NOWITZKI??
This is true. That’s top tier caliber.
Russell and KD had excellent games tonight. Green and Harden need to step it up tomorrow. Krstic was on fire in the first half.
I agree, i’ve been watching a lot of Tulsa games and he’s not that bad at all and for a late late first round pick he’s solid. I’m with you on this one and say give him some time to atleast have a shot at becoming something.
I’m almost hoping that Krstic gets a minor injury so that Mullens can get more minutes. I’m curious to see if he is any good at the NBA level.
Am I the only one with a sneaky suspicion that the plan on defense tonight was to turn it on in the 4th so as to save some energy for tomorrow’s game?
@justin
the Big German vs the Big Eyebrows
In fact here is a quote I found from draft night 2008 on RealGM:
“I wonder if Ibaka would have been available at #32. Nothing gets me more excited than the advice we should forget Ibaka’s name for 3 or 4 years, because that is when he is projected to be a possible player.”
You can pretty much sub in Mullens’ name there and get the same reaction from this draft.
@Dan
Mullens has the potential, due to his athleticism, to be far better than kristic ever was. It’s his mind thats the problem. i am hoping he proves me wrong and eventually puts it together
Thats what teams like LA do, they come out strong and then coast til the 4th
How did we shut Lopez down, but not Yi?
There are so many PF capables in the mock draft it would seem near impossible for a team with multiple picks not to take at least one.
Also, Yi is the real deal. He’ll be a good player in this league. He’s a size mismatch for almost everyone.
Yi shoots the ball like Krstic does. We denied the ball to Lopez, but when a 7 footer gets the ball one step inside the 3 point line and drains it, what can you do? I’d rather him take that shot than to let Lopez take a 2 foot shot.
“i’d be very surprised if ibaka is in the nba in three years when he’s done with euro-ball.”
Ibaka proved me wrong maybe Mullens will too.
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
Yea, he played well tonight. Gotta love a 7ft pf.
Just noticed we and the Nets combined for only 1 3-pt FG. When was the last time that happened?
Washington is going to overtime with Memphis, so add that to the fact that they have a longer flight back home, and that should be some advantage tomorrow.
they only made 4 against houston and 3 against the lakers, they are horrible from 3
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
Exactly, Yi has a TON of potential. He was a horrible mismatch with us tonight. He has a smooth shot and really good athleticism and quickness for a 7 footer.
After looking at Harden’s stats at 82 games and seeing the strong performance while they coded him at SF I was tempted to suggest that he could do his aggressive driving game when Durant is out.
I checked the last 5 games when Durant was out and Green probably carried the load more than Harden but 5 games isn’t enough to understand the situation and I don’t feel like digging thru all the games right now. Most of the time they were both in there though and Thabo rarely was.
Harden with and without Maynor might be something to check.
Does he act different? Trying to help out more with the passing with Westbrook but just looking to score when in the game with Maynor? Too early to say.
Ultimately most wings get paid for scoring.