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

[Pillendreher]

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Expand this to the last 21 and you get

Q1: 103.3 ORtG | 120.6 DRtG | -17.2 NetRtG
Q2: 102.8 ORtG | 107.1 DRtG | -4.4 NetRtG
Q3: 104.7 ORtG | 103.0 DRtG | +1.7 NetRtG
Q4: 115.2 ORtG | 107.9 DRtG | +7.3 NetRtG

What is this? A lack of focus that dwindles as the game progresses and it becomes clear that a loss might be possible? Coaching staff and team not having a plan and just adjusting on the fly?

[SecondTake]

Back in January Billy discussed how he didn't believe in confusing his guys with game planning before the games. He believes in letting his stars "go with their instincts, figure out what the defense is giving them". They would make adjustments at half time if needed.

Asked about the recent first quarter woes Billy doesn't seem to have adjusted his position:

"No, I don't think we need to gameplan. We have some great basketball minds on the court that can figure out the defense. I think, you know, I think we just need to be a bit more warmed up going in to tip off."

Billy has requested the team arrive 15 minutes earlier than usual so that they can warm up on the elliptical. Thunder staff has also been experimenting with giving the team a special cocktail of coffee, tyrosine and Siberian Ginseng to help wake them up before games. He jokes about how "Steven Adams really loves the stuff."

"I think we're playing good basketball overall. The record isn't reflective of where we are as a team. We just need to play with more energy in those opening minutes of the game."

[slick_watts]

Read on Twitter

Expand this to the last 21 and you get

Q1: 103.3 ORtG | 120.6 DRtG | -17.2 NetRtG
Q2: 102.8 ORtG | 107.1 DRtG | -4.4 NetRtG
Q3: 104.7 ORtG | 103.0 DRtG | +1.7 NetRtG
Q4: 115.2 ORtG | 107.9 DRtG | +7.3 NetRtG

What is this? A lack of focus that dwindles as the game progresses and it becomes clear that a loss might be possible? Coaching staff and team not having a plan and just adjusting on the fly?

the team being bad and the coaching staff making half time adjustments.

[CROklahoma]

Back in January Billy discussed how he didn't believe in confusing his guys with game planning before the games. He believes in letting his stars "go with their instincts, figure out what the defense is giving them". They would make adjustments at half time if needed.

Asked about the recent first quarter woes Billy doesn't seem to have adjusted his position:

"No, I don't think we need to gameplan. We have some great basketball minds on the court that can figure out the defense. I think, you know, I think we just need to be a bit more warmed up going in to tip off."

Billy has requested the team arrive 15 minutes earlier than usual so that they can warm up on the elliptical. Thunder staff has also been experimenting with giving the team a special cocktail of coffee, tyrosine and Siberian Ginseng to help wake them up before games. He jokes about how "Steven Adams really loves the stuff."

"I think we're playing good basketball overall. The record isn't reflective of where we are as a team. We just need to play with more energy in those opening minutes of the game."

WHAT ?!

[Dn4sty]

Read on Twitter

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Sorry if this has already been posted. I’ve been out of pocket the last couple of days, but holy cow this is a terrible stat

[SecondTake]

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?s=21

Sorry if this has already been posted. I’ve been out of pocket the last couple of days, but holy cow this is a terrible stat

[Pillendreher]

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?s=21

Sorry if this has already been posted. I’ve been out of pocket the last couple of days, but holy cow this is a terrible stat

Our stats with him off the floor since he became a part of the rotation:

114.8 ORtG
110.4 DRtG
+4.4 NetRtG

It's too easy to blame Nader for the starters sucking defensively. Through games 1-38, Ferguson-George-Grant-Adams had a 94.1 DRtG. Since then, they've allowed 105.1 pp100p. That's an 11 point difference. That's not on Nader.

[NaturalThunder]

No game thread (understandable), but we are currently only winning by four at the half, at home, to a Lakers team that is actively trying to tank!

The Lakers briefly had a lead late in the 2nd quarter!


Holy hell this team is awful.

[ThunderBolt]

Lance Stephenson will be on this team next year.

[TylersLakers]

Steven Adams.

Fascinating man he is.

