2016 Playoffs Round 1: OKC Thunder vs. Dallas Mavericks

[Andre Roberstan]

If Durant had a 20/25 shooting night I bet our fanbase would talk about the 5 shots he missed

[bondom34]

Memphis is clearly the worst team in the history of the playoffs. But using the team x beat team y so they are better argument just doesn't hold water, Dallas just beat us and they are clearly not better than us. Dallas had an expected win/loss of 40-42, I believe Houston's was 42-40, plus Dallas is now missing Parsons and has a hobbled Deron, and Harden started the year playing like crap but has rounded into form.

As far as Detroit, they won more games, had a better expected win/loss, and got better at after making the move for Harris. I don't see any real argument for calling this Dallas team as good or better than them.

I never said Memphis was better, they're not. But Dallas was 7-3 down the stretch with a win over this Houston team. Houston nearly coughed up a 17 point lead last night to a team that frankly looked more interested in giving them a game than OKC did game 2.

Houston went 6-4 down the stretch with wins over Cleveland, Toronto, and us. Dallas and Houston split the season series, Dallas is clearly hobbled, and Houston has Harden. Oh and Dallas came much closer to losing the game to us than Housron came to losing that game. Saying Dallas beat Houston so they're the better team isn't a good argument. That's just not the way It works in this league.

No, but Houston wasn't clearly better than Dallas either, and Dallas has shown more motivation and better coaching. Talent on paper isn't everything.

[Pillendreher]

So I assume you'd be mad if you were a GSW fan too then, considering they lost a game as well. The Spurs beat a much worse Memphis team, the Cavs haven't looked good either.

Please don't exaggerate everything I say. I just said that this won't cut it in the 2nd round and there's more to it than KD just missing shots.

I agree, KD playing poorly isn't their style. I don't expect it to continue.

See above. Just look at this:

http://stats.nba.com/cvp.html?GameID=0041500163&GameEventID=500#

That's completely terrible basketball. The shot went it, but what happened before that was complete garbage. Zach Lowe talked about this: We're isolating Durant way too slowly, then nobody moves and we end up with shots like that.

The change in the offense is pretty simple, KD missed a ton in game 2 so it looked bad. They had 1 really poor game (game 2) surrounded by 2 great games. They threw 240 and 246 passes in the 2 good games, slightly down from average. The one bad one they threw 203. So take out the one garbage game and we're back to RS levels basically. You're seeing the 2 best players on the team with increased usage, which is pretty much what's going to happen come playoffs.

That's an extreme oversimplification. During the RS, we made 290 passes against the Mavs. We're down almost 20 % from that. We're not running the PnR nearly enough, there's almost no cutting at all and we're not having guys coming off screens.
During the Regular Season, 42 % of Durant's FGA against Dallas were open or wide open.
Let's break it down for each game:

G1: 80 % tight or very tight / 20 % open or very open
G2: 85 % tight or very tight / 15 % open or very open
G3: 88 % tight or very tight / 12 % open or very open

The Mavericks are an below average defensive team. Wes Matthews is a solid defender, but there's no way he should be able to bother Durant this much.
Why is it working for the Mavs? Because we've been allowing it. They've been packing the paint to prevent Russ from driving. If we isolate Durant, he's surrounded by two shooters at the most. Why are we allowing the Mavs to defend us that way? First of all, we shouldn't isolate KD. Have him come off screens and get him good looks. Put him in PnR as either the Roll Man with Russ or as the Ball Handler and let them try to contain that. Have our wings cutting to the basket and Russ using his athleticism to get open shots.
Give Morrow some minutes and run a PnR with Russ and Adams while Ibaka sets a screen for either Durant or Morrow with the other wing spotting up. There's no way for the Mavs to defend that.
Run some stuff for Ibaka to get open midrange jumpers against Dirk.

These Mavs can't defend us and we have to show that we understand how to get open shots.

---------------------------------

[tweet]https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/723575388425719808[/tweet]

Such a **** idiot. Adjustment period. Defense. Argh. So stupid.

[bondom34]

So I assume you'd be mad if you were a GSW fan too then, considering they lost a game as well. The Spurs beat a much worse Memphis team, the Cavs haven't looked good either.

Please don't exaggerate everything I say. I just said that this won't cut it in the 2nd round and there's more to it than KD just missing shots.

I agree, KD playing poorly isn't their style. I don't expect it to continue.

See above. Just look at this:

http://stats.nba.com/cvp.html?GameID=0041500163&GameEventID=500#

That's completely terrible basketball. The shot went it, but what happened before that was complete garbage. Zach Lowe talked about this: We're isolating Durant way too slowly, then nobody moves and we end up with shots like that.

The change in the offense is pretty simple, KD missed a ton in game 2 so it looked bad. They had 1 really poor game (game 2) surrounded by 2 great games. They threw 240 and 246 passes in the 2 good games, slightly down from average. The one bad one they threw 203. So take out the one garbage game and we're back to RS levels basically. You're seeing the 2 best players on the team with increased usage, which is pretty much what's going to happen come playoffs.

