I don't think we're really a contender

Clangus · Post #1 » by **Clangus** » Fri Jan 6, 2012 12:55 am

Thanks to free league pass i have got a chance to see a few other teams and have come to the conclusion that we cannot win it all as currently coached/constructed.

Watching the other elite teams (Miami, Chicago, Atlanta(i know) and even the Lakers) it is clear that we win games only because our talent level is so damn high. Heck even our 3rd string PG would likely see more minutes on any of those teams. (Presti really is fantastic at drafting hard working talent). These other teams are elite because of either elite offense or elite defense or both. We are not really elite at either. We are the DanToni Phoenix Suns. We'll win loads of games, but fail to win it all. Im not mad, its just a realisation i have come to.

What i do wonder is this: Is the evolution of our players (Maynor, Westbrook, KD, Harden, Ibaka, Cook heck even Cole and Perk have shown improvement) a direct result of the coaching staff or of the organisations culture? Am I hating on Brooks when he is actually the reason so much of our talent has improved so much?

Watching the heat play this season, they look sharp, focussed and often near unbeatable. No way we beat them in a 7 game series playing as we have this season (and last season). I would be surprised if we make it out of the West.

Thinking back to championship teams of the past and the "close but not quites" from then too I wonder are we more like Eweing Knicks, Stockton and Malones Jazz, Reggie Millers Pacers, Lebrons Cavs, Clydes Blazers than we are to the championship Bulls, Spurs, Lakers, Celtics, Mavs, etc

Loudconcepts · Post #2 » by **Loudconcepts** » Fri Jan 6, 2012 1:02 am

Westbrook cares to much about winning one on one matchups is the problem, I know it, Felton knows it , and anybody with basketball knowledge knows it. He plays for his stat sheet failing to realize the most important stats are Ws. If he just focused on facilitating the offense like a good pg instead of trying to keep up with Durants numbers the offense would be more smoother and wont look like the Hawks in the playoffs the past two years

Clangus · Post #3 » by **Clangus** » Fri Jan 6, 2012 1:13 am

Loudconcepts wrote:Westbrook cares to much about winning one on one matchups is the problem, I know it, Felton knows it , and anybody with basketball knowledge knows it. He plays for his stat sheet failing to realize the most important stats are Ws. If he just focused on facilitating the offense like a good pg instead of trying to keep up with Durants numbers the offense would be more smoother and wont look like the Hawks in the playoffs the past two years

Wrong. Felton was trolling. The Thunder are a division rival, Felton just wants to get in Russ's head. And the fans are too stupid to see it and Felton is getting in thier head too.

Durants number were great, his useage was very high.

Loudconcepts · Post #4 » by **Loudconcepts** » Fri Jan 6, 2012 1:50 am

I'm pretty sure Felton wasn't "trolling" I doubt he even knows what that mean since he's an NBA player not an internet geek.

Felton was just being real, I didnt say Durant number werent great he's gonna get his everynight. I was the offense is stagnant in need of direction from a real floor general, not a undersized sg who struggles figuring out when to pass and when to shoot.

Clangus · Post #5 » by **Clangus** » Fri Jan 6, 2012 2:06 am

just because Felton may not know what the term means, doesn't mean he was not doing it. I'll put it this way. Felton is playing mind games with the Thunder and Westbrook. He knows that his team will see us a few more times this season and maybe again in the playoffs. He's trying to get a little mental edge in the overall battle. This is not new, NBA players and coaches do this stuff all the time.

We get it you hate Westbrook, but your reasonings are weak. He's a fantastic player and his play directly leads us to a great many wins. He leaves it all on the court every night and while he might make a few mental mistakes from time to time, he is certainly no Javale McGee. those of us who were here for every PG since Payton know how lucky we are to have such a talented PG. Ridnour, West, Watson were all alot worse than Westbrook and there are very few current PG's that make us a better team overall. And no Rondo is NOT one of them.

I think that people need a scape goat when the team underperforms. Westbrook is off to a slow start, but there are next to no PG's in the league that bring what he does to the table. I.E - Elite rebounding for a PG, Great defense, good scoring, great work ethic, off the charts athleticism, chemistry with the other key team members, coachability, upside, ability to draw fouls, and intensity.

Post #6 » by **slick_watts** » Fri Jan 6, 2012 2:14 am

We're a contender for sure, there's enough talent on the roster to win against any team in a series IMO. Our talent is just not coached optimally, and is not focused optimally. This goes from Russell Westbrook's erratic play, to Kevin Durant's disinterest, to lineup construction, intermittent defense, etc. The team lacks basketball discipline. If they ever get it they will be easily vying with the Heat for best team in the league.

Westbrook is just a microcosm of that larger problem - this is a team coached to perform at high energy levels, that energy doesn't seem focused toward performing high efficiency / high fundamental basketball.

Loudconcepts · Post #7 » by **Loudconcepts** » Fri Jan 6, 2012 2:24 am

I dont hate Westbrook, He's a future ALL STAR for many years to come. I know how good he is, he's just a bad fit for the Thunder and they need to trade him for a floor general who can facilitate offense, and ultimately make the TEAM better as a whole.

All those traits you said describe Rondo except the scoring, but he impacts a game without having to score. Also Westbrook have off court team chemistry but not on court chemistry.

V for Vendetta · Post #8 » by **V for Vendetta** » Fri Jan 6, 2012 10:36 pm

I was able to watch some of the games as well and the offence really looks bad, no ball movement, just isolations. I don't think westbrook is the main problem, coaching is.

dopeismarcus · Post #9 » by **dopeismarcus** » Sun Jan 8, 2012 4:55 pm

trade. for. howard.

wiff · Post #10 » by **wiff** » Sun Jan 8, 2012 5:34 pm

Let's come back to this when there are less than 50 games left in the season.

The only way Brooks get fired is......

1) Durant demands a trade. (Not going to happen)

2) The Thunder hit an 0-10 stretch where everyone on the team is pissed with each other. (Not going to happen)

3) Thunder miss the playoffs. (Not going to happen)

4) The Thunder fall short in the playoffs when they are expected to get to the finals. (Possible)

Two years ago Brooks won coach of the year because the team started to play "D". Then last year Brooks showed he couldn't coach an offense and despite being poorly coach offensively the Thunder still improved and made it to the Western Conference Finals.

In order for the Thunder to hire a new coach either Brooks contract needs to run out or the Thunder need to under achieve in the playoffs. I'd say Brooks job is one of the safest in the NBA right now.

The Thunder are so young and talented that they are going to keep getting better individually. It's not like this team is on a decline due to age.

Brooks is here for a while people get use to it. Not saying I like Brooks but what's the use in banging your head against a brick wall?

And yes the Thunder are every bit a contender.