Are the Thunders bad matchup?

I wouldn't say that we have been "figured out" per se. It's more the fact that it's a calculated strategy to make the other guys beat them instead of our guards. If Ariza drained the two OPEN threes in the past 5 minutes that he got by flaring to the 3 pt line after they doubled Harden, then we would likely have won this game. But the fact that he missed just reinforced to teams that they are better off hoping Ariza misses than to let Harden or CP3 go one on one against their bigs. Ego and Ryno are insurance policies against teams willing to implement this strategy. Then again, you are giving up a lot of defense playing Ryno in these situations.

 

Harden is phenomenal at exploiting mismatches on switches. But if you put a focused, dedicated wing defender on him, he has a tough time creating a good shot. I'd rather CP3 have the ball in late game situations. Paul's mid range game is more steady than Harden's drive to the basket that turns into turnover half the time because he's trying to sell the foul.

 

*Lose in 4.

Harden is a CLOWN, paid to be LAUGHED AT.

 

Thunder aren’t bad matchup at all. Just our ISO offense gets shut down in the 4th on double teams and pressure. Our offense and defense should get better with EGO and Andersen.

 

It was an ugly game, but the refs were indeed terrible this game. As far as Harden goes, don't solely place the blame on him, the team had key players missing and as a whole the Rox did not play well.

 

Let's say i'd rather let the Warriors handle them in the first round.

 

The Thunder will beat the Rockets if they ever meet in the playoffs.

 

would definitely rather play the nuggets, at least they don't try on defense.

 

No, not when our guys decide to play hard all game.

DD

 

We can beat nobody if we play like this.

 

He did well, but he couldn't come through in the clutch. There is no doubt that Gordon is our 3rd best player. I do think we might have won, if he had played. Ariza has been struggling mightily for quite some time. Quicker forwards are too difficult for him to guard.

 

Thunder average 23 FTA per game, Rockets are 4th in opponents FTA per game.

Thunder then shoot 33 FTA, we can expect that in the playoffs.

Holy ****ing ****, 33 free throw attempts. Masonic Refs will give the Thunder the title.

 

@DreamShook @Snow Villiers @FTW Rockets FTW

 

The Spurs loss didn't wake us up.
And that contributed to this defeat.

 

you’re embarrassing yourself, please stop

 

This gives me so much hope! Thank you, Ash! You are literally ALWAYS wrong.

I feel a lot better. I'm dead serious.

 

You'll be embarassed when the Thunder win the title and Harden "Chokes" again.

 

Any team that has Russell Westbrook is scary. There is no one on the planet that can keep him out of the paint, and when his mental game is right it is pretty intimidating.

I worry about James and Brewer/George/Russ tiring him out...

 

EG with CP running the second unit would have dismantled this trash ass team.

 

We should start our offseason thread early.......



Doomsday cometh...