Phil Jackson Speaking His Mind
Phil Jackson was up to his old tricks before his Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Thunder on Sunday afternoon.
The Lakers coach who has a history of playing mind games with opponents, and has singled out Kevin Durant, was back at it again in his pre-game interview session. Jackson refused to give Oklahoma City and Thunder players much credit for anything. It was classic Phil. A transcript of the dialogue…
Q: In that final game of the first-round series last year, these fans gave them a standing ovation after they had lost. Have you ever seen that before or heard of that before in the NBA?
A: Yeah. I’ve seen it before. I’ve seen young teams have that same kind of support from their home crowd. They see a team that’s on the rise and they’re excited about it.
Q: Does (Nazr Mohammed and Kendrick Perkins) experience help the Thunder at all? Those two guys have been to the Finals. Mohammed’s won a championship. Do those things have an impact on a team?
A: They’re pretty young. Kendrick’s a pretty young guy. I don’t know how much experience he has if (Kevin) Garnett’s not talking in his ear and sending him where to go. I think he’s got the notion. But whether he can be a leader and lead them, that’s another story. They have leadership that’s pretty intact with probably Westbrook and Durant.
-DM-
Power Lunch Chat Recap: Darnell Mayberry
Artest reveals the secret to guarding Durant
In two games against the world champion Los Angeles Lakers this season, Thunder All-Star forward Kevin Durant is a shooting a combined 36.4 percent (16 for 44) from the field and 9.1 percent (1 for 11) from 3-point range. In last year’s playoff series against the Lakers, Durant shot 35.0 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from 3-point range.
Every time, Ron Artest has been the primary defender against Durant. And every time, Artest has been asked how he defends the league scoring champ so successfully.
“I give the same answer. You just need to go review the tape,” Artest said after Sunday’s 90-87 victory over the Thunder inside Oklahoma City Arena. “I just try to play hard, man.”
A mischievous Artest then had a playful thought and politely asked a team official to fetch his game shoes. Artest endorses the new BALL’N shoe line and his signature model is due out in October.
“It’s not me. It’s the shoes,” Artest said with a smile, holding up one shoe so television cameras could zoom in. “It’s totally not me. He (Durant) is a good player, but without these shoes I don’t know what I’d do.”
Lakers 90, Thunder 87
Nuggets from my notebook from Sunday’s loss to L.A.
- The Thunder played an excellent opening period. OKC jumped out to a 12-2 run and showed early it was ready to compete for 48 minutes, whether shorthanded or not. A 28-22 lead was the result.
- Thabo Sefolosha’s defense on Kobe Bryant was outstanding. Sefolosha made Bryant work for everything he got. He forced him into an air-ball, which ended up in a Lakers shot clock violation. He stripped Bryant following a pump fake. And he was a pest in the passing lanes, coming up with another steal on an entry pass into Kobe at the high post. What shouldn’t go overlooked is the job Thabo did on Kobe off the ball as well. Sefolosha denied entry passes extremely well, and once Kobe gave it up Thabo rarely allowed him to get it back. It took Bryant right out of the offense.
- My question is where has this level of defense been from Sefolosha all season?
- Bryant finished with 17 points on 8-for-22 shooting. He had seven assists by also four turnovers.
- Here’s a shocker. Kobe didn’t attempt a single free throw. That happened only once this year, in the Lakers’ road loss to Cleveland. You’d have to go back to last season to find the last time Bryant didn’t take at least one foul shot and the Lakers won. He pulled that feat in back-to-back games against Washington and San Antonio on March 21 and March 24
- The Thunder scored 31 points in the second half. OKC made 12 of 40 shots (30 percent) and turned the ball over 10 times. The turning point came early in the third quarter. The Thunder came out of the locker room playing selfish basketball. The ball movement dried up, and too many players went into hero made, taking bad shots and forcing one-on-one plays. It completely killed the team’s rhythm.
