Thunder-Lakers Post Series Reaction Thread
by Zorgon on May 1, 2010 1:59 AM CDT
in Game Recap
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I know I'm being a bit of a wimp, but I simply do not have the energy to recap this game tonight after all of the cheering and craziness that went on in the Ford Center. Expect a full recap tomorrow.
In any case, if you want to say any farewells, make any shout outs, or start ranting and raving about the off-season, then let it start here.
And keep in mind, Welcome to Loud City will be updated daily in the off-season. There will be lots of things to cover, like:
The Rest of the NBA Playoffs
The 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey (Featuring Krstic playing for Serbia and Durant and Westbrook possibly playing for Team USA).
The NBA Draft
The Summer Leagues
The Tulsa Shock
Free Agency Madness
....and the Start of the 2010-2011 Season.
So stay around, crack open a cold one, and prepare for the madness that will be going on this Summer. The season may have just ended, but there's lots of action lurking right around the corner.
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Congrats on a great season from a Laker fan.
What a great team and what great fans. Very impressed and wish you didn’t have to play the Lakers first so you could have knocked off a couple of teams before our teams met.. I’ve never seen a Pro stadium that looked better than a college stadium in support of their team. Very good season and we’ll meet in the conference finals next year.
NonReality
couldn't agree more
I’m downright jealous of the vibe you guys had rocking in…well…not sure what it’s called but regardless it should definitely be renamed “The Thunderdome”.
Much respect to this upstart OKC team. I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other again in the playoffs within the next couple years. Not gonna lie, part of me hopes a lot of your guys ask for lots of money in the coming offseasons :)
The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
If I'm Dirk Nowitzki
I’m talking to my agent about plans to go on this team. This team has a bright future with or without Dirk and will be competing for championships for years to come. Whether or not they want Dirk isn’t the point, but if I’m Dirk coming here looks very attractive.
dirk will be 32 by the start of next season
Leaving a perennial contender to go to a young team that has yet to win a playoff series doesn’t make much sense, from his perspective. Even optimistically speaking, he’s about as likely to break down before the Thunder are ready to win a title than lead them there.
MASSIVE RESPECT from a lakers fan
bc RIGHT after the loss, a standing ovation was given…classy team and fans man. That was soooo AWESOME. Future looks bright.
Kobe: "I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot."
i was wondering that
i was watching game at bar and i couldnt see if there was an ovation or anything.
the fans looked so into the game. OK City seems to love their Thunder.
by John Park Williams on May 1, 2010 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
re:
Don’t know how you can be anything but optimistic. The team has the ingredients to be a powerhouse, and not too far into the future, either.
Personally, as a Thunder fan, I’m hoping they’ll stay out of the free agent bonanza, at least for the most part. I think they’re better off keeping that cap space to extend their own guys when the time comes to do so. Really, looking at their roster, it’s hard to identify too many glaring needs that can’t be addressed simply by further developing the players they already have.
One need would probably be a center, as Kristic is likely not the long-term answer. The Lakers were able to take control the paint with their size, and having a big to clog up the middle would be a huge asset, and one you can look for either in free agency or the draft. Other than that, I think they’re in pretty good shape. Bringing in a “sexy” free agent could be a huge mistake, a la Brand with the 76ers. You risk disrupting chemistry, and altering your formula offensively.
My hope is that next year at some point you’ll see Harden and Ibaka transition into starting roles, with Thabo and Green going to the bench. The foursome of Westbrook, Harden, Durant and Ibaka, along with the aforementioned acquired big, would give the Thunder their ideal, knockout starting lineup. Then you have Green, Thabo, Collison and Maynor off the bench. That is a nine man rotation with championship caliber upside, on both ends of the court, in my view. So, stay away from the poison apple free agents, please.
no thanks, don't think he's a good fit
and there’s a pretty good chance the Suns will be in the finals this year, in which case I don’t think Amare is leaving
by Alan Smithee on May 1, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
May I ask why you don't think he'd be a good fit?
The Thunder are a run n gun team, just like the Suns. Plus, the Thunder need size. With Amare, you have size and skills. I think he’d be excellent.
