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kfmsooner :@DJ
R7
Thabo has value on this team. Tomorrow’s matchup would be good for Sef to come off the bench, but Brooks won’t roll that way. JH is the better player and deserves the minutes. Sef is the 9th or 10th best player on the team and should be handled that way.

i agree, im not saying he hasn't but no i completely agree with you, he would make much better use off the bench, and should be use when really needed to. If he was as lock down as he was last year then why did he only play i believe about 15 minutes against the likes of Batum(who at one time was at the 2), Brandon Roy, and ect..? Brandon Roy may have injuries but that doesn't mean he can't shoot, I'm just confuse where Thabo should be, The starting line-up is not where he should be, its obvious now, but then Maynor must have shooters on the floor with him at all time, he can't penetrate like Russ, but he's good at moving the ball around. Which is why i think Maynor may make better use of Thabo but every time they play together they kinda fail. Really Thabo needs to find a way to be able to score, He needs to work on his shot or something. Why doesn't he bug KD, or Cook to shoot with him. Hell Russ, Harden, Cook, and Maynor have a 3 point contest every day, why doesn't he join them?

Yeah... That makes sense

@thunderstruck4life
I would say the pattern generally has been, get your numbers and your money early in your career, then mentality switches more to legacy and rings later in the career, so its not likely that young talent will give up a bunch of money to come to OKC I don't think

@DJ R7
Thabo has value on this team. Tomorrow's matchup would be good for Sef to come off the bench, but Brooks won't roll that way. JH is the better player and deserves the minutes. Sef is the 9th or 10th best player on the team and should be handled that way.

@GR8ball83

No please don't assume I think he is elite haha... I don't think he is any good at all and agree 100000000% with you... Was just using that as an example... Like how you said him wanting to get a ring.. I really meant other players taking that mentality..... I do not want any pre-madonnas to be clear as well

I would like to see nate go up against lawson.They play alot of lawson,felton together.

justin :

cdub00 :..and 3-11 is terrible, no matter what lame excuse you want to use for your bro-mance! haha

You cannot take numbers out of context. ’3-11′ means very little in and of itself because FG% is not an accurate description of shooting efficiency or scoring efficiency. It does not take 3PT makes or FT makes into consideration.
Example – 3-11 from the field, 3 of those makes are threes, and 8-9 from the FT line. Is that ‘terrible’? No. That’s 17 points on 11 field goal attempts, 56.9% TS. Above average scoring efficiency.
And again, there is the contextual considerations – i.e. last second shot attempts that might skew scoring efficiency in the short run.

exactly, Durant and Russ need Harden in the opening moments, Denver plays to smart of ball and value every possesion. I'm tired of seeing the opening moments where the person guarding Sef decides to stay close to the lanes. Literraly its 4 on 5 on offense, but on Defense Thabo doesn't make as much difference as he use to. Hes almost disappeared.

Sef would actually be better off the bench agains the nuggets against JR Smith.

cdub00 :..and 3-11 is terrible, no matter what lame excuse you want to use for your bro-mance! haha

You cannot take numbers out of context. '3-11' means very little in and of itself because FG% is not an accurate description of shooting efficiency or scoring efficiency. It does not take 3PT makes or FT makes into consideration.

Example - 3-11 from the field, 3 of those makes are threes, and 8-9 from the FT line. Is that 'terrible'? No. That's 17 points on 11 field goal attempts, 56.9% TS. Above average scoring efficiency.

And again, there is the contextual considerations - i.e. last second shot attempts that might skew scoring efficiency in the short run.

kfmsooner :@cdub00 This is my last reply to your posts. I’m done talking with you. You argue inane points with no background, you don’t give any analysis, no real content. You just argue to argue. I’m not even sure what you are arguing. That Sef should play 35 minutes? I don’t get it. I’m exhausted talking to you and your opinions of games. Thanks.

Saying that Sef is better on D is analysis. I don't spurt out meaningless stats that don't even quantify defense. Whatever dude.

cdub00 :@kfmsooner
And I do agree that Sef doesn’t have a good “matchup” against the Nugs..they don’t really have an ELITE scorer..

dude he doesn't shut down like he use too, take your shades off.

@kfmsooner

And I do agree that Sef doesn't have a good "matchup" against the Nugs..they don't really have an ELITE scorer..

