Spurs vs. Thunder - 2012 Western Conference Finals

And OKC isn't going to shoot 40% for most of the game all game. WB/Harden aren't going to combined 9-30 (they made a lot of 3pt heaves late in the game so I'm not including that). And Durant didn't even play that well outside of that 3rd quarter.

OKC isn't my favorite team. I just saw a team that CHOKED, a team that have 3 legit scorers with conference finals experience, and that is very surprising. Usually OKC balls out in close games.

 

If all you can do is shoot jumpers and not go to a post presence.....its tough to win when a great defense team takes away your best options.

 

I would say anywhere from 1-6 points would be considered "close".

 

My SA in 6 pick might have been optimistic. :'(

OKC had the game, but their standard small ball 2nd unit was outplayed by just about all of SA's secondary players.

 

You probably didn't read the OP's post. That's ok.

Point is that it's not just a case of Westbrook and Harden sucking. The Spurs can do a lot of things better as well. That's all.

Game 2 will be great

 

Are we havin' fun yet? I need some nasty! It ain't supposed to be easy. I want some nasty!

Yeah, that's it Pop! :grin:

 

Sure, he could play better. And the team should be ashamed for their 4th quarter performance.

I'm not looking only at shooting percentages here. When OKC fell behind and was trying to get back in it, he was the only thing OKC had working in the 4th. Jackson could not hold him off the dribble and he was in the refs pocket. Westbrook and Harden were driving like mad men, drawing the defense to them, but refusing to kick out to teammates. Instead, getting called for a million charges between them.

 

Yes, this is why I still say OKC in 7. OKC will grab the next game. They'll spit at home. SAS will win at home, OKC will win at home, but I think OKC will win game 7 when Ginobili is dead.

 

No, I watched the game. It was close for pretty much the entire game.

 

There's a reason they are shooting those percentages. OKC will need some Fisher performances from their supporting cast to win these games and I don't see that happening.

These bad performances do not happen in a vacuum. It's a case of cause and effect. They might perform a bit better, but don't expect them to blow up because SA's entire game plan is to stop the primary weapons.

 

I won't disagree with you that he needs to do a better job getting himself open. If that means he needs to bring the ball up in crunch time when Westbrook and Harden don't have it, so be it. Tonight they didn't have it.

I'm just saying Durant was the least of their problems in the 4th, though he can play better.

 

I'm not blaming him. Brooks was at fault for taking KD out when OKC had all the rhythm. WB/Harden couldn't sustain it with KD out.

This chokejob surprised me a ton though. I expected a Spurs run, but OKC usually doesn't choke. They're arguably the best team in close games b/c of their ability to get to the rim and go to the FT line.

 

Harden and Westbrook need to just play under control and that shooting percentage will rise. Tonight they got into the paint easily, but they were determined to shoot in traffic rather than hit open teammates.

 

i'm not sure the spurs posted up once in the entire 2nd half.

 

Refs weren't blowing their whistle on contact in the paint. (well, they were for offensive fouls)

 

And since when is SAS a great defensive team this year? Lakers/Mavs were better statistically, and they couldn't stop OKC for the most part.

Plus, EVERY team who faces OKC plans to stop their main offensive weapons. But KD/WB still put up #s b/c they're stars. They just had a bad game. Superstars can have bad games. Let's see how they bounce back.

 

I don't think he watched the game. This was a game that was won by the guards. Spurs guards (Manu/TP) outplayed OKC's guards (WB/Harden).

 

One play that stood out was in the 4th Harden drove in the paint, had multiple guys on him, with a red hot Fisher open in the corner, and neglected to pass him the ball. Instead he got called for the charge.

 

Plus, OKC's defense failed them. They let the Spurs guards wreaked havoc all quarter. Look at the highlights TNT is replaying right now. The guards just beat their defender at will to get to the basket or in the pick and roll. Just terrible.

 

The Spurs aren't going to post up. Duncan is a pick and pop, pick and roll or high post player now. One thing I learned tonight is the Thunder might be able to get away with Ibaka on Duncan if he won't post up. Also, they need to have Sefolosha on Manu at all times. Harden can not hold him.