Really? You think the Suns can knock the Lakers off? I’d love for that to happen. Especially as a Warrior fan (J-Rich). However, I think the Lakers unfortunately can’t be stopped. Us who hate the Lakers have to rely on whoever’s going to represent the Eastern Conference in the Finals :-(
re:
Thunder aren’t a run and gun team. They can score in transition off of missed shots, but they’re hardly fast paced offensively, and certainly not similar to the Suns in that respect. Their winning formula was to grind it out defensively, and space the floor at the other end to open the lanes for their slashers. With Amare the concern isn’t over what he does bring, but what he doesn’t, that being strong defense and rebounding. Just my opinion, but I think with Durant, Westbrook, and Harden, you’ll already have options 1, 2 and 3 for the next decade. Free agent dollars should be spent on bringing in complimentary players to do the dirty work.
As for the Suns, I may be in the minority, but I think the winner of the LA-SA series is your finals team. Assuming the Lakers beat Utah(which isn’t necessarily an assumption I’m willing to make), I think their bench will be their undoing. Plus, both Kobe and Bynum still look a banged up to me.
Honestly, I’m amazed at the transformation of the Suns. One storyline from the Portland series that can’t be overlooked is that Steve Nash had a pretty subpar five game stretch to finish that round….and the Suns won four of those five, overcoming a demoralizing loss in game one and the early return of Brandon Roy from knee surgery. If he returns to form, and the Suns eventually get Robin Lopez back, then not only are they by far the deepest team in the conference but they might just be the best.
by Alan Smithee on May 1, 2010 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Okay poor choice of words
I can’t explain my thoughts as detailed as you and others, but I just meant they can run up and down when they need to, just like the Suns do. I respect your opinion though. My opinion is that they can use Amare, especially if or when they have to meet up with the Fakers again. More size would have really helped.
Amare
far too much money to give a guy thats going to be the #2 option. He’ll be 28 next season and by the time this team’s core hits their prime(4-5 years from now) he’ll be breaking down and on the downside of his career. He’s already had 2-3 knee surgeries, in addition to the eye surgery.
Those same concerns apply to Boozer as well b/c he’s had a pretty big injury history and by the time this team matures he’ll be 33-34. Same with Lee. Way too much money to give guys that are #2 options.
If Orlando hadn’t been in spending spree mode they probably could have landed Gortat. The eventual starting combo of Ibaka/Gortat would have been interesting to watch.
the ideal draft
might be Larry Sanders and Kevin Seraphin. You can keep Serpahin in France for another year, and bring along Sanders the next season. Meanwhile, you move Ibaka into the starting lineup alongside Green.
Next offseason you decide on keeping Collison or Krstic, bump Sanders minutes up, and either keep Seraphin overseas another year or bring him over and develop him like Serge. Eventually your PF/C rotation is Ibaka, Sanders, Green, Seraphin, with ideally Green being the 6th man backing up the PF spot and SF spots.
Sanders and Seraphin!!!
That’d be my thoughts concerning the 1st round picks (unless we move up). I have a feeling Seraphin might leave the draft though.
I’m still not sold on Alabi if Sanders is not available.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
im souring on Alabi some b/c of his injury history. stress fracture and knee surgery already and thats only injuries in a 30 game schedule. I worry about 82 games plus playoffs on his legs.
So if...
Seraphin withdrawls and Cousins, Aldrich, Favors, Ed Davis, Udoh, Patterson, Orton, Monroe, Motiejunas, Whiteside and Sanders were already selected, what would you do with the 1st round picks? Try Alabi, Raduljica, or maybe Lawal?
With all the big men in this draft it’s hard to believe we can’t get a decent shot at any of them.
I hope Presti goes after Minny’s 16th pick. Their front court is solid and could make use of our 21st pick to scoop up Willie Warren, Elliot Williams, Luke Babbitt, Paul George or Avery Bradley. I’m not sure what we’d have to give in return. Both of our first rounders? A first round and our 32nd pick? A first rounder and Weaver?
I don’t think we’d have to give up too much to move 5 spots up, but that would help secure Whiteside, Orton, or Sanders.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
not saying I wouldn’t pick Alabi b/c I still like him but its somewhat worrisome that he’s already had 2 leg injuries only playing seasons that are 1/3 as long as what OKC’s will be(this is assuming the Thunder are getting into the playoffs).
If all 11 of those guys are picked I’d say lets go after either Alabi, Lawai, or Aminu. I can’t see all 11 of those guys going in the top 22 picks. How many of those teams need front court help over help on the perimeter.
