Ball has a -24 +/-, the worst in the game. Sure enough after he checked in in the 4th, Lakers promptly gave up the lead.
Kevin Garnett didn't do anything without perimeter players who could make things happen. AD would be every bit as dominant as KG (obviously in a different way) if he played for an organization with a clue (and he stayed healthy, which is a big if). The Pels franchise is trash. I know bringing Cousins there would fail. Instead of a petulant child who feels the world treats him unfairly, AD needs some intelligent, skilled perimeter players who can challenge defenses and a coach who get a team to play with a purpose. Gentry is a failure as a head coach. Some guys got it; some don't. He don't.
Carl Herrera, your man has always been softer than a pillow. haha..... There is no rescuing him from himself. lol
I remember Kevin Garnett literally playing PG against the Lakers in the conference Finals. Garnett inspired fear, and truly dominated in every aspect of the game. Davis puts up monster stats, but I don't think it is much of a comparison.
All I'm saying is give Davis a legit team and coach before making a conclusive judgement about him. His two NBA coaches so far have been Monty Williams and Alvin Gentry. That is pathetic. Good guys don't always make good coaches.
... Unfortunately for OKC, all of it, even Anthony's nearly heroic shot, will be forgotten, as Wiggins' buzzer-beating 3 gave the Wolves a thrilling victory. But, defeat aside, what can we learn from the Thunder's first crunch-time test? First, this is still the Westbrook show. The reigning MVP took six of the Thunder's final 10 shots, and on four of those occasions let it fly without passing. However, he was spectacular in doing so, going 5-6 for 13 points down the stretch, including the game-tying 3 with just about 30 seconds to play. More than Westbrook taking most of the shots down the stretch, the Thunder are still operating as if they don't have additional All-Stars on the roster. Time and time again, Westbrook would get a screen from Adams, usually on the right side of the floor, and go to work. There were a number of possessions down the stretch where the lack of passing and movement will be obscured by the fact that they got a bucket. Now to be sure, it's easier to run the two-man game when you have Anthony And George waiting on the perimeter instead of Kyle Singler or Victor Oladipo, but do they want their new All-Star additions acting primarily as floor spacers in crunch time? Why not more trips down the floor like possession number eight above where Anthony or George get involved as screeners, cutters, or drivers? Along those lines, do Anthony and George get tired of the lack of involvement? George touched the ball four times on the offensive end in the final five minutes, getting two shots, and Anthony only touched it once -- on the last shot. What happens if this Westbrook-reliant scheme is not working? It's one thing to sit on the perimeter and watch Westbrook catch fire, it's another to watch him clang bad shots off the rim. Overall, the Thunder's first crunch time outing was pretty solid. The outcome was nearly perfect, but there were some problematic aspects along the way that may need to be addressed at some point before they become bigger problems. This was just one game, and as Anthony and George get more familiar with the team, perhaps we could see head coach Billy Donovan incorporate them more into end of game situations. It will be fascinating to continue watching to see how the Thunder handle clutch moments throughout the season. For now, however, it appears close games will be Westbrook's to win or lose.
Awesome ending to Min - OKC so was it a foul by Towns? I think they usually call those hip turning picks, so glad they didn't. Love this first week of the NBA aside from the many injuries.
Am late to this thread, just wanted to post to bask in the glory of OKC losing that game. How butt hurt was Royce Young about having to "re-write" his OKC Narrative column. wah
Can't wait for PG's comment after another OKC game : I should have the ball for the final shot. It is coming. SOON.
