Simmons Praises Zombie Sonics
If you’ve never heard of Bill Simmons, he’s a know-it-all writer. He’s like radio shock jocks. Simmons is pretty knowledgeable but is sometimes hard to swallow because of his condescending demeanor.
If you’re familiar with Simmons’ work in a 700-page book on the NBA that’s drawn rave reviews, you also know he trashed Clay Bennett for “stealing” the Sonics. Simmons refuses to use the nickname Thunder, instead referring to Oklahoma City’s NBA team as the Zombie Sonics.
Here’s the ironic twist: Simmons is becoming a Thunder fan.
Answering reader’s e-mails on ESPN.com in a million word file (exaggerating but not much) one of his interesting responses was Simmons was asked if he was GM of his beloved Celtics, given the No. 2 overall pick in 2007 Boston was supposed to get before getting ripped off in the draft lottery, would Simmons:
(1) take the NBA title the Celtics won by trading for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett
or
(2) given the No. 2 overall pick the Celtics were supposed to get, take Kevin Durant and not make those trades.
Simmons said he would take Durant in a heartbeat and surrender the title, Garnett and Allen. It has to be killing Simmons his Celtics suddenly are looking very old. But it’s what Simmons wrote after his assessment that should excite Thunder fans.
“This is like my 10th or 11th year with NBA Season Pass,” Simmons said. “I have never gotten attached to a non-Celtics team before. And I’ve never played favorites if there were multiple non-Boston games happening at the same time. This year? I find myself gravitating toward Zombies games night after night.
“It’s a real team. They like one another. They’re better as a group than they are as individuals. And Durant is the most special non-LeBron talent in basketball. Not only is there nobody like him, but there’s never been anyone like him. He’s an original prototype.”
Oklahoma City fans should be grateful they not only have an on-the-rise, young team that probably will make the playoffs a year ahead of schedule. OKC fans also are getting an easy-to-root-for team.
Some big city fans, especially loud mouths in New York and Philadelphia, will always disdain small market teams. But deep down there’s an underdog element for teams not located in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia.
No one really hates the Minnesota Twins or Utah Jazz. Almost everyone in the country feels a warm spot today for long-suffering Saints fans in a city that’s had more than it’s share of misery on the field and with Hurricane Katrina.
If Oklahoma City ever rises to elite status in future years — because of the Murrah Federal Building bombing and tornado disasters — Kevin Durant and the Thunder will be an easy team to root for if your team isn’t in the running for a title.
Bill Simmons won’t be the last one to “gravitate to the Zombies.”
Thunder should make playoffs
If you place much stock in ESPN’s John Hollinger’s daily playoff projections, Oklahoma City is one of the favorites to earn one of the Western Conference’s eight post-season berths.
Hollinger compiles a computer formula that plugs in games already played, then plays out the remainder of the season 5,000 times. Using the median result, Hollinger gives OKC an 83 percent chance of making the playoffs, finishing 48-34 to earn the No. 6 seed in the West.
That’s a dramatic turnaround for a team that was 23-59 a year ago.
Most pre-season predictions had the Thunder winning between 30 and 35 games. In one of the more shocking developments in the NBA, the Thunder will be fairly close to that win total by the All-Star break.
Oklahoma City has a small cushion in the standings. The Thunder, currently in the No. 7 spot, owns only a half-game lead over No. 8 Portland and a two-game lead over No. 9 Houston. But that’s where Hollinger’s projections have more validity than some give credit.
Hollinger’s computer knows the easiest portion of the Thunder’s schedule is the first month after the All-Star break.
The first five weeks after the break, the Thunder has a better win-loss record than 13 of its next 19 opponents and two of the other games are against San Antonio, which has only a half-game lead on OKC.
The general consensus back in October was if the Thunder could avoid getting buried in the standings the first two months they might have an outside shot at the playoffs.
Posting road wins at Atlanta, Phoenix, Utah, San Antonio, Memphis and Miami, the Thunder was 14-14 at Christmas.
Once the schedule eased up, the Thunder showed unusual poise for such a young team by compiling two five-game winning streaks, including their current five-game streak they’ll take into Tuesday night’s game at Portland.
With New Orleans in free fall following an injury to Chris Paul, the Western Conference probably will boil down to 10 teams fighting for eight berths.