I would think so too
As we don’t really need to add 4 new draft picks.
I can’t see us using them all, so why not trade?
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 1, 2010 9:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe, but that's a little silly to me
when we need pieces right now.
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 1, 2010 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions
draft 2 guys, a euro-player, hopefully Seraphin and let him stay over there to get as much PT as possible.
the other guy(Whiteside, Sanders, Alabi, or whoever) bring them in and let them develop.
KD – 21
Green – 23
Harden – 20
Westbrook – 21
Ibaka – 20
Maynor – 22
Sef – 25
Collison – 29
Krstic – 26
This team is extremely young and only going to get better. Adding a center would be great this offseason.
I really hope that they don’t try to add Haywood. He’s 30 or 31, and very inconsistent. I doubt he will change when he gets paid. I doubt he’d fit in well with this team. He was happy to go to big D, but by the end of the season he was already complaining
I hope they try to draft a center, and maybe draft a euro big to stash over-season. Try to bring along Mullens and whoever the other center is this season. Put Ibaka into the starting lineup alongside Green. I like Harden coming off the bench b/c it gives some scoring bunch for the 2nd unit. The only problem with putting Ibaka in the starting lineup is that you lose that energy from the 2nd unit but if he improves like most think he will he’s going to make it hard for Brooks to keep him out of the lineup.
As much as I was bagging on Krstic in the game threads I like him. He’s a solid center but he’s not a starter. He needs to be coming off the bench. If we were getting the Nenad pre-injury, I’d love for him to be the starter b/c he was developing into a very, very good center.
Great season by this team, no reason to be anything but optimistic regarding the future.
Green
Of the 70 players to record at least 500 minutes last year that were listed at PF, Green ranked 63rd in rebound rate. That is terrible. If you’re Orlando, and you have Dwight Howard sucking up rebounds, you can live with pairing him with a nonfactor on the boards like Rashard Lewis, but the Thunder don’t have Dwight Howard….and, for that matter, they don’t have a stretch 4 like Rashard Lewis, either.
Green’s had three years of playing big minutes to prove he’s a starter in the league and I just don’t see that. His jumpshot can completely disappear at times, he’s not good enough at scoring off the dribble, and he’s playing out of position as it is. Time to put aside the draft pedigree and call a spade a spade.
by Alan Smithee on May 1, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
thats why Ibaka needs to start. Collison and Krstic are not starting caliber players. Need to draft a C and PF this draft and bring them along. If Harden is indeed the starting SG of the future, Green needs to be around as the 6th man.
Until then we need to see Green/Ibaka starting next season.
Is Mullens the answer at C? If he is then we’d need to see a ton of improvement from him next season.
I’m not sold on Mullens and I don’t think anyone else on this board is. Need to target someone like Sanders, Monroe, Alabi, Whiteside, etc in the draft.
Haywood is not the answer. He’s a punk and he’s not worth the 6-8 million he’s going to get, especially when the minute his minutes go down some he’s going to cause problems.
Chandler is unlikely to opt out with 12 mil due to him, he’s not going to get that big a deal on his next contract.
Hilton Armstrong and Johan Petro are available but those guys have been terrible so far and done nothing to get a contract this summer.
Jermaine O’Neal probably wouldn’t fit in chemistry wise and I’m sure he’ll get a dumb contract offer from some team.
Best option may be to draft a couple of bigs, stash one overseas and bring them along with Green/Ibaka starting at PF/C positions.
Am I the only person that is somewhat optimistic about Mullens? I’m not saying that he is good, just that he can be.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
Yes, you're the only one optimistic about Mullens.
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 1, 2010 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions
re:
Where do you get Haywood being a punk from? Because he had one snarky comment printed in the media and blown out of proportion? Having watched every Mavericks game this past season, I personally didn’t see anything to suggest he’s a bad guy. Actually, I think he’s pretty much exactly what the Thunder could use. He was a 10-10-2 guy, shooting 56% from the field, when he was traded for. Before you say he’s not worth 6-8 mil I’d like you to take a look at the other centers out there with those numbers. There aren’t many, and most of them are making star/superstar money. Haywood’s biggest obstacle was his coach.
