Thunder is scary good

[Lo Wang]

What a ludicrous post. Have a look at how many threads you’ve made recently, anointing the Thunder.

I see you managed to leave out the finals series too. You know the one that everyone on here picked the Mavs winning in 6.

The entire season the media and people on this forum exclaimed that the Celtics run depended on the health of KP. We lost him in the first round and still won.

People seem to lose all sense when talking about the Celtics. Have a look back at all the hate threads from last season.

I actually haven’t been making many. I just respond. But KP is basically Kawhi and Embiid tier. He’s always injured so nobody counts it because it’s 50/50 any given time. Not to mention Boston needs and depends on KP a hell of a lot less than those teams do the players.

Which team did you support before SGA came to The Thunder ? You seem to be a turncoat fan, one I cannot take seriously

I have supported the Celtics since 1992, seen a lot of crap/painful seasons and moments (as a fan), ifs only since 2007 things turned around for me.

There really was times in the bleak mid-late 90s/early 00s I never thought I would live to see another Celtics championship, but no matter what, I always loved them and would/will stick to them till I die.

I cried so much when I was 13 years old when I found out Reggie Lewis passed away

I have no ill will towards OKC or its fans btw aside from the distasteful way the owners and Stern stole the team from Seattle (again which is not the fans fault I should add)

But a fan like you, who seems like a bandwagon jumper cause of your favourite player, I ain't got time for that (just I don't have any for Bronsexuals who follow Lebron from team to team)

Also the Celtics won most of their playoff and finals games last season without KP playing.

You may want to tone down the anti Celtics rhetoric a notch is all I am saying.
.

As an OKC fan, OkcsinceSGA is legit fan like any other. It doesn't matter how long he has been a fan, it's the passion that matters. Just because you've been a fan since 13 doesn't make you a "better" fan than him.

It's your opinion he's not a true fan; there is no concrete way to measure the "better" fan.

[sammo89]

Based on this logic, Shai is more skilled than Giannis and Jokic (along with stats and efficiency), so he is the better scorer.

That, of course, would be asinine, so we shouldn't really go there.

I want to go there.

Why do you think Shai is not more skilled than Giannis and Jokic at putting the ball in the bucket? I am strictly talking about offense.

Sounds like you want to argue aesthetics but you don't want to use that word

[Lo Wang]

That, of course, would be asinine, so we shouldn't really go there.

I want to go there.

Why do you think Shai is not more skilled than Giannis and Jokic at putting the ball in the bucket? I am strictly talking about offense.

Sounds like you want to argue aesthetics but you don't want to use that word

Let me explain my position. We've spent over 20 years debating who is the best offensive scorer. I'm not speaking about this forum specifically because I'm fairly new here.

From my understanding, Jordan is the goat scorer followed by KD. Based on the thousands upon thousands of discussions, I believe the criteria should be their archetype.

The criteria is efficiency, high ppg, versatility, and on a winning team.

Carmelo is not in the conversation because he's not efficient and his team doesn't win a lot of games when he scores.

Shaq is not in the conversation because of a lack of skills.

Why is skill important? A player who can score at all 3 levels with efficiency is harder to guard than a player who only dunks.

Take Jordan for example, if they clog the lane, he can score at the 2nd level (mid). Although he doesn't shoot like Curry, he can pull up for a 3 if they shut down his midder. If they force him to drive, he can punish them at the FT line.

Shaq is 1 dimensional. All he has is the inside; since he can't score at any other level, teams can shut him down by fouling him.

Versatility isn't just about style; a player who is more versatile in scoring is the definition of a better scorer.

What makes Wembanyama good?

It's not the height. There are players taller than him. It's his skill. People see the step back, behind the back, and the many ways he can score.

If Wembanyama was 1 dimensional like Shaq, he would be another Edey.

[RunOKC]

You just don't get it.

The Thunder were the #1 seed last year and fell to the #5 seed.

The Thunder weren't built to win the title last season. Despite not having a big man and having to play Josh Giddey they were still seconds from forcing a Game 7.

