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Kevin Durant vs. LeBron James. Sure, it's preseason. But it's still a nice story.

Dwyane Wade is injured already so he won't be playing, but the Heat are still formidable. Thabo is questionable for this game, and Serge Ibaka will probably get the start once again at center. I'm assuming Harden will start if Thabo can't go. Brooks said KD and Westbrook will play a bit more in this one, and he also said something about different lineups.

I watched the Heat/Detroit game and the LeBron / Bosh PnR or PnP looks pretty tough to guard. It'll be interesting to see our strategy defensively against this team.

Thabo being out for a couple of games could be a blessing in disguise for the Thunder and James Harden.

He had a very good first preseason game on both ends of the floor and he'll get another chance to build some chemistry with WB, KD and the other starters.


KD will play as much as LeBron will play in this game. As long as LeBron is on the floor, KD will be as well. It's going to be a fun preseason matchup and I can't wait for it to start.

According to Darnell Mayberry, Cole Aldrich will start at C tonight. Also, Thabo will be back and starting at SG.

slick_watts wrote:According to Darnell Mayberry, Cole Aldrich will start at C tonight. Also, Thabo will be back and starting at SG.

Yay to Cole starting.
Nay to Thabo starting.

I just rolled into a bar have a pitcher in front of me. I want to see some ibaka vs bosh. I want to see some cole aldrich pulling down boards and harden desing 3s and getting to the rack. Damn its preseason and I'm stoked!

Lets go Thunder!

lets not iso Durant on Lebron that often

Nice rip move by Kevin and a nice block by cole.

Cole doesn't really run like a deer does he

Cook is nice.

Good Stuff

- Cole Aldrich! +10 and really aware on both ends. Set hard screens, knew where to be most of the time and had a vicious block on Bosh. Defense fell off tremendously when Serge was put in for him.

- Russell Westbrook has looked fantastic.

- Kevin Durant has looked assertive (to a fault at times).

- Cook made some shots. Thabo played decent. The defense overall was okay when the Thunder did not go small.

- Only FOUR TURNOVERS in the half, most of them coming with the stupid lineup in.

Bad Stuff

- Ibaka struggling playing center. He should be at PF.

- Green still can't guard good PF's.

- Blown some easy ones inside.

- Big man depth looking pretty weak until Collison / Krstic come back.

- Please Scott Brooks don't try that small lineup again (Maynor-Thabo-Harden-Green-Durant).

- Harden hasn't looked as good.

-

Horrible quarter. I agree Serge should be playing mostly pf. I sure wish Jeff green would learn how to shoot. Bosh was on fire.

Nice floater from Manor. If love some mullens on big Z. Not sure why Byron is glued to the bench.

Cole Aldrich is awesome. He needs to start.

I just wouldn't be surprised if Aldrich-Ibaka-Durant-Harden-Westbrook ends up our best lineup sooner rather than later.

slick_watts wrote:I just wouldn't be surprised if Aldrich-Ibaka-Durant-Harden-Westbrook ends up our best lineup sooner rather than later.

It better be. Green was horrendous tonight. Ibaka was not much better but he was playing Center. Green as a 6th man would be ideal IMO.

I also don't think Harden was that great either, still out of control too much, needs to develop a mid range game badly.

dream_catcher_9 wrote:

slick_watts wrote:I just wouldn't be surprised if Aldrich-Ibaka-Durant-Harden-Westbrook ends up our best lineup sooner rather than later.

It better be. Green was horrendous tonight. Ibaka was not much better but he was playing Center. Green as a 6th man would be ideal IMO.

I also don't think Harden was that great either, still out of control too much, needs to develop a mid range game badly.

I think Aldrich and Ibaka would really balance out each other's faults. Ibaka is decent in isolations and could probably guard a guy like Bosh better than Green could.

I think Harden will be fine and he suffered tonight from playing in that stupid small lineup we ran for awhile. With the starters, he is much more involved offensively as he can spot up and create when he needs to. I think his defense is a lot better also.

My main issue with Green is how he's used. He gets his minutes no matter how bad he's playing. Ibaka should have gotten a shot on Bosh early on.

slick_watts wrote:I just wouldn't be surprised if Aldrich-Ibaka-Durant-Harden-Westbrook ends up our best lineup sooner rather than later.

Extremely jealous.

another thing I was impressed with was Durant's handle. Its never going to be on a string like Russ, but he showed confidence with it and if he can keep improving it little by little he could end up a solid playmaker down the road.

FireNellieQuick wrote:

slick_watts wrote:I just wouldn't be surprised if Aldrich-Ibaka-Durant-Harden-Westbrook ends up our best lineup sooner rather than later.

Extremely jealous.

Things aren't so bad for you guys from the looks of it