Comments on: Spurs 114, Thunder 105

By: tk

tk — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:56:29 +0000

How do the Spurs do it? Simple, Popovich. Now that Phil Jackson & Jerry Sloan are gone he sits alone as the only coach in the NBA completely and totally unafraid to hold ANY player on the roster accountable for mistakes. It has long been documented that he’ll call out Tony Parker or Tim Duncan just as quickly for a messing something up as he will Danny Green or James Anderson. That’s what you need when you’re trying to build a precision team like that.

By: kantankruz

kantankruz — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:31:20 +0000

I must also say the post Allstar schedule for the Thunder is 10 times tougher than their pre Allstar schedule too, so there is going to be some more loses.

By: kantankruz

kantankruz — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:27:27 +0000

I hate to say it, but I think the Thunder should be thinking about Nate MacMillan next year. Im not sure Scotty Brooks is the man to get the absolute potential out of these playrs individually and as a team.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:48:51 +0000

Trevor, that I agree with. I’ve wondered the same thing myself. I just don’t get why Kevin doesn’t put a stop to it. -DM-

By: Trevor

Trevor — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 21:00:46 +0000

Mike,

I actually agree with a portion of your post about KD. He is partly to blame when Westbrooks gets out of control.

If he is the teams best player (He is), then he needs to let RW know in no uncertain terms to pass the ball. You think Jordan or Kobe would put up with their point guard jacking the ball 29 times?

No way in hell.. The great ones are absolutely cut throat.. Not sure KD has that.

By: vince

vince — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:43:51 +0000

I think this is a talented young team that is improving.But many people think they should win every thing this year. Even the coach is young they are going to make mistakes thekey is to learn from them.The one thing I don’t understand is Serge getting so few minutes.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:12:03 +0000

Nice, but I never mentioned a RW/KD thing. I respect you words, because theyre your words. And you for one has been true to what’s going on here in good times and shall I say, minor down times. Not many others following your lead though. What I was getting at as you pointed out, was the guys (all 5) on the floor need to figure it out. For 48minutes. As you know there’s alot of b grade media around. Quick to the punch type, ya know? Sorry, it’s true. Thanks, I enjoy your work.

By: Darnell Mayberry

Darnell Mayberry — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 19:05:11 +0000

Mike, it has nothing to do with KD vs. Russ. Nothing at all. There are three other players on the court for the Thunder in addition to those two. The fact of the matter is that, at times, none of the other four players had a chance to do anything offensively because Russ took quick shots and called his own number throughout the game, especially late when Tony Parker started taking over. Anybody who watched the game and can decipher a good shot versus a bad shot knows Russ took a ton of bad shots last night. It’s that simple.

Nobody on this team gets a pass in the media or by the fans. When KD couldn’t get open in the playoffs last year, it was noted by many. When he couldn’t hit the big shots in his first two years in OKC, it was noted by many. When his defense stunk (and at times it still does), and he wasn’t rebounding at the level he should have been, and he wasn’t making plays for others, it was noted by many. And now that he’s turning it over at an extremely alarming rate, it’s being noted. Nobody said the guy was perfect. But one has nothing to do with the other.

What I’ve found a ton of people doing is supporting Westbrook no matter what. I think it’s because of the beating he’s taken in the national media over the past year. It seems to me that a certain segment of people want to build him up so much because they’ve seen so many breaking him down. I get it. But I don’t think it’s either fair or smart. It’s as if nobody has a right to ever analyze anything about Russ because of the scrutiny that he’s been through. That philosophy, to me, is wrong. And it doesn’t matter if it’s Russell Westbrook or Ryan Reid. -DM-

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:50:48 +0000

Unbelievable how I have to hear crap about Russ. Taking it personally? Seriously? Listen; he kept us in the game! Why does he take so much heat from fans and media? Is every shot supposed to go in? Ask yourselves that please. Russ us the only guy in the court that brought his nuts for 48min lastnight. Maybe if the other guys took it “personally” we would have won the game! Get off his jock people and be greatful this guy has a mean streak and not shy about it. Cus KD isn’t bringing it. Wanna criticize Russ for shots? Then get in KD’s ass for not manning up and demanding the dam ball. Unil then, everyone needs to stop propping KD and blaming Russ. KD is not perfect.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 17:38:50 +0000

Wow bertfat, that’s pretty rough. I don’t see coach telling the players they only need to play hard for 24minutes a game.
Look, say what you want about this play here and that shot there. Fact is fact. We are not playing 48min of thunder basketball. 1st quarter was strange to say the least. We came out with intense energy but couldnt get the ball in the bucket. Rebounding? Barf! That was sickening. 2-3 shots per spurs possession. Then midway through the first it was like we got our feelings hurt and there goes the intensity and energy. It’s all about keeping our head on the court. Seems this team has been spoiled into thinking they have the best record in the west. Uhm, yea I said that. 48minutes guys, we need 48minutes. And I do believe that’s coming. Look at last season. Complete opposite of this seasons play. Last season we came out on fire and couldn’t figure out how to close games. This, I hope happens before post season play begins. If not, then it just won’t happen for us this year. 48min=win.