Charles Barkley’s criticisms don’t add up
As Charles Barkley remains steadfast in his criticism of the Thunder, one obvious question remains: If OKC has such little hope of winning a championship, how does it keep winning so many games?
With Thursday night’s 105-102 victory at Orlando, the Thunder has the best record in the NBA (29-7), the best record at home (15-1) and is within one game of having the league’s best record on the road (14-6).
Barkley sees many flaws in the Thunder, the most prevalent being that OKC is a jump-shooting team that struggles with its half-court offense. The Thunder indeed relies heavily on the jump shot and at times struggles with ball movement in its half-court sets. This will come to the forefront in the playoffs when the pace slows, play becomes more physical and the half-court game takes on added importance.
But what if your jump shots keep going in? OKC is second in the the NBA in field-goal percentage (.474) behind Miami (.487), the overwhelming favorite to win this year’s title. Because a half-court offense becomes more important in the playoffs, wouldn’t this be advantageous to good jump-shooting teams like OKC?
Kevin Durant is shooting a career-high percentage from the field (.512), as are Russell Westbrook (.469), James Harden (.475) and Nick Collison (.656) – and all by substantial percentages. The last time the Thunder/Sonics franchise shot this well from the field was 1995-96 when it finished the season 64-18 and lost 4-2 in the NBA Finals to the 72-10 Chicago Bulls, the winningest team in league history.
Barkely also criticizes OKC for having only three scorers in Durant (28.0), Westbrook (23.6) and Harden (16.7). This trio ranks second to the league’s most heralded threesome of Miami’s LeBron James (27.7), Dwyane Wade (22.8) and Chris Bosh (18.4), and trails by just 0.6 combined points (68.9-68.3). Isn’t having three prolific scorers a good thing?
OKC’s inside combination of Collison, Kendrick Perkins, Serge Ibaka and Nazr Mohammed is arguably the league’s best defensive frontcourt, and prides itself as such. They don’t demand the ball, but will gladly mop up misses and accept any open looks. Terrific Karma underneath. Again, a good thing.
During TNT’s pregame show on Thursday night, Barkley twice said of OKC, “This (Orlando) is not a good matchup for them” and he repeated it again at halftime. An hour later, the Thunder completed a season sweep over the Magic and won for the first time in Orlando since 2004.
Barkley credited Westbrook for his Wednesday performance at Philiadelphia (22 points, season-high 13 rebounds) and co-analysts Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal also shared how Westbrook could improve. It was accurate and helpful criticism without trashing Westbrook, as many have been prone to do.
Barkley: “One of the keys to being a great player, you can always get your shot. The key for him (Westbrook) is, ‘How can I get Kendrick Perkins six points? How can I get (Thabo) Sefolosha (out with a foot injury) six points?’ That’s when you become a great player, when you make the players around you better. When you make the players around you better, it makes the game easier.”
Smith: “There’s five ways to be a superstar — points, scoring and assists, but the others things are leadership and tempo of the game. He (Westbrook) can create a tempo of the game … that he can get those guys easy baskets. Kendrick Perkins should just be laying it in. He can do that. The issue is, he (Westbrook) is so good at scoring he says, ‘Why should I, because I could get by my guy, too.’ But sometimes that will make you go over the top and be a championship team.”
O’Neal: “Those guys (Durant, Westbrook and Harden) score 66 percent of the team’s scoring and the big guys only score 12 percent. The question is, do the big guys need to score more? Do you want to trade what they’re doing on offense for defense? I think they’re doing well, but the question remains, ‘Will they play this way in the postseason?’ Chuck said it, I said it, you said it, ‘You live by the jump shot, you die by the jump shot.’ ”
Until the playoffs arrive, it appears a team with many flaws will somehow keep winning many games.
OKC Thunder’s flag football roster
Kevin Durant plays flag football at Oklahoma State on Halloween night. (Photo courtesy KT King)
Evidently, Kevin Durant has accepted LeBron James’ challenge to a flag football game. It was on Twitter, so it must be true:
@KDTrey5: Set it up! My team ready RT @KingJames:@KDTrey5 Team KD35 vs Team King James do I hear? Flag football.(Done deal! Date soon)
On Day 123 of the NBA lockout, Durant was at bored at his OKC home on Halloween night and asked via Twitter if anyone locally was playing flag football. What transpired was one of the coolest impromptu events ever to hit Stillwater.
The play-by-play of Durant’s escapade is detailed here and here.
OKC Thunder coach Scott Brooks and general manager Sam Presti no doubt cringe at the thought of their franchise player (due to start a five-year extension whenever next season starts) challenging the 6-foot-8, 260-poundish James on a football field. Doing so on a basketball court is crazy enough. The dude could start next Sunday for the Cleveland Browns … um, the Miami Dolphins.
