2024-2025 OKC Thunder Games Thread

[Dadouv47]

glad Bane is gone because Morant figured us out

[Zagor]

They are out of the running for giving up FOUR first round picks and a pick swap for Desmond Bane. What has happened to the trade market that Bane has that kind of value?

It seems Orlando really wanted him, they feel that next year East is open so they improved a lot with this trade.

This is interesting
https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/14/nba/nba-finals-2025-oklahoma-city-thunder-indiana-pacers

Oklahoma City has plummeted below marks that would’ve ranked dead last in several playmaking categories during the regular season, too: passes, touches, and potential assists, to name a few. Meanwhile, they’ve shot to the top of the league in seconds per touch and dribbles per touch.

Maybe it's because defending against Pacers is so hard that we don't have energy for fluid movement in offense? Or right answer is somewhere else?

[Dadouv47]

They are out of the running for giving up FOUR first round picks and a pick swap for Desmond Bane. What has happened to the trade market that Bane has that kind of value?

It seems Orlando really wanted him, they feel that next year East is open so they improved a lot with this trade.

This is interesting
https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/14/nba/nba-finals-2025-oklahoma-city-thunder-indiana-pacers

Oklahoma City has plummeted below marks that would’ve ranked dead last in several playmaking categories during the regular season, too: passes, touches, and potential assists, to name a few. Meanwhile, they’ve shot to the top of the league in seconds per touch and dribbles per touch.

Maybe it's because defending against Pacers is so hard that we don't have energy for fluid movement in offense? Or right answer is somewhere else?

Orlando badly needed to add shooting so it's a great pick up for them IMO. Expensive but worth it.

Wonder what Memphis will do now...if this is the first move before moving Morant it's very smart, otherwise I don't know.

[Xatticus]

They are out of the running for giving up FOUR first round picks and a pick swap for Desmond Bane. What has happened to the trade market that Bane has that kind of value?

The front office is probably getting desperate and knew their flexibility would dissolve once Banchero is extended. They are locked into a roster that is broken now. They used up every asset they had for a team that just won't be good enough offensively because Banchero is a poor shooter/finisher. Ownership won't be amenable to paying those penalties for a team that isn't winning and Franz might become available at some point in the next few years because he'll be the easiest asset to flip for some relief. I'd be prepared for that eventuality. He's very good.

[bbms]

They are out of the running for giving up FOUR first round picks and a pick swap for Desmond Bane. What has happened to the trade market that Bane has that kind of value?

It seems Orlando really wanted him, they feel that next year East is open so they improved a lot with this trade.

This is interesting
https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/14/nba/nba-finals-2025-oklahoma-city-thunder-indiana-pacers

Oklahoma City has plummeted below marks that would’ve ranked dead last in several playmaking categories during the regular season, too: passes, touches, and potential assists, to name a few. Meanwhile, they’ve shot to the top of the league in seconds per touch and dribbles per touch.

Maybe it's because defending against Pacers is so hard that we don't have energy for fluid movement in offense? Or right answer is somewhere else?

[youtube]

Watch on YouTube

;t=605s&pp=ygUTdGhpbmtpbmcgYmFza2V0YmFsbA%3D%3D[/youtube]

[Xatticus]

They are out of the running for giving up FOUR first round picks and a pick swap for Desmond Bane. What has happened to the trade market that Bane has that kind of value?

It seems Orlando really wanted him, they feel that next year East is open so they improved a lot with this trade.

This is interesting
https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/14/nba/nba-finals-2025-oklahoma-city-thunder-indiana-pacers

Oklahoma City has plummeted below marks that would’ve ranked dead last in several playmaking categories during the regular season, too: passes, touches, and potential assists, to name a few. Meanwhile, they’ve shot to the top of the league in seconds per touch and dribbles per touch.

Maybe it's because defending against Pacers is so hard that we don't have energy for fluid movement in offense? Or right answer is somewhere else?

It's the pressure. We have reverted to a more primitive state offensively. We did the same thing last year when we got bounced by Dallas. Players start pressing and looking to make plays instead of making the reads and trusting the offense. There was a huge sigh of relief after we got that win in Indy, but I'm still very nervous about this series.

[Devilanche]

derrick white would be a fantastic idea and fit like a glove and celtics could cash want him in a scenario they deal both him and porzingis to duck aprons but

i don't like that player option, i'd command him to waive that ****

and

he doesn't help us duck 2nd apron when we can

maybe on a deadline deal where we have a couple of busts and we obviously can win but i think this doesn't fit the celtics timeline

I do think if he gives up that player option he’s signing a longer term contract.
Boston will move KP/Jrue/some bench guys/JB before they move white I believe. He should cost a pretty penny to trade for .

[Dadouv47]

I have some game 1 vibes...too confident and worried it might end up being ugly

[Kizz Fastfists]

I have some game 1 vibes...too confident and worried it might end up being ugly

I've got game 5 Denver vibes. OKC in a must win game. OKC has won every must win game of the playoffs so far. Game 1 they lost by a bucket to Indy/Den, game 2 OKC blows out Indy/Den, game 3 OKC loses by 10+, game 4 OKC wins by 5/7 to get where they need to be heading home for game 5.

We just need to make sure we get IH and Chet in the starting lineup and sprinkle in a bit more through the game. Give Jaylin some run. 12-15 minutes, to cut down on the amount of time a 6'5 guy pretends to be a big man against real big men. Give Joe some run, 8-10 minutes should be good, and let him rain down from 3.

[Dadouv47]

Hartenstein monster game coming

[Kizz Fastfists]

Hartenstein monster game coming

I accept your terms.

[bbms]

got myself a bottle of wine monday night for this one

if lebron can i can too

[Kizz Fastfists]

got myself a bottle of wine monday night for this one

if lebron can i can too

Wine? I'm on whiskey and soda #2 of however many I can drink tonight, although the limit is 1.75L since that is the bottle size I bought. It's either celebratory or drinking away my sorrows.

[Dadouv47]

Hartenstein monster game coming

so far so good even if we struggle defensively with 2 bigs

[Dadouv47]

got myself a bottle of wine monday night for this one

if lebron can i can too

Wine? I'm on whiskey and soda #2 of however many I can drink tonight, although the limit is 1.75L since that is the bottle size I bought. It's either celebratory or drinking away my sorrows.

1.75L is not enough for you to forget to think about Presti so you will be fine

[Kizz Fastfists]

Hartenstein monster game coming

so far so good even if we struggle defensively with 2 bigs

I may be of the minority opinion on this, but the argument that a lineup isn't winning ENOUGH does not mean I don't want to use it. Especially when that lineup is something unique and forces the team to adjust to something they aren't used to and then they have to adjust when that lineup isn't there.

"90% of the game if half mental."- Yogi Berra

[Dadouv47]

Caruso struggling so much is a problem

[Dadouv47]

defense is fine but can't be careless on offense like in game 1. Also try to hit some damn 3's.

[bbms]

got myself a bottle of wine monday night for this one

if lebron can i can too

Wine? I'm on whiskey and soda #2 of however many I can drink tonight, although the limit is 1.75L since that is the bottle size I bought. It's either celebratory or drinking away my sorrows.

nice call!

[Kizz Fastfists]

Give me a SGA-Joe-Dort/Caruso-Jaylin-Chet/IH lineup and watch OKC go into full blowout mode.