2018-2019 OKC Thunder Regular Season Pt 1: A Renewed Hope

[getrichordie]

https://sports.yahoo.com/lebron-james-reportedly-ignoring-luke-waltons-play-calls-nobodys-surprise-210514450.html

Will he receive the same treatment as Westbrook on this topic?

Well to be fair Lebron has a very high BBIQ but still....

you know very well he won't lol people worship lebron like a god

To be fair, LeBron has way more clout to pull that stuff off.


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[wco81]

Reality is, any player with a max deal has the clout to get rid of the coach.

Of course doing so isn't cost free. Players will take a hit to their reps. like Bron did with Blatt and Magic did with Westhead back in the day.

[oreojenkins]

Random thought watching this game after a bricked layup...

Not sure I've been as disappointed in a Thunder acquisition as I am with Patrick Patterson. I thought he'd be a really nice pickup, but he's been such a bust. 1.25 years in, I'm ready to take the L. Upgrading his spot in the rotation would be so valuable and worthwhile.

[getrichordie]

Over the last 10 games, we are...

2nd in NetRtg (9.2) just behind Dallas (10.0) and just ahead of Toronto (7.9) and Denver (7.3)

1st in DRtg (99.7) just ahead of Minnesota (101.0), Indiana (102.1) and Dallas (102.1)

2nd in OREB% (34.3) just behind New Orleans (35.0) and just ahead of Houston (32.4) and Detroit (32.0)

4th in DREB% (74.9) behind Milwaukee (78.2), Indiana (77.7), and Cleveland (75.2)

Tied for 1st in REB% with New Orleans (53.8) just ahead of Denver, Milwaukee, and Cleveland.

8th in TOV% (13.8%)

5th worst in TS% (52.9)

21st in Pace (100.30)





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[hardenASG13]

I think the question everyone wants to know is will pillendreher admit he is wrong on patterson/grant? To the people, who even after about 10 games this year who claimed patterson was clearly the better player, and especially defender, I really hope this encourages you to see with your eyes more and rely less on arbitrary stats or what the okc media tells you (that patterson does all these good things defensively). Grant has been the superior player for some time.

Also, officially on board with Burton. He should have all of Ferguson's minutes as he is wayyyy more polished. Doubt it will surprise anyone, but i think he's better than roberson too, possibly by quite a bit.

[slick_watts]

I think the question everyone wants to know is will pillendreher admit he is wrong on patterson/grant? To the people, who even after about 10 games this year who claimed patterson was clearly the better player, and especially defender, I really hope this encourages you to see with your eyes more and rely less on arbitrary stats or what the okc media tells you (that patterson does all these good things defensively). Grant has been the superior player for some time.

grant has for sure been far better this season. this has a something to do with unusual shooting %'s though-- if grant is going to shoot 36% from three and patterson is going to shoot 30% from three indefinitely, yeah, there's absolutely no contest. i don't think any sane person could have predicted such a shooting disparity between these two. if those %'s were flip flopped, which i still expect to happen in the long run, it'd be much closer.

patterson should have received more than 2 starts, though. he's barely played with the starters since we got him and it feels like a wasted opportunity, similar to anthony morrow.

don't get high and mighty about 'seeing with your eyes' around here, bub. if we're going to replay all the predictions you'd be coming out on bottom with most of them using this eye test of yours.

Also, officially on board with Burton. He should have all of Ferguson's minutes as he is wayyyy more polished. Doubt it will surprise anyone, but i think he's better than roberson too, possibly by quite a bit.

[Old Man Game]

Speaking of Burton, was surprised when Chris Fisher on the broadcast actually brought up the 45 day limit for a 2 way player and even said the Thunder would have to make a decision on him pretty soon. Just the sort of stuff that Brian Davis would have never mentioned.

[spearsy23]

I think the question everyone wants to know is will pillendreher admit he is wrong on patterson/grant? To the people, who even after about 10 games this year who claimed patterson was clearly the better player, and especially defender, I really hope this encourages you to see with your eyes more and rely less on arbitrary stats or what the okc media tells you (that patterson does all these good things defensively). Grant has been the superior player for some time.