It seems like you don't get it either.

Mavs after adding PJ Washington: 21-9
OKC during that stretch: 22-8

This includes two games Dallas sat starters against OKC and lost. The Mavs were clearly better last season considering team build, age+experience, and trade deadline moves. A healthy OKC team this season deserve to be considered the WCF favorites, and will have to live up to the pressure that comes with that.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Well that was a blah blah blah reply but you didn’t even remotely address my point that I highlighted.

If you are going to rely to someone, reply to what they said or just don’t quote them.

Actually, I did; it was just not the way you wanted. What I was addressing was the key premise of "Nobody cares about stupid ratings in Dec," and I'm explaining how their dominance isn't just this season, but also last season... and that they are in the middle of a big leap, being the youngest team in the league. I also am asking why you think a 25-game sample is particularly small and what arbitrary number of games you think determines if it's real or not. But thank you for trying.

I will repost what I said since you can’t grasp things and just being obtuse like the OP.

Well they lost to the Spurs without their top 4 players, but that is just me… pretty sure that Boston didn’t have a bad loss like that in their resume.

No one cares about a stupid rating in Dec except people who have proven nothing but you do you…

You're having an issue I can tell. The reason I addressed the more on topic comment (sample size, how the Thunder are playing) is because it's more relevant to what this topic is and what we are talking about. I'm not going to waste time covering a premise about a loss to a shorthanded team (this is common in basketball to have trap games). A loss to a Spurs team without it's best players I'm sure was annoying for them, but has literally zero bearing on them being comparable to the Celtics run last year.

[OkcSinceSGA]

I actually haven’t been making many. I just respond. But KP is basically Kawhi and Embiid tier. He’s always injured so nobody counts it because it’s 50/50 any given time. Not to mention Boston needs and depends on KP a hell of a lot less than those teams do the players.

Which team did you support before SGA came to The Thunder ? You seem to be a turncoat fan, one I cannot take seriously

I have supported the Celtics since 1992, seen a lot of crap/painful seasons and moments (as a fan), ifs only since 2007 things turned around for me.

There really was times in the bleak mid-late 90s/early 00s I never thought I would live to see another Celtics championship, but no matter what, I always loved them and would/will stick to them till I die.

I cried so much when I was 13 years old when I found out Reggie Lewis passed away

I have no ill will towards OKC or its fans btw aside from the distasteful way the owners and Stern stole the team from Seattle (again which is not the fans fault I should add)

But a fan like you, who seems like a bandwagon jumper cause of your favourite player, I ain't got time for that (just I don't have any for Bronsexuals who follow Lebron from team to team)

Also the Celtics won most of their playoff and finals games last season without KP playing.

You may want to tone down the anti Celtics rhetoric a notch is all I am saying.
.

As an OKC fan, OkcsinceSGA is legit fan like any other. It doesn't matter how long he has been a fan, it's the passion that matters. Just because you've been a fan since 13 doesn't make you a "better" fan than him.

It's your opinion he's not a true fan; there is no concrete way to measure the "better" fan.

Well and I've explained this a bunch, but new people to the forum obviously have no reference. I was the most diehard Clippers fan on the planet for 20+ years in my opinion. Literally obsessed with them. They were my passion and hobby. I missed zero games for a 15 year span. I knew everything about EVERY player on the team pretty much. The opposite of a bandwagon fan. I became a fan when I was 12 years old.

I was pissed when they traded SGA and made several threads expressing regret from the trade almost immediately. When the Clippers continued their nonsense, I predominantly switched over to rooting for SGA/OKC about 2 seasons ago because they are a competent franchise and SGA is my favorite player by a mile.

I still watch the Clippers and even go to games, but I am really pulling for OKC.

[audiosway]

I wouldn't put any stock in that game the other night. PJ Washington didn't play. If he had they win that game. Shai is definitely a great player but let's not pretend he's on pace with Luka. He is getting doubled and sometimes tripled. Kai gets doubled routinely. It's cool to be excited about a win but it's the regular season.

