Western Conference Rivals watch thread

[OptionZero]

OKC doesn't have enough two-way talent to keep up with us.

Waiters is a chucker (and not a great shooter); Kanter is a beast down low but can't defend. Adams is purely a hustle guy; McGary can't defend either; Roberson can't shoot and won't shoot; Singler can't defend our wings; Augustin can shoot but he can't defend.

Basically OKC can't put together five dudes on the floor at once who can play basketball. Westbrook is a beast but he expends a tremendous amount of energy on offense and gambling on defense and we've see Curry fully exploit him on that end. As the game goes on, Brook's failure to install a modern NBA offense will result in Westbrook pulling up for 20 footers. He'll make a few, miss more, and the game will be over for them.

When we move Green to center we'll run them off the floor.

Our ability to field lots of two-way players, and even dudes like Speights and Ezeli who perform their roles well in limited minutes gives us a huge depth advantage.

As long as we don't play David Lee in any sort of close game and limit Barbosa when he starts ballhogging, we'll be fine.

Today, MEM plays SAS. I don't want SAS to get the 4/5 seed (Clips ahead by 1.5 games), but SAS winning pushes MEM to 3rd, which means MEM and SAS are slotted first a first round matchup. I expect SAS to kill MEM but take some lumps doing it, which would be great for us.

[turk3d]

Waiters is not going to outchuck Westbrook and complements him way better than Roberson who couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. A healthy Adams is a pretty productive 4 and a good rebounder/defender who might present some problems (presuming that Ibaka won't be available nor Collison who if they were make them even more formidable).

The biggest difference imo is Kanter who's been playing extremely well for him since the trade and gives them something that they haven't had in the past, a bonafide Center (way better than Perkins). With all the injuries, their depth may be off a bit (that's where the Dubs have everyone beat). Kanter seems to maybe able to give Bogut some trouble (averaging 17.6 ppg and 10.8 rpg since coming to the Thunder).

Held Bogut to just 4 pts and 4 rebounds the last time we met Utah when he was playing for them. And although there bench is not as good as ours, they do have a few guys coming off that are decent: Anthony Morrow, DJ Augustin, Perry Jones and Mitch McGary and possibly Collison. Like I said, I think we can beat them, but I wouldn't go to sleep on them, especially with Westbrook.

[cj03]

Not only that, but I think they may be a better team (actually more balanced) especially with Kanter and Waiters who can also do some serious damage. Even more so if they were to get Ibaka back (althogh he might not be available for the first round).

Really? I feel like we will completely dismantle them. Waiters is a chucker who might have 1 good game, and Kanter allows layup lines to the basket. The fact that they start Roberson and have very little shooting allows us to clamp down on Russ and shut him down. I would think it would be a clean sweep.

[Onus]

Thunder don't stand a chance without Ibaka and Durant. It's going to be a sweep or 5 games max.

[turk3d]

Not only that, but I think they may be a better team (actually more balanced) especially with Kanter and Waiters who can also do some serious damage. Even more so if they were to get Ibaka back (althogh he might not be available for the first round).

Really? I feel like we will completely dismantle them. Waiters is a chucker who might have 1 good game, and Kanter allows layup lines to the basket. The fact that they start Roberson and have very little shooting allows us to clamp down on Russ and shut him down. I would think it would be a clean sweep.

Waiters is now starting and Roberson's hurt. Not sure if he'll even be available for the first round.

http://newsok.com/okc-thunder-andre-rob ... le/5403957

DJ Augustin's also been giving them some decent minutes off the bench.

But, anyways I hope you're right.

[cj03]

Waiters is a sieve on D too. Not to mention they are thin.

[migya]

Looks like it will be OKC in the 1st round for the team and really that is better than NO, who are healthier and ADavis is more of a force than Westbrook.

Should be a sweep and I think by an average of 20 a game. We are too good on both ends and they will falter on both ends. Kerr can throw Klay, Barnes, Iguodala, Green and even Curry at Westbrook. Westbrook will have to defend Curry as well, so he'll be working all series long. Bogut can slow down Kanter and OKC then relies on Westbrook fighting through our five for them to score. The team can score any time against them, only injuries and some colossal meltdown can give them a chance.

[East Bay Sports]

The way OKC has been playing D we will average 120 PPG in that series

[East Bay Sports]

does anyone else really hate Daryl Morey? I mean, I hate everything about the Rockets but that fat smug bastard really rubs me the wrong way

[sjballer03]

People need to chill about OKC. Defense is half the battle and they are going to get gassed trying to keep up with us. Westbrook will literally need triple doubles every game for them to keep up. That's simply not sustainable in a 7 game series.

[NBAfan3024]

Westbrook will need to average 40

[East Bay Sports]

If Westbrook averages 40 it is going to be on awful efficiency. We beat OKC in 4. 5 max.

[DreDay]

Without Durant and maybe Ibaka there's really no reason to have a game 6 in OKC. It'll be over before then.

[NBAfan3024]

If Westbrook averages 40 it is going to be on awful efficiency. We beat OKC in 4. 5 max.

agreed he will be burnt out

[migya]

does anyone else really hate Daryl Morey? I mean, I hate everything about the Rockets but that fat smug bastard really rubs me the wrong way

HAHAHAHA. His team could be worse though.

[migya]

Interesting race for 2nd seed in the West. From 2nd to 6th position any order can result. San Antonio and Memphis are the teams I'd rather avoid until the WCF if we meet either so it'd be good if both got 2nd, 3rd or 6th seed.

[NBAfan3024]

can't help but love sitting back and enoying this race from seeds 2 to 6

[turk3d]

Sefelosha out for the remainder of the season (not that I think he would have made much of a difference). And another one bites the dust.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/23 ... D-Incident

[BW32]

With a win over Houston SA would tie them and have the season series so they would own the tiebreaker. Also with one more game between the Clips and Grizz on Saturday should LA win at home all 4 teams could have 26 losses. That's crazy close.

[migya]

Looks like Portland will be 6th with the loss tonight.