2018–2019 OKC Thunder Playoffs General Thread

[ThunderBolt]

I’m sure after the season is done we’ll hear about him undergoing a “successful” procedure.

[ThunderBolt]

I wish I could find an actual quote but I believe it was from a radio appearance on the sports animal that Royce said that Presti isn’t convinced that surrounding Westbrook with shooters is the way to build around him. The only way the roster construction changes drastically is if presti admits he was wrong or gets fired.

[Dadouv47]

I wish I could find an actual quote but I believe it was from a radio appearance on the sports animal that Royce said that Presti isn’t convinced that surrounding Westbrook with shooters is the way to build around him. The only way the roster construction changes drastically is if presti admits he was wrong or gets fired.

Can’t find a better way to build a team around Westbrook and Adams that surrounding them with shooters...

[ThunderBolt]

I wish I could find an actual quote but I believe it was from a radio appearance on the sports animal that Royce said that Presti isn’t convinced that surrounding Westbrook with shooters is the way to build around him. The only way the roster construction changes drastically is if presti admits he was wrong or gets fired.

Can’t find a better way to build a team around Westbrook and Adams that surrounding them with shooters...

The shot selection is a big issue. We have several guys that shoot a capable percentage from three.

[Old Man Game]

Read on Twitter

?s=20
We are so **** right now. He's either not going to play, or he's going to be laboring through injury. Either way we are so ****.

This comment aged well (unfortunately).

I'd like to say not just George but the team as a whole won't shoot that poorly again in the series. Except, I've watched this team all season. I can easily see us shooting very nearly that poorly again 3 more times over the next 6 games. Heck, I could see us shooting that poorly for 3 more consecutive games.

[spearsy23]

I wish I could find an actual quote but I believe it was from a radio appearance on the sports animal that Royce said that Presti isn’t convinced that surrounding Westbrook with shooters is the way to build around him. The only way the roster construction changes drastically is if presti admits he was wrong or gets fired.

Can’t find a better way to build a team around Westbrook and Adams that surrounding them with shooters...

The shot selection is a big issue. We have several guys that shoot a capable percentage from three.

Not really when you account for shot quality

[Old Man Game]

I wish I could find an actual quote but I believe it was from a radio appearance on the sports animal that Royce said that Presti isn’t convinced that surrounding Westbrook with shooters is the way to build around him. The only way the roster construction changes drastically is if presti admits he was wrong or gets fired.

I can't find the quote either but you are correct. It was something like, 'people assume you need to surround Westbrook with shooters all over the floor, but Sam Presti demands proof' or some other completely asinine thought about something that couldn't be more self evident.

[ThunderBolt]

I wish I could find an actual quote but I believe it was from a radio appearance on the sports animal that Royce said that Presti isn’t convinced that surrounding Westbrook with shooters is the way to build around him. The only way the roster construction changes drastically is if presti admits he was wrong or gets fired.

I can't find the quote either but you are correct. It was something like, 'people assume you need to surround Westbrook with shooters all over the floor, but Sam Presti demands proof' or some other completely asinine thought about something that couldn't be more self evident.

Yep that's exactly what I remember hearing. Almost like Presti wanted someone in the front office to prove it to him and no one had done so yet.

[Pillendreher]

I wish I could find an actual quote but I believe it was from a radio appearance on the sports animal that Royce said that Presti isn’t convinced that surrounding Westbrook with shooters is the way to build around him. The only way the roster construction changes drastically is if presti admits he was wrong or gets fired.

I can't find the quote either but you are correct. It was something like, 'people assume you need to surround Westbrook with shooters all over the floor, but Sam Presti demands proof' or some other completely asinine thought about something that couldn't be more self evident.

Yep that's exactly what I remember hearing. Almost like Presti wanted someone in the front office to prove it to him and no one had done so yet.

That's wasn't a radio piece. It was a piece by Lee Jenkins:

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/04/11/thunder-sam-presti-kevin-durant-russell-westbrook-nba-playoffs

Presti stayed in Oklahoma City, attempting to buoy spirits during video conferences with colleagues from different departments, celebrating even the most minor accomplishments by the development group or the medical crew. He dispatched Weaver, a mentor for players, to summer league in Orlando. He asked loyal lieutenants such as Paul Rivers and Michael Winger to research the nature of shots Westbrook creates. Outsiders assumed Westbrook should be ringed by floor-spacing snipers, like Harden in Houston, but Presti demands evidence.

Presti's hubris has always been his biggest weakness. He goes into vastly different directions than everybody else not because he thinks that that's the way to go, but because he thinks he can outsmart everybody.

[ThunderBolt]

Can’t find a better way to build a team around Westbrook and Adams that surrounding them with shooters...

The shot selection is a big issue. We have several guys that shoot a capable percentage from three.

Not really when you account for shot quality

I don't understand. Are you agreeing with me?

[ThunderBolt]

Spoiler:

I can't find the quote either but you are correct. It was something like, 'people assume you need to surround Westbrook with shooters all over the floor, but Sam Presti demands proof' or some other completely asinine thought about something that couldn't be more self evident.

Yep that's exactly what I remember hearing. Almost like Presti wanted someone in the front office to prove it to him and no one had done so yet.

That's wasn't a radio piece. It was a piece by Lee Jenkins:

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/04/11/thunder-sam-presti-kevin-durant-russell-westbrook-nba-playoffs

Presti stayed in Oklahoma City, attempting to buoy spirits during video conferences with colleagues from different departments, celebrating even the most minor accomplishments by the development group or the medical crew. He dispatched Weaver, a mentor for players, to summer league in Orlando. He asked loyal lieutenants such as Paul Rivers and Michael Winger to research the nature of shots Westbrook creates. Outsiders assumed Westbrook should be ringed by floor-spacing snipers, like Harden in Houston, but Presti demands evidence.