That's an extreme oversimplification. During the RS, we made 290 passes against the Mavs. We're down almost 20 % from that. We're not running the PnR nearly enough, there's almost no cutting at all and we're not having guys coming off screens.
During the Regular Season, 42 % of Durant's FGA against Dallas were open or wide open.
Let's break it down for each game:

G1: 80 % tight or very tight / 20 % open or very open
G2: 85 % tight or very tight / 15 % open or very open
G3: 88 % tight or very tight / 12 % open or very open

The Mavericks are an below average defensive team. Wes Matthews is a solid defender, but there's no way he should be able to bother Durant this much.
Why is it working for the Mavs? Because we've been allowing it. They've been packing the paint to prevent Russ from driving. If we isolate Durant, he's surrounded by two shooters at the most. Why are we allowing the Mavs to defend us that way? First of all, we shouldn't isolate KD. Have him come off screens and get him good looks. Put him in PnR as either the Roll Man with Russ or as the Ball Handler and let them try to contain that. Have our wings cutting to the basket and Russ using his athleticism to get open shots.
Give Morrow some minutes and run a PnR with Russ and Adams while Ibaka sets a screen for either Durant or Morrow with the other wing spotting up. There's no way for the Mavs to defend that.
Run some stuff for Ibaka to get open midrange jumpers against Dirk.

These Mavs can't defend us and we have to show that we understand how to get open shots.

---------------------------------

[tweet]https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/723575388425719808[/tweet]

Such a **** idiot. Adjustment period. Defense. Argh. So stupid.

I can't watch the video at work (no Flash), but as to the first part, this team has a shot vs. SAS based on matchup only, they're gonna have to be playing well no matter what but they have been overall impressive in 2 of 3 games. The Mavs are below avg defensively, and OKC just put up 130. Frankly I don't care too much about what's going in just that it is. They killed last night on 30 uncontested shots.

[Zagor]

Hallelujah, Singler didn't play any minute. That is massive improvment.

Now, Foye needs to follow so Payne can enter. But who am I joking right?
I would be "OK" with Foye if he can hit that threes, but man he is so bad.

I also don't understand why Russ and KD are so sloppy with passing. I understand when someone makes turnover because of great defense from opponent, but to lose 5-6 balls every game in idiotic way is above my comprehension.

[bondom34]

Carlisle trolling Tramel:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/723586539058397184[/tweet]

[Old Man Game]

Carlisle trolling Tramel:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/723586539058397184[/tweet]

That was hilarious. There's a 0.0001% chance this actually makes a difference for them but you've got to love Carlisle's effort here to get that narrative out there for his team.

[spearsy23]

Carlisle trolling Tramel:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/723586539058397184[/tweet]

That was hilarious. There's a 0.0001% chance this actually makes a difference for them but you've got to love Carlisle's effort here to get that narrative out there for his team.

That was all tramel actually. Carlisle was pretty much like wtf would you just listen to yourself.

[bondom34]

Carlisle trolling Tramel:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/status/723586539058397184[/tweet]

That was hilarious. There's a 0.0001% chance this actually makes a difference for them but you've got to love Carlisle's effort here to get that narrative out there for his team.

That was all tramel actually. Carlisle was pretty much like wtf would you just listen to yourself.

Oddly enough that's what I usually feel like when I read Tramel.

[KD35Brah]

So apparently ESPN edited the Harden E:60 and cut out the part where he was crying(legit crying on screen) along with his mom and him saying he does miss playing with Russ and Kevin and his mother repeating the same thing.

Ridiculous, i'm at a loss for words really....

So i watched the original version of the E60 on Harden, and the edited one that now exists on youtube. One thing I noticed was that, he is still very upset that he's not playing with Russel/Kevin. He was crying about it, 4 years later, crying his eyes out on national TV. I know its kind of a stretch, but I am seeing a situation take place much like Miami. Kevin signs a one year deal at the end of this season, next season harden comes back, Kevin signs another deal, and Russell signs another max contract.

I cant find it espn edited the original after Houston asked them not to include it. I've tried asking the sports animal they can't find the original either. But he was crying and I quote "yeah I miss those guys, I want to play with Kevin and Russell" his mom had a scene where she was crying about it too and she said the same thing that he missed Russell and Kevin. I could see them taking less money to play together

[itzmrgigglez]

It's his fault he ain't playing with them anyway so that's more of a reason to take it out. If he just took the money we gave him, he'd be ballin with his boys

So apparently ESPN edited the Harden E:60 and cut out the part where he was crying(legit crying on screen) along with his mom and him saying he does miss playing with Russ and Kevin and his mother repeating the same thing.

Ridiculous, i'm at a loss for words really....

