Yikes. I can't remember a beatdown this bad since the P.J. Carlesimo era. In Tulsa's yearly viewing of the NBA Team from Oklahoma City, the Thunder were soundly trounced by a inspired Memphis Grizzlies team. Why?
Well, our starting lineup enlisted the services of B.J. Mullens, a young center that we really haven't gotten to see much of in a Thunder uniform. And he seemed to stink up both sides of the floor. On offense, he got blocked while trying to shoot a jumper, and he missed a layup. On defense, he allowed Marc Gasol to score at will, and the rest of the Grizzlies team to consistently penetrate the lane.
But, it wasn't all his fault. You could also point to the fact that the starting lineup shot a measly 36%, and none of them got over 9 points. They were consistently shooting jumpers and failing to get any penetration going. And when Durant, Westbrook, and Green can't get any sort of offense going, you know your team is in trouble.
The game really got out of hand when the starting lineup was subbed out. Hasheem Thabeet blocked two jumpers, while the Grizzlies continued to score inside and extend their lead. The beatdown never really ceased until the fourth quarter, where James Harden and Daequan Cook took turns shooting threes.
Below: Footnotes, Awards.
I don't have a whole lot more to say about this game. The Thunder had no stand out performers, but Ibaka, Ivey, and White did their job. We got a brief glimpse at Jerome Dyson, Elijah Milsap, and Longar Longar. Dyson had a missed shot, two missed freethrows, two assists, and a turnover. In 8 shots, he has yet to make a field goal in this Pre-Season. Dyson had 5 Points, a Rebound, and 2 Turnovers. Longar Longar managed to get a foul. An NBA foul! Cole Aldrich also fouled out in 9 minutes.
Awards:
Thunder Wonder: Royal Ivey, 9 Points, 6 Assists, 1 Steal
Thunder Down Under: Serge Ibaka, 8 Points, 8 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 1 Block
Thunder Blunder: B.J. Mullens, 6 Points, 2 Rebounds, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 6 Fouls.
Thunder Plunderer: Marc Gasol, 19 Points, 8 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 2 Steals, 1 Block
Next Game: Versus CSKA Moscow, Thursday, October 14th, 7 PM Central Standard Time.
Are you ready for some Euro Madness?
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