Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves 02/26/10

[slick_watts]

Russell Westbrook / Thabo Sefolosha / Kevin Durant / Jeff Green / Nenad Krstic

@




Jonny Flynn / Corey Brewer / Ryan Gomes / Al Jefferson / Ryan Hollins

Matchup

Serge Ibaka and Nick Collison will be available for this game, so hopefully Byron Mullens remains on the bench where he belongs.

We took care of the Wolves for most of our last meeting but stumbled down the stretch with some perplexing defense. Really, since the Dallas game, we've had some curious breakdowns defensively against the faster paced teams in the league. We played Dallas and San Antonio fairly well defensively but didn't do too great against the Knicks, Wolves, and Suns.

We know the matchup story here, by now.. we have a nice home stand against MIN, TOR, and SAC, so this is where the guys need to get back on track.


Some Numbers

KD's streak is over, so it will be interesting to see if there are any changes in his game offensively..

A Question

How long will our next win streak be?

[Jimmy76]

i felt OKC was headed for a loss streak considered the defense and the wins were only coming thanks to westbrook's monster rampage (if this is what average westbrook looks in the future sweet lord watch out league) but the t-wolves are perfect to bounce back on

[slick_watts]

Agreed. Russ definitely had a hand in our win streak, but also our three point shooting got hot. When Jeff Green, Harden, and KD are nailing threes our offense runs very well.

[BIG EDDIE]

This should be the start of the next win streak, just like slick said.

vs MIN
vs TOR
vs SAC
@ DEN
@ LAC
@ SAC
vs NOH
vs NJN
vs UTH

This should be a 7-2 record for the Thunder with 1 loss probably against the Nuggets and the other one HOPEFULLY NOT against the Jazz...

Durant going for 40 tonight!

[Jimmy76]

i felt OKC was headed for a loss streak considered the defense and the wins were only coming thanks to westbrook's monster rampage (if this is what average westbrook looks in the future sweet lord watch out league) but the t-wolves are perfect to bounce back on

i must be tired judging from this post

[slick_watts]

I also don't think Russ played defense any better during the streak.. he still gambles a lot and makes mental errors (i.e. the Eddie House shot against the Knicks on the inbounds.. argh!). Offensively, aside from the Spurs game, he's been dynamite.

[mcmokken]

Gonna get back on track with another W tonight. Sweet.

[Joel Embust]

Think OKC can win by 10 tonight? I want to place a bet.

[Jimmy76]

harden is tearing it up tonight

[slick_watts]

Nice to see Russ back to his playmaking ways.. he made some tremendous passes, especially the pass under the basket to Thabo on the broken play. Those are things he doesn't do last season. I'm really excited about Russ' progression, the slash and kick game.. if we had consistent shooters (i.e. not Thabo, Green) with him we're golden. All he needs is improved shot selection and a more consistent jumper.

Offense went completely down the tubes with Russ and KD out. I'm not confident at all in our second unit's offense. Eric Maynor is just so ordinary running the point and we usually just settle for mid range jumpers. Russ comes back in and the offense is dynamic again, he's getting to the line, breaking down the defense.. even some of the wild shots he takes I like because at least he's attacking.

[slick_watts]

Better continuity on offense here.. Russ is playing great, getting penetration, moving the ball. We end up with a lot of open shots when he initiates the offense off the dribble. If Green was still hitting threes we'd be unstoppable in this one.

[Jimmy76]

i really hope this is what westbrook is like consistently in the future

just so many looks right next to the basket

i can only imagine OKC with a legit bigman to run pick and roll and be a great finisher inside

[slick_watts]

He reminds me a lot of Stephon Marbury. Marbury was a machine getting into the paint, slashing, breaking down the defense.. Russ is probably stronger than Stephon and gets those second chance points. They both couldn't shoot but Marbury developed a mid range shot.

[Jimmy76]

He reminds me a lot of Stephon Marbury. Marbury was a machine getting into the paint, slashing, breaking down the defense.. Russ is probably stronger than Stephon and gets those second chance points. They both couldn't shoot but Marbury developed a mid range shot.

he had enough of a 3 point shot to be respected as well (and was a much better finisher than Russ, at least at this point)

Marbury-character issues and a more pass focused mindset would be awesome

[Jimmy76]

ibaka looking nice as well

[slick_watts]

He reminds me a lot of Stephon Marbury. Marbury was a machine getting into the paint, slashing, breaking down the defense.. Russ is probably stronger than Stephon and gets those second chance points. They both couldn't shoot but Marbury developed a mid range shot.

he had enough of a 3 point shot to be respected as well (and was a much better finisher than Russ, at least at this point)

Marbury-character issues and a more pass focused mindset would be awesome

I dunno he was real erratic from 3pt range.. I just checked and he shot 35% his rookie year and didn't get higher than 33% again until he was 27. I always thought his 3pt shooting hindered his team..

Anyway their demeanor on the court and style really seem similar to me.

[Jimmy76]

He reminds me a lot of Stephon Marbury. Marbury was a machine getting into the paint, slashing, breaking down the defense.. Russ is probably stronger than Stephon and gets those second chance points. They both couldn't shoot but Marbury developed a mid range shot.

he had enough of a 3 point shot to be respected as well (and was a much better finisher than Russ, at least at this point)

Marbury-character issues and a more pass focused mindset would be awesome

I dunno he was real erratic from 3pt range.. I just checked and he shot 35% his rookie year and didn't get higher than 33% again until he was 27. I always thought his 3pt shooting hindered his team..

Anyway their demeanor on the court and style really seem similar to me.

well he wasnt great but if you're shooting 30-33% its enough they at least have to keep an eye on you

and i can see the comparison a lot now that you mention it I saw him like Baron before

[slick_watts]

Ibaka's good as long as he's not putting the ball on the floor. Two travelling calls tonight. If he sticks to the basket area he's getting more and more effective converting inside.

[BIG EDDIE]

Think OKC can win by 10 tonight? I want to place a bet.

I hope you placed your bet and won lots of money!!

[Jimmy76]

i dont understand the thunder mascot at all

presti needs to get on that its an obvious weakness