As the All-Star break nears it’s looking more and more likely the Ford Center will be hosting playoff games a year earlier than anyone expected.
Thunder can end Hornets stranglehold
Kevin Durant and Jeff Green have never beaten the Hornets. They’ve never had a better opportunity than tonight in New Orleans.
The Hornets have won 10 consecutive games in the series but won’t have All-Star point guard Chris Paul, sidelined at least a month, possibly longer with a knee injury.
Rookie Darren Collison, who played with Russell Westbrook at UCLA, has filled in nicely for Paul. Collison has averaged 16.5 points and 16.0 assists the past two games. Collison also played well when Paul was sidelined earlier this season with an ankle injury.
New Orleans’ problem all season has been a lack of depth which has taken an even bigger hit because of Paul’s injury and recent trades (Devin Brown, Hilton Armstrong and Bobby Brown) to help the Hornets get under the luxury threshold tax.
For the first time since the Sonics/Thunder drafted Durant and Green, the Thunder’s starting lineup is better than the Hornets’ five. Oklahoma City should have an even bigger advantage off the bench.
One of the most encouraging signs for the Thunder has been a 18-4 record against teams .500 or below.
New Orleans is 26-22. But with Paul’s injury the Hornets are expected to take a dramatic fall in the standings, suddenly a long shot to reach the playoffs.
Although Las Vegas oddsmakers have it basically listed as a toss-up, this is a game OKC should win.
With a win tonight, the Thunder has a legitimate chance at being no worse than 29-22 heading into the All-Star break, possibly be 30-21, riding a six-game winning streak.
A three-game road trip certainly isn’t a make-or-break deal. But facing two teams hampered by injuries, and the struggling Warriors, this is a golden opportunity for the Thunder to pick up some momentum before the break.
Durant’s late-game struggles
After having his potential game-tying shot blocked by LeBron James in the waning seconds Saturday night in Cleveland — 24 hours after missing a potential game-winning, 3-pointer in Memphis — The Oklahoman’s live blog drew some “Durant isn’t clutch” comments.
Hard to argue with that viewpoint at this stage of Durant’s career.
But that point of view minimizes the progress Durant and the league’s second youngest team has made in roughly 12 months.
Frustration is understandable. Players are frustrated. How can you not be frustrated when you lose 1-point games to the Spurs, Mavericks and Cavs, and a 2-point decision to Memphis in a 10-day span.
But here are two things to consider:
(1) OKC is 7-10 in one-possession games. If you’re going to criticize Durant and the Thunder for coming up short give them credit for winning down-to-the-wire games against Phoenix, Atlanta, Utah and a road game at San Antonio.
(2) Expectations have risen too quickly. Most pre-season predictions projected the Thunder to win around 35 games which means OKC was projected to be around 18-26 at this point of the season, already out of the playoff race.
Durant is 21. At the same age, Michael Jordan was a junior at North Carolina; Kobe Bryant was averaging 19.9 points with the Lakers, Dirk Nowitzki was averaging 8.2 points, and LeBron James was leading the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the first time in his third season.
Here’s a sobering stat to rachet down expectations the final three months:
The nine players in the Thunder’s rotation have played in a combined 35 playoff games — Nenad Krstic 15, Nick Collison 11, Thabo Sefolosha 9. Three rookies obviously haven’t played in post-season. Russell Westbrook, Jeff Green and Durant are hoping to crash the post-season party this season.
In contrast:
Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker have played in a combined 389 playoff games.
Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry have played in a combined 267 playoff games.
LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have played in a combined 263 playoff games.
Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett have played in a combined 227 playoff games.
Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony have played in a combined 172 playoff games.
Yes, it’s frustrating Durant still hasn’t found the late-game magic touch. Yes, it’s frustrating the Thunder continually comes up just short against elite teams. Yes, it’s frustrating these losses might cost the Thunder a playoff berth.
But to expect the league’s second youngest team to consistently beat playoff-tested opponents is unrealistic. I predicted 36 wins in preseason. As we near the All-Star break, my adusted win projection is 47 wins, which probably would get OKC in the playoffs.