There are a couple of other possibilities in the free agent market, but none quite as compelling as Haywood, I don’t think. I’m guessing the Blazers will part ways with Joel Pryzbilla now that they’ve signed Camby to an extension. He’s a mixed bag guy, but he gives you boatloads of rebounds and a plenty of blocks. A Pryzbilla/Kristic platoon could be pretty effective.
A Green/Ibaka frontline would be streamrolled by the West’s elite. Just look at the Hawks with Josh Smith and Al Horford. When they play any team with size they get pummeled. Maybe that’s your temporary fix if another option doesn’t present itself in the offseason, but longterm I think Green’s best role is as the 6th man so you might as well find out if he takes to it.
Maybe it was because of the Etan Thomas and Haywood brawls beck when they were in Washington?
I’m not call anyone a punk, but that could be a reason.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
re:
Actually, yeah, I do recall that. Fair enough. Etan Thomas can come off as a bit of a prick, too, though.
Still, Haywood’s comment from after the Mavericks were eliminated was that he wouldn’t expect to be a starter regardless of where he ended up, and that he understood that to get such a distinction would be earned through hard work in the offseason.
Maybe he’s a jerk, but I wouldn’t sell him short in terms of ability, I don’t get the impression that he would be a distraction on a winning team if he was in the right role.
A guy named Jordan used to fight with teammates, too.
no
obviously not comparing them as players. Just making a point that sometimes men act like children.
he’ll also be 31 next season. If this team were right there and on the cusp of a title it’d make more sense to go after Haywood b/c he could be that piece they are missing. This team is not close to being in their prime yet, by the time they reach that level, Haywood will likely be done.
Save the money for extending the core guys, build through the draft, and continue to make small moves/trades like the trade for Maynor and the signing of Krstic.
The price might be an issue, but...
I think his age is the biggest issue. Think long term.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
did you not watch the series? Krstic was completely outclassed against the Laker front-line. He cannot handle guys like Nene, Horford, Noah, Howard, anyone else.
Green/Ibaka front-line would hardly get steam-rolled by the West’s elite, it can’t be any worse than Green/Krstic.
Haywood is a slightly less inconsistent version of dampier. He’s been that way his entire career.
note
I’m not suggesting Krstic is the guy the Thunder should stick with. However, I don’t think replacing him with Ibaka is a good answer.
I'm not a fan of Krstic
and I think we can do better. I like Ibaka and if he puts on a little muscle this summer, he’ll average 15, 10, 2 next season. That’s good enough out of my starting center when KD and Russy are options 1 and 2.
Thabo needs to work on his offense this summer.
Harden and Maynor will continue to develop.
I do think we need a more low post oriented PF and bring Green off the bench.
I love Collison’s toughness and ability to take a charge, but I have no faith in Mullens, White, or Weaver. Also don’t really need Thomas or Ollie.
Starting 5 next season: Westbrook, Thabo, Durant, ??, Ibaka.
Off the bench: Maynor, Harden, Green, Collison, ??
I’d like to draft another shooter. I like James Anderson. I also like Grievous Vasquez because he can play both PG/SG.
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 1, 2010 8:45 PM CDT up reply actions
So you're looking for...
two more front court players or singular PF/C. I keep flopping on the need to upgrade at the 4. Jeff Green would be okay if we just had a good center. Then again more depth would be nice.
With all the PF’s on our roster it’s kinda hard to advocate drafting/signing another one. Yet with the lack of playing time for White & Thomas it seems the organization is ready to part ways with them.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
thomas and white are not starting caliber players. neither is collison, and krstic is not a starting caliber center.
the lack of length/athleticism was glaring this series.
Green can be a starting PF in this league but he’d be much much better coming off the bench as the 6th man backing up KD/PF and helping to close out games.
Krstic, thomas, and White are probably not in the long-term plans. Collison will likely be here the next 3-4 years but he’ll be 30 soon, how many more years does he have left?
upgrading the PF/C position with length/athleticism is the key thing they need to address on the roster.
Well...
two, I suppose. Because if Green is playing the 3 on the second team, we’d need someone to pair with Collison. I don’t think Mullens is even good enough to be the 2nd team 5.
Either way, I’m almost 100% convinced Green should come off the bench. Why not let him play his natural position if it means we have a starting caliber player coming off the bench?