- The Thunder scored just 13 points in the third quarter, when it made just five of 22 shots. There was a stretch late where I would have loved to see Nate Robinson get some burn. The guy can be instant offense and is capable of igniting a team and the crowd.
- Once again, late game execution on offense was a problem. The Thunder scored just three points in the final 3 1/2 minutes. Over that same span, the Thunder had three turnovers. The one bucket the Thunder did get was a 3-pointer from Russell Westbrook.
- The final minute was discouraging. Kevin Durant had a Ron Artest strip the ball from him with 49.9 seconds left and the Thunder down three. And when Bryant missed a jumper, Serge Ibaka secured the rebound to give the Thunder another chance. Westbrook then dribbled around like a chicken with his head cut off before barrelling down the lane for a charge. And when Lamar Odom missed two free throws, the Thunder wasted two more chances to tie when Durant missed a 3-pointer from the top of the key and James Harden misfired on a trey following a tap out by Nick Collison.
Talkin’ Thunder W/ The L.A. Times
I recently joined Mark Medina, the Lakers blogger for the Los Angeles Times, to talk Thunder heading into today’s game against the Lakers.
We discuss the trade for Kendrick Perkins and how it might help OKC compete against L.A. now and down the road.
Take a listen if you like, and be sure to check out Medina’s work over at the Times and on Twitter.
-DM-
Impressions Of The New Kids
Thoughts and observations from what felt like the first day of school at Saturday’s practice.
- The first thing I saw today upon entering the doors of the practice facility’s gymnasium was Kendrick Perkins to my right doing some sort of lat pull-downs with the strength and conditioning coach. My first thought: he even makes lifting look intimidating.
- Ten seconds later, after walking around the corner, I spotted Nate Robinson paired up with Eric Maynor for the team’s customary session-ending free throw game. The two already looked like they had incredible chemistry. In fact, Russell Westbrook, Daequan Cook and James Harden joined the two moments later at another basket and horsed around like Robinson was a teammate all season.
- While horsing around, Cook and Harden were trying to do some acrobatic dunks. Bouncing lob pass to themselves. Going between the legs. Stuff like that. I sat there waiting for Nate to clear out everybody and show ‘em how it’s done. Didn’t happen.
- If you’ve grown tired of hearing and reading the same quotes from Thunder players about the process and getting better every day, you’ll love the newcomers. This trio is a breath of fresh air. These guys speak their minds…I’m setting the over/under at two days before someone gets a hold of them and tries to install a filter. Good luck with Robinson.
- The biggest news of the day revolved around two things concerning Perkins. The first is he will miss two to three weeks with a sprained left knee. But that’s no big deal. He’ll be back soon enough, and the goal is to have him for the long haul, not rush him to play against the Lakers. More importantly, Perkins provided his first assurance that he wants to be here. He said he’s happy to be here and hopes things workout in negotiations on an extension this summer. While that doesn’t remove the risk of not re-signing the soon-to-be restricted free agent, it certainly adds a little more comfort to the situation.
- Here’s what Perk said about the contract matter.
I hope I can be here. I wanna be here. I couldn’t find a better situation for myself. I really want to be here. It’s just a great organization. Just learning in a day, just being around is overwhelming. So I do wanna be here. Hopefully we can work something out. They are the first option, the first team on my plate. I know free agency’s coming up or whatever it may be. I just know Oklahoma City is my first option.”
Magic 111, Thunder 88
News, notes and observations from Friday’s loss at Orlando.
- With four players shipped out and three players yet to report, Thunder coach Scott Brooks was forced to use 10 different lineups according to my count. And some of them looked like preseason units at best. Maybe even summer league. Eric Maynor, Daequan Cook, James Harden, Thabo Sefolosha and Cole Aldrich. Really? What can the Thunder possible do against the Magic with that mix and match bunch?