Presti's hubris has always been his biggest weakness. He goes into vastly different directions than everybody else not because he thinks that that's the way to go, but because he thinks he can outsmart everybody.

I was thinking about this the other day in how OKC supposedly models themselves after the spurs. However this biggest difference I see is in the power of Buford and Popovich compared to Presti and Brooks, Donovan or whoever is the coach. I'm curious how much Presti's decision to hire coaches without backbones is really about catering to stars or him not wanting to relinquish any control. Maybe a bit of both.

[Dadouv47]

Spoiler:

Yep that's exactly what I remember hearing. Almost like Presti wanted someone in the front office to prove it to him and no one had done so yet.

That's wasn't a radio piece. It was a piece by Lee Jenkins:

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/04/11/thunder-sam-presti-kevin-durant-russell-westbrook-nba-playoffs

Presti stayed in Oklahoma City, attempting to buoy spirits during video conferences with colleagues from different departments, celebrating even the most minor accomplishments by the development group or the medical crew. He dispatched Weaver, a mentor for players, to summer league in Orlando. He asked loyal lieutenants such as Paul Rivers and Michael Winger to research the nature of shots Westbrook creates. Outsiders assumed Westbrook should be ringed by floor-spacing snipers, like Harden in Houston, but Presti demands evidence.

Presti's hubris has always been his biggest weakness. He goes into vastly different directions than everybody else not because he thinks that that's the way to go, but because he thinks he can outsmart everybody.

I was thinking about this the other day in how OKC supposedly models themselves after the spurs. However this biggest difference I see is in the power of Buford and Popovich compared to Presti and Brooks, Donovan or whoever is the coach. I'm curious how much Presti's decision to hire coaches without backbones is really about catering to stars or him not wanting to relinquish any control. Maybe a bit of both.

We used to have some of Spurs strengths when we had jump shooters (Ibaka,prime Westbrook etc.) and we were one of the best free throws team in the league.

Donovan isn't a good coach but god Presti isn't trying to make his job easier. Presti is the first to blame for our failures as a team (even if Donovan is the easy target and we could be way better with a good coach)

[slick_watts]

Spoiler:

Yep that's exactly what I remember hearing. Almost like Presti wanted someone in the front office to prove it to him and no one had done so yet.

That's wasn't a radio piece. It was a piece by Lee Jenkins:

https://www.si.com/nba/2017/04/11/thunder-sam-presti-kevin-durant-russell-westbrook-nba-playoffs

Presti stayed in Oklahoma City, attempting to buoy spirits during video conferences with colleagues from different departments, celebrating even the most minor accomplishments by the development group or the medical crew. He dispatched Weaver, a mentor for players, to summer league in Orlando. He asked loyal lieutenants such as Paul Rivers and Michael Winger to research the nature of shots Westbrook creates. Outsiders assumed Westbrook should be ringed by floor-spacing snipers, like Harden in Houston, but Presti demands evidence.

Presti's hubris has always been his biggest weakness. He goes into vastly different directions than everybody else not because he thinks that that's the way to go, but because he thinks he can outsmart everybody.

I was thinking about this the other day in how OKC supposedly models themselves after the spurs. However this biggest difference I see is in the power of Buford and Popovich compared to Presti and Brooks, Donovan or whoever is the coach. I'm curious how much Presti's decision to hire coaches without backbones is really about catering to stars or him not wanting to relinquish any control. Maybe a bit of both.

the spurs and thunder operate on completely different wavelengths when it comes to player evaluation.

[Balkman32]

How much does OKC win game two by?

[Dadouv47]

How much does OKC win game two by?

Not sure yet but Playoff Schroeder going for 45/10/5 is a lock.

[NetsWorld]

Down 0-1, we just could not make shots and I expect a much better performance from PG-13 in Game 2 and a better overall game from the Thunder, don't think it happens a second time unless the Blazers D just shuts down Oklahoma completely, doubtful that happens, but my prediction is OKC 110-99

[Kizz Fastfists]

How much does OKC win game two by?

Negative 12. Then they come home and win games 3 and 4.

[Kizz Fastfists]

Not sure yet but Playoff Schroeder going for 45/10/5 is a lock.

I hope you are wrong. The only way Schroder gets the ball enough to do that is if both Russ and PG go down early and stay down. If that happens it won't matter that Schroder puts up that line OKC will be done. If PG gets hurt to the point he leaves a game early and doesn't return I expect that mean he got hurt to the point he is shut down for the playoffs. If Russ goes down and doesn't return in a playoff game I don't even want to think about how serious that injury is.

[Dadouv47]

My prediction is that PG13 will play ''ok'' (average post ASG Paul George) but Westbrook will not play as well in the end and CJ/Lillard will be more efficient and we end up losing after a very competing game.

Then we win our 2 games at home (game 3 could be very close/stressful and game 4 easy win).

[Dadouv47]

Not sure yet but Playoff Schroeder going for 45/10/5 is a lock.

I hope you are wrong. The only way Schroder gets the ball enough to do that is if both Russ and PG go down early and stay down. If that happens it won't matter that Schroder puts up that line OKC will be done. If PG gets hurt to the point he leaves a game early and doesn't return I expect that mean he got hurt to the point he is shut down for the playoffs. If Russ goes down and doesn't return in a playoff game I don't even want to think about how serious that injury is.

Nah. Playoff Schroeder enters after 6-7 minutes in the first quarter as usual. He starts hitting 3-4 shots in a row and can't stop making shots until the end of games (and the playoffs). After he gets Finals MVP title we trade him and Patterson for Beal and Washington first pick.