GT: Thunder vs. Spurs

[Nolan]

When: 8:30 PM ET, January 1, 2011
Where: AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX



VS



Starting Lineups:

Thunder:
PG - Russel Westbrook
SG - Thabo Sefolosha
SF - Kevin Durant
PF - Jeff Green
C - Nenad Krstic

Spurs:
PG - Tony Parker
SG - Manu Ginobli
SF Richard Jefferson
PF Tim Duncan
C Dejuan Blair

Well we`re coming off of two big wins to face another tough oponent in the Thunder. The key to beating the Thunder is going to be making Durant into a volume scorer. He`s going to get his points but we have to make sure he takes alot of shots to get them. We`re also to have to play solid transition defense and we can`t let Westbrook get into the paint.

Go Spurs!!

[Donald Kaufman]

My two favorite teams going at it. Should be a great game. B2B for OKC.

[co_laper]

I would use the b2b excuse if OKC is a veteran team. I'm not exactly sure how much affects a young team like OKC playing b2b home games.

Anyways, 1st game of 2011. I'm sure the Spurs are focused enough and had that mindset of putting 2010 and the record as a thing of the past. I expect us to win this game.

[Trip]

It will be a chance to see what kind of progress we have made since the last game. If its anything like the second Dallas game we will fail to execute and let you guys pull away.

Really looking forward to this one.

[Nolan]

Wow I was really expecting a close game but this one was never close.

We're one win away from 30!

[Donald Kaufman]

Yeah, same here. I thought it would be more competitive.

Ibaka is a freaking beast. If he wasn't blocking shots he was changing them.

I cringe when I see Udoka and Splitter out there. Ime's not good for much except giving RJ a breather and the only thing Splitter seems to be useful for is drawing charges.

Nice vintage game from Timmy. Hill is amazing.

29-4!!!

[Donald Kaufman]

FYI, we didn't get our 29th win last season until the 6th of February!

[Tiga]

parker to jefferson alley-oop.. works every game

[co_laper]

Yeah, same here. I thought it would be more competitive.

Ibaka is a freaking beast. If he wasn't blocking shots he was changing them.

I cringe when I see Udoka and Splitter out there. Ime's not good for much except giving RJ a breather and the only thing Splitter seems to be useful for is drawing charges.

Nice vintage game from Timmy. Hill is amazing.

29-4!!!

I have no idea what happened to Udoka's shooting.

I mean, when he got to San Antonio the first time, he was coming off a career season in Portland as a starter and most importantly as a defensive specialist who shot 41% from 3 point land.

First season with us, it was okay. I don't remember him having big games with it as a Bowen backup but I don't recall wanting to chop his head when he shoots. He shot 37% from downtown that 1st year.

Since then it went down hill. 33%. 29%. And now he has yet to make a 3 for us.

As for Splitter, man he really needs to get stronger right now. He's got good defensive skills IMO and offensively he's quite physical. Not many big guys can back people down these days. But right now, it looks like he's backing down a brick wall. When he backs people up, it kinda looks like he doesn't gain ground and he sometimes lose his balance. Rebounding, he's boxing out but sometimes looks like he's getting pushed too easily. Adding more strength will do wonders for him.

I wish we can stretch his arms too. Does anyone have his pre-draft measurements? I can't even find them on google. He's got t-rex arms and i'm not sure if it just looks that way or is it really really short. If so, how much shorter is it compared to an average 6'11'' guy?

[Donald Kaufman]

Link to pre-draft measurements: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Tiago-Splitter-25/ He's got a 7' 2" span apparently, not great for a man of 6'11''. Hill, on the other hand, has a 6'9'' wingspan despite being 6'1'' !

I think both players need confidence, which you only get with playing time. But they need confidence to earn the PT in the first place. You can tell neither has fully earned the trust of Pop yet, which is why they're both not getting in games much.

Obviously Splitter needs to adjust to the NBA grind, as well as the Spurs system, which takes time. He only needs to speak to RJ to understand the struggle.

Udoka though, I feel is a lost cause. He's not productive out there at all, on either end of the floor. Like you say, he showed some promise in his first time around.

[SApuro_]

Another great win! Lakers, Mavs, and Thunder all go down in the same week.

We are finally creating some breathing room.