9pm tonight on TNT. Will Durant/Westbrook choke? Will the splash bros, Klay and Steph light it up again? Hard to imagine Durant staying in OKC if they lose because if he and Russ cannot get it done right now when will they ever?
Splash Bros. certified their clutchness in this series.
OKC had a great run. Running over a juggernaut of a Spurs team and then getting a 73 win team down 3-1 and on the ropes. OKC choked the series away in game 6 and just had too many ugly stretches, but they had a great season and there's still another level left they can get to if they just had a better 3rd wing player.
Cavs vs Warriors should be awesome, much more intriguing matchup than last year. Rooting for LeBron to bring it home
Draymond will possess Kevin Love's soul by the end of it. And JR Smith has yet to commit his annual blunder that results in a suspension - maybe he'll body slam Leandro Barbosa.
"Should be pissed"
with no Westbrook they have no shot and half the time Russ is the best guy on the court for them.
Only option is stay or go to the shitty east
Because Westbrook as good as he is still is a moron on the court, he kills all momentum sometimes with his chucking and dumb plays...
Durant is great off the ball, Westbrook should attack and set up Durant, he is a gifted passer and instead of controlling the offense and running it he resorts to 1 on 1 chucking...
No reason why Durant should be handed the ball 28 feet away and have to create, he has one of the best creators in the game on his team yet he still had to go 1 on 1...
Look at the cavs with lebron how many times do love and Irving have to resort to 1 on 1?...lebron could just shoot every time if he wanted and no one would say nothing but he sets up his teammates and gets him involved...
- Warriors kept it close AGAIN in the first half despite getting outplayed.
- Watching the Thunder's inability to do anything if Russ & KD aren't playing great made me think of the Harden trade. The only possible 3rd scoring option is Kanter and they didn't feel comfortable with him out there versus a small lineup.
Warriors outscored Thunder by 84 points from the 3 pt line in games 6 & 7. That's insane.
I think Durant punts the decision to next year and takes the 2 year with the opt-out after 1. No way he commits to the Lakers as is and unless Miami blows him away, I think he'll wait to next year to make that decision.
Waiters is not a big time 3 point threat- this idea that a team would allow Westbrook to drive and find an open Durant all day is silly. They have 2 players teams guard and they zone the rest.
Apples and oranges mentioning the cavs set up
mistake-free ball that got them to 3-1 in the series. He was playing great and was unstoppable. Hard to hate on him for the series. The THunder couldn't hit threes to save their lives and the Warriors went on their runs where they couldn't miss. That was the series.
mistake-free ball that got them to 3-1 in the series. He was playing great and was unstoppable. Hard to hate on him for the series. The THunder couldn't hit threes to save their lives and the Warriors went on their runs where they couldn't miss. That was the series.
When he is going great he is a great player the problem is when he is not he continues to force shots...when the shots are falling he is amazing...
But he is a dumb player, they had a bunch of momentum and were up ten moving ball well in 2nd quarter and then he takes a dumb shot trying to draw a foul on a 3 and then Thompson hits back to back 3s and it is a 4 point game...
I am not saying he is not a great player but he has to learn when to go and when to set up and ND he still has not figured that out yet
people conveniently give him a permanent pass and just focus on westbrook.
I am not giving him a pass but there is a difference, Durant is the scorer, he is supposed to be the one taking more shots, scorers are going to have bad shooting games...
Westbrook is the point guard he should be making the game easier for durant...
Maybe I just like my point guards differently than others, give me the point guard who is going to set up his teammates and run the offense rather than freelance and try to take over and score...
There is a time and place for Westbrook to attack and try to score and there is a time when he needs to look to get others involved
i think you have a view of what westbrook should be
and that's fine... but that doesn't mean its the right view.
Westbrook was 5-14 in the first half and Durant had 5 shots. And they were only up 5. Durant stunk in game 6 and so did RW which is why they lost. RW didnt have it going in the half court yesterday, but still tried to force it. Durant was actualyl shooting the ball well.