Even if they fall short, and finish around.500, a vastly improved defense and road wins at Atlanta, Phoenix, San Antonio, Utah and Miami are signs this is just the beginning. If the Thunder’s story were a book we’re only in chapters 4 or 5, far from reaching the juicy part of the plot, hundreds of pages away from the ending.
Some understably will respond. “I understand all that. But when will Durant hit the big shot? When will the Thunder win these type of games?” Be patient. There are still many chapters left to be written.
Collison out, Love questionable
Forward Nick Collison, who suffered a concussion Saturday night against Miami when Heat forward Jamaal Magloire’s forearm struck him on the bridge of his nose in the fourth quarter, will sit out for the second consecutive game tonight at Minnesota.
“He’s definitely not playing tonight,” said coach Scott Brooks. “He’s feeling better. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow (Thursday).”
With Collison out, Nenad Krstic played a season-high 38 minutes Monday at Atlanta. Rookie center Byron Mullens played six minutes in the first half. Rookie Serge Ibaka played 24 minutes, grabbing 10 rebounds.
Minnesota forward Kevin Love, who would be second in the league in rebounds (12.3) if he had enough games to qualify, is listed as a game-time decision for the Timberwolves.
Love, battling strep throat, missed the Timberwolves’ overtime win Monday against Philadelphia and practice Tuesday. It was reported Love might be sidelined a week but he attended the Wednesday morning shootaround and might play. Love is averaging 15.2 points, second highest on Minnesota’s roster.
Collison to sit Atlanta game
Veteran Thunder forward Nick Collison will not play today against the Atlanta Hawks after suffering a concussion in the fourth quarter Saturday night against Miami.
Collison said Jamaal Magloire’s forearm struck him on the bridge of the nose during “a tie-up” when they were battling for a loose ball. Collison was a llittle woozy but finished the game. After discovering Collison suffered concussion symptoms, a Thunder employee had to drive Collison home Saturday night.
Collison is with the team which begins a week-long, four-game road trip at 1 p.m. against Atlanta. Collison said he’s feeling better Monday and hopes to play Wednesday at Minnesota but doctors will have to see how he progresses the next two days before reaching a decision on Wednesday’s game.
Collison is averaging 5.8 points and 5.1 rebounds but has played better the past six weeks after overcoming early-season ankle and sprained knee injuries. Collison has even played pivotal minutes late in games.
Coach Scott Brooks said he will weigh all his options during the game before deciding how to divide Collison’s customary 20 minutes a game.
Durant’s tone speaks volumes
After experiencing another frustrating, 1-point loss against a playoff tested Western Conference powerhouse, Kevin Durant was sullen during his post-game interview.
“This is a tough one to swallow,” Durant said, choked up, his tone revealing more than the words.
Flash back to last season. A young Thunder team started 3-29 but finished with some momentum by going 20-30 over the final 50 games. But after tough losses, there was an aw-shucks, we’re-young, we’re-learning demeanor.
Durant’s reaction Friday night was the complete opposite. This loss stung. It hurt. Which is a good thing. He talked about the Thunder having another game tonight against the Miami Heat, which is true. But it was Durant’s comment a few minutes later that was the most revealing of all.
“We’re going to find a way to win these games,” Durant said with a determination in his voice. “I can guarantee you that.”
Two bizarre plays, and a questionable call, were the difference in the Thunder going 2-0 against the Spurs and Mavericks instead of a frustrating 0-2.
Manu Ginboili’s diving-out-of-bounds save helped set up Richard Jefferson’s game-deciding basket in the Ford Center Wednesday night. It just as easily could have been a Spurs turnover and a Thunder win.
Then in the final seconds Friday night at Dallas, Jason Terry misses the first of two free throws with 4.7 seconds left. Terry claims he intentionally missed the second, knowing OKC was out of timeouts.
Even if Terry intentionally missed, Terry blocking Nenad Krstic’s pass prevented the Thunder from having a chance to race down court and attempt a reasonable game-winning shot. Similar to Ginobili’s play, it was a quirky play that turned out to be huge.
“You see how much of a fine line it is between winning and losing,” Nick Collison said. “The last two games are a perfect example.”
ESPN’s John Hollinger recently wrote that last-possession wins and losses usually even out over a long season. The Thunder can only hope that’s the case.
In the meantime, Durant’s post-game reaction was proof a young team that’s competing with the league’s elite is determined to find ways to start winning their share.