What I've noticed from the Thunder is that they are at their top gear during the regular season. So, the playoffs come and they don't have another gear to go to. That's why they didn't make it past the Mavs. The Mavs will get to the playoffs and step it up a level. OKC won't be able to do that and they will get knocked out. It's a long season. There is no trophy for the 1 seed.

[Blame Rasho]

Actually, I did; it was just not the way you wanted. What I was addressing was the key premise of "Nobody cares about stupid ratings in Dec," and I'm explaining how their dominance isn't just this season, but also last season... and that they are in the middle of a big leap, being the youngest team in the league. I also am asking why you think a 25-game sample is particularly small and what arbitrary number of games you think determines if it's real or not. But thank you for trying.

I will repost what I said since you can’t grasp things and just being obtuse like the OP.

Well they lost to the Spurs without their top 4 players, but that is just me… pretty sure that Boston didn’t have a bad loss like that in their resume.

No one cares about a stupid rating in Dec except people who have proven nothing but you do you…

You're having an issue I can tell. The reason I addressed the more on topic comment (sample size, how the Thunder are playing) is because it's more relevant to what this topic is and what we are talking about. I'm not going to waste time covering a premise about a loss to a shorthanded team (this is common in basketball to have trap games). A loss to a Spurs team without it's best players I'm sure was annoying for them, but has literally zero bearing on them being comparable to the Celtics run last year.

Nah… you have issues since you have the need to reply to everything and it bothers you that people are making fun of you.

Hey, if you wanna have a hissy fit on a message board and also explain your existence, have at it.

I am just laughing at it that it bothers you.

[The Master]

What I've noticed from the Thunder is that they are at their top gear during the regular season. So, the playoffs come and they don't have another gear to go to. That's why they didn't make it past the Mavs. The Mavs will get to the playoffs and step it up a level. OKC won't be able to do that and they will get knocked out. It's a long season. There is no trophy for the 1 seed.

Well, they're 11-3 and +11.0 net without their DPOTY-candidate 3rd option and they haven't played a single game (?) fully healthy this season, I think they may find another gear quite easily just by being healthy for once.

Thunder being -9.3 rDRTG with Holmgren/Hartenstein/Caruso missing already 37 games is nuts.

[OkcSinceSGA]

I will repost what I said since you can’t grasp things and just being obtuse like the OP.

You're having an issue I can tell. The reason I addressed the more on topic comment (sample size, how the Thunder are playing) is because it's more relevant to what this topic is and what we are talking about. I'm not going to waste time covering a premise about a loss to a shorthanded team (this is common in basketball to have trap games). A loss to a Spurs team without it's best players I'm sure was annoying for them, but has literally zero bearing on them being comparable to the Celtics run last year.

Nah… you have issues since you have the need to reply to everything and it bothers you that people are making fun of you.

Hey, if you wanna have a hissy fit on a message board and also explain your existence, have at it.

I am just laughing at it that it bothers you.

I’m clearly not dealing with a very intelligent guy here.

[Jaqua92]

Which team did you support before SGA came to The Thunder ? You seem to be a turncoat fan, one I cannot take seriously

I have supported the Celtics since 1992, seen a lot of crap/painful seasons and moments (as a fan), ifs only since 2007 things turned around for me.

There really was times in the bleak mid-late 90s/early 00s I never thought I would live to see another Celtics championship, but no matter what, I always loved them and would/will stick to them till I die.

I cried so much when I was 13 years old when I found out Reggie Lewis passed away

I have no ill will towards OKC or its fans btw aside from the distasteful way the owners and Stern stole the team from Seattle (again which is not the fans fault I should add)

But a fan like you, who seems like a bandwagon jumper cause of your favourite player, I ain't got time for that (just I don't have any for Bronsexuals who follow Lebron from team to team)

Also the Celtics won most of their playoff and finals games last season without KP playing.

You may want to tone down the anti Celtics rhetoric a notch is all I am saying.
.

