Western Conference Finals: Dallas Mavericks vs Oklahoma City Thunder

My problem is that Durant is too weak to deal with defenses when they get physical with him. He hasn't gotten any of the blame, because people just assume westbrook doesn't want to get him the ball when the problem is that Durant can't get open unless he gets the ball 5 feet behind the 3 point line. He should be getting as much blame as Westbrook for this, but I think people just feel bad for him because he is such a nice quiet guy. I mean come on that shot at the end of regulation with 3 seconds left 10 feet behind the 3 point arc was r****ded.

 

KD made more than his share of blunders, but on this play, he got the ball 30-feet away from the basket. Immediately about 3 Mavs key on him and time is down to about 3 seconds. Other than avoiding the block, what should he have done? The play was called for him and there was no Plan B. The other Thunder players were completely flat-footed with their hands down.

IMO, this was the perfect time to have KD act either as a decoy or have a set play for him to quickly pass where a screen is set for another player to take a mid-range jumper. Maybe a pick could have been set for Ibaka for an alley-oop.

Someone answer me this: Why was Sefolosha even on the floor on that last play instead of Cook or Maynor? Why was Collison in? OKC should have gone small to get shooters (i.e, other options) on the floor, but predictable Brooks kept the same 5 guys in and the whole world knew KD would end up taking a 30-foot prayer.

 

It's not Westbrook and it's not Durant. It's Scott Brooks, who has no clue how to put together an offense. That's not really so bad-- a lot of coaches have inept offenses (take Spoelstra), but they offset it by top defenses. Not the case with OKC. They are getting by on talent-- prob. the 2nd most talented team behind Miami, but that isn't going to cut it against the elite teams.

I feel most sorry for Westbrook, who is taking way too much criticism for playing in a non-system. He doesn't have natural PG instincts so he has to go with the what the offense is dictating, and right now the captain has abandoned ship.

 

Am I missing something from all your posts or is that your definition of indifference?

 

I couldn't root for either in that series, but I can root against them in this series. What's so hard to understand?

 

In the last 10 NBA seasons there have been 4,970 teams who have been down 15+ in the last 5 minutes. The Mavericks were the only winner.

 

Mavs should close it out tonight and try to get some rest for the Heat.

Referees tonight are Monty McCutchen, Jason Phillips and Derrick Stafford

Can somebody who knows where to get refs stats share some stats on these guys? Thanks.

 

That`s impressive. I´m really rooting for them now to get Dirk and Kidd a ring... unfortunately me rooting for them means, that they will probably loose, at least it worked like that the last couple of seasons (my first season as a fan of the Rockets was the year after the 2 championships...)

 

I expect a blowout tonight. OKC's players won't be able to get Monday out of their minds. If it isn't at the beginning, at some point they will crumble and the Mavs will demolish them.

 

My thoughts exactly. I swear you read my mind every time.

A part of me wants to think the Thunder will show some grit and fire but I think it's going to be similar to when we faced the Mavs in 05.

 

I hope this goes down to the wire. Durant off to a solid start.

 

I'm a short and speedy guy myself, but even I get tired of watching Barea owning OKC with his layup drills. Seriously guys...

 

harden stepping up bigtime

 

Good first half and props to OKC but it doesn't mean much. We'll see how they do later in the game when the Mavs start to play defense.

 

Should I be watching?

 

Wasnt Scotty Brooks on da 1995 rockets squad who came back from bein down 3-1 to win da championship?

 

I honestly don't know yet. Who do you want to see win? Apparently, no thunder lead can be too big (see your series and game 4 of this series.)

 

His best +/- in this series is a 0. Every other game has been a negative (even this game is a negative 8). I think the Thunder are willing to let him drive all game.

 

Yes, it's been close the whole time so far. This is going down to the wire.

 

Why would Ibaka do that right in front the ref?