Game 9 : Oklahoma City Thunder (1-6) @ Los Angeles Lakers (5-3) - 10:30 PM

[LAKESHOW]

It is no doubt Lebrons doing. The only reason I won't jump on Bron totally, is because when Bron steps on the floor, teammates wake up and do seem to play better. Secondly, he has won the Chip here, and hung up the banner.
BUT THIS LOOK TOTALLY SUCKS right now, and the hope is thru 82 we can turn things around and find lineups.
THIS THEREFORE FALLS ON VOGEL to fix. However unfair that is, I get it. But we must coach, scheme and lineup our way out of this mess. These lineups are painful to watch

[tamaraw08]

Russ isn’t a winning player, plain and simple. He makes the dumbest decisions with the ball, can't shoot for ****, gets tunnel vision when he does make a couple shots, and plays some of the worst off ball defense on the team. I still can't believe how many people continue to defend this guy with a straight face knowing how conducive he is to losing. We’re only about a year removed from absolutely exposing him in the playoffs, he was literally one of the main reasons we beat the Rockets so handedly in the second round.

This roster as a whole is dog **** as I had predicted months earlier. DJ shouldn’t be in the league, Rondo is strictly on this roster based on reputation, Baze is a bozo who somehow is worse than Danny Green at finishing around the rim, and Monk is a traffic cone on defense constantly looking over his shoulder. The only guys I’ve been content with are Reaves and Melo, even though the latter has been a terrible defender in his own right. THT, Nunn, and Ariza can’t come back soon enough even though I don’t think they’re gonna be the difference makers that are gonna push us over the top.

I hate the Russ trade too, I strongly felt getting a shooter like Hield while retaining KCP and esp keeping Caruso would have been a much logical move. Having said that, I understand the logic. Lebron will turn 37 and he can't carry this team's offense EVERY SINGLE POSSESSION!!
Vogel's lack of creativity on offense is making it worse and I was hoping Fizdale would step in and design several smart setplays and generate higher % shots and avoid those ugly scoring droughts.
I don't like those excuses that they're missing injured players, my goodness, Ariza and THT would have helped? Vogel didn't trust THT last 2 years now, has he learned from his mistakes? maybe, but is he really a much better defender than Bradley and Bazemore, really?
I really believe that AD is just at 80% right now and yes I am frustrated too esp when EVERY GAME he grabs a part of his body and winces in pain.
Lastly, Vogel needs to show his manhood, last 3 minutes pull out Westbrook and just point a MUCH SMARTER PG like Rondo.

[BEazy]

Yeah, I don’t enjoy watching this team at all. The only guys I like watching are Melo and Bron. Rest of them can kick rocks…

[tamaraw08]

It is no doubt Lebrons doing. The only reason I won't jump on Bron totally, is because when Bron steps on the floor, teammates wake up and do seem to play better. Secondly, he has won the Chip here, and hung up the banner.
BUT THIS LOOK TOTALLY SUCKS right now, and the hope is thru 82 we can turn things around and find lineups.
THIS THEREFORE FALLS ON VOGEL to fix. However unfair that is, I get it. But we must coach, scheme and lineup our way out of this mess. These lineups are painful to watch

I said it before and I'll say it again, it was also NOT FAIR that he got so much credit for their defense esp last season.
And because I didn't want to give him the full credit, then I don't expect him to really magically fix this mess even though playing Bazemore, Bradley and Reaves helps a ton. It's a challenge for him bec Russ, Kent, Melo are not that smart and don't have that high BBIQ to defend. Melo has lost a half a step and it makes a difference in terms of rotating and covering shooters.

[Beethoven]

Love this team.

[zuju]

On the bright side, they are capable of doing much better. We leaded most of the game. But only melt down in the last quarter.

Vogel should try to give WB some very clear defensive assignments. OKC's last score was totally on WB. He should know where he should position himself. Not to only go for rebound but to avoid giving open looks, don't over help. At this point, I'd rather WB learn to not help until he reaches the point where he would not grab a rebound and under help. Adjust bit by bit as to where he should position himself. Look at Draymon Green, He's not tall but was able to defend most of the players on court and grab rebound. He has all those techniques and more importantly the position he put himself in on that end. WB should watch and study that.