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 1, 2010 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Will Green stay?
Will Green stay if he’s in that role?
He’s good enough to be a very good player and a starter playing a big role for a team. Would he stay in a 6th man role? He’ll probably get pretty much starter’s minutes and I think he’d be in there in the closing lineup. Not sure if he’d stick around in that role.
Obviously, I don't know him personally
and most people want to be a starter, but he seems like a team player.
I know a lot of people like to throw his name out there as trade bait, but I certainly don’t want to lose him because he is part of the “team.”
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 1, 2010 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah
Green is most definitely a guy that is unselfish and a team player but he’s an NBA player and may want to prove himself, on the other hand he may love being in OKC as part of this team as he feels they have a chance to build something special.
Its not as if 6th man is some terrible role either. Manu, JET, Jamal Crawford, etc. There are a lot of very good to great players in that role and I’d see Green as a guy that probably would close out most games.
His play yesterday in the 3rd is exactly why I don’t want to see him leave. in the biggest game of the season, he came to play and he does a lot of little things that help this team, and he’s key with his versatility and ability to guard/play 3-4 positions.
Not just yesterday
but all season he’s come up with big plays.
MLK day against the Hawks always sticks out. He hit a key 3 against Boston in that last win there.
And he’s a quality guy.
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 1, 2010 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions
exactly.
he’s not afraid to take shots or play in big games.
seems like a quick judgement
given that he’s never played in a truly “big” NBA game prior to the last month and a half. And, really, look at his series: he averaged 11 and 4 on 33% shooting, in 37 minutes. Is that what you want from your starting power forward?
He tantalizes, sure. That’s why he was a top 5 pick. But I’m not sure I agree that he’s starter material on a contending team. At least, not on a team where he’s expected to contribute much offensively. Once you get past the flashy dunks he just doesn’t do that much on the offensive end.
you’re clearly not a fan of Green. He’s come up big in the clutch in more than a game or 2, and its been that way since he’s been in the NBA.
Nobody could score in that 3rd quarter. Kobe was going off and the only guy keeping the Thunder in it was Green.
He also does a lot of things that get over-looked. Tap outs, keeping balls alive, he can pass out of the high/low post. game 3 or 4, he kept a ball alive on the baseline on his back and threw a great pass from his back for a bucket.
you are fixated on 2 numbers…rebounding and scoring. its not just about those 2 things.
I wouldn't say I'm fixated
but they are the two most important things a starting power forward can bring to the game, and Green is below average to extremely poor in this categories. And, his assist rates are pretty mediocre, too.
I’m not a total Green, hater, let me just say. I do think he can be a valuable guy, someone who can defend multiple positions and who can finish plays in transition. I also think that over time he could develop into a more consistent outside shooter. Still, the guy you describe, one who does “the little things”, etc; that’s the profile of a bench guy. And it’s not a horrible shame for a lottery pick to have a long career as a 6th man.
I’m not saying he’s the starting PF of the future, but if we’re making changes to the starting lineup, Krstic is out and Ibaka is in. Krstic rebounds worse than Green and doesn’t provide much in terms of defense.
A guy who only “does the little things” is a bench guy, Green does much more than that.
We’ll see next season, he’ll be in his 2nd full season at PF. If his rebounding numbers remain poor it’ll be clear he’s not going to be the PF for this team and he’ll need to either be cool with being the 6th man on this team or talk with OKC about sign and trade options. No need for him to be unhappy and be on the bench when both parties can part ways on good terms and both get something out of it.
Ibaka
I like him a lot too, but I think you’re really jumping the gun on him averaging 15-10-2. Only two guys in the NBA did that last year: Dwight Howard and Andrew Bogut. And even Howard didn’t do that at age 21.
This season...
Ibaka averaged:
18.1 minutes
6.3 points
5.4 rebounds
1.3 blocks
In the playoffs:
25.5 minutes
7.8 points
6.5 points
2.0 blocks
I think anyone who watched him from the beginning of the season to the end, saw the marked improvement in his game. Give him another offseason to continue to improve, add a little bit of muscle, and then give him starter’s minutes, and I don’t think 15, 10, 2 is really that much of a stretch.
