Game 3 Recap: Portland 83, Oklahoma City 74
The tagline for this game should be, "If all else fails, get fouled!". That's pretty much all I saw. Everybody immediately wants to chalk this up to bad shooting and call it one of the worst games the Thunder has played. But I think this game was one of beauty. It was one where both teams played such excellent defense that nobody could score. Nobody could penetrate the lane easily. Nobody could get an open shot. It was just two excellent defensive teams going at it, and when a basket was actually scored, it was usually something to behold. Games like this haven't been seen often since the 1980s, so when they actually do happen, I try to treasure them for what they are, not criticize everybody on the team for having a horrible night.
This is the type of game where you'd expect Russell Westbrook to flourish, and in a sense, he did, scoring 23 points on 8-12 Shooting, grabbing 4 Rebounds, dishing 2 Assists, Stealing it twice, and Blocking 2 shots. Nonetheless, he eliminated all the good he did by fouling out and having 9 turnovers. If I was Anne robinson, the mean British woman from The Weakest Link, I might find a few choice things to say about Russell Westbrooks performance. Deplorable? Pathetic? Speaking of Britain, the Thunder Girls apparently appeared on Blue Peter this summer. The Morning Animals asked if it was like Britians version of Late Night with David Letterman, and they confirmed this fact. Except, Blue Peter is not a late night talk show. It's a kids show. More like Reading Rainbow than anything else. Okay, that's enough about the Thunder and Britain. I promise.
Everybody has immediately jumped on the train of thought that we lost this game because of Kevin Durant and his 3-21 shooting. Well, that's somewhat right, but somewhat wrong. A lot of his missed shots were attempts to get the ball down the lane and get fouled. Sadly, he's not as good at that as Brandon Roy, or a guy like Kevin Martin who we've seen earlier. He's good at getting it down there, but he can't do it all game, and he definitely needs to step out to mid-range and the 3 point line in order to be completely effective. But, his performance wasn't that bad considering he made 10 free throws, which is 5 shots, which amounts to a 8-21 night. Jeff Green had a similar problem, but on a smaller scale.
Meanwhile, out of all of the Role Players, guess who had the best game. Comeon, just guess. Nope, it's Etan Thomas! 9 Rebounds, 4 Points, 50% Shooting, and 1 Block. You can't ask much more of him. Since his performance was the only one without flaws, I'm giving him the Thunder Wonder award tonight. No joke! And, Jeff Green grabs the Thunder Down Under Award, for being not totally terrible. And, the Thunder Blunder goes to Russell Westbrook. No kidding.
On the TrailBlazers side of things, they played a much more team oriented game, and I bet they're glad to come out of the Ford Center with a much-needed win. Greg Oden was a beat in the paint with 12 and 10, Steve Blake dominated from 3 point range, and Roy, Webster, and Outlaw all had okay scoring nights. Nevertheless, you've got to give the Thunder Plunderer to Steve Blake, who hit the 3 Points Daggers when they most mattered.
As a short note, David Franzoni has taken over my old blog, Blue Blitz. I'm glad to see someone took over my old site, and I'm sure he'll do a good job. Check him out.
Next Game: Versus the Lakers, Tuesday, November 3rd at 7PM Central Standard Time.
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I know this recap is seriously late and short
But I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately. I only made it to the 4th quarter of this game, and wasn’t feeling too well the entire time I was there. Right now I’m reviewing that applications I’ve gotten for new writers, so you should see more content and less late recaps soon enough.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors and Thunder Fan
by Zorgon on Nov 2, 2009 5:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hope u r feeling better. Cuz I’m going to whip you in fantasy basketball this week.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
by daddydai on Nov 3, 2009 7:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hahaha
I really need to get better acquainted with who’s who in the league so I know who to trash talk.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 3, 2009 11:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Also, thanks to everyone who came over from Blazers Edge
It certainly made the comment section lively!
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors and Thunder Fan
by Zorgon on Nov 2, 2009 5:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You're welcome
We’re always glad to chat with fellow NBA fans
Blazers win!
by The X-man on Nov 2, 2009 11:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My thoughts
the game was sloppy. I’m amazed we were in it until the end.
RW0 needs to remember he’s a point guard. I’ll harp on that until he does.
Everyone has an off night, but Durant needs to take smarter shots than he did last night. Luckily, he did get to the line. It just wasn’t enough.
by ElectricPencils on Nov 2, 2009 5:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have to hand it to both teams....
they both came out and played hard on defense. BRoy was 7/21 and KD was 3/21. Both were defended hard and were taken out of their games. Being a Blazer fan, I’m glad the Blazers were able to eek out a win even with LaMarcus out for most of the game. But if even half of those wide open shots that KD missed had gone in, it would have been even closer. But I was really amazed on how hard the Thunder played defense. You guys are going to have a great team if you ever get a good low post big guy.
by jenstcy on Nov 2, 2009 6:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
That's what all teams hope for, heh....
I don’t know if it’s possible with how many games we’re winning, but Stoudemire and Chandler have both been pretty close to coming here, so you never know.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors and Thunder Fan
by Zorgon on Nov 2, 2009 8:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
We are sooooo waiting for that post player. Perhaps next draft…
It was nice for the Blazers fans to visit. Very nice group. I can’t wait until our two teams are at the top of the Western conference.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
by daddydai on Nov 3, 2009 7:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
if you get your post player in the draft...
remember that it takes a few years for them to develop, as we Blazer fans can attest to….
by jenstcy on Nov 3, 2009 10:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Still on the bench.
Right now, Thomas and Collison are playing well, so unless you’re considering cutting into Sefolosha, Hardens, or Durants’ playing time, I don’t see him becoming a regular rotation guy any time soon. But, eventually, Thomas might have a string of bad games, or Collison/Krstic/thomas will get injured. He’ll get his due some time soon, I think it’s a wait and see game from here on out.
Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors and Thunder Fan
by Zorgon on Nov 2, 2009 8:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Way too many turnovers...
There goes my “Westbrook an Allstar before D-Will” story idea.
Also Known as "4D" one step beyond 3D
by daddydai on Nov 3, 2009 7:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

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