@kfmsooner

You wish that Brooks would take Sef out of EVERY game so what are you saying?

@kfmsooner
Realistically no changes will be made in the rotation for the playoffs, but if one was made I could see it being a straight cook for sef swap in order to keep rotation changes to the minimum.

@kfmsooner

Im arguing that taking out Sef off the team isn't the answer. I think you underestimate his value. I have said it several times. Wow.

cdub00 :
..and 3-11 is terrible, no matter what lame excuse you want to use for your bro-mance! haha

No. 3-11 isn't always bad.

Hypothetical situation. You have a guy who is shooting, say 4-10, average shooting night or so. They are down by 2 and only have time for desparation heave. Should he not shoot, and preserve his average? Or shoot it? Any player would shoot that.

The box score tells a conclusion without a story. Trying to define whether Harden or Westbrook played well requires more then looking at a box score

I assume with Gallo starting that Afflalo will start on Durant and Gallo will 'guard' Sef. This is one matchup that I wish Brooks would make a move. Sef has no one to guard. What impact will he make guarding Afflalo or Gallo? Gallo can hide out on defense against Thabo. Thabo doesn't guard PGs any more...If Harden started, that would force Gallo to guard someone, and that would be to our advantage. JH can most certainly guard Afflalo and we have the benefit of JH's offense.

Denver needs a closeout guy for the end of games.They played well but the Lakers lost that game on bad plays down the stretch.Plus the Lakers shut down Bynum.

@cdub00
This is my last reply to your posts. I'm done talking with you. You argue inane points with no background, you don't give any analysis, no real content. You just argue to argue. I'm not even sure what you are arguing. That Sef should play 35 minutes? I don't get it. I'm exhausted talking to you and your opinions of games. Thanks.

and when you say Sef can't cover any guards anymore, i guess that's why he shuts down most ELITE scoring guards he covers...because he sucks so bad on defense. Sef hater...

Sef hater..

kfmsooner :“Numbers, brother…numbers. Show me the numbers!!! Harden has been playing with KD and Russ enough at the end of games for there to be enough statistical evidence to prove whether or not this combination is “the answer”. Frankly, I just don’t see it. If it were the answer, that combination would be pulling our azz out of the fire. But it’s not. The combination that IS saving the Thunder is the current 2nd team line-up. So…if you want Harden on the first team, it’s simple. Show me the numbers!”
Discussion from the LAC recap…Here are some numbers:
Halftime, OKC 49 – LAC 37James Harden enters the game for Thabo Sefolosha, OKC 59 – LAC 57
Halftime, OKC 59 Portland 53James Harden enters the game for Thabo Sefolosha OKC 65 – Por 64
Halftime, OKC 58 – GSW 50James Harden enters the game for Thabo Sefolosha OKC 71 – GSW 67
Halftime OKC 55 – Por 41James Harden enters the game for Thabo Sefolosha OKC 67 – Por 63
These are my numbers. There was a Phx game in there where we lost just a single point off the lead, but there is enough evidence in these 4 out of 5 games to suggest there is a problem in the 3rd quarter. There is not enough offense on the court. The combinations are off. Thabo and Perk are not very good offensively and should not be on the floor at the same time. JH should be bumped up to 35 – 38 mpg and Thabo down to 15 (or none is fine with me). Alter the rotation in the last few games before the playoffs to see what we can do.
I have been dubbed a ‘Sef hater’. While I like Sef, I hate his game right now. Sef should be a role player and the 9th man in our rotation. After watching Gordon against Sef, there just aren’t that many guards Sef can handle any more. I think he is hurt b.c his defense is not up to last year’s production. When was the last time we switched Sef on to a Darren Williams or Chris Paul or Gerald Wallace? Last year, whoever was hot for the other team on a given night got Sef. Not this year. He has fallen as a defender and his offense is so bad that he can’t impact the game the way he used to…

And how does this prove squat? If you don't know how to use quantitative anlalysis, i suggest you refrain. Wow.

..and 3-11 is terrible, no matter what lame excuse you want to use for your bro-mance! haha

I really like Blake...or did before all the theatric pseudo-charges, but I was insulted at the notice that he and KD were comparable.