So i watched the original version of the E60 on Harden, and the edited one that now exists on youtube. One thing I noticed was that, he is still very upset that he's not playing with Russel/Kevin. He was crying about it, 4 years later, crying his eyes out on national TV. I know its kind of a stretch, but I am seeing a situation take place much like Miami. Kevin signs a one year deal at the end of this season, next season harden comes back, Kevin signs another deal, and Russell signs another max contract.

I cant find it espn edited the original after Houston asked them not to include it. I've tried asking the sports animal they can't find the original either. But he was crying and I quote "yeah I miss those guys, I want to play with Kevin and Russell" his mom had a scene where she was crying about it too and she said the same thing that he missed Russell and Kevin. I could see them taking less money to play together

[spearsy23]

That was hilarious. There's a 0.0001% chance this actually makes a difference for them but you've got to love Carlisle's effort here to get that narrative out there for his team.

That was all tramel actually. Carlisle was pretty much like wtf would you just listen to yourself.

Oddly enough that's what I usually feel like when I read Tramel.

Mr unreadable.

[Pillendreher]

At this point I think those 3 couldn't even play together. Russ and Kevin are both at 30 % USG and Harden needs to ball in his hands as well....

[bondom34]

They were over 30 when Harden was on the team before.

[spearsy23]

At this point I think those 3 couldn't even play together. Russ and Kevin are both at 30 % USG and Harden needs to ball in his hands as well....

I think this year has proven KD doesn't need the ball in his hands and probably shouldn't be asked to be a playmaker. Obviously they would all be scaled back a bit, but if the three superstar system was ever gonna work it would be here where the other 12 guys (Assuming Kanter is gone) are only good for open jumpshots and lobs anyway.

That said, it's never going to happen. There's a better chance that KDf and Russ end up in Houston than Harden here.

[Pillendreher]

They were over 30 when Harden was on the team before.

Russ and KD were over 30, but Harden was just above 20. And I think this Harden needs the ball in his hands and won't just be the 3rd fiddle spotting up.

At this point I think those 3 couldn't even play together. Russ and Kevin are both at 30 % USG and Harden needs to ball in his hands as well....

I think this year has proven KD doesn't need the ball in his hands and probably shouldn't be asked to be a playmaker. Obviously they would all be scaled back a bit, but if the three superstar system was ever gonna work it would be here where the other 12 guys (Assuming Kanter is gone) are only good for open jumpshots and lobs anyway.

That said, it's never going to happen. There's a better chance that KDf and Russ end up in Houston than Harden here.

I know KD doesn't need the ball, but I feel like he wants to make plays and handle the ball.

I think if they wanted to make it work, it would happen. But that's a topic for another season...

[Pillendreher]

So apparently ESPN edited the Harden E:60 and cut out the part where he was crying(legit crying on screen) along with his mom and him saying he does miss playing with Russ and Kevin and his mother repeating the same thing.

Ridiculous, i'm at a loss for words really....

So i watched the original version of the E60 on Harden, and the edited one that now exists on youtube. One thing I noticed was that, he is still very upset that he's not playing with Russel/Kevin. He was crying about it, 4 years later, crying his eyes out on national TV. I know its kind of a stretch, but I am seeing a situation take place much like Miami. Kevin signs a one year deal at the end of this season, next season harden comes back, Kevin signs another deal, and Russell signs another max contract.

I cant find it espn edited the original after Houston asked them not to include it. I've tried asking the sports animal they can't find the original either. But he was crying and I quote "yeah I miss those guys, I want to play with Kevin and Russell" his mom had a scene where she was crying about it too and she said the same thing that he missed Russell and Kevin. I could see them taking less money to play together

Since I couldn't find anything on Google about it: What's your source on this?

[KD35Brah]

So apparently ESPN edited the Harden E:60 and cut out the part where he was crying(legit crying on screen) along with his mom and him saying he does miss playing with Russ and Kevin and his mother repeating the same thing.

Ridiculous, i'm at a loss for words really....

So i watched the original version of the E60 on Harden, and the edited one that now exists on youtube. One thing I noticed was that, he is still very upset that he's not playing with Russel/Kevin. He was crying about it, 4 years later, crying his eyes out on national TV. I know its kind of a stretch, but I am seeing a situation take place much like Miami. Kevin signs a one year deal at the end of this season, next season harden comes back, Kevin signs another deal, and Russell signs another max contract.

I cant find it espn edited the original after Houston asked them not to include it. I've tried asking the sports animal they can't find the original either. But he was crying and I quote "yeah I miss those guys, I want to play with Kevin and Russell" his mom had a scene where she was crying about it too and she said the same thing that he missed Russell and Kevin. I could see them taking less money to play together

Since I couldn't find anything on Google about it: What's your source on this?

Some guy on the Thunder subreddit.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Thunder/comments/4fzlht/not_playoffswatched_the_e60_on_harden_anyone_else/

[Pillendreher]

Interesting. Thx!

[TheBeardedMan]

What if Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Adams took a paycut?? Kinda like how Miami did a few years back. It's possible!