http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2009/03/04/thunder-88-wizards-83/ Oklahoma City Thunder News, Photos, Blogs, Videos and more Thu, 02 May 2013 15:06:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2009/03/04/thunder-88-wizards-83/comment-page-1/#comment-2152 Thomas Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:09:19 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/nbainokc/2009/03/04/thunder-88-wizards-83/#comment-2152 In other words, when you play clamp-down, suffocating defense on one end, that causes steals, block shots, or else a lower-percentage shot and a defensive rebound, that causes a fast-break (but smart-break) which winds up with a lay-up or other easy basket on the other end is exciting, winning basketball.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/thunderrumblings/2009/03/04/thunder-88-wizards-83/comment-page-1/#comment-2151 Thomas Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:52:14 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/nbainokc/2009/03/04/thunder-88-wizards-83/#comment-2151 As for saying that a slower pace is good for the Thunder, I have to refute that. A faster pace causes the team to get an easier shot. But it has to be a smarter pace–”run-and-gun” with no intelligent-decision-making causes a team to turn the ball over and make stupid passes and take stupid shots. The Thunder is young and athletic; perfect for a faster pace. However, they have to practice stepping up the tempo for it to work in a game. And the higher score of your opponent doesn’t mean you don’t play defense (more trips per game with better defense could equal your opponent’s higher score). And the pace that is fast causes the crowd to be more intense. Look at the “Showtime” Lakers and “Billy Ball” Sooners in the ’80s for an example.

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