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Starters:

OKC Thunder

Russell Westbrook


Andre Roberson


Kevin Durant


Serge Ibaka


Steven Adams



Golden State Warriors


Stephen Curry

Klay Thompson

Harrison Barnes

Draymond Green

Andrew Bogut

This is what we've been waiting for for almost two seasons. Gonna be a whole different animal than the Spurs just in figuring out how to defend them.

Also I wonder if anyone is setting odds on Draymond trying to punch Adams before this series is over.

Old Man Game wrote:Also I wonder if anyone is setting odds on Draymond trying to punch Adams before this series is over.

I hope he does. He has 4 or 5 techs already.

I wouldn't play their game and go small. I think our bigs will be the x factor in this series. Any word on Bogut?

The last time we beat both the Spurs and the Mavs in the Playoffs, we beat a team from California 4-1. Just sayin

just to read the title of this thread, it feels so good.
let's hope we can at least make things hard!

I think we stand a chance - it looks like we have a good answer for the Warriors' death lineup and we can gain some advantage with our bigs. I'd say that Roberson-Waiters-Foye and their defense will have a lot to say in this series. We've got to limit Klay a little, let Curry score and go at him on the offensive end. There're lots of things that have to go our way in order for us to win this matchup but it was like this againsts Spurs so we have to believe now too.

Thunder in 6.

A couple of quick stats I pulled concerning GS:

Durant against the Warriors this year: 36.3/12.0/6.3 on 52.9/47.6/96.4 (67.9 TS%).

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ORB% against GSW: 28.7 (4th best)
DRB% against GSW: 85.0 (1st)
TRB% against GSW: 57.2 (1st)

Not going to be too upset no matter what, this has been a successful season just in getting here and we're playing with house money from here on out.

One really GREAT thing. Warriors don't have Leonard. So, Russ and KD should score a lot more easier. Also I rate Danny Green as better defender than Iggy.
That will be important. They don't have a lot of bodies to throw on our duo.

Adams will probably play similar in defense as against Spurs. Couple of steps from Bogut/Duncan patroling wherever he is needed.
Curry will get his points. Key is to limit Klay. If he is hot, they are tough to beat.

Will Ibaka defend Barnes so KD can cover Green and switch on Curry in pick n' roll? Probably. I remember first game against them, Barnes was really good. He hit couple of threes.

Russ,Dion and Roberson should all rotate on Curry. Wear down that ****, be physical with him.
I expect great series where we will be able to play, but question is could we limit our mistakes?

Somebody help me out here: Why do ppl think the Warriors can match our athleticism?! The only guys that I'd consider athletes on that team are Iggy and maybe Barnes and Green but other than that?!

Pillendreher wrote:Somebody help me out here: Why do ppl think the Warriors can match our athleticism?! The only guys that I'd consider athletes on that team are Iggy and maybe Barnes and Green but other than that?!

Ezeli is really athletic. Curry is much stronger than he looks and really quick.

Bergmaniac wrote:

Pillendreher wrote:Somebody help me out here: Why do ppl think the Warriors can match our athleticism?! The only guys that I'd consider athletes on that team are Iggy and maybe Barnes and Green but other than that?!

Ezeli is really athletic. Curry is much stronger than he looks and really quick.

Totally agree about Ezeli. He really scares me. Bogut was not a problem for us (mo speights is really good on the offensive side, and don't think varejao could match so well against adams/kanter).

It is real simple for OKC. Go big or go home. Play your big men with two of Ibaka, Adams and Kanter on the floor at all times and beat the Warriors on the glass. Pound it inside by Russ taking Curry to the rim, Adams and Kanter abusing the smaller defenders, etc. KD can post up the smaller defender on him also. Get a lot of points in the paint, get offensive rebounds, and limit the Warriors to one shot per possession.

Curry is going to get his. Do not send help defense. Let the big man in the middle slap at his shot making it harder or forcing a difficult pass, but it doesn't matter because he's going to shoot 50% from the field and drop 35 points a game. Don't leave Klay or Green to help on Curry and give them open looks. Limit Klay and Green and make Curry beat you. The same thing they did with Aldridge. One player, especially if he isn't 100%, can not beat you even if they are the best player in the NBA.

I'd also like to agree w/ spearsy, I'm really proud and happy with what this team has done. When Haywood said it last night it really hit, but KD isn't finding a better spot given this team's age and room to grow. This season was a success no matter what, but more would still be great.

Bergmaniac wrote:

Pillendreher wrote:Somebody help me out here: Why do ppl think the Warriors can match our athleticism?! The only guys that I'd consider athletes on that team are Iggy and maybe Barnes and Green but other than that?!

Ezeli is really athletic. Curry is much stronger than he looks and really quick.

But those two aren't as athletic as the Thunder players.
Compare the starting 5s and it's an easy win for the Thunder where athleticism is concerned.

So, I'm willing to admit I was a bit off on Billy Donovan. I still like Brooks, but I'm cool with him too.

bondom34 wrote:So, I'm willing to admit I was a bit off on Billy Donovan. I still like Brooks, but I'm cool with him too.

So am I, but I really hope he will not use Singler anymore. Starting five + Kanter,Dion,Foye and Morrow(if he is needed).

Go big or go home. I actually like Adams on Green. Green has wheels on Adams, and should probably beat him on iso, but Thunder can't allow themselves to put Durant on foul trouble. Also, there's the side quest of getting under Green's skin and put him on foul trouble. This will be particularly key.

Go big or go home imo. Crash the boards, get second chances, draw fouls from their bigs. Dominate the boards. Hope Westbrook and Durant aren't outplayed by Curry and Klay. This is going to be a small vs big shootout.

bondom34 wrote:So, I'm willing to admit I was a bit off on Billy Donovan. I still like Brooks, but I'm cool with him too.

It's been pretty meaningful to my evaluation on Donovan the fact Danny Green was pissed the Thunder was calling out loud SAS plays from the bench. Steven Adams told the reports on the Spurs were as thick as a Harry Potter book. You can see the result, we didn't play D against the Spurs like we were a 13th defense.