On offense, we are good.

In the regular season, we can hide those weaker defender. In the playoff, good luck if they remain the same.

[chefy]

Read on Twitter

I don’t understand this because there are two players running at SGA already here.

Don’t forget this is after he turned the ball over on offense. Like I said, I can already see Westbrook’s and Melo’s decision making costing us some games in the playoffs .

[Landsberger]

Read on Twitter

I don’t understand this because there are two players running at SGA already here.

Don’t forget this is after he turned the ball over on offense. Like I said, I can already see Westbrook’s and Melo’s decision making costing us some games in the playoffs .

Jim Mora approves of this post.....

[LAKESHOW]

Like the ol saying, its hard to teach Old Dogs new tricks

[zuju]

Like the ol saying, its hard to teach Old Dogs new tricks

True. That's why, I kept on advocating younger dudes like harry giles over DJ and lonzo over WB (so we can retain Caruso as well) though it may be tough to work out.

If WB really want to win a ring as advertised, he should learn and make changes. Otherwise, we are only a playoff team at best.

[Pythagoras]

Like the ol saying, its hard to teach Old Dogs new tricks

True. That's why, I kept on advocating younger dudes like harry giles over DJ and lonzo over WB (so we can retain Caruso as well) though it may be tough to work out.

If WB really want to win a ring as advertised, he should learn and make changes. Otherwise, we are only a playoff team at best.

Actually, acquiring Lonzo would’ve made it a lot harder to retain Caruso. By opting to trade for WB instead that opened the door to keep him had the team not been cheap. DJ shouldn’t be on this team at all.

[zuju]

Like the ol saying, its hard to teach Old Dogs new tricks

True. That's why, I kept on advocating younger dudes like harry giles over DJ and lonzo over WB (so we can retain Caruso as well) though it may be tough to work out.

If WB really want to win a ring as advertised, he should learn and make changes. Otherwise, we are only a playoff team at best.

Actually, acquiring Lonzo would’ve made it a lot harder to retain Caruso. By opting to trade for WB instead that opened the door to keep him had the team not been cheap. DJ shouldn’t be on this team at all.

You mean logjam at the guard position with KCP in the fold?

I do understand why they go cheap on Caruso.But I hate it. If we have not signed Nunn, we wouldn't have to use the 15th spot so early. That totally could have save us more than 6M and give us more flexibility by the all star break. They only need to give around 3 more millions to retain Caruso with probably 10 or so million for tax. That I think would be acceptable.

The most hated guy on the team - DJ. Hopefully, they can see how bad DJ is. Waive him or trade him by the all star break.

I would keep a close eye on Mo Bamba and harry giles for DJ's place.

[Pythagoras]

True. That's why, I kept on advocating younger dudes like harry giles over DJ and lonzo over WB (so we can retain Caruso as well) though it may be tough to work out.

If WB really want to win a ring as advertised, he should learn and make changes. Otherwise, we are only a playoff team at best.

Actually, acquiring Lonzo would’ve made it a lot harder to retain Caruso. By opting to trade for WB instead that opened the door to keep him had the team not been cheap. DJ shouldn’t be on this team at all.

You mean logjam at the guard position with KCP in the fold?

I do understand why they go cheap on Caruso.But I hate it. If we have not signed Nunn, we wouldn't have to use the 15th spot so early. That totally could have save us more than 6M and give us more flexibility by the all star break. They only need to give around 3 more millions to retain Caruso with probably 10 or so million for tax. That I think would be acceptable.

The most hated guy on the team - DJ. Hopefully, they can see how bad DJ is. Waive him or trade him by the all star break.

I would keep a close eye on Mo Bamba and harry giles for DJ's place.

Lonzo would’ve had to be acquired via sign and trade which would’ve hardcapped the team. I would’ve LOVED Lonzo back, but it was going to be a pretty complicated path to bring him back AND fill out the roster.

Agree with you on DJ.

[zuju]

Actually, acquiring Lonzo would’ve made it a lot harder to retain Caruso. By opting to trade for WB instead that opened the door to keep him had the team not been cheap. DJ shouldn’t be on this team at all.

You mean logjam at the guard position with KCP in the fold?

