Comments on: Thunder 103, Hawks 94

By: Thomas

Thomas — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 22:04:31 +0000

Totally agree on Crawford’s ball handling. He’s just so smooth its ridiculous.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:08:15 +0000

@ Lynn1 You bring up some good points. But I wouldn’t say Thabo would have no value to the team. Situational defenders are great to have. And even though the Thunder gave Sefolosha that four-year contract, Thabo will still be making less than $4 million in the final year. That’s peanuts (relatively, especially if he continues to perform defensively and develops offensively. The bottom line is Harden will be a starter some day. It’s just a question of when. Again, when he becomes consistent on both ends, he’ll bump Sefolosha to the bench. -DM-

By: Lynn1

Lynn1 — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 18:33:28 +0000

But if they start Harden, then Thabo has no value to the team, and why would they sign Thabo to that contract ? Just to put Thabo in the game as a situational defender ?

And bench line-up of Maynor, Serge, Collison, needs some offense ……… how are they gonna have any bench scoring with Thabo there ?

I also think Thabo to be a better rebounder than Harden, which Barkley says is a weakness

By: Leah

Leah — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 18:23:46 +0000

I don’t see why the dunk was that bad. The hawks got the ball back and scored again, so it was the same margin of victory as if the dunk didn’t happen. big deal. it’s definitely not the same as the jerk NE patriots running up the score a few years ago after they got caught cheating the first game of the season. They were out to show everyone something and ran up the score. They are jerks and i hate their personality. the thunder are nothing like that and to take motivation out of what the thunder did, 2 points, big whoop, is childish. teams have been up on us by double digits and still go out there throwing up 3s at the end of games.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 17:05:49 +0000

Coming into this season, I thought Harden would be ready to challenge for the starting 2-guard spot by Jan. 1. But despite his play in December, I still don’t think Brooks is ready to insert him into that position. I think he should be starting. He brings great scoring off the bench when he’s aggressive, and that can’t be overlooked or replaced if he cracks the first five. But coaches, more than anything, crave consistent players. And, unfortunately, Harden has yet to prove he’s consistent. -DM-

By: Lynn1

Lynn1 — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 14:13:10 +0000

Harden coming off the bench was hashed out last year, and I don’t think anything has changed.

Thabo’s value to the team is to defend the opponents best player, he must start to do that. If he limits the scoring of their best scorer, then that’s like him scoring points.

And the Thunder already have enough scorers in the starting line-up with KD and RW, there won’t be many touches for Harden in that lineup and his role would change.

Coming off the bench, Harden becomes the offense. If KD and RW are on the bench, where are you going to get your offense if Thabo is playing ?

Harden is the Thunder’s Ginobli. Right now, as long as Harden is content with his role, Thunder are solid at the 2 guard.

And in the NBA, way too much is made of being a starter, its more important to get minutes.

And keep in mind, Harden is doing most of his scoring against the opponents bench.

I think this issue has been covered.

But wait a minute, did I say that I love Thunder basketball ?? This is the most fun I’ve had in years.

Happy New Year …. also

By: Sanford

Sanford — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 09:36:56 +0000

so, yes, Harden is here to stay. and the more i watch, the more i think he is getting to the point where he should crack the starting lineup. do you think they should start him, or are they content with starting Thabo while giving Harden 30ish minutes per game??