Pivotal 10 days for Thunder
Remember that brutal eight-game stretch before Christmas everyone agreed was pivotal for the Thunder? The next nine days are similar.
It would be silly to suggest any six-game stretch in the middle of the season is a make or break portion of the schedule. There are simply too many games left to play. But how the Thunder fares these next nine days will reveal a lot about a young team that’s exceeded expectations.
Six games in nine days is challenging regardless of who you play. But considering five of the six are against Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Memphis and Cleveland — and five of the six are on the road — the next nine days are similar to that two-week pre-Christmas gauntlet.
If the Thunder finishes 3-3 the next nine days it will be a success. Go 2-4 or worse and they have some catching up to do. Go 4-2 or better and Oklahoma City’s odds of making the playoffs improve significantly.
Why? I will be writing a halfway point of the season analysis next Wednesday. The one thing that stands out is Oklahoma City has a much easier schedule than most Western Conference contenders the second half of the season, especially after this six-game stretch concludes. Several playoff contenders have some challenging stretches coming up in February and March.
The Thunder closed out the brutal pre-Christmas stretch 3-5 by posting a win at Phoenix. Can they pull a similar surprise and go at least 3-3? It’s not a do-or-die stretch by any means. But these next six games will be pivotal as to where the Thunder stands heading into the All-Star break.
Duncan won’t play for Spurs
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Tim Duncan will not play tonight to try and limit his All-Star forward’s minutes the second half of the season.
Duncan has played 29 consecutive games the past two months dating back to the first meeting with Oklahoma City on Nov. 11, when Duncan returned after missing two games with a sprained ankle.
Averaging 20.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks, Duncan played 40 minutes Tuesday night in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
“It’s time to start (resting him),” Popovich said. “It’s the second half of the season. It’s part of rest and recovery. He started it last summer when he started doing his workouts a month later. We’re going to continue it by making his sit out more back-to-backs than we ever have before. We’ll see if it pays dividends come playoff time.”
Can Thunder sweep homestand?
It was about this time last year Thunder fans were wondering if Oklahoma City’s new NBA team could collect four wins in a month, much less win four in a row at home.
What a difference a year makes.
The Thunder was 4-29 heading into the New Year a year ago. A year later Oklahoma City has posted the franchise’s longest winning streak (five) in nearly five years and has won six of its last seven. Which makes this question viable: Can the Thunder win all four home games on a homestand that begins Wednesday night against the Hornets, the former Ford Center tenants?
Oklahoma City will be favored in all four games. New Orleans at the front end, and San Antonio at the back end, are playoff-tested teams with Team USA Olympic stars like Chris Paul and Tim Duncan, in addition to All-Star supporting casts like David West and Emeka Okafor (Hornets) and Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili and Richard Jefferson (Spurs).
But the way the Thunder has been playing, led by soon to be All-Star Kevin Durant and playing like an All-Star point guard Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City realistically could win all four.
No NBA game is a gimme. Just ask Phoenix which was blown out at home by Memphis over the weekend; or Utah, which lost to the Hornets Monday night, a New Orleans team that entered the game 2-13 on the road, or Dallas, which a month ago was hammered at home by the disfunctional Warriors, who played only six players that night.
Still, you have to like OKC’s chances of defeating the slumping Pacers Saturday night and the improved but still undermanned Knicks Monday night. The two most difficult game are the Hornets, which swept the Thunder last season, and the Spurs, who have played better the past two weeks.
The surprising twist to a 19-15 start is the Thunder arguably has played better on the road (10-8) than they have at home (9-7). This is an opportunity to establish the Ford Center can become one of the tougher arenas in the NBA.
It’s asking a lot of any team to go 4-0 on a homestand or be disappointed. But that’s what happens when you raise expectations by playing as well as the vastly improved, defensive-minded Thunder, that has a solid nine-man rotation in which its bench often times is better than the opponent’s bench.
Realistically, a 3-1 homestand, would be acceptable, putting the Thunder at 22-16, in good position nearing the halfway point of the season.
If the Thunder doesn’t go 4-0 it’s not a major step backward. Far from it. The only disappointment would be going 2-2 or worse. But 4-0 is realistic. If that happens, look for the ever growing Thunder bandwagon to start to overflow.