RW, even when playing bad, thinks he has to do it all. Last night was a game where KD could have had a 40-45 point night but RW took too many shots.
RE: RE: i think you have a view of what westbrook should be
and that's fine... but that doesn't mean its the right view.
Westbrook was 5-14 in the first half and Durant had 5 shots. And they were only up 5. Durant stunk in game 6 and so did RW which is why they lost. RW didnt have it going in the half court yesterday, but still tried to force it. Durant was actualyl shooting the ball well.
RW, even when playing bad, thinks he has to do it all. Last night was a game where KD could have had a 40-45 point night but RW took too many shots.
ever hear of personal responsibility?
and maybe after taking and missing so many shots in game 6 Durant was trying to let the game come to him?
this team has no shooters- they cant space the floor- its the issue... the 2nd wing... and the bench--- they lost because they cant make 3 point shots. the story of the NBA right now... 2 teams in finals have buried 3s all playoffs.
people conveniently give him a permanent pass and just focus on westbrook.
I am not giving him a pass but there is a difference, Durant is the scorer, he is supposed to be the one taking more shots, scorers are going to have bad shooting games...
Westbrook is the point guard he should be making the game easier for durant...
Maybe I just like my point guards differently than others, give me the point guard who is going to set up his teammates and run the offense rather than freelance and try to take over and score...
There is a time and place for Westbrook to attack and try to score and there is a time when he needs to look to get others involved
My view is this okc is a great team but they could be even better if Westbrook held back on trying to take over every game...
And yes there are games where you need him to I am not saying there isn't but he needs to learn how to be the point guard because they do not have one, either get a distributor next to Westbrook and Durant or teach Westbrook how to run an offense
it would be a non issue-
he would drive and have options to kick out to.
when ibaka and waiters are your best non Durant options to kick it to... its not ideal
It was obvious that OKC lost this series when it got away from them in Game 6. They were never winning a Game 7 in Oakland.
Wanted OKC to win but I'm glad the Cavs will get a shot at redemption now at full strength. LeBron really needed Kyrie for this series last year. Losing him was a death blow.
Yep. Kind of like the way the NFL has become such a finesse passing league and you so seldom see teams just physically wear you down with the run.
I don't yearn for 3 yards and a cloud of dust but I liked when the game felt more balanced.
I really just don't like the Warriors. The entire team is just Curry and Thompson launching 3's. They're both incredible shooters but I get tired of watching it. It feels too arcade-ish and cheap.
and say that I love watching the Warriors new game. Watching Iverson play iso-ball or watching Shaq bull his shoulder into smaller defenders really bored me and caused me to step back from the NBA during that era. Similarly, watching Westbrook go into isolation mode isn't entertaining to me.
The way the Warriors (and the Spurs) move the ball around and how they are able to get open shots for themselves, in addition to making tough contested shots too when the defense is good, is just a pleasure to watch.
I don't need to see iso-ball, that's not what I'm clamoring for. Just very few players with legit post games now. I miss seeing a chunk of the game being played in the paint. Feels like everything is perimeter out now.
against Cleveland with the lack of shot blocking. Thompson is a good defender.rebounder but doesnt block a lot of shots. Love cant defend. James will be forced to move around. I think you will see GS get into the lane...now can guys like Bogut, Ezeli, Green finish around the rim?
If Barnes/Iggy make shots to force Lebron to guard them - it could be a long series. However, I think Cavs have the momentum coming into the series.
But he is a dumb player, they had a bunch of momentum and were up ten moving ball well in 2nd quarter and then he takes a dumb shot trying to draw a foul on a 3 and then Thompson hits back to back 3s and it is a 4 point game...
That's play reminded me of round 1 last year... the crazy comeback against the Pelicans. Ryan Anderson was sinking everything and was fairly open on the perimeter, and Tyreke Evans goes 1 on 3 and forces some runner without a prayer with like 20 seconds left on the clock. I swear, if not for that play the Pelicans probably win that game.
I don't need to see iso-ball, that's not what I'm clamoring for. Just very few players with legit post games now. I miss seeing a chunk of the game being played in the paint. Feels like everything is perimeter out now.
