Chances vs the Lakers

[bbms]

Defensively, I don't really think Lakers get much better with Howard instead of Bynum. They were already a hell of a defensive team last season, and defended the Thunder really well, they could contain Harden's pick and roll then and now they will be ready for this play too. They just didn't have the pieces to contain Durant and Westbrook from mid range, and they won't. Durant will play more minutes at the PF position, which means more mismatches.

On the defensive end, will be a much harder time containing Nash's offense. He'll take usage from Kobe, which is already a plus. He'll involve his bigs in game. Westbrook will have to look GOOD next season on defense.

Such a SHAME we comitted to Scott Brooks. Will be really hard to fight the Lakers with a negative head coach,

[Clarity]

Laker Fan here. OKC still the team to beat in the West. OKC is the only team that can stop LAKERS from winning next year. But if its a LAKERS vs Heat in the finals, We sweep!!!

Just calling out the truth!

haha on no planet are the Heat being swept by anyone.

[Clarity]

Defensively, I don't really think Lakers get much better with Howard instead of Bynum. They were already a hell of a defensive team last season, and defended the Thunder really well, they could contain Harden's pick and roll then and now they will be ready for this play too. They just didn't have the pieces to contain Durant and Westbrook from mid range, and they won't. Durant will play more minutes at the PF position, which means more mismatches.

On the defensive end, will be a much harder time containing Nash's offense. He'll take usage from Kobe, which is already a plus. He'll involve his bigs in game. Westbrook will have to look GOOD next season on defense.

Such a SHAME we comitted to Scott Brooks. Will be really hard to fight the Lakers with a negative head coach,

Howard is not an upgrade offensively to Bynum unless they somehow shift the offensive focus inside which allows Howard to get more looks than the crumbs Bynum got. Bynum is the superior offensive player but this is a HUGE upgrade defensively, Howard is a light years better defender than Bynum.

I wouldnt really consider it as Nash taking looks from Kobe, id more say Nash will get Kobe better shots, thats Steve's specialty, they will take better shots with Nash running the show. Thats a huge improvement. Offensively they got way better, Nash will make Howard & Gasol way better as well as Kobe.

I dont get the dislike for Scotty Brooks, I think hes a heck of a coach.

[bbms]

Kobe was a 24 FG per game and 35% USG player last season, he is not an efficient player to have such a high volume game. Should play more off the ball. Nash, if he's allowed to, will be able to balance this offense, taking usage from Kobe and adding it to him(Laker's PG Sessions had little to none USG last year's playoffs, and Bynum/Gasol were underutilized).

Probably Howard won't be allowed to isolate/post up in the post a lot. I believe Gasol should have more usage than him, because he's a more consistent post player. Nash will figure out this offense, if the ball possession is given to him.

Brooks is a poor coach. He ruined Westbrook as a defensive player. He ruined our defense last Finals. He struggles to find both and offensive and defensive scheme. We just win on individualities, there's no team play. If our players can't figure out what to do on court, Brooks won't be able to figure out anything for them to do.

[Clarity]

Kobe was a 24 FG per game and 35% USG player last season, he is not an efficient player to have such a high volume game. Should play more off the ball. Nash, if he's allowed to, will be able to balance this offense, taking usage from Kobe and adding it to him(Laker's PG Sessions had little to none USG last year's playoffs, and Bynum/Gasol were underutilized).

Probably Howard won't be allowed to isolate/post up in the post a lot. I believe Gasol should have more usage than him, because he's a more consistent post player. Nash will figure out this offense, if the ball possession is given to him.

Brooks is a poor coach. He ruined Westbrook as a defensive player. He ruined our defense last Finals. He struggles to find both and offensive and defensive scheme. We just win on individualities, there's no team play. If our players can't figure out what to do on court, Brooks won't be able to figure out anything for them to do.

The first part is what I basically said above, completely agree.

the second part I think Gasol will get more usage in that P&R with Nash, I expect a big year from Gasol.

Brooks isnt Larry Brown to me but I think its underestimated how well he has done with OKC, He was out coached by Spo in the Finals & he struggles with adjustments which kills OKC but as a whole I think you could do a lot worse than Scotty Brooks as your HC.

[wizkid27]

Brooks isnt Larry Brown to me but I think its underestimated how well he has done with OKC, He was out coached by Spo in the Finals & he struggles with adjustments which kills OKC but as a whole I think you could do a lot worse than Scotty Brooks as your HC.

The adjustments and lack of any meaningful play calling in late game situations have really been killer. I think on the macro level he does a very good job, but some of the in-game stuff he really struggles with. This certainly isn't aided by nobody other than Harden being able to run any type of offensive set.

