Comments on: Question Of The Day

By: jean muller

jean muller — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:19:44 +0000

With Ibaka in the first unit, the thunders are 6-3. So what is the argument here to start him, because that makes 66% of game won, which is the same percentage they have with Ibaka in the second unit!!!

By: j

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 02:57:03 +0000

Great coverage as always by Darnell. Starting lineups seem to be a thing of superstition, in a way. I’ve seen teams over the years start guys that weren’t necessarily the #1 guy at that position, but did so out of routine. I don’t care who starts. I care who is on the floor the number of minutes they need to be on the floor given the current matchups and given how certain combinations are playing that particular night. Having said that, I agree with everyone that Ibaka should be getting the bulk of the minutes at the 4. I truly believe he’ll blossom into an extremely solid offensive and defensive power forward. The variable here is…is Green staying and who else will we pick up? Regardless of the answer, Ibaka is sure to be a force in the paint for us for years to come.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:52:40 +0000

On the other hand, I wouldn’t have any problem starting Nick, Ibaka, Kevin, Jeff, and Russell. When you think about it, Sef has been playing a really respectful gentlemanly defense giving his opponent a comfortable amount of personal space. I don’t read lips, but I think he might have been saying excuse me when Kobe stolled past him if he actually bumped into Sef. Not like old man Kobe had to make any kind of quick move on him, whichever way he went Sef just got out of his way. Real polite like, a real gentleman. And then James, when he is cold just flat stinks, but if he is hot, I mean really hot (for James) he puts up almost respectable numbers. I don’t see where we can’t but be a better team starting Jeff at the 2, that way we can play bigger both inside and out. Meanwhile Thunder did play against Denver better than I was afraid they might.

By: Matthew

Matthew — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 05:26:53 +0000

I thought everyone’s comment was really great till I got to Darnell’s. Really, Just get on and get done what needs to be done. Start Ibaka at the 4 and make Jeff the 6th man playing at the 3 and with a few minutes at the 2 and a few at the 4, Jeff will get plenty of minutes. The bench will be better and the starters will be much bigger and stronger and better inside where they are hurting most. I am more concerned with the points in the paint that all them players you mentioned and Jeff can’t match up with anyone of them inside. It is not only the best move for Thunder, but in the long run, it is also the best move for Jeff. He is a 3 and he needs to get back to playing his position.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:45:51 +0000

MM, I saw those numbers. My only reservation about that theory, and the idea of plus/minus in general, is who were those lineups playing against? I don’t claim to know the answer. But it’s possible that Russ/Thabo/KD/Ibaka/Krstic played against more inferior opponents more often than the lineup of Russ/Thabo/KD/Green/Ibaka. Just a thought. But at the end of the day, Ibaka substituting for either Krstic or Green in the starting lineup still isn’t ideal. The majority of Green’s minutes still would have to come at power forward. So that’s not the issue I’d be trying to solve by moving Ibaka into the first five. Green’s still the better player. He still does good things, and he deserves minutes. That’s why I’d leave him there. But Ibaka is clearly the long term prospect and I’d want to see his development get accelerated. Plus, I believe his skills will make up for Green’s weaknesses more than Krstic’s skills. The flip side of the coin if Ibaka and Krstic are starters is neither one can defend stretch 4s, the Josh Smiths, Dirk Nowitzkis, David Lees and David Wests of the league. I’m not saying he’s great at doing it, but no one ever gives Green credit for the value that he brings in that area. Ibaka can’t provide that versatility. -DM-

By: MartzMimic

MartzMimic — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:21:17 +0000

@DM
You know, I’d say that Serge should take Jeff’s spot in the starting lineup. According to floor time stats, our best lineup (at least that’s gotten more than 100 minutes) is Russ-Thabo-KD-Ibaka-Krstic. It’s got a slightly better win percentage and a significantly better plus/minus than when Ibaka is playing center.

@Bryan
I may be wrong, but I think someone on another site found the stats that Ibaka fouls less frequently when he starts than when he comes off the bench.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:56:54 +0000

I like the new feature, guys. Here’s hoping you keep it up.

By: Tonight: Thunder at Nuggets « Thunderous Intentions | An Oklahoma City Thunder blog

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 18:41:27 +0000

[...] Oklahoman columnist Berry Tramel suggested Oklahoma City reduce its three point attempts as they head into the second half of the season. Tramel might not have such a bad idea. Monday night [...]

By: gamma

gamma — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:54:15 +0000

Expectations from second half of season.
Short term
Find out who replaced ron adams as the defensive coordinator.

Long term,
Evaluate the current big men on the roster and add one in free agency if we can’t evaluate soon. Big men take time to develop. But do we really want to waste kd’s and westbrook’s time with slow cooking. Look at portland, injuries can happen anytime, need to use your window for championship when it opens. KD’s new contract starts next year, clock is ticking.

By: gamma

gamma — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 16:47:40 +0000

The best way to learn is to actually be in the situation. Also if he gets in foul trouble nenad would be a reliable backup. Many of the fouls on serge are because of the perimeter players inability to stop their guy (although his one on one post defense needs to improve, needs to add more strength).