[Western Conference Finals] (1)Golden State vs. (3)Oklahoma City

if one can't play BOTH defense and offense, then he definitely does not deserve to be the mvp.

simple.

barkley and co. are getting stupider by the minute.

 

This is the best response to Green's kick and his response that his leg just naturally extended.

 

If you can't see how much their offense has changed since last year, that's on you.

 

Oh how the mighty have fallen... even though I'd rather not see Durant win a ring in OKC, but watching the Warriors getting done to them what they did to us is actually quite pleasing. It's funny but GS is playing ISO 1-1 on offense instead of moving the ball around like they usually do with a plethora of *moving*screens, and OKC is just out-running, rebounding, hustling, and shooting them.

It's like the Warriors have magically transformed into the Rockets...

 

Those apples taste like oranges to me... they look like oranges too.

 

"Harden's number will fall if he has to play defense"

Westbrook is playing like a madman on the defensive end...always has. He did stupid things in the past but there are some serious double standards here.

WB is head and shoulders above James. Its not even a question.

 

apparange?

Tell me more.

 

motivation? nah, beta b****** just whine about it

 

Maybe you are right, but I'm not sure. Either way, it's undeniable how OKC targets Curry on defense. WB and Waiters go out of their way to bump into him and TNT showed where Adams hits and grabs Curry (off the ball) when he crosses the lane.

It's a smart tactic and the beating is taking a toll.

 

Teams with length have given the Warriors issues all season...Usually their ability to cut and screen aren't bothered by most teams...but the collective length and athleticism is dominating this series.

Look at the teams that beat them during the regular season...they were all athletic OR had team length OR both.The Bucks were one such example...Detroit...Boston...Minnesota were some of the others.

The Thunder had a complete team effort tonight...One more huge performance by the guy that singlehandedly changed this series: Russell Westbrook. They really should try closing this game out in Oakland and I hope they do.

 

Westbrook is a tier above harden correct

 

Why isn't anyone calling a horrible leader?

 

Cause he is guarding a beast named Russell Westbrook due to klay Thompson not being fast enough. Harden just swipes and plays ole defense when he is put on a lesser offensive player by coach

 

I'm also seeing oversimplification on saying Curry shouldnt guard WB.

That actually was not the plan in the first half.

Donovan forced him to. Kerr first attempted to use Curry in the Harden role of weakside roamer in the low post. When they did that in the first half, OKC burned curry with weakside cutting ala what people do to Harden, featuring Durant curling to Curry's side (or WB does), and the cuts start.

Putting Curry strong side with WB is more common defense on WB, no matter who your defender is. You stack that side then with a zone defender behind Curry. That's actually easier. But WB beat it regardless, which he can do.

So, again, its oversimplification to say Kerr messed up. Donavan, WB and Harden forced him to

 

westbrook has always gone after defensive rebounds like a madman. he had a reputation early in his career for going at people defensively but i didn't see much of that the previous 4 or 5 seasons (and like most stars, understandable given the effort required on offense). even listening to the podcasts i listen to most people pretty much said his defense was bad this playoffs until the last few games of the san antonio series.

and again, the point was that westbrook hasn't always been better than harden, not that westbrook hasn't been better this year. harden was 2nd in mvp voting last year and probably should have won and then went and had a 25 PER / 62 TS% playoff run. it seems hard to argue westbrook was just so obviously better before this year.

 

They are going at Curry on offense forcing him to play D and exert energy and their length and athleticism is killing them.

I dunno, not looking good for GS.

DD

 

Two impressive wins by OKC. I picked OKC to win this series but did not expect this.

I knew their physicality was going to bother Curry, and disrupt ball movement. People forget why superstars are so valuable in the playoffs.

okc has 2 legit MVP players who are triple threat. GS has one in Curry, and two semi-other stars in Klay & Greene.

What Billy Donovan is doing is amazing. Give them credit. Them beating the Spurs was clearly no fluke. OKC might just be a much much better team than their record and they happen to be peaking at the right time.

But this series isn't over. Yet