Westbrook to undergo knee surgery - out all postseason

[bbms]

The worst thing that could happen to the thunder (besides Durant going down) and the best thing that could happen to Durant.

Sucks about Westbrook guys, good luck in the west

What's so good about exploding his turnover rate?

[sonictecture]

This will put a huge pressure on Durant.

Durant's role remains the same, he has to make the best decision and trust his teammates. I'm sure Durant will score more as a result of Westbrook's injury, but I also expect Martin, Ibaka and Jackson to score more. Westbrook is an important piece of the team, but it's still a team while he is sidelined. I think Durant and the team is in a good place mentally and psychologically to handle this challenge.

One of the thoughts I had about Westbrook was his willingness to play out the remainder of game 2, despite the injury. He probably ensured that victory and allowed the team a couple of days to regroup and adjust to the idea that he'll be out. Westbrook wasn't concerned about his own health or his next contract, he was only concerned about helping his team win that game. That's a huge statement to the true character of Westbrook.

[BirdmanPresents]

Posted on main board:

I like KD playing the point forward role, but I also like him off the ball and in the post.

This may sound crazy, but it might be crazy enough to work.

Jackson (PG) Fisher
Martin (SG) Lamb, Brewer
Sefolosha (SF) Liggins, Jones
Durant (PF) Collison, Jones
Ibaka (C) Perkins, Thabeet

The biggest thing that stands out is KD at the 4. Durant in training camp actually played at the 4 before the season started. He also played at the 4 during the season posting great numbers. BleacherReport did an article about Durant playing the 4 and stated:

While it's safe to assume Durant won't be playing 48 minutes each game, those numbers round down to 34.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.2 blocks when modified to fit his usual 39.1 minutes per game. It's worth mentioning that Durant's current 26.9 PER spikes to a ridiculous 37.9 when playing at the 4.

Playing the 4 will allow Kevin to play off the ball, in the post, and give the starting lineup more fire power with Martin in the starting fold. The tradeoff here is Durant becomes a target on defense because of his thin frame. This may be the best time to try Durant at the 4 against Motiejunas, because Houston does not have a very large 4 to easily overpower Durant. In other series however I don't see KD being effective defensively agaisnt a Duncan, Gasol (either of them), Randolph or Griffin, but offiensively will create just as big of a mismatch.

Adding Martin to the starting lineup lets OKC get some more scoring in the starting lineup which will be absent without Westbrook. Lamb was highly regarded as one of the best SG's in this year's draft, and could fill to an extent, some scoring role off the bench that Martin provided. The problem with Martin is again defence, but having both him AND Sefolosha in the lineup, you could put Thabo on Harden.

OKC has some good end of the line players in Lamb, Brewer, Jones and Liggins, in the wake of the WB injury, OKC will have to use their assets. The determining factor of the Harden trade IMO comes down to how well Lamb develops. OKC has used him sparingly because of Brooks inability to play his rookies, but Lamb could be ready to take the next step in his young career. OKC has invested in young assets like Lamb and Jones, and now may be the time to use them.

This may thin out OKC's bench, but they don't seem horrible. And of course this is just to start the games,and different combincations can be used with Durant at the 3 OR the 4, not 40+ minutes exclusively at the 4.

[sonictecture]

I think Brooks could play those players together, but he isn't going to make such drastic changes to start the game. Brooks is a consistency guy, so he'll plug Jackson in and ask Fisher to play point and Martin gets more minutes.

Brooks would surprise me if he gave Lamb minutes.

[BirdmanPresents]

I think Brooks could play those players together, but he isn't going to make such drastic changes to start the game. Brooks is a consistency guy, so he'll plug Jackson in and ask Fisher to play point and Martin gets more minutes.

Brooks would surprise me if he gave Lamb minutes.

I agree with what your saying 100% , but disagree with Brooks strategy. One of his biggest problems thus far has been his inability to adjust the lineups or get his rookies some burn. Lamb was regarded as one of the top SG of the draft and he could of been in a position to take some of the scoring load with WB out. I just find he doesn't use the best of his resources and likes to stick to consistency over mixing things up. Consistency = predictable.

