Comments on: Thunder 122, Suns 118

By: The Point Forward » Posts Court Vision: The latest around the league «

The Point Forward » Posts Court Vision: The latest around the league « — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:58:47 +0000

[...] • Really interesting thoughts on whether the Thunder have a crunch-time offense problem amid worries that they in fact might have said problem. [...]

By: Monday Bolts – 3.7.11 | Daily Thunder.com

Monday Bolts – 3.7.11 | Daily Thunder.com — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:36:37 +0000

[...] Darnell Mayberry’s post-game: “Durant grew a bit defensive when asked about the last-second plays. When asked if coming off a curl wouldn’t work better than what we typically see, Durant responded “I wish you guys knew more about the game of basketball.” It was only the second time I’ve seen Durant get chippy with reporters. The other time was in L.A. during last year’s playoffs. And the amazing thing this time was KD delivered his line tonight with a wide smile, looking as friendly as ever as he dressed down a reporter.” [...]

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:53:35 +0000

Last night, I said to the guy next to me, after Vince Carter hit his clutch three near the end of regulation, they should foul Carter even when he’s attempting a three-pointer because Carter doesn’t hit free throws when the game is on the line. I remembered Carter missing charity shots in a key playoff game last year, and Orlando did not advance.

Sure enough, Thabo is called for a foul on Carter in the overtime period when Carter attempts a three. And sure enough, Carter goes 1-for-3 on the line. That was the difference in the game.

Carter is about as talented of a ball player the NBA has ever seen, but the guy just cannot win.

By: Todd

Todd — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:42:13 +0000

Have to agree about the late-game play calls. When *I* know what’s coming, you’ve become predictable.

Also gotta agree with Martz about the over-help on defense. They need to work on that, me thinks. Even so, that 3-pointer Carter hit from about Phoenix to tie the game near the end of the 4th quarter was just nuts.

Someone ought to put together a little clip of the blocks on Lopez last night, set to music. I can remember three times he went up for what looked like sure-fire dunks, and got it slapped down each time. I couldn’t swear to it, but late in the game he caught the ball in the lane and looked like he was about to try for another power dunk. But Ibaka and Mohammed were both there, and I swear it look like that caused him to change his mind. He tried a little floating layup thing that missed.

Anyway, good, hard-fought win. Ibaka kept them in it early with those big 12 points in the first quarter. Felt like OKC was down about 20 at the end of first quarter, and you look up and they’re right there. Thanks in no small part to Air Congo. Then Harden and Westbrook took over from there.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:32:50 +0000

Good Stuff Darnell. Glad to see unvarnished, objective commentary. keep it up. we’re still considered a precocious young team, but i think we’ve underachieved in some respects (given our talent) and not just because of our defense. our late game plays really prevent us from finishing teams off earlier, and some of the lineups we have in games are questionable for sure.

By: MartzMimic

MartzMimic — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:16:22 +0000

@Darnell
Another subject of interest, and just as predictable as the last-second shot, is how the wings constantly over-help toward the paint. A big reason Carter is averaging 31 points in his last two games against OKC is that the defenders are sagging too far. On his last three, Russ had to run to him to try to contest the shor It’s been a significant problem all season.

I recall after a recent loss, Brooks actually mentioned over-helping and that they were going to have to work on it. If they have, it isn’t showing.

Oh, Brooks’ call to blitz Nash was great, and he finally made a late-game defensive substitution, bringing Nick in for Harden when Carter went 1-3 after being fouled by James on the 3-point attempt. He probably should have done it a bit earlier when OKC was at the free throw line on the other end, but it ultimately got done.

By: Paul Coro

Paul Coro — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:57:35 +0000

Great stuff, Darnell. OKC is lucky to have you covering the Thunder.