Change of Game plan

[Clangus]

We all know tht the Lalers changed thier game plan for us and it worked really well. The had Kobe on Russ and Kobe sagged basically Daring Russ to hit long Jumpers. The Lakers also were more focused on getting back on D rather than getting offensive boards. THey were alot - but after watching the game I feel like those were big adjustments they made to get us out of our game.

SO what do you all think we should adjust to come back at them stronger?

My first thought is if Kobe is going to Guard RW - then Start Harden and make FIsher Guard him. He can hit long shots and he can drive. We need a line up where fish cannot hide on the floor.

I also think we should start Ibaka at PF and Bring Green off the bench. Ibaka does a good job on Pau and the Lakers are pounding it inside early. Making it tough for Pau early certainly put thing in our favor. The second part that I think makes this a reasonable idea is that because Harden is starting moving Green to the Bench gives us some scoring off the bench.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[Big_Mac79]

Play Etan

I'm sorry for saying this but they need to play physical
Remember when the front court for the Sonics was Jerome James, Danny Fortson and Reggie Evans?
Those guys beat up on people
I suggest they have Etan use his 6 fouls
Bynum is shooting 58.8% from the line
Keep him there

[Clangus]

Play Etan

I'm sorry for saying this but they need to play physical
Remember when the front court for the Sonics was Jerome James, Danny Fortson and Reggie Evans?
Those guys beat up on people
I suggest they have Etan use his 6 fouls
Bynum is shooting 58.8% from the line
Keep him there

Not a bad idea, but Etan can't make a dang Layup. Maybe its rust though. He also seems slower than Krystic. But that's not a terrible idea - rough them up a bit?!

[slick_watts]

My ideas are similar to yours, Clangus. I think people are getting a bit carried away with the game five loss.. we had been playing decent defense for the most part against the Lakers, except early on like you said.

I would probably start Ibaka and Harden, also. I think that's the easiest way to balance our defense and offense with the starting five to ensure we don't fall into early deficits. I thought we played crappy to start and a lot of it had to do with frustration on offense (not getting calls, missing shots, etc.). James Harden would force the Lakers to guard everyone.. Thabo's getting exposed on offense.

Unfortunately, Brooks is unlikely to change anything. Here's a twitter from Darnell Mayberry:

Scott Brooks was adamant about keeping his starting lineup the same for Game 6. There will not be any changes. #OKCTHUNDER #Lakers
about 7 hours ago via web

and another:

Brooks doesn't view the slow starts as one or two players' faults. That's one of the reasons why he's not tinkering w/ the starting lineup.
about 6 hours ago via web

We'll see what happens...

[Clangus]

Brooks has to be more Flexible, the Lakers exploited our weakness and nullified our strength (RW V DFish).

Im not saying we need to panic, but we need to give them a different look.

[BRIGGS]

Agree--start Etan Thomas over Kristic

[wiff]

I think Etan could be useful too. Even is he uses all of his fouls in 8 minutes.

Gasol isn't as soft as he use to be during his early days in Memphis but deep down he is still a wuss. Make him bang. Make him feel uncomfortable.

The other thing I'd like to add that might be off the beaten path here, is to make a bucket. I know I know crazy talk. But honestly a lot of the Thunder's shots in the 1st quarter were decent shots they just simply rimmed out. At home those should drop. They were so damn cold from the field in game 5 during the 1st quarter. Partly due to the Lakers "D" but mostly because they just missed open looks.

[Hobes]

My first thought is if Kobe is going to Guard RW - then Start Harden and make FIsher Guard him. He can hit long shots and he can drive. We need a line up where fish cannot hide on the floor.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

I do agree that this change should be implemented, but how well can Harden guard Kobe? My instant feelings are that Kobe see's a rookie guarding him and goes crazy. Maybe that's a good thing as it may force him to take bad shots/draw the game away from the Laker bigs. However, it could also mean he could get the confidence we know he has and score at will.

[MrToad]

I do agree that this change should be implemented, but how well can Harden guard Kobe? My instant feelings are that Kobe see's a rookie guarding him and goes crazy.

I don't think they have a choice. The Lakers are going to run the same game plan... do their best to limit RW by guarding him with Kobe, mug KD at every opportunity and make the rest of the Thunder beat them.
Harden is the only other guy that has the potential to provide some scoring. If he can hit some outside shots and Jeff Green can contribute without shooting 30% they can force the Lakers to readjust and it will open things back up for RW and KD.

[MrToad]

I do agree that this change should be implemented, but how well can Harden guard Kobe? My instant feelings are that Kobe see's a rookie guarding him and goes crazy.

I don't think they have a choice. The Lakers are going to run the same game plan... do their best to limit RW by guarding him with Kobe, mug KD at every opportunity and make the rest of the Thunder beat them.
Harden is the only other guy that has the potential to provide some scoring. If he can hit some outside shots and Jeff Green can contribute without shooting 30% they can force the Lakers to readjust and it will open things back up for RW and KD.