Western Conference Semifinals: (2) Oklahoma City vs. (3) LA Clippers

Yeah, but black guys play like that all time.

 

I knew somebody would say this.

Knee-jerk, but definitely debatable

 

Westbrook had a great look in rhythm...Thought he was a step too far...man if that shot went down...

 

Wouldn't you give Durant the ball with close games like that. WeatBrook is doing to much

 

No idea why okc didn't foul to extend the game instead play it out with 26 seconds left and no timeouts.

 

They tried. CP3 was denying Durant the ball. Again, this was totally unexpected to everyone who watched this game.

 

It might be just me, but it seems like Ibaka always gets a chance at a tip-in opportunity at the end of games to tie or win.

 

Kevin Durant didn't even try to post up in the paint.

 

Uhhh they shld of set screens or done a pick and roll, Kobe, lebron get all that. This was elementary because you know KD struggles against low gravity guys getting under him, you have to adjust a bit as a coach

 

Watching other teams in playoffs, I think there's no team the Rox could beat in a 7 game series whether it be East or West. Really blows to realize how completely crappy a team you root for is.

 

Amazing coaching job for Rivers...putting CP3 on Durant, letting Collision and Jamal Crawford handle the ball with CP3 being heavily guarded and lots of outlet passes.
Give the Clippers credit for shooting miserably and yet making a comeback run in the end, much different feel than when the Rockets are down.

Feels like when things go wrong McHale has no idea what to do while Rivers keeps changing lineups and pushing his team.

 

Search for my collison posts in the dish. I'm always pointing out his run, sessions run to lof loonies. 4x the player with 1/4 the opportunity.. Media doesn't care

 

So you're telling me you expected a 6ft guard CP3 to shut down Durant like that, and changed the momentum of the course of the game?

Because Clips couldn't defend a lick prior to that move.

 

This is true, but you would think Brooks (or even the OKC players on the court) would recognize that the CP3 matchup isn't in their advantage, and try to get Durant a new defender, by switching or otherwise.

 

THIS!

I kept waiting for this adjustment, but Brooks went with trying to screen CP3 off. It worked on the one baseline OOB play, but that's it.


Who should be blamed?

 

Who is their coach?

 

The run by LAC in the past 3 minutes demonstrates the main problem with KD, Westbrook and Brooks when it comes to High Leverage Offensive situations.

The main person to blame for the stagnation and bad spacing which leads to bad offense is Durant's inability to either seal his man on the post or on the wing. This is a HUGE problem and mainly a durant problem. He has problems making himself an easy target to recieve the ball even when CP3 is guarding him. On pnr with westbrook, he struggles to free himself to receive the ball even when slipping or picking.

Westbrooks fault is his lack of patience and bad angles when trying to get the ball to Durant. But worst is his tendency to either wasting too much of the clock dribbline/looking then jacking up a shot OR Jacking up a shot without even trying to get Durant a look.. Sometimes that aggression is needed due to durants inability to get open, sometimes it isnt.

Brooks can be blame for not running off the ball action to get Durant open and being more creative with durant getting the ball off a curl, a hand off from a big etc.

In this game Westbrook showed his usual heart and aggressive style down the stretch offensively, he led OKC and stopped them from completely just falling apart the last 5 minutes.

Brooks on the other hand again failed to come up with any sets to get Durant open. His reliance on WB and Durant in crunch time, especially the Durant iso on the elbow which failed miserably.

But the main person to blame, has to simply be Durant. He was guarded by CP3. He was unable to post him on the block and seal him. He could barely post him on the elbow and get open. When he did get the ball, he had to receive it near the 3 point line extended, that is unacceptable. Furthermore when he ran the pick and roll with WB, he was unable to get himself open off the roll or the slip. You can blame Brooks for not helping him with off the ball screens or curl screens on the block to get open, or WB for not creating better angles... but the main recurring problem is Durants inability to get open in the post without using most of the shotclock.

 

Enjoy the crow today.

Hubris. You may eat a double-helping on Thursday. (1) There is no "for sure" in this series. (2) Ditto. CP3 is doing what Tony Allen did and KD never figured it out.

 

"From the penthouse to the outhouse"

LOL

 

I guess everyone can see it but you. Get under KD and Bonehead has no counter moves. He's clueless.