Comments on: Thunder vs. Lakers post-game wrap

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:16:01 +0000

Yea, you guys are right. I got carried away with myself. I do not at all believe Kevin was trying to show off or that the team shoots so many jumpers trying to be personal stars. It was ignorant to say such things and I apologize. I do think Thunder lost their composure after Derek hit a three in the third. Thunder retaliated with 4 straight missed threes, 2 TO’s by Kevin, 1 by Russell, a missed jumper, by Russell, a missed three by Kevin, and finally a rebound and layup by Krystic. Another turn, and a couple of more missed jumpers and Thunder was down by 14.
I was upset Thunder lost their composure and the game in 2nd half and I do apologize for the ignorant things I said, but please don’t be just as ignorant in giving the Laker size and defense too much credit or in whining about Thunder bigs. All three of them played great determined physical ball in the first half and Thunder has no reason to back down from anybody inside.
It is totally unfair to gripe about Jeff’s play at the 4, I believe him to be very nearly just as talented as Kevin. He is simply not a 4, and neither is Kevin. Yes, I complain about his missed 3’s as much as anybody, but a big part of that has been this inane philosophy that wants him to take all these 3’s to space the floor. Just get in there fight for your space and position and while you are at it set a screen for a perimeter player to attack the rim. Yes, Thunder up!

By: David Skelton

David Skelton — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:26:16 +0000

YOu’re right about the games we won we should have lost. I guess that balances things out. Still have a great record. Thunder up!

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:13:38 +0000

Nenad, Nick, Ibaka all played big physical ball and they all (including Nenad) gave LA more than they could handle in the first half.
The game was lost in the 2nd half with too much jump shooting, too much standing around, too many 1 pass possessions, and too much ISO from Kevin who is absolutely horrendous at ISO, and perhaps too much Russell.
Yes Russell is a true warrior and played his heart out, but the entire 2nd half came down to Russell attacking the rim(good), Russell taking a long jumper(not good) or making the 1 pass to Kevin setting up for an ISO play(very bad)
Kevin has been shooting the lights out lately because he had gotten back to moving well without the ball and shooting in rhythm, but I guess he wanted to show off last nite and went back to standing around and wanting to play ISO which is exactly why he shot terrible early in season and last nite. Kevin should never dribble except in transition, he should shoot or pass the ball on. And Russell does not need to make every play. He should pass the ball earlier, that is why everyone is standing around, they are waiting on him to drive and kick. No sense running around and trying to get open if there is no passing.
No ball movement and settling for long J’s is why Thunder lost, but don’t blame any of the bigs, they all battled like warriors, it is not their fault the rest of the team failed to move the ball and get it inside and wanted to show off on national TV how good they were in ISO and jump shooters.
I guess everyone knows now. I’ve known for sometime. The national commentators were great. They wanted so much to heap praise on the Thunder but had to tell the truth finally. “This offense is awful, everybody is just standing around, there is no ball movement, and they are settling for terrible long J’s.” Charles Barkley “Thunder is a jump shooting team.” You are so right Charles and I am sick of it. And I am also sick of everyone blaming Nenad or any other big for what is essentially a philosophical error and a lack of committment and determination to keep the ball moving and working the ball inside for either a cutting, driving, attacking player or an open big who is also committed to scoring inside. The Thunder bigs are capable, but they cannot do anything if the team is not committed to winning the inside physical game, where almost all games are won.
At least we didn’t have to listen to coach say. “We were taking open shots, we got to keep taking those shots.” But both Jeff and Coach wanted credit LA’s defense for Thunder’s absolutely horrendous offense in 2nd half which was not the case at all. Just step up and tell the truth.”Oh we like to take jump shots cause that way us perimeter players get to keep being the star.” But please quit blaming the bigs because every single one of ‘em showed me they are warriors and ready able and capable. It is not their fault that Thunder is a jump shooting team.
Jeff is not a 4. Jeff is good. Good enough to have made team USA if there had been an opening at the 3, but coach K was smart enough to realize he is simply not big enough to take up a spot on the bench as a 4 even on a team that desperately needed bigs. Which means Mullens or somebody needs to step up, because 3 bigs are not enough to fill 2 spots for 48 minutes.

By: bc

bc — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:11:59 +0000

DS, Pretty much sums it up. Unfortunately we probably also have a bunch of games we shouldn’t have won that makes everyone wonder why anyone is negative with our great record.

10% 3 point shooting? — embarrassed for the team.

By: David Skelton

David Skelton — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:49:01 +0000

Notice a theme, Lynn. You’re the only one okay with last nights loss. I never said we were winning a championship this year. It’s okay to get beat by the champs in their building, but not HOW we got beat (poor shot selection, lapses on D in the 2nd half, lack of 3 pt shooting, JG being stinking, etc.). This is another of about 10 games all year we could have won, but lost, not because we were outplayed but because we gave the game away. That is what I’m sick and tired of us, and so is everyone else, save you.

By: tulsandn

tulsandn — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:26:59 +0000

It’s OK to go down swinging like Russell Westbrook, Serge Ibaka & Nick Collison did, but when you soil yourself & go hide away in a corner when Ron Artest bullies you, that is pretty sad….

I’m so tired of seeing Nenard wasting time & energy in a Thunder uniform, is Cole Aldrich REALLY so bad that he can’t even put that tall woman on the bench for good….

By: Lynn1

Lynn1 — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 18:03:39 +0000

Hey Skelton, here’s ya some breaking news …… the Thunder will not win the Championship this year, I know that surprises you, but its reality.

And I swear , I don’t know where some of you guys got these high expectations. The Thunder just lost to the Champs in the Staples Center……..and you cryin like immature kids.

How old are you ?

By: Lynn1

Lynn1 — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:58:00 +0000

Skelton, the team is what it is, until Presti see’s the new CBA.

So, cut the griping, quit being a negative nancy, and move on.

You don’t have patience, tooo bad , tough begonias.

Be an adult and deal with it.

By: Mindthunder

Mindthunder — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:16:49 +0000

P. U. What a stinker.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:44:09 +0000

Thunder was great 1st half. They pushed, they attacked, their was excellent ball movement, and all the bigs played big, and physical. Thunder held their own inside and I believe would have won if played 2nd half with same intensity. Unfortunately LA hit a couple of long J’s and Oklahoma City seemed to respond by saying “Oh yea, well let us show you what we can do.” And they did.
The commentators were great and wanted to praise Thunder all they could but in the end they had to tell it like it was.
“Thunder is not playing well offensively everyone standing around and settling for poor shots.”
and. . . “Is it good LA defense, or just very poor offense?”
NO answer was given or needed obviously it was not the LA defense that did Thunder in.