Oklahoma City Thunder Regular Season 2015-2016 Part 2

[KD35Brah]

Kanter needs more beurn with the starters.

[NaturalThunder]

Nice night from our "Big 3":

Durant: 25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 8/14 FG, 2/2 3P, 7/7 FT
Westbrook: 23 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, 8/17 FG, 3/4 3P, 4/6 FT
Ibaka: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 9/14 FG, 1/3 3P, 4/4 FT

COMBINED: 71 points, 28 rebounds, 20 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks, 25/45 FG, 6/9 3P, 15/17 FT

[getrichordie]

Nice night from our "Big 3":

Durant: 25 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, 1 steal, 8/14 FG, 2/2 3P, 7/7 FT
Westbrook: 23 points, 6 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, 8/17 FG, 3/4 3P, 4/6 FT
Ibaka: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 9/14 FG, 1/3 3P, 4/4 FT

COMBINED: 71 points, 28 rebounds, 20 assists, 5 steals, 2 blocks, 25/45 FG, 6/9 3P, 15/17 FT

Agreed. Amazing game from our core.

Also, I believe the Memphis game will prove to be a turning point for our squad. We look hungrier, more aggressive, and more active on defense and offense. We won by 38 @ MEM and by 13 vs ATL. We've cut down on turnovers a ton and have been even more selfless with the ball these past 2 games.


Roleplayer watch (Past 2 games)

Adams :: 15 pts, 6/12 FGA, 3/7 FTs, 1 STL, 12 REBs, 1 TOs in 48 minutes
Roberson :: 11 pts, 4/8 FGA (0/3 on 3PA), 3/5 FTs, 7 REBs, 2 TOs in 43 minutes
Morrow :: 16 pts, 6/10 (3/4 on 3PA) FGA, 0 TOs in 33 minutes
Waiters :: 21 pts, 8/22 (2/7 on 3PA), 3/3 FTs, FGA, 4 TOs in 57 minutes
Kanter :: 10 pts, 5/12 FGA, 10 REBs, 1 TOs in 26 minutes
Collison :: 0 pts, 0/2 FGA, 9 REBs, 2 BLKs, 1 STL, 1 TOs in 26 minutes
Augustin :: 16 pts, 4/7 (3/5 on 3PA) FGA, 5/6 FTs, 3 ASTs, 1 STL, 0 TOs in 32 minutes

Totals :: 33/73 FGA, (8/19 on 3PA), 9 TOs

[Andre Roberstan]

DJ only played 8 minutes. Feel like that's a big part of them not having a huge 10-15 point run that puts us in a hole. Enes doesn't even matter anymore.

This. Even Nate Duncan mentioned it on Twitter. DJ/Morrow/Kanter is basically unplayable unless they hit every shot, and DJ/Kanter isn't great.

[bondom34]

Yeah those numbers reminding me why less Dion would be great.

[Andre Roberstan]

Yeah those numbers reminding me why less Dion would be great.

He was pretty good in the Grizz game. Horrible tonight though, outside of the one he took to the rack strong, the pass to Morrow's 3 and his OReb putback.

I'd be OK with moving him, but I don't think he's going to kill us, and he'll win us some games if he gets hot. Unless we can upgrade I'd rather just deal with it.

[bondom34]

Yeah those numbers reminding me why less Dion would be great.

He was pretty good in the Grizz game. Horrible tonight though, outside of the one he took to the rack strong, the pass to Morrow's 3 and his OReb putback.

I'd be OK with moving him, but I don't think he's going to kill us, and he'll win us some games if he gets hot. Unless we can upgrade I'd rather just deal with it.

Even that game I didn't like him, it was a blowout, but he still takes a ton of really bad shots. Like ones I wouldn't want Russ or KD even taking. I wish he'd just get less minutes, give A Mo and Robes about 4 mpg more each. I don't believe there's a trade market for him.

[getrichordie]

Yeah those numbers reminding me why less Dion would be great.

He was pretty good in the Grizz game. Horrible tonight though, outside of the one he took to the rack strong, the pass to Morrow's 3 and his OReb putback.

I'd be OK with moving him, but I don't think he's going to kill us, and he'll win us some games if he gets hot. Unless we can upgrade I'd rather just deal with it.

This. Unless we can significantly upgrade our 2nd SG behind Roberson, we need to stick with Dion. While streaky and inconsistent on O, he still can dribble drive penetrate and can defend. That's valuable within our offense. Even though he stunk it up tonight, we still won by 13.

What do you guys think about Kanter not playing a huge part in the offense over the past 2 games? Considering we have looked our best these past 2 games, that's pretty big.

