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We will now all find out how important these two are to this team.

I can already tell you. Not very.

Thabo's defense when he is on, thats about it.

With these two out it looks like the Thunder will be starting Adams. Who starts at SG? I can not imigian a situation where LJ3 keeps starting. My bet is Lamb or Butler.

Thabo is an underrated contributor to the defense. His length and position on set defense is absolutely vital for the Thunder. Mike Prada did a good job illustrating this here: http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/2/5/53 ... vin-durant

Perkins will be missed for the simple fact that his replacements are worse defensively. Steven Adams is the worst defensive big on the team by a decent margin -- just doesn't have the mental component down yet. And with Thabeet getting minutes now, I expect the Thunder to suffer a bit on defense not because Perkins is a star, but because the lineups they tend to play with him out are porous.

I don't get to watch many games, but can anyone tell me why Adams is getting **** minutes ? Is he playing crap or is it just Brooks being Brooks ? His minutes seem to be on the decline.

Surely they're going to need Adams if they come up against big Hibbert and the pacers in the final?

Love to hear your thoughts on the whole situation

I think it makes sense to give him SOME minutes at this point. He's most likely the long-term replacement for Perkins and we need him to match up with any true centers. That said... Brooks needs to actually matchup lineups prior to the game, not just 6 minutes into the 1st and 3rd quarters.