The change of how defenses can play has really affected low post scoring. The help side/weak side is so much closer causing so much more congestion that its hard to make moves in such confine spaces.
Were something like 8th or 9th in points in the paint this year. The just get them with cutting and rolls. They also had some crazy amount of game with 30+ assists, which for me is pretty fun.
Obviously it's fun to watch them win as a fan, but they're the sort of team (like Portland, the Spurs, Miami) that plays a style I'd enjoy even if I weren't a fan.
Were something like 8th or 9th in points in the paint this year. The just get them with cutting and rolls. They also had some crazy amount of game with 30+ assists, which for me is pretty fun.
Obviously it's fun to watch them win as a fan, but they're the sort of team (like Portland, the Spurs, Miami) that plays a style I'd enjoy even if I weren't a fan.
Cruz, no disparagement whatever you say, but are you a "new" fan that has been won over by this team, or were you a Warriors fan from a while back (like the Chris Mullin days)?
I don't need to see iso-ball, that's not what I'm clamoring for. Just very few players with legit post games now. I miss seeing a chunk of the game being played in the paint. Feels like everything is perimeter out now.
Were something like 8th or 9th in points in the paint this year. The just get them with cutting and rolls. They also had some crazy amount of game with 30+ assists, which for me is pretty fun.
Obviously it's fun to watch them win as a fan, but they're the sort of team (like Portland, the Spurs, Miami) that plays a style I'd enjoy even if I weren't a fan.
Cruz, no disparagement whatever you say, but are you a "new" fan that has been won over by this team, or were you a Warriors fan from a while back (like the Chris Mullin days)?
I've lived in the Bay Area my whole life, but wasn't really much of a basketball fan until the mid to late 90's. I root for them, but also for the Kings as I went to UC Davis.
Steph and Klay were 30/55 from 3. The Thunder were 10/50.
OKC couldn't buy a 3 and Curry and Klay got white hot.
Had OKC made some of those 3s, or had the Splash Brothers not shot so hot, then a Westbrook-as-PG Thunder go to the Finals. Sometimes it's just a matter of the ball going in more for one team than the other.
While Durant getting a pass. Westbrook plays at a different level and that was obvious in the 4qtr. Ball on the ground with Green? Westbrook dives in nose first. Refs handed GS a break with that weak TO but that was typical Westbrook.
A few minutes later, ball on the ground by Durant? He does his best Cam Newton and doesn't get after the ball. Westbrook would have. And it could have been he difference.
Durant also let Livingston go straight to the rim for that dunk. He was back. What was he thinking? Westbrook would have stopped that ball and player from getting to the rim.
If I could have one player, I'd take Westbrook over Durant. He's the better player. He settles for long shots with too much time on the clock on occasion but he's a one of kind two way player.
OKC had a great run. Running over a juggernaut of a Spurs team and then getting a 73 win team down 3-1 and on the ropes. OKC choked the series away in game 6 and just had too many ugly stretches, but they had a great season and there's still another level left they can get to if they just had a better 3rd wing player.
Cavs vs Warriors should be awesome, much more intriguing matchup than last year. Rooting for LeBron to bring it home
It's not an ideal fit but where else should KD go?
Quote:
I am getting as far away from Westbrook as I can
It's not an ideal fit but where else should KD go?
To be honest I don't know, but if I am Durant right now I am pissed
Is Riley cold blooded enough to get rid of wade to sign Durant?
with no Westbrook they have no shot and half the time Russ is the best guy on the court for them.
Only option is stay or go to the shitty east
*career
with no Westbrook they have no shot and half the time Russ is the best guy on the court for them.
Only option is stay or go to the shitty east
Because Westbrook as good as he is still is a moron on the court, he kills all momentum sometimes with his chucking and dumb plays...
Durant is great off the ball, Westbrook should attack and set up Durant, he is a gifted passer and instead of controlling the offense and running it he resorts to 1 on 1 chucking...
