I want OKC in the first round. First of all, I don't want to be relegated to the least covered match-up in the first round. That's exactly what would happen if we played Memphis. Second, I want to see us eviscerate Westbrook when the lights are brightest. We match-up with OKC VERY well.....the Thunder big men are not nearly as talented as Memphis', and their guards can't shoot from outside. Abrines and Sabonis scare NO ONE. Third, the Grizzlies are a much bigger threat to us in a 7 game series because their big men have the capability to destroy us down low, while still shooting at a high clip from outside. I have nightmares of Gasol pulling Clint out to the perimeter with his outside shot, and knocking down 3's on us. For the record, I think we can beat Memphis in 6. I just think we can beat OKC in 5, and look ****ing awesome in the process.
I like to make bold predictions. Here's one. The Cavs will be beaten by the Celtics this year. They may turn it on....but i'm going to say they won't.
A lot of good games on today. The basketball world is watching Westbrook today. I predict a more measured, understated triple-double attempt. The stat-padding will be at a minimum. Ive watched a handful of OKC games, when he goes off, getting his numbers, and it was embarrassing to watch. I can't imagine anyone thinking that is how your supposed to play basketball.
Roberson has probably become the best wing defender in the league outside of Kawhi. Honestly? He's my biggest concern with facing OKC.
Well, one thing is for sure, Kidd didn't put Payton's All-World defense on Westbrook....put Snell on him, and Payton guarded McBuckets. odd your purported one elite skill is sent over to cover a perimeter sturdy guy...in another position....and this is for a coach who had All-World defensive PG skills.
It's not just Westbrook that's been on a tear, the Thunder as a team have been amazing since we played them. & then we have James Harden that hasn't has had a great game since the last Nuggets game & the Rockets who have been trash for a while now (except Bev & Ariza's been playing better). The difference isn't just James & Russ, it's the Rockets & Thunder.
The Thunder have not been amazing. Rockets played well against the Warriors (coming back form 20+ down in the first game and being up 13 in the 2nd game) Harden just played awful because of sickness and sore wrist.
What Thunder team have u been watching??? What u just typed is so false. If the lottery bound Mavs and Magic didn't choke in the 4th, then OKC would've been on a 5 game losing streak entering tonight... if that's what u call amazing then the Rockets looked like title favorites this past week
Not sure how they have been "amazing", if they didn't get lucky and i mean really lucky they could have been on a 5 game loosing streak instead of 2. The mavs blew a 14 points lead in the last 3 mnts. The magic also blew and completely gifted the game to OKC for some reason its like they didnt want to win it ( probably tanking reasons) so yea i don't know how you define amazing.
Payton getting a lot of talk by the ESPN team, but getting the focus of the fans might backfire. In 2 of 3 possessions, Payton embarrassingly stripped by WB and blocked on a midrange shot without the ball leaving his hand...slow slow release....what was he thinking shooting with Roberson nearby. Timeout by Kidd and Terry replaces him.
I mean we can call them lucky but in reality coming back twice like that isn't luck (granted the Barea call was wrong). They were incredible on the offensive boards & at executing the offense when WB wasn't chucking. By that logic we can say we got lucky by even coming back & making the Warrior/Blazer games competetive since we were getting blown the **** out. Amazing is an exageration, but I just don't think the Rockets have been playing good basketball. Players that were great for us before All Star break are playing mediocre basketball (EG, Dekker, Capela, Ryno because of injury). It's not a good sign.
Cousins just made the game-timing, 2 for 1 three pointer with 30 seconds left that Harden likes to shoot.
Holiday with an over and back on the inbounds pass for the last possession down by 1. lulz sheesh, no one wants to win this. DEN 3-6 from the line to close the game. Then NOLA loses the ball immediately again. Holiday passes off the arm of a defender who wasn't even looking at him...just ball denial on Cousins with his back to Holiday. another FT miss by DEN going 4-8 from line...still within 3 ....and it's over on a Holiday missed 3 for the tie.