Also, officially on board with Burton. He should have all of Ferguson's minutes as he is wayyyy more polished. Doubt it will surprise anyone, but i think he's better than roberson too, possibly by quite a bit.

Patterson has been terrible offensively, but he's actually been defending the perimeter well the last couple of weeks. Grant has definitely been better though.


Then you completely ruin your chance to gloat with possibly the dumbest stance this board has ever seen.

[spearsy23]

What are the logistics on converting 2 way contracts, is it a pro-rated minimum or a full minimum?

[slick_watts]

What are the logistics on converting 2 way contracts, is it a pro-rated minimum or a full minimum?

minimum salaries are prorated yes. it'd be something like 750k-800k i'm guessing for burton depending on when he is signed, if he is.

if i were sam presti i'd try to sign him to a long term contract like diallo, the cost of using our last roster spot on burton would hopefully be offset by having control of him for awhile should he pan out.

[slick_watts]

so the defense is 2.5pp100 better than #2 boston after taking strength of opponent into account.

if this continues, billy deserves >a lot< of credit imo. with 'dre out, losing adrian griffin, bringing in an incompetent to replace him... it would be a scott brooks, post-ron adams like achievement only x100 if this hold the rest of the year.

[Old Man Game]

so the defense is 2.5pp100 better than #2 boston after taking strength of opponent into account.

if this continues, billy deserves >a lot< of credit imo. with 'dre out, losing adrian griffin, bringing in an incompetent to replace him... it would be a scott brooks, post-ron adams like achievement only x100 if this hold the rest of the year.

LMAO. Dude. Why doesn't the said incompetent deserve credit as well? Maybe it turns out he just wasn't incompetent.

[slick_watts]

so the defense is 2.5pp100 better than #2 boston after taking strength of opponent into account.

if this continues, billy deserves >a lot< of credit imo. with 'dre out, losing adrian griffin, bringing in an incompetent to replace him... it would be a scott brooks, post-ron adams like achievement only x100 if this hold the rest of the year.

LMAO. Dude. Why doesn't the said incompetent deserve credit as well? Maybe it turns out he just wasn't incompetent.

need more evidence. bob beyer has a looooooong history of ineffectiveness in this role, taking credit from guys like steve clifford. not impossible he could have turned the corner. terry stotts was a horrible HC until this stint with portland. but i'm curious why there's no writing from thunder media on beyer so far this year with the defense playing so well.

[hardenASG13]

so the defense is 2.5pp100 better than #2 boston after taking strength of opponent into account.

if this continues, billy deserves >a lot< of credit imo. with 'dre out, losing adrian griffin, bringing in an incompetent to replace him... it would be a scott brooks, post-ron adams like achievement only x100 if this hold the rest of the year.

Or maybe dre has been wildly overrated by the stat heads, who have comically argued how irreplaceable he is defensively to justify him being so bad on offense. His absence has not been noticeable. Keep choosing to ignore it if you want, but I was right. It didnt show last year bc his replacements were brewer and huestis (out of the league), and melo was playing heavy minutes (out of the league). Keep saying I was wrong if it pleases you, but then what do you make of the fact that the D has been extremely good with competent role players, without Roberson, like I've always said?

[hardenASG13]

I think the question everyone wants to know is will pillendreher admit he is wrong on patterson/grant? To the people, who even after about 10 games this year who claimed patterson was clearly the better player, and especially defender, I really hope this encourages you to see with your eyes more and rely less on arbitrary stats or what the okc media tells you (that patterson does all these good things defensively). Grant has been the superior player for some time.

Also, officially on board with Burton. He should have all of Ferguson's minutes as he is wayyyy more polished. Doubt it will surprise anyone, but i think he's better than roberson too, possibly by quite a bit.

Patterson has been terrible offensively, but he's actually been defending the perimeter well the last couple of weeks. Grant has definitely been better though.


Then you completely ruin your chance to gloat with possibly the dumbest stance this board has ever seen.

Not gloating, just wonder if he can actually admit he was wrong. Grant has defended the perimeter well too, and is way better off the ball, a concept you scoffed at only weeks ago. It's been evident for some time.

