Thunder Offseason Thread

[petros93]

Oh good, now some people will talk themselves back into the idea that this team had a shot to do anything meaningful in the playoffs if it weren't for those pesky injuries. Hooray for the status quo.

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[hardenASG13]

Oh good, now some people will talk themselves back into the idea that this team had a shot to do anything meaningful in the playoffs if it weren't for those pesky injuries. Hooray for the status quo.

Watch on YouTube

I mean....was it not night and day before and after pgs injury?

[CROklahoma]

We are in a one more offseason of Billys excuses about how his guys were injured and them being better and stronger and in a better system next year.

Fun fun fun. Not.

[Pillendreher]

Oh good, now some people will talk themselves back into the idea that this team had a shot to do anything meaningful in the playoffs if it weren't for those pesky injuries. Hooray for the status quo.

Watch on YouTube

I mean....was it not night and day before and after pgs injury?

George playing like an MVP merely masked both coaching and roster issues. It also distracted from Westbrook being unbelievably bad as a volume shooter.

[Dadouv47]

Well, our team is bad and need to improve in a lot of ways but we are still better than what we showed post ASG.

But yeah, Adams was healthy and couldn't beat Kanter in the playoffs and we missed a bench and shooters as always.

[oreojenkins]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

[Dadouv47]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

Even more considering the fact it's almost impossible that all your players would play at 100% at the same time.

You need to have 2-3 guys coming from the bench that are able to make shots for at least one or two to help your team in a game/series.

[oreojenkins]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

Even more considering the fact it's almost impossible that all your players would play at 100% at the same time.

You need to have 2-3 guys coming from the bench that are able to make shots for at least one or two to help your team in a game/series.

Correct. The inability to fill out the roster with actual NBA level talent over the last 10 years has been truly something. I even liked (and was apparently wrong) about some of the guys, too. It's like they show up here and their talent just gets zapped. Still don't understand how my dude PPatt went so wrong.

It's hard for me to be too critical because I like most/all of our players. Just frustrated.

[Dadouv47]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

Even more considering the fact it's almost impossible that all your players would play at 100% at the same time.

You need to have 2-3 guys coming from the bench that are able to make shots for at least one or two to help your team in a game/series.

Correct. The inability to fill out the roster with actual NBA level talent over the last 10 years has been truly something. I even liked (and was apparently wrong) about some of the guys, too. It's like they show up here and their talent just gets zapped. Still don't understand how my dude PPatt went so wrong.

It's hard for me to be too critical because I like most/all of our players. Just frustrated.

You are not the only one. He was considering by many one of the most underrated signing of that free agency year.

He was coming back from surgery and Presti took a chance. It was a low risk/high reward kind of contract in my opinion. I blame Presti for many things but not for giving a chance to 2pat.

[Kizz Fastfists]

If OKC trades 2Pat he will return to Toronto form under a real NBA coach. In that sense we can blame Presti for the demise of 2Pat and others. Incompetent coaching kills role players.

[Pillendreher]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

And it's not like we had big injury issues. Denver played its starting 5 for 15 games or so in the regular season because those guys were never healthy.

[Pillendreher]

Portland starters vs OKC: 114.7 ORtG | 110.9 DRtG | +3.8 NetRtG in 102 minutes
Portland starters vs DEN: 101.7 ORtG | 117.2 DRtG | -15.5 NetRtG in 117 minutes

This is embarassing, period. And it's not just variance. It's our own ineptitude and complete inability to actually adjust to our opponent. We didn't make any real adjustements to our defense. We just kept doing the same stuff we had been doing in the regular season even though we were below league average over the last 4.5 months doing it that way. Just like against the Jazz, we kept throwing this defense at the opposing PG that was not doing aynthing to actively make them work offensively. Instead of actually trapping their guards, we just tried to blitz them. Instead of sagging off Rubio last season, we defended him like we defended Lillard this series. Our guards were constantly out of place on those actions and Portland had no trouble countering whatever we tried to do offensively.

Inexcuseable.

[CROklahoma]

Dont worry, I'm looking forward to exact same statistics and stats and discussions, in May 2020.