As an OKC fan, OkcsinceSGA is legit fan like any other. It doesn't matter how long he has been a fan, it's the passion that matters. Just because you've been a fan since 13 doesn't make you a "better" fan than him.

It's your opinion he's not a true fan; there is no concrete way to measure the "better" fan.

Well and I've explained this a bunch, but new people to the forum obviously have no reference. I was the most diehard Clippers fan on the planet for 20+ years in my opinion. Literally obsessed with them. They were my passion and hobby. I missed zero games for a 15 year span. I knew everything about EVERY player on the team pretty much. The opposite of a bandwagon fan. I became a fan when I was 12 years old.

I was pissed when they traded SGA and made several threads expressing regret from the trade almost immediately. When the Clippers continued their nonsense, I predominantly switched over to rooting for SGA/OKC about 2 seasons ago because they are a competent franchise and SGA is my favorite player by a mile.

I still watch the Clippers and even go to games, but I am really pulling for OKC.

Your nonsensical takes make more and more sense

[DCasey91]

I want to go there.

Why do you think Shai is not more skilled than Giannis and Jokic at putting the ball in the bucket? I am strictly talking about offense.

Sounds like you want to argue aesthetics but you don't want to use that word

Let me explain my position. We've spent over 20 years debating who is the best offensive scorer. I'm not speaking about this forum specifically because I'm fairly new here.

From my understanding, Jordan is the goat scorer followed by KD. Based on the thousands upon thousands of discussions, I believe the criteria should be their archetype.

The criteria is efficiency, high ppg, versatility, and on a winning team.

Carmelo is not in the conversation because he's not efficient and his team doesn't win a lot of games when he scores.

Shaq is not in the conversation because of a lack of skills.

Why is skill important? A player who can score at all 3 levels with efficiency is harder to guard than a player who only dunks.

Take Jordan for example, if they clog the lane, he can score at the 2nd level (mid). Although he doesn't shoot like Curry, he can pull up for a 3 if they shut down his midder. If they force him to drive, he can punish them at the

Shaq is 1 dimensional. All he has is the inside; since he can't score at any other level, teams can shut him down by fouling him.

Versatility isn't just about style; a player who is more versatile in scoring is the definition of a better scorer.

What makes Wembanyama good?

It's not the height. There are players taller than him. It's his skill. People see the step back, behind the back, and the many ways he can score.

If Wembanyama was 1 dimensional like Shaq, he would be another Edey.

There's one passage that you keep repeating that doesn't make any sense or truth at all.

Peak Shaq was a straight joke of a player on offense. He had the most gravity of all time. You know the things that creates inherit offense by virtue of him existing on the court

FT's didn't matter much in the end because it was automatic offense for basically the whole game

Shaq one dimensional? What are you talking about. He's way more comfortable on the elbow than Biid/Hakeem for starters. Man chilled like he was on a smoko break.

Shaq allowed a more defensively orientated setup. Lakers was gunning at 70% WR with or without young Kobe.

My man just watch 04 WCF. Not even in his prime dude takes 10 field goal attempts 7/10 and ends on 20/20 lmao.

I repeat Shaq was a joke of a player he was that dominate.

Posters that don't watch games and have such high opinions on All Timers is mad hilarious to me.

[Lo Wang]

This is from an article written after Dallas won Game 5 in OKC. Four injuries listed here.

Luka averaged a 30 point triple double, went 2-0 and outplayed #1 Shai to close out OKC in Games 5 & 6.

I respect Shai but that kind of thing is just never going to happen for him, nor will he ever lead a postseason in Total PTS, REB, AST and STL like Luka did last year after averaging 33/9/9.

Gotta keep it 100.

If he was injured, why did he play in the Olympics?

That was the bet my friends and I made when the Mavs kept on coming up with the excuse Luka was injured when they lost. When they won, he was fine; it was blatantly obvious it was an excuse, so we said to each other if he played in the Olympics, which was 1 month away from the finals, I was sure he's not injured: the Mavs organization would not let him play if he was.

