Oklahoma City Thunder @ Denver Nuggets 10/19/10

Post #1 » by **slick_watts** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:34 pm

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook won't be playing in this game. Don't look for the win...

wiff · Post #2 » by **wiff** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:44 pm

Knowing that Durant and Westbrook are out, I really hope the starting line up is

Aldrich, Ibaka, Green, Harden and Maynor

This is a line up I can see Brooks using this year. Even if it is more of a "B" unit coming off the bench.

I'm not expecting a win but this unit should at least be able to compete.

No better time than the present to step up and kick the league's doors in and let people know you have arrived than the present. I'm talking to you Ibaka! Please let's see Brooks give Ibaka and Green minutes at their true positions.

But Serge at C getting 27 min a night is giving the Thunder, 10.4pts, 6.2rebs, 0.4 dimes 0.4thefts and 2.8blocks

I think if he played PF his numbers would go up some. Same goes for Jeff Green at PF Green's numbers are pretty similar to Ibaka's.

Green's numbers are 29min a game, 15ppg, 5rebs, 0.2dimes, 1.4thefts and 0.4blks.
Neither ones numbers would I say they are BAD but I think a slide down the roster would help them out.

It's painful to have these guys play out of position. There must be some toes they are avoiding or possible issues with ego's. Does anyone like the current line up of Ibaka, Green, Durant, Harden and Westbrook?

It seems like the front office is trying to start the 5 most popular players not the 5 that would fit.

Post #3 » by **sonictecture** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 12:47 am

I like the line up of Ibaka, Green, Durant, Harden and Westbrook. This was the most effective lineup to end the season and has been the most effective line up in the preseason. Are these not the best 5 players on the team?

At this point, if you move Green to the bench you are faced having to start Krstic at center. He hasn't been healthy enough to play in the preseason, so I'm not sure when he will be ready. Aldrich and Mullens are not ready to start and there is no need to force the issue when Ibaka can play center. Ibaka's opportunity to start was always greater at center than power forward this year.

If Ibaka is going to have a chance at taking the power forward job from Green, the most important factor will be getting enough playing time to learn the nuances of the game that he currently lacks. Starting at Center is the straight line path to that objective.

Jimmy76 · Post #4 » by **Jimmy76** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:21 am

Bench doing better than I expected damn

Post #5 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:24 am

sonictecture wrote:I like the line up of Ibaka, Green, Durant, Harden and Westbrook. This was the most effective lineup to end the season and has been the most effective line up in the preseason. Are these not the best 5 players on the team?

I don't disagree about the five best players, but Ibaka / Green in all forms has been very negative this preseason with the exception of the fourth quarter last night when the Spurs had the subs in. It was also highly negative overall last season.

I'd rather sub in Collison or Aldrich (probably Collison) for Green, and have him come off the bench. I wouldn't mind that lineup getting run intermittently based on matchups, but I don't think it's strong enough to put out there as your starting lineup.

Post #6 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 1:30 am

Ibaka / Collison was tremendously strong last season, I'd be a lot more comfortable with that than Ibaka / Green.

Post #7 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 2:07 am

I'm shocked this unit has been able to keep up with Denver the way they are scoring. Harden has 12 points on 1 FGA :lol:

It's no surprise the defense has sucked with Green / White or Green / Mullens or even Peterson / White at the PF / C but the offense has been very surprising.

kd35sneighbor · Post #8 » by **kd35sneighbor** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 3:24 am

Our bench is downright AWFUL. No wonder our starters play more-than-average minutes. If either Durant or Westbrook go down with an injury, we'll fall apart bad.

Jimmy76 · Post #9 » by **Jimmy76** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 5:14 am

B_Roy wrote:Our bench is downright AWFUL. No wonder our starters play more-than-average minutes. If either Durant or Westbrook go down with an injury, we'll fall apart bad.

Considering they went against a playoff team starting lineup I think they did ok

Post #10 » by **slick_watts** » Wed Oct 20, 2010 12:06 pm

Mullens, White, Millsap, and Ivey will hardly get any minutes in the regular season, they aren't even rotation players.