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by ElectricPencils on May 2, 2010 8:52 PM CDT up reply actions
And saying only 2 people did it this season is technically true...
but a little misleading when you consider there were others that were really close. To name a few:
Josh Smith 15.7, 8.7, 2.1
Brook Lopez 18.8, 8.7, 1.7
Pau Gasol 18.3, 11.3, 1.7
Marc Gasol 14.6, 9.3, 1.6
Do I think Ibaka can get Marc Gasol’s numbers if he were to get 35 minutes a game next season? Yes, and I’d be happy with that.
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 2, 2010 9:00 PM CDT up reply actions
one last note since we're falling down the thread list
I’m a big fan of Ibaka, believe me. The foursome of Westbrook, Harden, Durant and Ibaka will hopefully be the nucleus for championship contending teams for a long time. I really can’t think of any NBA franchise in recent memory to have four guys all that young with that kind of upside. If management keeps them in town and they blossom together within a fairly close timeframe, they’ll be pencilled in for the Western Conference Finals pretty much every year.
However, realistically, projecting a 20-year old rookie to make that kind of a leap in one season….isn’t realistic. Honestly, I would be happy with him just averaging the 8-7-2 he put up in the playoffs.
Given that a lot of people expected him to be in Tulsa most of this season, a small gain next year after such a big one would be just fine. Great, even. Not every young guy is going to make a stratospheric jump every season. A lot of them are just as likely to go backwards as forwards. I’m a member on the 76ers blog and a lot of us thought last year that Thaddeus Young and Marreise Speights were going to be superstuds. Didn’t happen. Now a lot of them are pumped about Jrue Holiday. Optimism, afterall, is the juice that keeps sports fans coming back.
There is so much to say!!!
1. The only person that predicted this season from the very beginning was Bill Simmons. I’m so glad he was right.
2. KD is great on so many different levels, but I still think he is a little over-hyped by the media. When he can becomes more consistent he can easily get 30+ a game.
3. I’ve always hated all the lukewarm basketball fans in OKC, but with this playoff series the Thunder have caught the attention of the entire city.
4. I love that Westbrook shut up the majority of his critics. Especially Traber.
5. Green going to the basket is so freaking exciting. Don’t deny it.
6. My love/hate feelings for Nenad continues. He played wonderful in the last game. Krstic must of thought he was in New Jersey.
7. OKC had the a/the Scoring Champ (youngest ever), Coach of the Year, All-Star, All-Rookie Second Team. We also had honorable mention/votes for MVP, MiP, and Defensive Player of the Year. (I still think Ibaka should have been in the rookie game)
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
I love...
when Jim Traber looks like an idiot, which is quite a bit actually.
Loud City via Far East
boredaroundtheworld.blogspot.com
I'm actually kinda glad that we lost to the Jazz with that non-call.
If that didn’t happen we wouldn’t have tied with Spurs and Blazers. No tie with the Spurs and Blazers means we wouldn’t have to face the Lakers. If we had a different opponent I feel a number of our games would have been ignored by the national press and probably broadcast on NBATV.
Then again… We probably would have defeated that opponent and advanced to the second round. Never mind that 1st thought.
Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.
agreed
it was great having the Thunder be involved in THE series of the 1st round
by John Park Williams on May 1, 2010 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Coming in here to just say CONGRATS ON A GREAT SEASON.
I’m a Laker fan, but I would have no issue conceding that you guys have the best in-stadium fans in the NBA. Just phenomenal to watch road games with that arena embracing their team that way.
Congrats, you’ve got a hell of a young nucleus and a hell of a young Superstar on that team. He is a class act on all levels, and the fans of OKC are equally classy as shown in their celebration of their team’s accomplishments at the end of this series.
I DO NOT look forward to seeing that team next year. Too bleeping scary. Congrats, much respect from a Laker fan.
"I was just letting the shots fly. You know, I don't leave any bullets in the chamber."
"Everything negative- pressure, challenges- is all an opportunity for me to rise."
-Kobe Bryant
A mantra for all athletes.
That was a tainted win for the Fakers
As always. Gaysol’s putback in the 1st half was offensive interference, as Jeff Van Gundy pointed out. That turned out to be the deciding factor in the game.