No reason why Durant should be handed the ball 28 feet away and have to create, he has one of the best creators in the game on his team yet he still had to go 1 on 1...
Look at the cavs with lebron how many times do love and Irving have to resort to 1 on 1?...lebron could just shoot every time if he wanted and no one would say nothing but he sets up his teammates and gets him involved...
Westbrook rather score first and pass 2nd
- Warriors kept it close AGAIN in the first half despite getting outplayed.
- Watching the Thunder's inability to do anything if Russ & KD aren't playing great made me think of the Harden trade. The only possible 3rd scoring option is Kanter and they didn't feel comfortable with him out there versus a small lineup.
Warriors outscored Thunder by 84 points from the 3 pt line in games 6 & 7. That's insane.
I think Durant punts the decision to next year and takes the 2 year with the opt-out after 1. No way he commits to the Lakers as is and unless Miami blows him away, I think he'll wait to next year to make that decision.
He'll go where the money is. Just like pretty much every athlete ever.
OKC may be the team who can pay him the most but, it's naive to think OKC is the only place for him to be.
Apples and oranges mentioning the cavs set up
When he is going great he is a great player the problem is when he is not he continues to force shots...when the shots are falling he is amazing...
But he is a dumb player, they had a bunch of momentum and were up ten moving ball well in 2nd quarter and then he takes a dumb shot trying to draw a foul on a 3 and then Thompson hits back to back 3s and it is a 4 point game...
I am not saying he is not a great player but he has to learn when to go and when to set up and ND he still has not figured that out yet
I am not giving him a pass but there is a difference, Durant is the scorer, he is supposed to be the one taking more shots, scorers are going to have bad shooting games...
Westbrook is the point guard he should be making the game easier for durant...
Maybe I just like my point guards differently than others, give me the point guard who is going to set up his teammates and run the offense rather than freelance and try to take over and score...
There is a time and place for Westbrook to attack and try to score and there is a time when he needs to look to get others involved
Westbrook was 5-14 in the first half and Durant had 5 shots. And they were only up 5. Durant stunk in game 6 and so did RW which is why they lost. RW didnt have it going in the half court yesterday, but still tried to force it. Durant was actualyl shooting the ball well.
RW, even when playing bad, thinks he has to do it all. Last night was a game where KD could have had a 40-45 point night but RW took too many shots.
Quote:
and that's fine... but that doesn't mean its the right view.
Westbrook was 5-14 in the first half and Durant had 5 shots. And they were only up 5. Durant stunk in game 6 and so did RW which is why they lost. RW didnt have it going in the half court yesterday, but still tried to force it. Durant was actualyl shooting the ball well.
RW, even when playing bad, thinks he has to do it all. Last night was a game where KD could have had a 40-45 point night but RW took too many shots.
ever hear of personal responsibility?
and maybe after taking and missing so many shots in game 6 Durant was trying to let the game come to him?
this team has no shooters- they cant space the floor- its the issue... the 2nd wing... and the bench--- they lost because they cant make 3 point shots. the story of the NBA right now... 2 teams in finals have buried 3s all playoffs.
I am not giving him a pass but there is a difference, Durant is the scorer, he is supposed to be the one taking more shots, scorers are going to have bad shooting games...
Westbrook is the point guard he should be making the game easier for durant...
Maybe I just like my point guards differently than others, give me the point guard who is going to set up his teammates and run the offense rather than freelance and try to take over and score...
There is a time and place for Westbrook to attack and try to score and there is a time when he needs to look to get others involved
And yes there are games where you need him to I am not saying there isn't but he needs to learn how to be the point guard because they do not have one, either get a distributor next to Westbrook and Durant or teach Westbrook how to run an offense
he would drive and have options to kick out to.
when ibaka and waiters are your best non Durant options to kick it to... its not ideal
Wanted OKC to win but I'm glad the Cavs will get a shot at redemption now at full strength. LeBron really needed Kyrie for this series last year. Losing him was a death blow.
Should be a good series. Looking forward to it.
I don't yearn for 3 yards and a cloud of dust but I liked when the game felt more balanced.
