NBA Chatter Thread
- Thread starter 1bigfan13
- Start date
Jiggyfly
Banned
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2013
- Messages
- 9,220
HANG TIME, Texas – There’s little debate that Oklahoma City’s chances of holding a victory parade in June took a hit the moment it was announced that Russell Westbrook would be on an operating table instead of in the starting lineup for Game 3.
But there is no question at all when the Thunder ceased to be championship contenders in 2013.
There was exactly 5:51 left on the clock in the fourth quarter of Game 5 when Serge Ibaka ran up and clamped a hungry bear hug on Omer Asik.
It was that split second when Thunder coach Scott Brooks went to Hack-Asik and announced to the world that his club doesn’t have the stuff to go the distance through four rounds of the playoffs.
It smelled of gimmick and positively reeked of desperation for the No. 1 seed in the West against the No. 8 seed that approaches every game with a style and an attitude that is more Shirts v. Skins than the playoff wars.
Here were the mighty Thunder, virtually without an offensive clue that wasn’t named Kevin Durant, admitting that they had run out of bullets and ideas.
Never mind that over the course of the next 3 1/2 minutes Asik stepped up to the line and knocked down 8-for-11 free throws. It wasn’t simply the result that allowed the Rockets to get out with a 107-97 win that cut OKC’s lead in the series down to a scary 3-2 that made a statement. The real message delivered is that it’s only the first round of the playoffs and the Thunder already are out of answers.
Intentionally fouling a 56.8 percent free-throw shooter is legal and has proven through the years to be occasionally effective against the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. But in this case, it was a Brooks waving a white flag.
What we have seen now in the three games without Westbrook is one thing we knew and another that we suspected: 1) there is very little anyone can do to stop Durant from getting his looks and getting his points; 2) the rest of the OKC roster is more of a crapshoot than a back alley dice game.
Durant finished with 36 points and poured in 18 in the third quarter, but was held scoreless in the fourth. Until Reggie Jackson tossed in a handful of buckets when the Rockets were holding them at arm’s length, the Thunder didn’t really have a second offensive option. Ibaka mixed drop-off dunks with thoughtless jumpers, Kevin Martin was a why-bother 1-for-10, Thabo Sefolosha scored just nine points, Derek Fisher eight, Nick Collison six and Kendrick Perkins two.
The idea that the Thunder can survive with Durant playing point forward and distributing the ball from the top of the offense only is valid if his teammates can consistently make shots. And they can’t.
Funny isn’t it, how all of the howling about Westbrook’s wild and crazy game and penchant for mind-altering shot selection has suddenly become as quiet as the so-called Loud City itself?
Even if the Thunder can pick themselves up off the floor and get past the Rockets — and history says they will — there can be no strong belief that OKC can keep trotting the same “KD-and-a-prayer” attack with success as the competition level gets stronger.
If that wasn’t apparent before, it came clearly into focus with 5:51 left in the game when Ibaka wrapped up Asik.
It was the moment the Thunder ran out of real answers and stopped being a 2013 championship contender.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was one of the strangest things I have seen in a NBA game, they were only down 12, and it was 5 plus minutes left in the game.
But there is no question at all when the Thunder ceased to be championship contenders in 2013.
There was exactly 5:51 left on the clock in the fourth quarter of Game 5 when Serge Ibaka ran up and clamped a hungry bear hug on Omer Asik.
It was that split second when Thunder coach Scott Brooks went to Hack-Asik and announced to the world that his club doesn’t have the stuff to go the distance through four rounds of the playoffs.
It smelled of gimmick and positively reeked of desperation for the No. 1 seed in the West against the No. 8 seed that approaches every game with a style and an attitude that is more Shirts v. Skins than the playoff wars.
Here were the mighty Thunder, virtually without an offensive clue that wasn’t named Kevin Durant, admitting that they had run out of bullets and ideas.
Never mind that over the course of the next 3 1/2 minutes Asik stepped up to the line and knocked down 8-for-11 free throws. It wasn’t simply the result that allowed the Rockets to get out with a 107-97 win that cut OKC’s lead in the series down to a scary 3-2 that made a statement. The real message delivered is that it’s only the first round of the playoffs and the Thunder already are out of answers.
Intentionally fouling a 56.8 percent free-throw shooter is legal and has proven through the years to be occasionally effective against the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard. But in this case, it was a Brooks waving a white flag.
