This is the scary part about the Thunder. Durant and Westbrook to OKC is what Yao and McGrady were for us. Only those two showed up today, and the WHOLE nuggets team showed up to play, but OKC still takes the cake. Unlike Yao and McGrady, OKC actually has a lot of help, they just didn't show up. Imagine if the rest of the players step up, OKC cannot be stopped.
That's all they've really got. They combined for 72 on 45 shots and 20 FT attempts. Karl better be down on both knees hoping that Westbrook goes cold over the next week, as Lawson and Felton were absolutely overwhelmed by his physical nature. He could not miss from the perimeter tonight, even with Lawson's outstretched hand in his face. KD has the ability to rack up 28+/game over a 6/7-game period, but I don't think Westbrook will be able to put up these kind of numbers consistently in this series as he's been known to struggle with his shot + decision-making on occasion. Only time will tell, but this is going to be the best 1st-round series, no doubt.
What a great game that got spoiled by the non-goaltending call. Even though they won, OKC has more adjustments to make for game 2 than Denver. Harden was a completely worthless piece of garbage. Ibaka had some early blocks but he laid a big egg. For OKC to be successful, Harden has to contribute when Sefolosha is a zero. Tonight, Maynor took up his slack. From OKC's standpoint, their two superstars carried them and overcame the lack of support. They were lucky to win. I doubt their scoring load is so lopsided the other games. They need Ibaka to contribute some 13/10 games along with the blocked shots. Denver needs Afflalo to make it harder for KD or Westbrook to score. Nene won't average 20 points/game for the series and that effort was for naught. I have to believe both teams will play better defense from now on.
Hawks, Heat, Grizz, and Hornets had the only legit wins this weekend. The other four games were all decided by the refs. What a sad reflection on the part of the NBA where 50% of the games are tainted.
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did u see the bulls game d rose was relentless in attacking the basket and most of his FT attempts were legit. didn't see miami or celtics game or dallas game so i can't comment on them
If the refs did call a goaltending, then it would be an unlucky play for OKC. Had Ibaka moved his hand away from touching the net, I think that would've been a legit tip in. Seems like one of those moments. He touched the net, but it wasn't really affecting the motion of the ball. Still should've called it though.
If Thunder are gonna get these kind of BS calls throughout the playoffs it's gonna be hard to root for them.
This last season it's been real hard to root for them. It seems like every close game I've seen with them involves b/s calls in favor of them down the stretch. Remember that statistic Worrell brought up when we played them? That they had made more free throws during the season than 20 teams had even attempted. They are Stern's darling franchise now, the "model" team.
Did J.R. Smith play in the 1st half? i Missed most of it but didn't see him when I got to the bar for the 2nd quarter. Weird if he didn't play in the 1st half but came in to play the 3rd qt.
I don't see Denver winning this because who is going to score those key baskets at the end like Durant and Westbrook can do for OKC.
I think that the nba is doing a disservice by playing okc-den and mem-sa 30 minutes apart. Both games are worth watching.