Nonetheless, KD will be the face of the NBA soon. Congrats on an overachieving season and KD’s 1st all star appearance and scoring title. I’m wearing the shirt I bought of KD being the 09-10 scoring champion and a pair of his kicks now as I type this. Golden State Warriors and Kevin Durant for life baby!!! Unless of course he’s ever on the Lakers.
born and raised in Los Angeles
What a nightmare
been a Lakers since i was born, now (46 yrsold with season tickets 80-91)
moved to OK (now 15yrs) excited about the Thunder
after being duked by the Hornets after the flood,
i wanted the lakers and the thunder to meet in the west finals ( 7 games)
and the Lakers win on a KOBE buzzer beater
my heart now says that the Sonic move was good for NBA basketball with no teams between Dallas and Chicago, memphis to denver,
all the Great college basket ball in Oklahoma, Kansas, MIssouri,
from early March thru Nov what do you do to get your B-Ball fix.
Lakers are a great Franchise,
and it looks like Thunder Franchise with thier d-league and WNBA in tulsa have a fan base that will hold them accountable for success
I had a lot to cheer for this year.
Thanks Thunder for giving my Lakers one stiff challenge and wake-up call,
next year if the tickets are still reasonable i will be making a few games
LA to OK
This has been one of the greatest sports seasons I've experienced
To watch this team…play as a team, grow as a team.
Highlights: KD’s streak of 25+points.
Uncle Jeff’s performance to beat the Hawks on MLK Day in Atlanta.
That effing Jazz game, even though we lost on a no-call.
Russy turning it up in the playoffs, especially the dunk on Odom.
I won’t say I’m not a little sick that we lost last night. I take this all too personally. But they knew we were here.
Follow me on Twitter (Kevin Durant does!) @electricpencils
by ElectricPencils on May 1, 2010 11:51 AM CDT reply actions
Awesome season.
Pretty happy with how it all turned out. I’m disappointed that they didn’t make it further into the playoffs but they exceeded my expectations by far. I’m already excited for next year.
From a lakers Fan
I MUST say thanks for an exciting series, and will looke forward to meeting with you guys somewhere next year. Don’t worry guys, there is always a next year, and by the way you guys did a FANTASTIC job of a turnaround team that went from bad to beast in one year.
With this much of an improvement next year, you guys will be rocking everyones’ butts off
I was the one "other" feeling vote
Obviously, I’m very optimistic. Durant’s going to be a big time superstar in this league for 10 years. Westbrook is going to be an elite point guard because of Durant.
My other feeling is due to the fact that now the Thunder will be expected to win 50 games for 5 to 10 years from here on out. Presti has to take the next step, whether that was in the plans for next year or not. What does that mean? They obviously need a dominant low post presence. That’s way harder said than done. Bosh isn’t happening. Everyone else is old. Camby just signed in Portland. Worst yet, everyone in the draft that is seven feet is a project for a few years. The window for winning against the Lakers is 2 years… and once they extend Durant and Westbrook, where does that leave guys like Green, Thabo, and Ibaka?
wrong
you don’t go away from the plan just b/c you exceed expectations or because expectations are raised. you build this team/organization according to the plan/vision they had at the start.
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Next Game
Northwest Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oklahoma City
|
21 | 6 | .777 | 0 | Won 1 |
|
Denver
|
16 | 12 | .571 | 5.5 | Won 1 |
|
Portland
|
15 | 13 | .535 | 6.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Minnesota
|
13 | 15 | .464 | 8.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Utah
|
13 | 12 | .520 | 7 | Lost 3 |
(updated 2.12.2012 at 6:06 PM CST)
Thunder Schedule
Next 5 Games
|
Utah
|
Tue 02/14 | 7:00 PM CST |
|
@
Houston
|
Wed 02/15 | 7:00 PM CST |
|
Golden State
|
Fri 02/17 | 7:00 PM CST |
|
Denver
|
Sun 02/19 | 7:00 PM CST |
|
New Orleans
|
Mon 02/20 | 7:00 PM CST |
Last 5 Games
|
@
Utah
|
Fri 02/10 | W 101 - 87 |
|
@
Sacramento
|
Thu 02/09 | L 101 - 106 |
|
@
Golden State
|
Tue 02/07 | W 119 - 116 |
|
@
Portland
|
Mon 02/06 | W 111 - 107 |
|
@
San Antonio
|
Sat 02/04 | L 96 - 107 |
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- Brandon Jennings states the obvious regarding his 2014 free agency, everyone goes nuts
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