Question: There aren't any eligible examples of someone that won multiple scoring titles outside of the Hall of Fame. Assuming KD does go on to win his second consecutive scoring title, is he already a HOFer at 22?

justin :@cdub00
14 points on 11 FGA isn’t great, no, but when you consider two of those misses were desperation three pointers and he played great good defense most of the game?
If you can’t put the numbers into context, you really shouldn’t use them…

Really? Isn't that taking something objective and making it subjective?

Hawaiian Rob :@james1so youre saying we have a chance.

Haha!

james1 :
OKC has lost 7 straight games in Denver by an average of 19 points.

If we lose, we will not lose by double digits. Two completely different teams than the two that have accounted for those stats

@james1
so youre saying we have a chance.

@thunderstruck4life
Bibby isn't a high caliber player, he's an almost washed up veteran taking a pay cut to try and win a ring, a la Joe Smith a couple years ago

So just more curiosity coming my way... On the realm of impossible or not likely for many years on certain players being in a thunder uni... Does any one find any chances of seeing someone like Blake or love or..... Howard hahaha I know comical... Or really just any high caliber player being interested in coming our way any time soon... Of course not for the market but possibly kind of a bibby thing ( not to say he is a huge stud or anything) but that mentality of " don't care if I don't get paid the most, I want to play for that team because they are going to win some ships". Does anyone believe we could draw that kind of appeal... I know there are a handful of teams that could he seen like that of course, and I'm just kind of talking out of my ass but does anybody have any inkling of a theory of how that could be possible for us... I completely love all of our guys right now by the way (for the most part) guess I just like living in the dream world of what if's occasionally as well

gr8ball83 :@james1It also has to do with playing twice as many games in a year as they ever have before.

I agree but the veterans aren't in any better shape. They just pace themselves better. In the college game you don't have to pace yourself. It's different in the NBA.

@james1
It also has to do with playing twice as many games in a year as they ever have before.

OKC has lost 7 straight games in Denver by an average of 19 points.

I agree in part with the KD assertion. He is one of those guys though that doesn't look like he's trying hard when he is and doesn't look like he cares when he does.

Another point, when you hear the term "rookie wall" a lot of that has to do with a young guy having to exert so much energy to be equal with the seasoned NBA guys and they just running out of gas. The veterans know you can not go 100% every minute of every game. Most NBA stars will play hard in spurts and for most of the 4th quarter and KD is no different. My problem with him is him not being aggressive enough on the offensive end down the stretch. He needs to be physical and take the ball to the hole or at least get close enough to the basket where he's shooting 15 foot jumpers instead of 25 foot fall away jumpers when we really need a basket.

God that block was beautiful - and CLEAN. Also, despite having all the forward momentum in the air, Blake cane to a complete stop in the air. He must of had PTSD afterward, cause he just watched the scramble for the ball.

And, while i know Russ has been complaining alot about calls, an Blake too, Gordon was quite the thespian, and annoying at it too, despite not fouling Russ on the break. He bellyached a few other times as well.

@kfmsooner
Oh I agree, we definitely need to get our crap together, but I'm more worried about getting our crap together than winning games necessarily, not that they are mutually exclusive or anything.

dream catcher :
I’m re watching the Thunder vs Clippers game, and one of my biggest gripes about Durant is his intensity level. I wish he could play all out like Westbrook does. He would be so much better with a high intensity all game every game. Too often he plays lackadasical, I know Im not the only one who sees this……..

I agree. Look, I love KD. He's my back drop on my computer and smart phone. People I work wwith, who know nothing about basketball or teh OKC Thunder know his name because I talk about him so frequently. However, he can go through bought of passivness which I find are irksome. I hope its because hes worried of exhausting himself before the playoffs. I noticed he did it earlier in the year as well, and I thought it was because of how much he played this summer. Most of his defensive stats come late in the game when he decides to turn it on. I dont think there is any reason with his exceptional length and athletic ability that he cant average at least 8 boards a game. When he grabbed 17 last year in the playoffs, you saw, thats what he decided to do. When he blocked 4 shots aganist the Lakers in the playoffs, it was cause he set his mind to it. When ever he goes over 10 boards, some of it might be positioning, but there is a discreet difference in his intensity. When he grabs 3 rebounds a game, it has nothing to do with positioning. Its because of laziness

@gr8ball83
Sure, and we lost to the Lakers. We played a great series, no doubt, but that was a team that was known...they played together all year, same lineup, no injuries. This year is different. We made the big trade at the deadline that changed our lineup. I think we need some continuity going forward. We need to see RW/KD/JH play together. We need to find some answer for the late-game offense. We need to have intensity to play defense for 4 quarters and we need to see the return of Russ the Distributor.