[LKRS4EVR]

I'm a Laker fan, but this is disappointing because you want to see the best go up against the best in the postseason. Best of luck to Russell.

[sonictecture]

I think Brooks could play those players together, but he isn't going to make such drastic changes to start the game. Brooks is a consistency guy, so he'll plug Jackson in and ask Fisher to play point and Martin gets more minutes.

Brooks would surprise me if he gave Lamb minutes.

I agree with what your saying 100% , but disagree with Brooks strategy. One of his biggest problems thus far has been his inability to adjust the lineups or get his rookies some burn. Lamb was regarded as one of the top SG of the draft and he could of been in a position to take some of the scoring load with WB out. I just find he doesn't use the best of his resources and likes to stick to consistency over mixing things up. Consistency = predictable.

I don't quite agree. I don't think Brooks gets enough credit for his adjustments or for his record of developing young players from fans. Brooks makes subtle adjustments during games that pay dividends and has chosen not to make whole sale changes because he has established significant success following the path of consistency, regardless of the predictability.

Brooks can still squeeze more out the rotation line up before he has to go to Lamb. Martin and Jackson can play more minutes and Fisher can play back up PG.

[bondom34]

I think Brooks could play those players together, but he isn't going to make such drastic changes to start the game. Brooks is a consistency guy, so he'll plug Jackson in and ask Fisher to play point and Martin gets more minutes.

Brooks would surprise me if he gave Lamb minutes.

I agree with what your saying 100% , but disagree with Brooks strategy. One of his biggest problems thus far has been his inability to adjust the lineups or get his rookies some burn. Lamb was regarded as one of the top SG of the draft and he could of been in a position to take some of the scoring load with WB out. I just find he doesn't use the best of his resources and likes to stick to consistency over mixing things up. Consistency = predictable.

To an extent, I see what you are saying as far as predictability goes. However, you also have to realize that with the main guys on this team, its not as easy to just pull a guy and play a rookie. You have to find when and where it can be done, and I think Brooks has found his spots where he can play the younger players. Jackson became a much larger member of the team than I would have expected, and I'm actually more excited/anxious to see tonights game just to see how he plays when it a bigger game.
My main problem with the lineups is just pretty much Fisher, which I think everyone agrees is a problem. Brooks has played only 2 lineups for 250 plus minutes on the season (not surprising considering Durant/WB take a lot of minutes, plus Ibaka and Martin as a solid 6th man). However he played 7 for at least 60 minutes, which is one of the higher numbers in the league (Spurs, Clips and Heat played around the same amount), which to me says he at least has tried to get guys in where they can. I think now is the test of how they've developed, and in a way it is kind of a positive to be able to evaluate players in real game situations before any decisions on contracts need to be made. We will actually see how the young guys respond and if they'll hang around, which wouldn't have happened as much otherwise.

[DEEP3CL]

Russ will get back to 100% pretty fast because of youth, but as for these playoffs the dynamic for the Thunder will be much different. Jackson may play well be he isn't Russ. Everything is going to look different out there on the floor spacing wise. Certain player who got comfortable shots with Russ won't see the same shots with Jackson.

Gonna be a bit of a struggle but they should get out this series.

[ExplosionsInDaSky]

You guys can do it! Sixer fan pullingf or you all big time! Durant is the closest thing to Michael Jordan I have seen in my lifetime. His mental makeup on down to his competitive drive. You guys are going to be fine! Showing it right now in Houston! I'm gonna t(roll) with you guys the rest of the postseason if thats ok.
Much love from a Sixer fan

[bondom34]

I think Brooks could play those players together, but he isn't going to make such drastic changes to start the game. Brooks is a consistency guy, so he'll plug Jackson in and ask Fisher to play point and Martin gets more minutes.

Brooks would surprise me if he gave Lamb minutes.

I agree with what your saying 100% , but disagree with Brooks strategy. One of his biggest problems thus far has been his inability to adjust the lineups or get his rookies some burn. Lamb was regarded as one of the top SG of the draft and he could of been in a position to take some of the scoring load with WB out. I just find he doesn't use the best of his resources and likes to stick to consistency over mixing things up. Consistency = predictable.