I really just don't like the Warriors. The entire team is just Curry and Thompson launching 3's. They're both incredible shooters but I get tired of watching it. It feels too arcade-ish and cheap.
The way the Warriors (and the Spurs) move the ball around and how they are able to get open shots for themselves, in addition to making tough contested shots too when the defense is good, is just a pleasure to watch.
I get not wanting a return to '90s murderball, but I'd like to see some level of balance between post play and outside shooting.
its amazing to watch.
I don't need to see iso-ball, that's not what I'm clamoring for. Just very few players with legit post games now. I miss seeing a chunk of the game being played in the paint. Feels like everything is perimeter out now.
If Barnes/Iggy make shots to force Lebron to guard them - it could be a long series. However, I think Cavs have the momentum coming into the series.
But he is a dumb player, they had a bunch of momentum and were up ten moving ball well in 2nd quarter and then he takes a dumb shot trying to draw a foul on a 3 and then Thompson hits back to back 3s and it is a 4 point game...
That's play reminded me of round 1 last year... the crazy comeback against the Pelicans. Ryan Anderson was sinking everything and was fairly open on the perimeter, and Tyreke Evans goes 1 on 3 and forces some runner without a prayer with like 20 seconds left on the clock. I swear, if not for that play the Pelicans probably win that game.
I don't need to see iso-ball, that's not what I'm clamoring for. Just very few players with legit post games now. I miss seeing a chunk of the game being played in the paint. Feels like everything is perimeter out now.
The change of how defenses can play has really affected low post scoring. The help side/weak side is so much closer causing so much more congestion that its hard to make moves in such confine spaces.
Obviously it's fun to watch them win as a fan, but they're the sort of team (like Portland, the Spurs, Miami) that plays a style I'd enjoy even if I weren't a fan.
Obviously it's fun to watch them win as a fan, but they're the sort of team (like Portland, the Spurs, Miami) that plays a style I'd enjoy even if I weren't a fan.
Cruz, no disparagement whatever you say, but are you a "new" fan that has been won over by this team, or were you a Warriors fan from a while back (like the Chris Mullin days)?
I don't need to see iso-ball, that's not what I'm clamoring for. Just very few players with legit post games now. I miss seeing a chunk of the game being played in the paint. Feels like everything is perimeter out now.
And Tim Duncan is on the way out.
Quote:
Were something like 8th or 9th in points in the paint this year. The just get them with cutting and rolls. They also had some crazy amount of game with 30+ assists, which for me is pretty fun.
Obviously it's fun to watch them win as a fan, but they're the sort of team (like Portland, the Spurs, Miami) that plays a style I'd enjoy even if I weren't a fan.
Cruz, no disparagement whatever you say, but are you a "new" fan that has been won over by this team, or were you a Warriors fan from a while back (like the Chris Mullin days)?
I've lived in the Bay Area my whole life, but wasn't really much of a basketball fan until the mid to late 90's. I root for them, but also for the Kings as I went to UC Davis.
I really want to see another Kings resurgence.
OKC couldn't buy a 3 and Curry and Klay got white hot.
Had OKC made some of those 3s, or had the Splash Brothers not shot so hot, then a Westbrook-as-PG Thunder go to the Finals. Sometimes it's just a matter of the ball going in more for one team than the other.
A few minutes later, ball on the ground by Durant? He does his best Cam Newton and doesn't get after the ball. Westbrook would have. And it could have been he difference.
Durant also let Livingston go straight to the rim for that dunk. He was back. What was he thinking? Westbrook would have stopped that ball and player from getting to the rim.
If I could have one player, I'd take Westbrook over Durant. He's the better player. He settles for long shots with too much time on the clock on occasion but he's a one of kind two way player.
Game 6 defense
You can always cherry-pick plays in a game review, but in a critical Game 6, that's some pretty bad stuff.
The guy can play full throttle like no other, but he picks some bad moments to take plays off.
You can talk about Westbrook or Durant all you want, but it's hard to beat a great team when their backcourt is hitting 3s at an unstoppable pace.