We will see over the long haul on the other stance. I prefer the slightly worse defender who still is very serviceable on that end and can actually dribble and shoot a basketball, as well as collapse a defense (Dre never collapses the defense,guys).

[slick_watts]

so the defense is 2.5pp100 better than #2 boston after taking strength of opponent into account.

if this continues, billy deserves >a lot< of credit imo. with 'dre out, losing adrian griffin, bringing in an incompetent to replace him... it would be a scott brooks, post-ron adams like achievement only x100 if this hold the rest of the year.

Or maybe dre has been wildly overrated by the stat heads, who have comically argued how irreplaceable he is defensively to justify him being so bad on offense. His absence has not been noticeable. Keep choosing to ignore it if you want, but I was right. It didnt show last year bc his replacements were brewer and huestis (out of the league), and melo was playing heavy minutes (out of the league). Keep saying I was wrong if it pleases you, but then what do you make of the fact that the D has been extremely good with competent role players, without Roberson, like I've always said?

bruh.. you were wrong. the role players who were better than 'dre last year, according to you, were abrines, ferguson, huestis, brewer, basically everyone. you called him the worst offensive sg in the nba. two of those four guys are still on the team and now they're suddenly adequate 'dre replacements. lol. none of this was correct!

it's certainly possible that 'dre's impact on defense was overstated! but it does not seem likely with the reams of evidence against over the course of three+ seasons. it seems a lot more likely to me that the thunder are benefiting from melo no longer being around and various schematic changes to get the defense to function better without 'dre. i.e. adams' role in pnr defense has changed drastically.

if you're not excited about the prospect of adding a healthy 'dre to this defense i dunno what to tell you. we could have something real special here defensively if he's ok.

[spearsy23]

so the defense is 2.5pp100 better than #2 boston after taking strength of opponent into account.

if this continues, billy deserves >a lot< of credit imo. with 'dre out, losing adrian griffin, bringing in an incompetent to replace him... it would be a scott brooks, post-ron adams like achievement only x100 if this hold the rest of the year.

Or maybe dre has been wildly overrated by the stat heads, who have comically argued how irreplaceable he is defensively to justify him being so bad on offense. His absence has not been noticeable. Keep choosing to ignore it if you want, but I was right. It didnt show last year bc his replacements were brewer and huestis (out of the league), and melo was playing heavy minutes (out of the league). Keep saying I was wrong if it pleases you, but then what do you make of the fact that the D has been extremely good with competent role players, without Roberson, like I've always said?

We have literal years of evidence to the contrary.

[slick_watts]

as great as our two starting lineups have been (schroder / westbrook with ferguson starters) defensively, it's insane that the 'dre starters last year were just as good ->with carmelo anthony included as well<-. in 580+ minutes.

schroder / wesbtrook 'starters' are -5.5pp100 now by the way and getting crushed on defense. this is going to be a major story line this year...

[getrichordie]

so the defense is 2.5pp100 better than #2 boston after taking strength of opponent into account.

if this continues, billy deserves >a lot< of credit imo. with 'dre out, losing adrian griffin, bringing in an incompetent to replace him... it would be a scott brooks, post-ron adams like achievement only x100 if this hold the rest of the year.

Or maybe dre has been wildly overrated by the stat heads, who have comically argued how irreplaceable he is defensively to justify him being so bad on offense. His absence has not been noticeable. Keep choosing to ignore it if you want, but I was right. It didnt show last year bc his replacements were brewer and huestis (out of the league), and melo was playing heavy minutes (out of the league). Keep saying I was wrong if it pleases you, but then what do you make of the fact that the D has been extremely good with competent role players, without Roberson, like I've always said?

I don’t think Roberson can be considered as “wildly” overrated on defense. He has showed when healthy that he can lockdown the opposing team’s best wing. He’s an elite perimeter defender. Period.

However, I do believe he has been a little over-rated to some extent when you take into consideration that some people view his defense as being on Kawhi’s level.

Again, not trying to take away Roberson’s achievements on defensive side of the ball, but there are some who consider him to be so good on defense that it makes up for his lack of offense, which in my opinion is not the case. I think it’s moreso Westbrook making up for Roberson’s lack of offense more times than not.


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[slick_watts]