[bondom34]

Yeah those numbers reminding me why less Dion would be great.

He was pretty good in the Grizz game. Horrible tonight though, outside of the one he took to the rack strong, the pass to Morrow's 3 and his OReb putback.

I'd be OK with moving him, but I don't think he's going to kill us, and he'll win us some games if he gets hot. Unless we can upgrade I'd rather just deal with it.

This. Unless we can significantly upgrade our 2nd SG behind Roberson, we need to stick with Dion. While streaky and inconsistent on O, he still can dribble drive penetrate and can defend. That's valuable within our offense. Even though he stunk it up tonight, we still won by 13.

What do you guys think about Kanter not playing a huge part in the offense over the past 2 games? Considering we have looked our best these past 2 games, that's pretty big.

I don't really mind it, just keep winning. And agree they won't deal Dion, I just want less minutes.

[getrichordie]

I was just browsing NBA stats and I stumbled across this: OKC is dead last in the league in passes made and passes received but our "AST to PASS %" is 3rd in the league behind SAC and GSW.

AST to PASS %: The percentage of passes by a player or team that leads to assists.

[bondom34]

Yeah, the overall ball movement isn't really up, just the assists.

[getrichordie]

Yeah, the overall ball movement isn't really up, just the assists.

Durant and Westbrook both had 10 assists tonight, and I really think that is a by-product of them starting to "get" Donovan's system as well as roleplayers understanding their roles and spacing and our ballhandlers making the correct reads and passes. Also, as we get more comfortable on the offensive side of the ball, we can start to give a little more mental energy to the defensive side as well.

Like I said, I think the Memphis game is going to be the one game we will look back on and say that is where it all started to click for our guys.

Not going to lie, I have been worried about our team since the first 5 games because it really didn't look like we were doing anything different at all and our defense looked so suspect but looking back it makes sense:

Ibaka coming back from injury.

Durant coming back from injury.

Westbrook used to shouldering the load since Durant was out.

Augustin, Singler, Kanter all learning their 3rd system and having their 3rd head coach and basically brand new staff in less than a year.

If I'm not mistaken, Collison was coming back from injury as well (?)

Anywho, we are getting better looks and our guys are figuring out their spacing and when and when not to take shots. The right guys are dribble drive penetrating and opening up shots for others and even some of our other guys who typically don't dribble drive penetrate are starting to do so (Morrow, Ibaka).

Our ceiling is really just as high if not higher than the Warriors as long as we can piece together something on defense. And that's scary.

[bondom34]

Yeah, the overall ball movement isn't really up, just the assists.

Durant and Westbrook both had 10 assists tonight, and I really think that is a by-product of them starting to "get" Donovan's system as well as roleplayers understanding their roles and spacing and our ballhandlers making the correct reads and passes. Also, as we get more comfortable on the offensive side of the ball, we can start to give a little more mental energy to the defensive side as well.

Like I said, I think the Memphis game is going to be the one game we will look back on and say that is where it all started to click for our guys.

Not going to lie, I have been worried about our team since the first 5 games because it really didn't look like we were doing anything different at all and our defense looked so suspect but looking back it makes sense:

Ibaka coming back from injury.

Durant coming back from injury.

Westbrook used to shouldering the load since Durant was out.

Augustin, Singler, Kanter all learning their 3rd system and having their 3rd head coach and basically brand new staff in less than a year.

If I'm not mistaken, Collison was coming back from injury as well (?)

Anywho, we are getting better looks and our guys are figuring out their spacing and when and when not to take shots. The right guys are dribble drive penetrating and opening up shots for others and even some of our other guys who typically don't dribble drive penetrate are starting to do so (Morrow, Ibaka).

Our ceiling is really just as high if not higher than the Warriors as long as we can piece together something on defense. And that's scary.

I'm trying to not get too excited, bc its just 2 games, but they look way better. If they keep this up for another week, I'll feel pretty good. Still honestly don't think they hang with GSW, they're just a better overall roster (bench mainly).

[spearsy23]

Serge and other shooters hitting shots is the only real offensive difference. Still not a heavy ball movement offense, I don't know why everyone is so caught up on ball movement anyway.

[getrichordie]

I'm trying to not get too excited, bc its just 2 games, but they look way better. If they keep this up for another week, I'll feel pretty good. Still honestly don't think they hang with GSW, they're just a better overall roster (bench mainly).

How do you think we would match up with GSW come playoff time, because, most likely, barring injury, we will have to go through them...