I do understand why they go cheap on Caruso.But I hate it. If we have not signed Nunn, we wouldn't have to use the 15th spot so early. That totally could have save us more than 6M and give us more flexibility by the all star break. They only need to give around 3 more millions to retain Caruso with probably 10 or so million for tax. That I think would be acceptable.

The most hated guy on the team - DJ. Hopefully, they can see how bad DJ is. Waive him or trade him by the all star break.

I would keep a close eye on Mo Bamba and harry giles for DJ's place.

Lonzo would’ve had to be acquired via sign and trade which would’ve hardcapped the team. I would’ve LOVED Lonzo back, but it was going to be a pretty complicated path to bring him back AND fill out the roster.

Agree with you on DJ.

Oh yes. Totally forgot the hard cap thing.The WB trade is inevitable though when both LBJ and AD asked for it.

Just hope that westbrick can change his game defensively and the return of THT and Ariza may give very positive impact on the defensive end. Yes, wishful thinking.

[BEazy]

I totally would of got hard capped for either Lonzo or DeRozan than WestBroke...

[chefy]

low key this is on Lebron and AD too.

you simply cannot have core players that are always out.

[stan francisco]

I think we should chill with the panic button for another month plus. If they’ll stop stinking it up and start playing like a team no sooner than by Xmas, I’ll be thrilled.

Vogel’s ‘five games, adjust, five games, adjust’ strategy is awesome in May. Not so fun in October.

THT and Trevor are big losses defensively. And we’re used to KCP and Caruso. Westbrook is completely lost defensively. No wonder it’s ugly given that, and given street clothes on stars.

[Pythagoras]

I think we should chill with the panic button for another month plus. If they’ll stop stinking it up and start playing like a team no sooner than by Xmas, I’ll be thrilled.

Vogel’s ‘five games, adjust, five games, adjust’ strategy is awesome in May. Not so fun in October.

THT and Trevor are big losses defensively. And we’re used to KCP and Caruso. Westbrook is completely lost defensively. No wonder it’s ugly given that, and given street clothes on stars.

Not panicking, but it’s still jarring to see how badly they’re missing a few role players. I think getting Nunn back will also be a huge boost.

[stan francisco]

I think we should chill with the panic button for another month plus. If they’ll stop stinking it up and start playing like a team no sooner than by Xmas, I’ll be thrilled.

Vogel’s ‘five games, adjust, five games, adjust’ strategy is awesome in May. Not so fun in October.

THT and Trevor are big losses defensively. And we’re used to KCP and Caruso. Westbrook is completely lost defensively. No wonder it’s ugly given that, and given street clothes on stars.

Not panicking, but it’s still jarring to see how badly they’re missing a few role players. I think getting Nunn back will also be a huge boost.

Yeah. With a healthy roster, Frank could do things like shifting ball handling duties to LBJ and THT and let Russ do his offense let’s say via isolation attacks only, on the weak side. Right now, we have a leaking ship and Westbrook’s defense is like our only rudder. Not going to be pretty.

[zuju]

I think we should chill with the panic button for another month plus. If they’ll stop stinking it up and start playing like a team no sooner than by Xmas, I’ll be thrilled.

Vogel’s ‘five games, adjust, five games, adjust’ strategy is awesome in May. Not so fun in October.

THT and Trevor are big losses defensively. And we’re used to KCP and Caruso. Westbrook is completely lost defensively. No wonder it’s ugly given that, and given street clothes on stars.

Not panicking, but it’s still jarring to see how badly they’re missing a few role players. I think getting Nunn back will also be a huge boost.

Yeah. With a healthy roster, Frank could do things like shifting ball handling duties to LBJ and THT and let Russ do his offense let’s say via isolation attacks only, on the weak side. Right now, we have a leaking ship and Westbrook’s defense is like our only rudder. Not going to be pretty.

No panic at all. I'm sure they will build chemistry and play much better later on on both ends of the floor. They can definitely get into playoff. No doubt. What is concerning is that there is little to no defensive scheme which will not be broken down in the playoff against real championship level team unless you have really good defenders with no weak spot to be picked up by the opponents like we did back in the bubble. Heat was so good defensively that year, we broke them down and we won. That's an area they need to work on.