Comments on: Chat Recap: Darnell Mayberry on Thunder-Lakers Game 6

By: joe

joe — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:30:37 +0000

Look, I am giving my 10 cents here, not because I know a lot of basketball, nor am I a coach but as a spectator, I see things that probably the coach cannot see. I understand, Brooks need to show he is in command, that’s fine, but to realize that people here in Oklahoma are seeing it the other way is something that the coach should be open to. As the coach, he and only he will be blamed for losing, but more ideas is better than none.

There could be a possible of a hundred reasons the Thunder lost game 5; from Kobe guarding Westbrook, the Thunder players getting frighten in Laker land, no veteran leadership among players, selfish plays (everybody wants to be the best), no plays drawn up, no rebounding help, no screens by bigs, no shot blocking, no dribble penetrations, no foul baitingno help defense, no fast breaks, no assist, or all of the above. The best thing here is to go to each possibility and work it out, to instill confidence on one another, from player to coach. Be open minded to all praises to criticism, it’s the only way to learn. Most great players & coaches draw from both, from mistakes counter experience, but not to learn from it draws disaster. Let’s hope, it would not be the later

By: hoopla

hoopla — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:20:40 +0000

I heard darnell say brooks wont change starting lineup, I hope he calls timeout sooner, like when we are 0-5 instead of 0-15 and then do what he usually does, sub out nenad. I don’t understand the argument that you don’t want to change rotation, but he is actually subbing out nenad anyways, so is the starting line up on paper just for window dressing.

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 16:04:48 +0000

The Thunder lack the will to win game 5 as shown by their 1st quarter lackluster slow and timid pace of the game. Looking at the faces of Durant, Westbrook, Sefolosha, Kristic and Green, they all seem lost or out of touch on what to do. They did not show that they were the aggressor, out to win one over in Laker land. Scott Brooks was also at fault for not calling a timeout during the 1st quarter collapse and calming his players while giving instruction on what to expect and what to do. He should have substituted Kristic with Etan Thomas and Ibaka for Sefolosha who could not guard Kobe. Durant and Westbrook should have at least drove to the basket to collect fouls, if their 3-point shots or long shots were not going in. Scott Brooks should have a blend of veteran players to put the younger players at more at ease, not all young players who were caught unaware of the Lakers juggernaut.
The Thunder went back to their old bad habits of no rebounding, shooting wrecklessly (just for the sake of shooting), no fast breaks, no shot blocking, no help defense, no effort, no screens by the big guys, no plays (that’s on Brooks), always remaining stationary (no movement of players) and bad match-up of players (that’s for Scott Brooks).

Westbrook must be wondering how to get Kobe off his back and the answer is run him to another stationary player because Westbrook has the speed and by Kobe pursuing him, Kobe will be looking at him all the time and might miss seeing another player on his side or back. Same with Durant!For defending Gasol and Bynum, Stick to them all the time and that means every Thunder player must stay with their man and not be wandering off and leaving Fisher on the 3-point line to shoot or Kobe alone for a long shot or a drive. The bigs should be ready to take charges from Gasol, Bynum or Kobe. If they loose their man, the other player should switch while the other stay with the other player. Well, thats my take on some defense for them.

If Brooks wants to stay with Kristic, then its going to be the same old story, where Gasol and Bynum are going all the way to the basket without any blocks or harassment. Time to start something new, that Phil and Kobe don’t know. keep them guessing, instead of the same old play and players! Try Etan Thomas, a veteran, who has the bulk, not afraid to bump with Bynum or Gasol and height @ 6’10″ plus the highest paid player on the roster.