By then our rotation would be something like:

Westbrook
Roberson
Durant
Ibaka
Adams
--
Waiters
Kanter
Morrow
Collison

Is it possible we can develop Payne and he is quick enough to keep up with Curry? Honestly, Augustin isn't going to bother Curry's shot at all and he can't switch. Payne is quicker and the better athlete and would provide a better shot at it, at least. We would have to pull Westbrook when Curry comes out if not.

Payne/Westbrook/Waiters/Durant/Ibaka is a line up I would like us to be able to play with confidence.

[getrichordie]

Serge and other shooters hitting shots is the only real offensive difference. Still not a heavy ball movement offense, I don't know why everyone is so caught up on ball movement anyway.

Because that's what is "in" these days. Think Hawks, Spurs, Warriors, etc. Honestly, it doesn't matter. We just need to get open looks, get the guy the ball, and the guy needs to hit the shot. We have trouble creating open shots. We brought Donovan in and he seems to be fixing that to some extent. These past two games is the first time in a long time where it looks like the Thunder have a functional offensive system that takes advantage of the "gravity" Durant and Westbrook create offensively.

[bondom34]

Serge and other shooters hitting shots is the only real offensive difference. Still not a heavy ball movement offense, I don't know why everyone is so caught up on ball movement anyway.

Because that's what is "in" these days. Think Hawks, Spurs, Warriors, etc. Honestly, it doesn't matter. We just need to get open looks, get the guy the ball, and the guy needs to hit the shot. We have trouble creating open shots. We brought Donovan in and he seems to be fixing that to some extent. These past two games is the first time in a long time where it looks like the Thunder have a functional offensive system that takes advantage of the "gravity" Durant and Westbrook create offensively.

Yeah, its pretty much a buzz word

As for the matchups, there's nobody on the bench who can touch Curry, and tbh they're better at nearly every spot off the bench other than 4 and maybe 5. Livingston/Iggy is a fantastic first pair off the bench, Waiters/DJ not so much. Morrow should help, but they're too deep IMO over 7 games.

[getrichordie]

Serge and other shooters hitting shots is the only real offensive difference. Still not a heavy ball movement offense, I don't know why everyone is so caught up on ball movement anyway.

Because that's what is "in" these days. Think Hawks, Spurs, Warriors, etc. Honestly, it doesn't matter. We just need to get open looks, get the guy the ball, and the guy needs to hit the shot. We have trouble creating open shots. We brought Donovan in and he seems to be fixing that to some extent. These past two games is the first time in a long time where it looks like the Thunder have a functional offensive system that takes advantage of the "gravity" Durant and Westbrook create offensively.

Yeah, its pretty much a buzz word

As for the matchups, there's nobody on the bench who can touch Curry, and tbh they're better at nearly every spot off the bench other than 4 and maybe 5. Livingston/Iggy is a fantastic first pair off the bench, Waiters/DJ not so much. Morrow should help, but they're too deep IMO over 7 games.

So we need to make a move. Waiters for Evan Turner pls. Turner on Iguodala and Morrow on Livingston

[bondom34]

Because that's what is "in" these days. Think Hawks, Spurs, Warriors, etc. Honestly, it doesn't matter. We just need to get open looks, get the guy the ball, and the guy needs to hit the shot. We have trouble creating open shots. We brought Donovan in and he seems to be fixing that to some extent. These past two games is the first time in a long time where it looks like the Thunder have a functional offensive system that takes advantage of the "gravity" Durant and Westbrook create offensively.

Yeah, its pretty much a buzz word

As for the matchups, there's nobody on the bench who can touch Curry, and tbh they're better at nearly every spot off the bench other than 4 and maybe 5. Livingston/Iggy is a fantastic first pair off the bench, Waiters/DJ not so much. Morrow should help, but they're too deep IMO over 7 games.

So we need to make a move. Waiters for Evan Turner pls. Turner on Iguodala and Morrow on Livingston

Boston wouldn't. And Turner isn't good anyway . They'd need a 2 way wing or better backup PG or both, and don't have the assets with no firsts tradeable (Waiters trade.....).

[getrichordie]

Yeah, its pretty much a buzz word

As for the matchups, there's nobody on the bench who can touch Curry, and tbh they're better at nearly every spot off the bench other than 4 and maybe 5. Livingston/Iggy is a fantastic first pair off the bench, Waiters/DJ not so much. Morrow should help, but they're too deep IMO over 7 games.

So we need to make a move. Waiters for Evan Turner pls. Turner on Iguodala and Morrow on Livingston

Boston wouldn't. And Turner isn't good anyway . They'd need a 2 way wing or better backup PG or both, and don't have the assets with no firsts tradeable (Waiters trade.....).

Turner is an upgrade over Waiters though. Any trade we do will most definitely be a three-team trade to make things work.

Any potential trade targets?