- Oddly enough, the team’s bench played better than the more decorated starters. Maynor was the distributor Russell Westbrook decided he didn’t want to be tonight. Cook provided the shooting Kevin Durant couldn’t. And Harden, with a strong all-around game, made yet another case to supplant Sefolosha as the starter.
- If you’re wondering whether the loss of a few teammates played a big factor in this one, Durant comes through with his opinion. “It’s real tough,” Durant said. “Those guys were like brothers to us here. Not to see them out there on the bench clapping for us, in the locker room speaking up, it’s tough.” Durant was then asked if their departures disrupted the flow of the team. “It felt a little different going out there and playing, not having our guys out there,” Durant said. “But hopefully next game we get back into the flow and be all right.”
- In my eyes, Dwight Howard spoiled a spectacular game by remaining in the game to ensure he got 40. I put most of the blame on Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, who you otherwise will never hear me say a bad word about. Van Gundy should have taken Howard out of the game during a timeout with 2:27 left on the clock. Instead, they showed up the Thunder and showed little class. Dwight’s 40th point came on a lob pass from Hedo Turkoglu with exactly 2:00 left to play. The Magic were up 20. His basket put the Magic up 22.
- I doubt Howard and the Magic would have been so strident had Kendrick Perkins been on the court. I can’t wait to see Perk’s scowl.
- Speaking of, the trio of new players are expected to practice with the team Saturday and meet the media following the session. I’m told all three players were in OKC on Friday taking physicals. If all goes well, I’d expect to see Nazr Mohammed and Nate Robinson in uniform Sunday. Perkins is out at least a week with a left knee injury.
- Does this bit from Howard ease the sting of Howard’s monster game and boastful final bucket?
Trade deadline chat recap
Kevin Durant’s new commercial
OKC Thunder superstar Kevin Durant posted a link to his new Gatorade commercial on his website. Pretty cool stuff.
Happy viewing.
– Asst. Sports Editor, Ryan Sharp
(More) Celtics react to trade
- “I had a chance to talk to him at length (Thursday) afternoon, but he was definitely hurt. The guys around this locker room are definitely hurt to see Perk go.” – Celtics All-Star Ray Allen on Kendrick Perkins
- “I just said, ‘Sorry.’ There’s no words that can really describe the emotions that you feel. Perk is a tough guy, (but) he was very emotional. Like he couldn’t get the words out that he needed to get out. In my mind, he’ll always be a Celtic. He’s been here for eight years. I felt truly bad. That’s probably one of the toughest pills I’ve had to swallow of any player I’ve seen traded, because he was a part of what he was doing here. So we have to change that around and incorporate these new guys we got.” – Allen
- “You hope that Danny (Ainge) and Doc (Rivers) know what they’re doing. I mean, we put our trust in them, so it is what it is. We can’t use any excuses and cry over spilled milk.” – Pierce
- “Hopefully the guys we have coming in understand what we’re trying to do around here. It’s still a championship goal. But it is definitely a blow when you lose a guy like Perk who’s been in playoff battles, been tested, gives us size and defense – especially when you’re going against guys like Dwight Howard, Pau Gasol – if we make it to the Finals and play the Lakers. Hopefully we can make up for it in other ways.” – Pierce
- “I haven’t had a chance to assess (the trade). I hate to lose a guy, a teammate like Perk because he meant so much. And people don’t understand what chemistry is, from the bus to the plane, the locker room. It’s definitely blow there. It depends on how the other guys make the adjustment.” – Pierce
- “People underrate what chemistry brings. This is one of the tightest units, one of the most together teams that you could probably think of. It’s just how we roll on the plane and in the hotels, the camaraderie that we’ve been able to gather over the years. When you lose that, it’s tough. Hopefully we can integrate the guys that we have coming here and they can pick up things pretty quickly.”
- “Jeff Green is young. He can play. He can help our bench production out. He’s got tremendous upside. And Krstic gives us length. I look forward to having both of them.” – Allen
Sources: Boston Herald and Boston Globe