Durant claims he has his flag football team ready to go. Thunder players organized four-day workout sessions this summer in Austin, Texas, and Lexington, Ky., so it’s not outlandish to think they would gladly huddle up as a flag football team to pass the time.
Here is a breakdown of the OKC Thunder flag football roster, with positions:
Kevin Durant — WR/FS: With Durant’s 7-foot-5 wingspan, every pass attempt should be a fade route, even from the Thunder’s own 10-yard line. If there’s a jump ball, offensively or defensively, it’s his. Boring, but effective.
Russell Westbrook — QB/CB: Best athlete on the field, including LeBron. A Michael Vick type. (Did you know Westbrook writes left-handed?) No matter how many completions he has, national media will complain Westbrook should have passed the ball more to Durant.
Kendrick Perkins — DL: Only non-platoon player on roster because of fragile knees. Ndamukong Suh’s attitude. Most penalized player in flag football.
Nick Collison FB/MLB: Instead of taking charges, Collison finally gets to knock some people down. He excels playing two physical positions. When you least expect it, Collison erupts (think Trey Millard 61-yard TD run vs. Kansas State).
Thabo Sefolosha WR/SS: A physical presence on both sides of the ball. Covers a lot of territory. Always helping out teammates. Good blocker. Outstanding receiver on underneath routes. Unsung player, but vitally important.
James Harden FL/OLB: Effective playmaker with the ability to take over a game. Streaky. Sneaky quick. And here’s some good news for him: he gets to start.
Serge Ibaka TE/DE: Remarkable athlete, but language barrier creates problems with on-field communication, which is why he plays the same position on both sides of the ball. He stands in the exact same spot going each direction.
Eric Maynor QB/CB: Westbrook’s backup at both positions. One of the most underappreciated backups in all of flag football. Rarely makes mistakes. Subtle in his effectiveness. A valuable commodity.
Nazr Mohammed TE/DL: Pretty much keeps his hands raised throughout the entire game, kind of like “Chief” in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Stands at the line of scrimmage, to either catch a pass or knock one down.
Daequan Cook WR/BANDIT: A specialist on both sides of the ball, as a receiver and as a fifth defensive back. Either way, he’s going deep. Restricted free agent, but hopes to have contract signed before coin toss.
Royal Ivey PLAYER/COACH: There in a pinch when you need him. Wise and dependable. Think George Blanda at age 29. Out to prove people from Austin still know how to play football.
Cole Aldrich C/NT: Just like in basketball, Aldrich is asked to have a presence in the middle. Is permitted three developmental assignments in the Canadian Flag Football League, which is handy because he can visit his parents in Minnesota.
Byron Mullens C/NT: Just like in basketball, is battling for the exact same positions(s) as Aldrich. Also is allowed three CFFL assignments. Mullens is better offensively than defensively, and vice versa for Aldrich.
Nate Robinson RB/CB/KR: An explosive weapon, when he’s focused. Played cornerback for one season at University of Washington before concentrating on basketball. Potential hero or goat and a crowd favorite.
Reggie Jackson: No assigned position as of yet. Durant and teammates have him busy doing rookie chores — laundry, washing cars, carrying luggage, Sonic runs.
Are you ready for some (flag) football?
Coaches Keys To The Series
Both coaches laid out three keys to their respective team’s having success in this Western Conference Finals.
RICK CARLISLE
1) Be Effficient Offensively
Oklahoma Citydoes a great job of forcing turnovers, ripping at the ball, deflecting; and then when they get their hands on it, they’re very, very quick at converting. SO how efficiently you function offensively can impact your defense a great deal.”
2) Transition Defense
Make or miss, our transition defense has got to be great. Westbrook has gotten so great at attacking early. Getting to the rim. His mid-range game gets better and better all the time. And so when he drives in there, it puts you in rotation and it opens their guys up for assault on the boards.”
3) Rebounding.
SCOTT BROOKS
1) 3-point Defense
We have to, no question, take care of their 3-point shooting. Their going to end up having the top three or four in the history of the game in makes. And we have to take care of that.”
2) Rebounding
We have to make sure we rebound the basketball so we can get out and run and try to score in transition.”
3) Ball Security
Take care of the basketball. Last series, we had a few games that were higher than we would have liked. Taking care of the basketball is very important for us.”
-DM-
Thunder 110, Sixers 105 (OT)
Observations from the Thunder’s 110-105 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center:
– Don’t be stunned if center Kendrick Perkins is activated for the Thunder’s three-game road trip at Cleveland, Washington and Miami next week.
That doesn’t guarantee he’ll start or even play, but the 6-foot-10, 280-pound Perkins is expected to practice with his teammates for the first time Friday since being traded two weeks ago.
Presumably, the Thunder will try to let Perkins make his return on the road, where there is considerably less pressure than playing in front of your new fans at home after a trade.
