But I’m hardly advocating Sefolosha a backup point guard. Too much messing the lineup.

On the other hand, and there’s plenty of nothing in the other hand, wisdom is brushed away in favor of slapdash comments, like those of the jarring Traber on Perkins, lke those who measure worth by offensive scoring alone, like those who favor Orton replacing Perkins.

Here’s a bulletin: Not all fans and commentators who speak on the NBA are students of the NBA. Many don’t know what all goes on on the NBA floor, why a final score turned out the way it did, and and can’t see the big picture of a team’s success or failure.

Mr. Mayberry possesses a good amount of NBA knowledge, but his saying that young NBA reserves playing in the fourth quarter of a blowout game aren’t learning much is hogwash.

I suppose his outlook comes from kid play, of a church-league coach sending out giddy reserves, without any instruction beforehand, to play in the sand. Oh what fun running all over the floor without purpose, while the little-league unattentive coach yaks it up on the bench.

Then I heard Sports Animal nice guy Craig Humphrey say that the upcoming Thunder-Heat Valentine’s encounter is just another game of an 82-game schedule. Really?

After five straight losses to the Heat, the Thunder better show and prove to themselves that they can will themselves to victory over the Heat, especially at home.

I’ve insisted since the first few games at the start of the season that the Thunder are a better team this season, by individual player improvement, by experience, by the acquisition of Kevin Martin, who’s provided the Thunder better court spacing and more consistent 3-point shooting than the combination of Daquane Cook and James Harden provided.

Once receiving the ball, Martin makes instant decisions on whether to shoot, pass the ball, or drive to the basket, not seeking and searching and dribbling and dribbling for a third of the 24-second shot clock.

Can anyone dispute that the Thunder spacing and passing has improved. And I haven’t seen evidence that the Thunder defense has taken a dive, as practically every Thunder player insists that it’s the Thunder defense that carries the day.

And on the Phoenix game on the road, I took note of Eric Maynor sinking a mid-range jumper and a 3-pointer in the “garbage time.” I took note of Sefolosha’s nimble ball handling, occasionally operating in a point-guard like position. I took note of scoreless, healthy Perkins shutting down the Suns big starting center once again. I wasn’t bothered by the Thunder significantly outrebounded on Sunday night. The Thunder still hustled and dominated, which always leads the confidant Thunder to victory regardless who they play.

I know about the inexperience and deficiencies of the Thunder young reserves. Yet a player acquisition won’t magically transform. Anyway, what team, especially in the West, wants to make a trade to further improve the Thunder?

The Thunder’s chances of advancing to win it all will ride on the Thunder’s big seven’s will to win.

First, OKC isn’t trading Jeremy Lamb, mainly because they’re not stupid.

Maynor is starting to play better. Yes it’s garbage time, but I don’t care. He’s playing better. I don’t know about what the difference might be for the rest of the season, but for the playoffs, it could matter, and it could matter a lot.

Yes, I disagree about Jackson being a better passer than Westbrook, and I think Westbrook does have his share of drive-and-dish plays. That said, Darnell sees these guys up close more than I do, and I respect his viewpoints.

I also disagree with the folks who say Jackson is not a point guard. Most of them also still say Westbrook is not a point guard. Enough said.

Thabo as the point guard in place of Westbrook? Once every so often? Sure, why not. Different look, mess with the defense’s collective head a little. But full time as the point guard? Funny.

Perkins isn’t a scoring machine, but he’s usually a darn good defender. That’s his role. He made Gortat all but invisible these last two games, even though he didn’t score last night.

Still wondering how long it will be until folks think winning the Western Conference, having two All Stars, running away with your division, having one of the two best records in the league, and winning 76% of your games to start the next season after winning the conference makes you a good team. All that in spite of trading away one of your best players.

Some people, perhaps, can’t really enjoy the journey. Too bad for them, because it’s a blast of a ride.

So you decide. How does that quality figure into the Thunder?

In case you haven’t noticed, several multi-talented Thunder players can execute at a variety of positions.

Here’s hoping the Thunder beat them to get back to home court advantage in the conference playoff, by getting the hometown OKC crowd all rev-up and ready to support their local team.

Another thing to watch, is seeing if the Thunder can get the monkey (Heat) off their backs by watching videos on how Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks beat the Heat twice and Wizards, Clippers, Detroit, Boston, Utah, Portland, Milwaukee Golden State, Chicago and Memphis beat them once! As of now, the Thunder has been beaten by the Heat 4 straight times starting last years finals and nothing has been done to fix this problem by Scotty Brooks or his staff!

So far the Thunder has not been successful with them yet and really needs to focus on how to defend and be offensive minded to take are of the trio. Hope they now have a plan of attack.

Maybe the Thunder has now have the right combinations with the second unit doing just fine and getting better acclimated to get things going defensively and offensively. TThis is an example of my blog connecting with Brooks, Durant and others, although I am not bragging, I just happy that they are!