[bbms]

The only thing Brooks does frequently good is keeping players motivated. He is liked by everyone, a really good person. But he can't coach at all. He doesn't have a system to implement both on offense and defense. Poor rotation management, and poor in game adjustments.

[Clarity]

The only thing Brooks does frequently good is keeping players motivated. He is liked by everyone, a really good person. But he can't coach at all. He doesn't have a system to implement both on offense and defense. Poor rotation management, and poor in game adjustments.

Im glad my hunch to check out the OKC board brought me here, you guys are pretty level headed but I have to admit im kind of surprised at the dislike for Brooks & Harden. As someone outside of OKC I can say both are viewed to the rest of us as very liked & very important to OKC's success.

That said who would you guys like instead of Brooks??

The adjustments and lack of any meaningful play calling in late game situations have really been killer. I think on the macro level he does a very good job, but some of the in-game stuff he really struggles with. This certainly isn't aided by nobody other than Harden being able to run any type of offensive set.

Harden is an iso player, with every iso player in the history of bball there have been complaints. Its just the way it is but when he delivers like Harden usually does fans can deal with it.

[CKRT]

either of the Van Gundy's, Sloan, Adelman, etc.

[Bravely Done]

I was shocked the FO committed to Brooks after his abysmal performance in the finals. He and his inability to make real time adjustments, in my opinion, are solely responsible for the loss. With the availability of great coaches, it's a shame they opted to keep Brooks long term. I don't like to think they'll regret it, but I have that suspicion.

[bbms]

Adelman was by far the preferred around here, and Imo, the best fit. Great offensive coach, plan his offense to create schemes that takes out the best of his players. Teaches passing offense.

To recognize things Brooks did for us, last WCF, Thunder down by 2-0, Parker was killing us off pick and rolls, when he switched Sefolosha with Westbrook on defense, locked down Parker, frustrated him and took the series over by a backdoor sweep. Only good adjustment I can remember. I was really thinking that Scott learned or developed something since 2011 WCF, when he was outcoached by Carlisle, but then came the Finals and we played 12 minutes per game with Ibaka/Perkins against Bosh/Battier. Harden guarding LeBron, Durant guarding Chalmers, Ibaka far from the rim guarding Battier... Scott Brooks did everything wrong.

[wizkid27]

The adjustments and lack of any meaningful play calling in late game situations have really been killer. I think on the macro level he does a very good job, but some of the in-game stuff he really struggles with. This certainly isn't aided by nobody other than Harden being able to run any type of offensive set.

Harden is an iso player, with every iso player in the history of bball there have been complaints. Its just the way it is but when he delivers like Harden usually does fans can deal with it.

I think you mistook what I was saying (or I poorly worded it)... Harden is the only player on the team that IS capable of running an offensive set. Durant and Westbrook can't get into a play more complex than a pick and roll and everyone else are either spot-up shooters or defensive specialists. After Harden I would probably say than Collison is the guy most consistently able to deliver while running a play.

[bbms]

Harden is great.

[LakersSquad]

The Lakers are improved, yes, but they have to defend us as well.

who the **** is going to defend westbrook...
also, westbrook has managed to defend nash quite well: http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... 2=nashst01[/quote]

Nash avg 54% fg vs westbrook and 9.4apg not only that he goes from his avg 2 fouls to almost 4 (3.8)
Your a joke of a poster and you must fear the Lakers to be making this thread on OKC board. You want us not to come out the west so your team doesn't have to face us. Your more comfortable with OKC because your team beat them already.

Nash winning that match up won't be dependent upon how many points he scores. It will depend on how well Nash sets his teammates up. This is the first time Westbrook would have to worry about giving Nash the open 3. Last season OKC packed in the paint and dared our shooters to beat them. Metta world shot 40% from 3pt but Sessions was horrible from 3. As far as Harden goes not only will he have to defend Kobe but now he has to defend Kobe's backup Jodie Meeks. I could actually see Harden with tired legs on the offensive end because of having to chase Meeks around screens. Then theres Jamison off the bench. I like our chances vs any team.

[LakersSquad]

I think it would be much more harder for the Lakers to stop OKC too. Look if we can beat the Spurs, Dallas, Grizz, then we can beat the new n improve Lakers. Plus Lakers is not going to be defending champs for a long time, their team is getting old. By the time Kobe, Nash, AJ, retires its going to be very hard for Dwight to compete.

Nothing wrong with believing in your team but this just sounds dumb. If there was close games last season without us having a PG, Bench, and 3pt shooting. Now we've added a top 5 pg, some shooters, currently have a better bench, and now replaced our center with the Best in the League. Do you really think it will be much more harder as you say??