Thunder at Memphis 12/11/09

[vanjulio]

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Who: OklahomaThunder (11-9)@ Memphis Grizzlies(9-12)
When: Friday, December 11th
Where: FedexForum Memphis, TN
Time: 7:00 PM CST
TV/Radio: FSOK, FSTN / WRBO 103.5FM
Previous Season Series: 1-3
Team Trivia: Oklahoma and Memphis both acquired teams relocated from the Pacific Northwest to the Midwest area of the country. OJ Mayo and Kevin Durant both played in the Rookie Sophmore Challenge All-Star game and HORSE competition last year in Phoenix. That same year both Memphis and Oklahoma drafted from UCLA in the first round, although Memphis traded their pick, Kevin Love, for OJ Mayo. UCLA had actually defeated USC twice that year in NCAA competition, but had lost to Memphis in the Final Four.

Grizzlies Starters



Thunder Starters



Bench Heroes

[It_Was_Typed]

Slow down the tempo and punish them inside.

[SD2042]

One matchup that concerns me is Sefolosha vs. Mayo. With Sefo known for shutting down his opponent with his defense. Can Mayo be able to overcome it in order to keep the Grizz offense going their way. The others have to step up. Especially The Beast and ZBo in the post.

[bobobolas1]

When i look at westbrook he is the kind of player i thought that mike conley would develop into. Gay-Durant match up... hope rudy suth him down.

[vanjulio]

Sefolosha? He is a dleague player. OJ should score 30 easily.

Westbrook is more of a scorer than Conley for sure. But is he a good point guard? I don't really think so. He's never going to be a Stephon Marbury or a Tony Parker. He's an average talent to me. Only slightly better than Earl Watson.

[It_Was_Typed]

Don't sleep on Sefelosha. He's played good defense on the opposing team's best perimeter scorer all season thus far.

And Westbrook is legit. He's not a true PG by any means, but he is a very good all around talent.

[SD2042]

Sefolosha? He is a dleague player. OJ should score 30 easily.

Westbrook is more of a scorer than Conley for sure. But is he a good point guard? I don't really think so. He's never going to be a Stephon Marbury or a Tony Parker. He's an average talent to me. Only slightly better than Earl Watson.

Sefo is to the Thunder what Bruce Bowen used to be for the Spurs. Albeit Bowen being the better player on defense. Like Typed said, don't underestimate Sefo. His stats may not impress you, but his hustle plays and defense will leave an impression.

[bgassassin]

Before he was traded to the Bulls, I wanted Sefolosha as the backcourt compliment to OJ. That could be a bad match for Mayo.

[bobobolas1]

if westbrook is a slight improve to E.Watson, wouldnt you trade westbrook for conley in a heartbeat? he is a legit starter for the nba and in less time he has developed more than conley...

[vanjulio]

well yes of course I'd trade him for Conley. I think we'd all do that.

Thabo I don't think you guys are thinking of the same player. This is the guy who came from Chicago Bulls. Originally from Vevey, Switzerland (one of the most beautiful places in the world to visit - like Garden of Eden). You might have him confused with Luol Deng? Thabo was the one guy in the game every time you scratched your head and said "what is he doing on the floor??!??" Not quite a Travis Denier or Casey Jacobsen. But I think this is a different player you have in mind. Thabo belongs back to the Dleague

[SD2042]

^^ Those stories I've heard about him during his time with the Bulls. The way he played on the floor at times would leave the Bulls staff with questions about how can Sefo fit into the rotation and was he capable of making some improvements. When he was traded to the Thunder, his defense and hustle plays stepped into the light and the Thunder were able to use his skills to their advantage. So far since late last season, Sefo has managed to keep a starting spot on the roster so far.

[Three34]

Thabo wasn't very good with the Bulls. He showed flashes, but the only thing he did consistently was rebound in traffic. His perimeter defense, however, is bloody good. The shot's terrible and the offense is truly awkward, but charge him with the task of shooting down the opposition's best swingman and he'll do it about as well as it can be done.

[SD2042]

Mainly one of the reason why I can respect Thabo on the defensive end. Like Bowen, he doesn't need the ball in his hands to be effective. He goes out there and plays aggresssive and does his best to bring it every gameday.

BTW, lol @ your avatar. crazy cut outs with the logo.

[It_Was_Typed]

Tough loss tonight.

Only watched the fourth quarter but from what I saw:

KD outplayed Rudy in all facets of the game.
Harden looked great distributing to open team mates.
Westbrook just overpowered Conley.
ZBo was a beast on the boards, kind of deceiving though.
Gasol struggled with fouls.

[SD2042]

KD definately outplayed Rudy in the game. It also appeared that the Grizz ran out of gas and that allow the Thunder to take control of the fourth and eventually get the win.