Sure enough, he played.

Mav fans need to stop excusing Luka's whiny attitude. As far as I'm concerned, if he's playing, he's good. If he's injured, why is he playing? He's just a negative (the team plays better when an injured Luka sits). Just because he plays poorly it doesn't mean something is wrong with him. He's a great player, but his fans are condoning really bad behaviors. I would be mad at SGA if he whines on every non call and blames everything on injuries.

I mean, take some accountability Luka.

[Lo Wang]

As an OKC fan, OkcsinceSGA is legit fan like any other. It doesn't matter how long he has been a fan, it's the passion that matters. Just because you've been a fan since 13 doesn't make you a "better" fan than him.

It's your opinion he's not a true fan; there is no concrete way to measure the "better" fan.

Well and I've explained this a bunch, but new people to the forum obviously have no reference. I was the most diehard Clippers fan on the planet for 20+ years in my opinion. Literally obsessed with them. They were my passion and hobby. I missed zero games for a 15 year span. I knew everything about EVERY player on the team pretty much. The opposite of a bandwagon fan. I became a fan when I was 12 years old.

I was pissed when they traded SGA and made several threads expressing regret from the trade almost immediately. When the Clippers continued their nonsense, I predominantly switched over to rooting for SGA/OKC about 2 seasons ago because they are a competent franchise and SGA is my favorite player by a mile.

I still watch the Clippers and even go to games, but I am really pulling for OKC.

Your nonsensical takes make more and more sense

Bro.

Why are you so mean?

He's not a bad poster. He's insightful and he doesn't throw shade like you do.

If he replies a lot, see it as a compliment he respects you enough to engage in a discussion.

You guys really need to chill.

Trust me, us OKC guys are really what you think we are: nerdy, cringe, and nice.

If any of you came to OKC, you would have the time of your life.

If any mods come to OKC, hit me up, I need to get a few strikes off my account. Mods will get the VIP treatment. Not quite up there with PDiddy as far as criminality goes, but I can assure you I will have zero strikes if a mod ever visits OKC.

I'm the type of guy that'll make you think, "Oh man I really made it in life this guy is hanging out with me."

I'll take you to the best restaurants and parties.

Why?

You're a bro.

P.S. I use the word "bro" to insinuate a sense of camaraderie amongst us.

[nikster]

This is from an article written after Dallas won Game 5 in OKC. Four injuries listed here.

Luka averaged a 30 point triple double, went 2-0 and outplayed #1 Shai to close out OKC in Games 5 & 6.

I respect Shai but that kind of thing is just never going to happen for him, nor will he ever lead a postseason in Total PTS, REB, AST and STL like Luka did last year after averaging 33/9/9.

Gotta keep it 100.

If he was injured, why did he play in the Olympics?

That was the bet my friends and I made when the Mavs kept on coming up with the excuse Luka was injured when they lost. When they won, he was fine; it was blatantly obvious it was an excuse, so we said to each other if he played in the Olympics, which was 1 month away from the finals, I was sure he's not injured: the Mavs organization would not let him play if he was.

Sure enough, he played.

Mav fans need to stop excusing Luka's whiny attitude. As far as I'm concerned, if he's playing, he's good. If he's injured, why is he playing? He's just a negative (the team plays better when an injured Luka sits). Just because he plays poorly it doesn't mean something is wrong with him. He's a great player, but his fans are condoning really bad behaviors. I would be mad at SGA if he whines on every non call and blames everything on injuries.

I mean, take some accountability Luka.

You don't understand the pride some countries take in this if you think playing in the olympis means he was 100%. Kawhii tried to play after missing playoffs and still hasn't played since. Embiid played for the USA for the first time and has been injured all summer and the start of the season

[Los_29]

Any updates on Chet’s injury? I don’t think OKC can win if he’s not healthy. OKC is a dangerous team, one that plays stifling defense. But make no mistake about it, teams are going to force guys like Cason and Caruso to make shots in the playoffs. It’s going to be very interesting to see how teams play them. Hartenstein is a big addition for that team. Might be the difference maker in getting through the playoffs.