[TylersLakers]

Lance Stephenson will be on this team next year.

Rather you than me.

[NaturalThunder]

He shot 8/23 in the process, but Russ with an extremely rare 20-20-20 game and he only had 2 turnovers. Believe that's just the second time in NBA history that's ever been accomplished.

So, that's something special to enjoy at the end of this horrifyingly disappointing season.

[hardenASG13]

Unbelievable night from Westbrook with the 20/20/20. Maybe he can control a game while shooting poorly.....

[ThunderBolt]

Unbelievable night from Westbrook with the 20/20/20. Maybe he can control a game while shooting poorly.....

I believe he can consistently control the game against most non playoff teams that are missing four starters.

[hardenASG13]

Unbelievable night from Westbrook with the 20/20/20. Maybe he can control a game while shooting poorly.....

I believe he can consistently control the game against most non playoff teams that are missing four starters.

I pity you. I don't think following sports should be your thing.

[Dadouv47]

Unbelievable night from Westbrook with the 20/20/20. Maybe he can control a game while shooting poorly.....

I believe he can consistently control the game against most non playoff teams that are missing four starters.

I pity you. I don't think following sports should be your thing.

yeah well 20/20/21 3 steals and only 2 turnovers is impressive even against a terrible team.

I would be crazy happy if OKC wasn't struggling so much lately and going for a first round exit against Gs.

Great accomplishment anyway

[Osirus89]

I took a sabbatical from watching the Lakers game and then I look at the box score to wonder what the hell happened?
The fact that the game was close for as long as it was is not in the slightest bit reassuring, but at least they won by the type of margin that they should have.
Figures that Russ would go bat**** in a game that I don't watch. Ferg had a decent contribution as well. Grant went off.

If there is going to be any chance of success in the playoffs against Denver/Houstons of the world, those two guys are going to have to play at that type of level for an entire series. They have win enough games to get to the 7th or 6th. If they play GS, they might as well forfeit the series. GS is whooping the second seed in the West's ass right now. Nobody is beating that team in the west unless some sort of injury happens in the next week or so.

Someone tell our PGs to stop shooting threes. Good lord. 3-15. No wonder the Lakers game was as close as it was for a while.

[ThunderBolt]

Unbelievable night from Westbrook with the 20/20/20. Maybe he can control a game while shooting poorly.....

I believe he can consistently control the game against most non playoff teams that are missing four starters.

I pity you. I don't think following sports should be your thing.

I believe you have me confused with some troll who is foaming at the mouth to jump into bed with these boys. I think that’s your thing.

viewforum.php?f=29

[hardenASG13]

I believe he can consistently control the game against most non playoff teams that are missing four starters.

I pity you. I don't think following sports should be your thing.

I believe you have me confused with some troll who is foaming at the mouth to jump into bed with these boys. I think that’s your thing.

viewforum.php?f=29

Na. "20/20/20 only against a non playoff team, not impressive." What a joke, I sincerely hope you are able to find joy and a sense of optimism in other areas of life. Sports and your "favorite team" don't seem to do it for you.

And I'm not trying to hide the fact that I like the kings young guys and direction. Not sure if you think that's an insult? Just embarrassing

As an aside anyone else (who has played higher level ball ) notice this about OKC? Alot of their guys, particularly Westbrook and George, seem to be playing not to get hurt. It looks like it does when you play against a guy in a summer league or tournament who plays pro overseas (and is home for the summer, for those who won't understand this), or who currently plays college. They are still trying, and the best players on the team, but not going all out. Basically avoiding elevating in traffic at all costs. I'm not saying they have a switch to flip that makes them better than GS, but I do think they have one that will make them more like the team they were the first half of the season, and that people will be surprised with what they see out of them in the playoffs.

Once they were not realistically going to catch Denver for the 2, I think this became pretty apparent. I genuinely dont think these guys care about their seed, who they play, or where they play, more than entering the playoffs healthy, and I don't really blame them. Again, is getting the 3 seed, beating a team like LAC in the first round and then losing to Denver in round 2 going to be any different to how this team sees itself than losing to Denver in round 1? They have bigger goals with their payroll.....

[JustOneFix]

I want Caruso on this team next year.