What we have seen now in the three games without Westbrook is one thing we knew and another that we suspected: 1) there is very little anyone can do to stop Durant from getting his looks and getting his points; 2) the rest of the OKC roster is more of a crapshoot than a back alley dice game.
Durant finished with 36 points and poured in 18 in the third quarter, but was held scoreless in the fourth. Until Reggie Jackson tossed in a handful of buckets when the Rockets were holding them at arm’s length, the Thunder didn’t really have a second offensive option. Ibaka mixed drop-off dunks with thoughtless jumpers, Kevin Martin was a why-bother 1-for-10, Thabo Sefolosha scored just nine points, Derek Fisher eight, Nick Collison six and Kendrick Perkins two.
The idea that the Thunder can survive with Durant playing point forward and distributing the ball from the top of the offense only is valid if his teammates can consistently make shots. And they can’t.
Funny isn’t it, how all of the howling about Westbrook’s wild and crazy game and penchant for mind-altering shot selection has suddenly become as quiet as the so-called Loud City itself?
Even if the Thunder can pick themselves up off the floor and get past the Rockets — and history says they will — there can be no strong belief that OKC can keep trotting the same “KD-and-a-prayer” attack with success as the competition level gets stronger.
If that wasn’t apparent before, it came clearly into focus with 5:51 left in the game when Ibaka wrapped up Asik.
It was the moment the Thunder ran out of real answers and stopped being a 2013 championship contender.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It was one of the strangest things I have seen in a NBA game, they were only down 12, and it was 5 plus minutes left in the game.
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 27,186
I like Rose but you certainly have to question his toughness at this point.I forget who it was but someone on twitter the other day said that if Derrick Rose got the flu it would be career threatening.
Whotta bitch that guy is.
I seriously wonder what happens when he has to deal with bumps, bruises, and strains in future years. Normally players will play through the discomfort as long as playing on the injury doesn't lead to more damage. I honestly think Rose would take himself out of the line up instead of playing through the pain like Noah and many of his teammates are currently doing.
Texas Ace
Teh Acester
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 23,480
I forget who it was but someone on twitter the other day said that if Derrick Rose got the flu it would be career threatening.
Whotta bitch that guy is.
His reputation is taking a serious hit right now and rightfully so.
His lack of toughness looks even worse when you consider that he plays on a team known for it's toughness and physical play. As I mentioned before, Noah has been playing on one foot in this series and now you have Nate Robinson literally puking during timeouts in tonight's game, and yet Rose refuses to play.
I mean, it's not like he's rushing back too soon. The injury happened a year ago so he should be recovered by now. It's a bitch move on his part for him to go all out in practice, and look great doing so according to reports, but yet he won't even try to play in a game.
Texas Ace
Teh Acester
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 23,480
You're a #1 seed. You're playing at home......against the 8th seed. You're up 3-1 in the series. There are 6 min to play. You're only down 12.
And you resort to this?
That move just screamed panic and has to make you question Scott Brooks ability as a coach and whether he's the right guy for this team going forward.
EZ22
The One Who Knocks
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 1,255
Texas Ace
Teh Acester
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 23,480
To be fair, the Nets were due for a win at home after losing 3 straight, and tonight the Bulls are down 2 more starters.
Even down so many guys, they are giving it one hell of an effort tonight.
Simpleton
DCC 4Life
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2013
- Messages
- 17,545
Exactly.
Hinrich and Deng out (Deng had some kind of spinal tap apparently), Robinson throwing up on the bench, Gibson is sick as well, Noah with his various ailments.
It's not like it matters one way or the other really in the grand scheme but you can't be mad at these guys with the effort they've given despite all these problems.
EZ22
The One Who Knocks
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 1,255
Yep, the wrong NBA player came out of the closet last week.
D
Deuce
Guest
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 27,186
It's bee a long time since I've seen a meltdown of this proportion.
The one that rivals this happened roughly ten years ago. The Mavericks blew something like a 26 point 4Q lead to the Lakers. It was a regular season game. Michael Finley and Steve Nash were still with the Mavericks.
The one that rivals this happened roughly ten years ago. The Mavericks blew something like a 26 point 4Q lead to the Lakers. It was a regular season game. Michael Finley and Steve Nash were still with the Mavericks.
Last edited:
Texas Ace
Teh Acester
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2013
- Messages
- 23,480
I remember exactly what game you're talking about.
That game was in the 2002/2003 season.....and yes, it was an epic choke jon.