[slick_watts]

Portland starters vs OKC: 114.7 ORtG | 110.9 DRtG | +3.8 NetRtG in 102 minutes
Portland starters vs DEN: 101.7 ORtG | 117.2 DRtG | -15.5 NetRtG in 117 minutes

This is embarassing, period. And it's not just variance. It's our own ineptitude and complete inability to actually adjust to our opponent. We didn't make any real adjustements to our defense. We just kept doing the same stuff we had been doing in the regular season even though we were below league average over the last 4.5 months doing it that way. Just like against the Jazz, we kept throwing this defense at the opposing PG that was not doing aynthing to actively make them work offensively. Instead of actually trapping their guards, we just tried to blitz them. Instead of sagging off Rubio last season, we defended him like we defended Lillard this series. Our guards were constantly out of place on those actions and Portland had no trouble countering whatever we tried to do offensively.

Inexcuseable.

it's strange how these problems follow the team around across coaching staffs and support players, huh? almost like there's a player on our team who might not be keen on adhering to game plans and whatnot.

i recall our 2016 playoff run, with billy donovan as head coach but with a different player leading the team. we made many defensive adjustments in those playoffs.

credit to portland and their coaching and players who are on the same page with their gameplan and execute it well without any drama.

[slick_watts]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

no amount of work will get this roster to the heights that the payroll demands. there might not be a solution to get this team to contention. if pg's shoulder isn't right to start the year and westbrook plateaus or, god forbid, gets worse? it's over, dude. we need miracles.

[Kizz Fastfists]

no amount of work will get this roster to the heights that the payroll demands. there might not be a solution to get this team to contention. if pg's shoulder isn't right to start the year and westbrook plateaus or, god forbid, gets worse? it's over, dude. we need miracles.

There might be a way. Who is the best player they can trade Russ to get? Andrew Wiggins? Russ and Roberson for Wiggins, Teague, Saric and #43? That at least gives OKC a chance. Minny might be foolish enough to think Russ and KAT could make them a contender. Too bad Magic left LAL or I'd try Russ for Lonzo, BI, Kuzma and #11.

[oreojenkins]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

no amount of work will get this roster to the heights that the payroll demands. there might not be a solution to get this team to contention. if pg's shoulder isn't right to start the year and westbrook plateaus or, god forbid, gets worse? it's over, dude. we need miracles.

I've accepted it. They'll never rebuild until Westbrook retires/chooses to leave. Only hope is they find the right 3rd star in trade somehow, which seems very unlikely. Incremental growth won't get it done, so swing for the fences.

[hardenASG13]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

no amount of work will get this roster to the heights that the payroll demands. there might not be a solution to get this team to contention. if pg's shoulder isn't right to start the year and westbrook plateaus or, god forbid, gets worse? it's over, dude. we need miracles.

What if grant makes a siakam like jump ( their games are similar), Russ shoots closer to his career average at the line, and they get an NBA caliber starting 2, with Ferguson becoming a competent backup? Durant leaves golden State. Who are they far behind in the west? Maybe the clips if they add two superstars....

[oreojenkins]

Will be interesting to see which direction Boston goes in. I'd take a look at Hayward. Admittedly, I didn't see a lot of him during the season, but as far as a comeback season goes, it was encouraging numbers wise.

[Dadouv47]

The team obviously would've been better if PG and RW were healthy, but people are acting like PG became MJ overnight and that certainly would've held up going forward. We ran hot early while playing a relatively easy schedule and got unlucky late when things mattered. The true ability level lies somewhere in between. I just don't want to hear how 100% health is all the team needs to succeed when that clearly is not the case. "If we just get Dre back, and PG's shoulder gets better, and RW has some positive shooting regression, then we are definitely there." Please... Admit there is work to be done and then do it.

no amount of work will get this roster to the heights that the payroll demands. there might not be a solution to get this team to contention. if pg's shoulder isn't right to start the year and westbrook plateaus or, god forbid, gets worse? it's over, dude. we need miracles.

What if grant makes a siakam like jump ( their games are similar), Russ shoots closer to his career average at the line, and they get an NBA caliber starting 2, with Ferguson becoming a competent backup? Durant leaves golden State. Who are they far behind in the west? Maybe the clips if they add two superstars....

that's a lot of ''if''

Still think we have some room to improve though (similar to what Portland did). Problem is that we have a stubborn GM and a bad coach.