[Lo Wang]

Any updates on Chet’s injury? I don’t think OKC can win if he’s not healthy.

They are 15-3 without Chet. That's an 80% win%.

That's why this team is so good. They can lose their second best player and not skip a beat. Heck, they can play without a center and still be above 600. With Hartenstein, they are winning 94% of their games.

So let's do some math.

If they are winning 100% of their games with only Chet and 94% of their games without him and only Hartenstein, then what % of games can they win with both of them in the lineup?

That's why the Thunder is clearly the best team in the nba.

Their ability to play any gameplan is unprecedented.

The NBA literally has no answers for a fully healthy Thunder team.

This is the reason why the Mavs fans point to last year's playoffs and act like those metrics (with Giddey) is relevant to the newly evolved Thunder.

I swear these Mavs fans are stuck in the summer of 2024.

They have absolutely no clue how good this Thunder team is.

[falcolombardi]

I wouldn't put any stock in that game the other night. PJ Washington didn't play. If he had they win that game. Shai is definitely a great player but let's not pretend he's on pace with Luka. He is getting doubled and sometimes tripled. Kai gets doubled routinely. It's cool to be excited about a win but it's the regular season.

What I've noticed from the Thunder is that they are at their top gear during the regular season. So, the playoffs come and they don't have another gear to go to. That's why they didn't make it past the Mavs. The Mavs will get to the playoffs and step it up a level. OKC won't be able to do that and they will get knocked out. It's a long season. There is no trophy for the 1 seed.

Top notch form but have averaged less than 1 healthy center per game?

[Los_29]

Any updates on Chet’s injury? I don’t think OKC can win if he’s not healthy.

They are 15-3 without Chet. That's an 80% win%.

That's why this team is so good. They can lose their second best player and not skip a beat. Heck, they can play without a center and still be above 600. With Hartenstein, they are winning 94% of their games.

So let's do some math.

If they are winning 100% of their games with only Chet and 94% of their games without him and only Hartenstein, then what % of games can they win with both of them in the lineup?

That's why the Thunder is clearly the best team in the nba.

Their ability to play any gameplan is unprecedented.

The NBA literally has no answers for a fully healthy Thunder team.

This is the reason why the Mavs fans point to last year's playoffs and act like those metrics (with Giddey) is relevant to the newly evolved Thunder.

I swear these Mavs fans are stuck in the summer of 2024.

They have absolutely no clue how good this Thunder team is.

I’m not talking about the regular season. I’m talking about the playoffs. It’s a whole different ball game.

[Lo Wang]

Any updates on Chet’s injury? I don’t think OKC can win if he’s not healthy.

They are 15-3 without Chet. That's an 80% win%.

That's why this team is so good. They can lose their second best player and not skip a beat. Heck, they can play without a center and still be above 600. With Hartenstein, they are winning 94% of their games.

So let's do some math.

If they are winning 100% of their games with only Chet and 94% of their games without him and only Hartenstein, then what % of games can they win with both of them in the lineup?

That's why the Thunder is clearly the best team in the nba.

Their ability to play any gameplan is unprecedented.

The NBA literally has no answers for a fully healthy Thunder team.

This is the reason why the Mavs fans point to last year's playoffs and act like those metrics (with Giddey) is relevant to the newly evolved Thunder.

I swear these Mavs fans are stuck in the summer of 2024.

They have absolutely no clue how good this Thunder team is.

I’m not talking about the regular season. I’m talking about the playoffs. It’s a whole different ball game.

You're stuck in the past bro.

Are you aware the Thunder have evolved 2x?

This Thunder team would beat last season's Mavs team.

Mavs never blew out the Thunder. They only won by a couple of points against a below average shooting Thunder team in a few games. The 4 games they won could of went either way.

2025 Thunder > 2024 Mavs.

This team evolved. They are a historical defensive team with Caruso and Hartenstein.