Blake is gonna get injured if he continues his style of play. If he changes his style of play, he will become less effective. I will take KD all day every day.

justin :
@Mark!
Two egregious example of this against the Clippers were Kevin Durant watching Randy Foye can a three without even being in a defensive stance, and Thabo Sefolosha several feet away from Eric Gordon not even getting a hand up on that killer three.
Of course, a semblance of offense in the Clippers game and we win anyway. Really frustrating.
Egregious is apt. I was almost as stunned by KDS laziness on that shot (And others)as I was by Ibakas block. Sef watching that 3 by Gordon was almost life changing for me too. Sef didnt do that last year, but he does it this year. Gordon hit a 3 on Harden two, but JH came of a screen and leapt for the attempt and was close, he just nailed it

@kfmsooner
didn't we lose like 6 of 8 going in to the playoffs last year?

I'm re watching the Thunder vs Clippers game, and one of my biggest gripes about Durant is his intensity level. I wish he could play all out like Westbrook does. He would be so much better with a high intensity all game every game. Too often he plays lackadasical, I know Im not the only one who sees this........

@SirChewbaka9
Your first mistake was listening to the local guys about the NBA. The Hump Man is the only knowledgable NBA guy.

@TempBoy Brandon
To me, it's not about losing the division as much as getting some momentum heading into the playoffs. We need to string together some wins and find some answers for the early 3rd quarter and late 4th quarter blues.

For Blake Griffin, I'd be worried about his game since Feb 1st. Either he's worn himself out going 200MPH every play or advance scouting has caught up with him. His TS% since Feb. 1st is 53.6%, barely better than Russell Westbrook. He's still below average from the field everywhere but point blank range. It seems he has to work very hard to score every time because of this.

He's great. His rookie season is better than Durant's was by far, which should have been expected he's two years older, far more developed, and isn't playing out of position. If he finds a consistent jump shot, he'll be very dangerous. But I'm not sure how much upside he has beyond that. I don't think he'll ever be an above average defensive player because of his lack of length and all the energy he puts into the offensive end.

I mean, right now he's only have a year younger than Durant. I'd take Durant pretty easily. I don't see how you could say otherwise...

justin :
I don’t see the Nuggets being able to win a road game in OKC. Their most experienced playoff guy on their roster is who? Nene? And he’s had trouble in the playoffs the last two seasons.
Their style might be a tough cover for us because of their shooting ability and tendency to push the ball. But I expect some of those things to be minimized a bit if the game is played to the Thunder’s pace.
If Denver had home court it’d give them too much confidence and I don’t think we’d win.

Kenyon Martin has a lot of playoff experience.

@justin
Yeah, I think its going to be equally hard for us to win in Denver, and Denver to win in OKC

I don't see the Nuggets being able to win a road game in OKC. Their most experienced playoff guy on their roster is who? Nene? And he's had trouble in the playoffs the last two seasons.

Their style might be a tough cover for us because of their shooting ability and tendency to push the ball. But I expect some of those things to be minimized a bit if the game is played to the Thunder's pace.

If Denver had home court it'd give them too much confidence and I don't think we'd win.

So what conclusion did Palmer end up coming to in his KD vs Griffin debate? It'd be a joke if he chose Griffin.

I keep hearing oklahoma radio hosts saying, " the nuggets have GOT to fall apart eventually, right? right?", but as I watch them, i just don't see that happening any time soon. Their depth is great and they have some great PG's. We will need Russ to show up on both ends of the court every game to create shots for KD and others. If he doesn't show up, i'll be worried.

I'm really not too worried about losing the #4 seed and the division title to the Nuggets. Even if we lose to the Lakers and to the Nuggets twice, as long as we hold serve against the Kings, Clippers and Bucks, they'd have to win out to have the same record as us (and they play at Dallas on Wednesday, after our battle with them on Tuesday).