Artest cannot stop jump shooters. That was the primary reason why Roy and Bryant lit him up so easily. Artest will be able to stop Durant from driving in, but with Durant's length and size, it's going to be incredibly difficult to contest his shots. Not to mention, Durant has the speed advantage. If he is one step ahead of Artest, his length will do the rest.
I hate to play ref psychologist but will this one time: Anti-Artest sentiment will easily overrule any pro-Laker bias. Referees dislike him to such an extent it doesn't matter what team he plays for. If Ron Ron crosses the line too many times, he will be a marked man for the entire playoffs. I hope this happens. If he keeps his head on straight, KD is in for a rough time.
The Lakers could very well hit the snooze button this series and let it get interesting. I wouldn't be surprised to see it go six games...possibly seven. In any event, this series could mark the official coming out party of the "Good Lord, KD gets EVERY whistle" movement. Right now it's probably the worst kept secret in the NBA but watching him play a marquee team like the Lakers is only going to bring it front-and-center. It's quite obvious what Ron Ron is going to at least try to do: play physical and try to rough KD up. Now, what KD and the refs allow might be another story and could possibly be the deciding factor in this series. Note: I like KD. I like his game and his budding megastar status. I just call it like I see it and he does get a TON of favorable calls.
Lakers in 4 or 5. OKC is a young team without a lot of playoff experience. I think they will be shellshocked by the intensity.
who cares it should should be fun to what the lakers have fits :grin: just like other teams had with kobe
That must be why KD is averaging 26.5 ppg on 49.7% shooting (well above his overall average) in his last seven games against Artest.
Thunder have blowing leads left and right and wilting down the stretch, especially Durant (excluding the Jazz game). Yesterday he throw the ball at the ref with 40 seconds left in the game against the Blazers. And in the regular season game where they played the Lakers, Artest took him out of the game. Durant shot 2 airballs at the end of that close game, at the end of 4th quarter, and in OT. I can see the Thunder taking 2, so Lakers in 6.
my hatred for the lakers refuses me to allow them to win. Thunder shock the world and their youth and energy will blindside the lakers. Ok in 6
I am hoping a re-run of the 1986 series between the Rockets and the Lakers. Nobody gave the young Rockets any chance and they shocked the mighty Lakers in 5 games. Go Thunder!
I originally thought that the Thunder would give the Lakers some trouble if they had met in the playoffs. Like many others, I thought if "anybody" could beat the Lakers, it would be KD and the Thunder... But after watching the Thunder play the last few games, they are simply not ready for the big time. Blowing leads and losing critical games to GSW and a Brandon Roy-less Blazers, not staying focused, not executing well late in games. The Thunder is my 2nd fav team behind the Rockets and I am rooting for them all the way... but I don't see this going past 5 games.
The Lakers will win both in LA, get a split in OKC, and take the deciding game 5 for a quick advance to the second round.
Why isn't there a poll? The gameplan for the Thunder needs to be: drive, drive, and drive. You have to get Bynum and/or Gasol in foul trouble; otherwise, it is over. 2 players on the Thunder, aside from Durant, HAS to score 18+. Durant can carry a team, but not if refs let Artest go off on KD. There are matchup problems all over the place. Gasol can post up Green easily, but Green can draw out Gasol to the three point line, letting cutters cut, and KD do his thing. I do not think Thabo will guard Kobe. I think Durant will have that job.