Perkins has made steady progress rehabbing his sprained left knee and you can sense an excitement among Thunder personnel that he is close to returning.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks might share an official target date for Perkins’ return after today’s practice, but every player essentially is considered day-to-day until Brooks receives clearance from the team’s medical staff on an injury.
– The Thunder traded for Perkins and Nazr Mohammed to get bigger, but lately OKC has gone small to combat perimeter matchup problems while awaiting Perkins’ return.
At Memphis on Monday night, the Thunder lost 107-101 with a smaller lineup, but OKC was able to do a decent job containing the powerful inside duo of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, who combined for 35 points, but just 12 rebounds. What killed the Thunder was poor decision-making on offense, plus being unable to stop the penetration of Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley. Memphis also got clutch play from former Oklahoma State guard Tony Allen and the predictable hustle from reserve Shane Battier, who had seven points and seven rebounds (five offensive).
At Philly on Wednesday, the Thunder went with even a smaller, four-guard lineup at the start of the second and fourth quarters with James Harden, Eric Maynor, Thabo Sefolosha, Daequan Cook and power forward Nick Collison.
In the second quarter, that lineup came from six down to forge a tie at 41 before All-Stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook re-entered. In the fourth quarter, though the lineup struggled to score early, it set the defensive tone that eventually resulted in victory.
So while some Thunder fans have questioned Brooks for going with a smaller lineup, these past two weeks actually should be viewed as a good sign that OKC has shown the capability to go small, which can still be used as an alternative even when the team gets bigger with Perkins.
- Serge Ibaka isn’t the only player to step in and replace Jeff Green at the stretch 4 spot. Durant and Thabo Sefolosha have, too.
Perhaps the best way to explain is to have somebody smart tell it. Therefore, here is Nick Collison explaining Wednesday’s success while going small:
“We’re having a tough time with pick-and-rolls, and when we play a perimeter guy at the 4, we can switch (on screens). I think that helps us at times, plus it gives the other team a different look they have to adjust to. Thaddeus Young (four points, five rebounds in 29 minutes) really didn’t hurt us a lot individually playing against a bigger guy (Ibaka). Initially you look at that matchup and say he’s a tough cover for a traditional big, but he wasn’t really killing us, which helped us with the pick-and-rolls. KD can play the 4. It’s actually similar to what Jeff did. They’re different players, but they kind of overlap a little bit. And when they’re playing a perimeter guy like Thaddeus Young, Thabo can play the 4, too.”
- Cook obviously likes the smaller lineup because he has a better chance of playing, but there are other reasons. “You get a lot of ball movement. You get a lot of quickness. If you’ve got KD at the 4, it’s a big mismatch for the other team, plus he’s able to distribute the ball the way he can. It makes the offense flow a lot better.”
- The most omnipresent question asked of Thunder players and coaches this season no doubt has been having someone explain the team’s slow starts defensively.
“Man, you always ask me that question,” Durant said Wednesday night.
Sorry. Just looking for an answer.
Cook: “We’ve got to fix that. The championship-caliber teams are not going to let us back in the game, so we’ve got to figure out a way to not start out games like that. It’s just a learning process, but we have found ways to better ourselves as a team.”
Collison: “We wish we could be more consistent and play good defense all the time, but it’s good to be able to it late, I guess. I could definitely tell a difference in how it felt that last stretch (against the Sixers). Everybody was more engaged, a lot tougher.”
Sefolosha: “I really can’t figure out why, but I guess better late than never …”
Brooks: “… Or not at all.”
- Two members of the maintenance crew were overheard inside the Wells Fargo Center around midnight.
Worker No. 1: “Man, we blew it tonight. We had ‘em. Oklahoma City was dead.”
Worker No. 2: “Hey, as long as they have Durant, those guys are never dead.”
Had the Thunder indeed lost, it would be 39-24 right now – the exact same record it had through 63 games last season.
Scott Brooks’ Keys To The Game
DETROIT — Thunder coach Scott Brooks before tonight’s game against Detroit gave three keys to his team earning a victory. As you watch tonight’s game, keep an eye on how well the Thunder executes these principles.
- Contain the Pistons guards and wings. Rodney Stuckey, Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, Brooks said, are all capable of having big games if they get hot. The focus will be on limiting their touches and contesting their shots.
- Take care of the ball. Brooks said the Pistons are still known for their defense, and the Thunder’s coach singled out Ben Wallace’s active hands. Regardless of whether the ball is dumped into the post to the big men or guards or penetrating into the paint, the Thunder must be careful to not get stripped and allow the Pistons easy run-out opportunities.
- Get good shots. It sounds simple, but so many teams struggle with it. Brooks said he wants his team to push the ball in transition and get easy offense off the break. If the fastbreak game fails for some reason, the Thunder must be disciplined in its halfcourt sets to get high-percentage shots.
-DM-
