chicago announcer/sideline reporters are really excited about holding the thunder under 100.... without wb and kd. come on, you are not helping yourself.
Big difference when he's the focus of the defense as opposed to when he plays bench units or has KG and RWb on the floor with him. Maybe the OKC front office is slipping laxatives into Harden's water or something. So he plays like crap this year and takes a smaller deal.
How did he look in the 2nd half? I had to leave and go to the gym. What about Ibaka? Was it all jumpers and putbacks or did he mix in any post moves?
I think he came along with JaJuan. On another note. Copeland for Knicks and Crowder for Mavs doing pretty well during preseason as well.
2nd half: I liked PJ3 a lot - did not do much initiation/creation; he was taking a back seat - which he will do all season. But he did a good job catching the ball and finishing. Ibaka: some driving, some outside shots, some putbacks. I do not recall any post moves hat actually went in, but I did not have a lot of sleep - he did try to work down there some. At a glance: it seems like instead of becoming a 5, they are converting him to a 3.
In the 1st half tonight against the Mavs, Ibaka looks like a new player. For the first time, I think he's going to start the season strong and focused. OKC has a new weapon on offense and they need to use him. The more assertive way he shoots the jumper and the ability to hit it when contested is striking. This sounds contradictory, but at the same time, he gives the ball up quicker when he's open on the perimeter. Coach Bonehead needs to make sure Ibaka gets a whole lot more touches during games, plus about 2-3 more shots. On the other hand, Perk is still Perk and his decision-making remains terrible. Still trying to take guys off the dribble from 12-feet and doesn't realize the defense is baiting him.
Is it fair to say Perkins looks worse? I don't know if I'm just expecting more out of him, or if has he regressed. /wildspeculation Maybe he wants to be amnestied and go back to Boston.
Perk likes the guys he's with in OKC, doesn't want to leave and there is no reason for OKC to amnesty him until next summer. One thing to consider: It was only his 2nd game in the pre-season. Maybe he's just rusty. But I must say as a Thunder watcher that seeing him turn the ball over 50% of the time when he takes more than 1-2 dribbles is stale bread and it's time for a change. Either Coach Bonehead tells him to give it up or Bonehead himself needs to go. Both guys will be under more intense scrutiny than ever.
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Yea he's really been great this preseason, particularly this game. He's wasted playing under CP3. Some team is going to steal him in 2014 (Clippers picked up his team option in September).
Lakers getting outclassed by the Kings for the 3rd time in their last 4 games. About to be 0-8 overall. I think Kobe is intentionally sitting out because he doesn't want to lose.
Utah needs to get rid of Jefferson or Millsap right now. Kanter and Favors completely dominated Portland last night. It's gonna be funny watching Kanter go back to 13 minutes a night next week while Big Al plays 33 minutes.
Kobe's sitting out because he's got a hurt ankle. Whether you like it or not, he's still the heart of this Lakers team. also, is it me or did Morey dodge a bullet w/ Pau...The man, if I can even call him that, plays softer than Bosh in highschool
you dodged a bullet because it made no sense to build around someone way past 30. what were steps 2 and 3 going to be? that was the confusing part to me. but physical or not, he's still an elite player, for now.
and that said, i don't remember what the actual deal was. Dragic, Scola, Martin? if so, then Pau is a better asset. or were there some picks or something else?