To an extent, I see what you are saying as far as predictability goes. However, you also have to realize that with the main guys on this team, its not as easy to just pull a guy and play a rookie. You have to find when and where it can be done, and I think Brooks has found his spots where he can play the younger players. Jackson became a much larger member of the team than I would have expected, and I'm actually more excited/anxious to see tonights game just to see how he plays when it a bigger game.
My main problem with the lineups is just pretty much Fisher, which I think everyone agrees is a problem. Brooks has played only 2 lineups for 250 plus minutes on the season (not surprising considering Durant/WB take a lot of minutes, plus Ibaka and Martin as a solid 6th man). However he played 7 for at least 60 minutes, which is one of the higher numbers in the league (Spurs, Clips and Heat played around the same amount), which to me says he at least has tried to get guys in where they can. I think now is the test of how they've developed, and in a way it is kind of a positive to be able to evaluate players in real game situations before any decisions on contracts need to be made. We will actually see how the young guys respond and if they'll hang around, which wouldn't have happened as much otherwise.

I'm only quoting myself so I remember to shut up. Severly disappointed in the rotation today, Lamb, Jones, Brewer, Thabeet all DNP CD. Fisher with 24 or so mins, didn't play his worst game, but still not good...

[BirdmanPresents]

^ I understand with your original point as well, but giving Westbrooks minutes to Durant and Fisher is not the answer. If they continue to play Durant for 47 minutes/game, he will be joining Westbrook in the hospital if they do make a deep run.

OKC looked horribly stagnant on offense. At this point it seems more high/medium reward, low risk to give guys like Lamb and Jones some PT.

I just remember back to the draft, I wasn't sold on Lamb, but I do think his skillset could help OKC with Westbrook out. Especially since their offense was Durant ISO ball, which wasn't effective because although he was scoring, he finished with about 4 assists when I saw at least 7 or 8 great passes that should of been baskets. No offensive support from the supporting cast. Lamb can at least hit a jumper. I would go as far as saying Lamb is probably the best shooter on the team right now after Durant and Martin.

Of course a trade off could be defense (not even that he i a bad defender but hes young), but people forget how long Lamb is, and could be effective contesting the barrage of 3 pointers by Houston.

OKC made a blockbuster deal when they moved Harden, and I always said what justifys the deal is how their peices develop (Lamb and Raptors pick). Of course these assets are for the future, but with the Raptors pick out of range in a weak draft, and the fall of Westbrook, they need to put some trust in their return for Harden now.

Just a reminder, Thunder shot about 25% in the 3rd and 37% in the fourth. No adjustments were made while Durant grew more exhausted.

OKC will have to dig deeper in their pockets as the games go on.

[Nsync_Beckham]

The Thunder should sign Allen Iverson!
similar game styles- both love to take shots but can be effective distributers as well, a.i. will come in knowing this is durants team so allen would know to give the ball to him most times in late game situations

[JordansBulls]

This season man...no rose, no rondo, no Kobe and now no Westbrook. This season needs a giant asterisks by it.

Last year was similar. Both Rose and Dwight two arguably top 5 players in the East were out the entire playoffs which enabled Miami to get to the finals.

[IMAN5]

This season man...no rose, no rondo, no Kobe and now no Westbrook. This season needs a giant asterisks by it.

Last year was similar. Both Rose and Dwight two arguably top 5 players in the East were out the entire playoffs which enabled Miami to get to the finals.

i'm not a heat fan, and I don't want them winning any championships. But if they do, we have to stop saying "oh you won because it was a shortened season" or "oh so many injuries this year". There will always be a reason for haters to complain.

I really don't like the heat, but if they win again, then they've earned it once again. We should stop with this Asterisks BS.

[Paradise]

Does anyone know the extent of his injury? because I'm seeing pictures of him on my FB feed and he still is on crutches and his knee is still in a cast. He was also in a wheelchair for the Thunder event for the Tornado victims.

Meniscus tears usually take 4-6 weeks until you can walk and the very worse time table to get off knee support would be 6-8 weeks. It seems to be worse.

[comingbacktousa]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/93988 ... r-crutches

He is off crutches now.