Comments on: Wolves 99, Thunder 93

By: Todd

Todd — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 04:41:37 +0000

OKC has four players *averaging* in double-figures. More often than not they have at least four guys, and sometimes five, scoring double-figures in a game. Not every game. But more times than not this season. And again, four players are *averaging* double-figures. The scoring and overall offense is more well-balanced than in previous seasons. Not every game. But as a rule, yes. This does not point to a problem with scoring imbalance.

This is like the fourth time I’ve made this point. Six more times and I’ll be averaging in double-figures myself.

By: Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:38:48 +0000

Have to agree with Todd & redriverndn. This was ONE game on the 2nd night of a back to back on the road. Now everyone is ready to give up & the Thunder has no chance of going to the finals. Give me a break! It’s the NBA. NOONE goes undefeated. Did people really expect the Thunder to win every single game? Because I honestly think there are some people who have commented that did.***facepalm***

By: Nick

Nick — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 21:32:12 +0000

Gotta give some cred to Minnesota on their home floor. They are a really good team, if they are all healthy. Really good with Kevin Love and all. If Ricky Rubio comes around, then they become extra dangerous.

By: redriverndn

redriverndn — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:09:02 +0000

THUNDER 21-5, everybody else worse than that….

The THUNDER lose on the 2nd night of a back-to-back on the road against a division opponent who traditionally give the THUNDER problems…. Last night’s game was also without K-Mart, imagine playing the T-Wolves last season without Harden, how would that have turned out ????

OK, also, did you see some of those shots that wouldn’t fall in the basket last night ????

One of those nights, that’s all it was, no big deal….

By: Wally

Wally — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:22:30 +0000

Todd, if you just said that the Thunder has 4 players in double figures, then why did they have an imbalance of 3 players in double figures, with 33, 30 and 14. That seems to be imbalanceof shooting, as the load of scores went to only 2 players, Durant and Westbrook, with Ibaka at the tail end.

For other teams, that will be ease to defend, take the two out and the Thunder losses. Does not take a genious coach to figure that easy.

Now it is 21-5, but with teams catching on the way to defeat the Thunder and come out with what the Wolves did right last night, it becomes apparent for most teams, specially the Spurs, Clippers, New York and Grizzlies!

The big players need to becomes scorers, becuase not every night Durant can carry the team in points. It should be done inside and out, if not the above mention scenario will become a fact!

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:03:00 +0000

Once again, OKC has four players averaging in double figures. You won’t have four or five guys scoring double-digits every game. But they’re doing it more often than not. Why ir how that’s a point of contention I just don’t know. Especially for a team that’s 21-5.

Credit to Minnesota. They played a good game.

By: Wally

Wally — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:56:07 +0000

If Durant admits that JJ Barea killed them with his quickness then and now, how will the Thunder defend players like him in the fuure? He has done this before and theThunder still has not come up with a lasting solution!

Another player that Durant mentioned is Kevin Love with 28 points, from shooting threes, lay ups and jumpers and 11 rebounds with 7 assists. That has not triggered any response from Brooks and company to resolve. If there are more of these kind of players in the NBA, then the Thunder will be cooked or fried!

Players like, Pekovic, 24 points and 10 rebounds and Shved, 12 points, 12 assists and 7 rebounds will really help a team win. These four players mentioned really had the Thunder team with their hands full, but if there are more of them, it will be a disaster for Brooks and Co.

Memphis and the Clippers are the same kind of team were they have so many shooters and assist guys that hurt you.
Hope Brooks takes the cue early into the season and solve their weakness!

Nice column DM that you were able to get the players perspective of just what happened!

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:37:02 +0000

Like I have been telling the column last time from the squeaker in Atlanta, the Thunder should have more scoring from different players, not two or three only. Like yesterday, Kevin Martin was absent and nobody could pick up the slack in scoring from him. I know that somebody wanted to replace Martin, but without the actual playing time these bench players need, it will be very hard to jump start them, besides that is old school, if that is Brook’s way of coaching.

Even the great coach, Popovich is not following that useless rule done by the has been coaches.

That is why teams that are in the bottom half of wins are getting their money’s worth for the first round draft picks and those players either have it or not in their first season. Why waste money for underachieving player or lazy players. Many want their salary and are only waiting their chance to grab it from them!

By: redriverndn

redriverndn — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:22:30 +0000

Anyone ever see a T-Wolves/Thunder game before ????

It’s always this kind of game, just like against the Grizzle, it’s MATCHUPS…. Speedy ball handling PG’s who can shoot & powerful inside players always fare well versus the THUNDER….. Thabo should’ve been on Barea with the THUNDER going small ball (I can’t believe I actually endorsed small ball)….

Anyway, whatever, however, in the NBA, you want to win them all BUT it just doesn’t happen….

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 16:20:52 +0000

Take my hat off for the new Thunder player, Reggie Jackson for admitting his failure to lock down on JJ Barea, the small spitfire who ran Westbrook to the ground last time he was with Dallas. He is receiving about $4.5 million from the Wolves and he’s worth every dollar for his role. Some received more than that, but ain’t equal to match his shooting, maturity and quickness.

Think of it, the Wolves got, Ridnour, Rubio and the spitfire, JJ Barea for a grand total of approx. $12,000,000.
TThree willy players who want their team to win, not individual glory. The Thunder needs those values and players!