2016 Playoffs

[GMATCallahan]

I believe they got Adams with a pick received in the Harden trade. They did get some roster flexibility. They have made many mistakes. Had they not reversed the trade for Chandler back in the day, they never would have probably traded for Perkins in the first place and Chandler was in his prime (or about to be).

You are correct. Of course, perhaps the Thunder could have found some other way to draft Adams, but as I indicated, Waiters is basically filling the breach created by Harden's loss.

[bwgood77]

I believe they got Adams with a pick received in the Harden trade. They did get some roster flexibility. They have made many mistakes. Had they not reversed the trade for Chandler back in the day, they never would have probably traded for Perkins in the first place and Chandler was in his prime (or about to be).

You are correct. Of course, perhaps the Thunder could have found some other way to draft Adams, but as I indicated, Waiters is basically filling the breach created by Harden's loss.

As was Martin in that first year, but of course two years were lost due to playoff and entire injuries to Westbrook and Durant. Ibaka was banged up that year the Spurs won it all, but they still went 7. That Spurs team was clicking on all cylinders though, so I don't think the addition of Harden would have helped, since the Spurs dominated them inside in the games that Ibaka missed.

[GMATCallahan]

In terms of player celebrations, I feel that a lot of teams outside of San Antonio celebrate too much these days (and not just in basketball). I do not mind the occasional spontaneous celebration, especially after the whistle has blown, but I could do without all of the look-into-the-crowd posing and the preconceived hand gestures and what not. But then, I am kind of Old School and retain some affinity for professionalism, sportsmanship, and not showing up an opponent too much.

The celebrations happen in part because players cannot police each other as was once rather the case. The kind of thing that Danny Ainge did to Mario Elie in Phoenix at the close of Game Three of the 1994 Western Conference Semifinals would surely be met with a major suspension nowadays.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN1gfT2IUuo[/youtube]

And I am not defending what Ainge did.

On the other hand, when a player starts celebrating prematurely or a guy like Curry or Westbrook is staring off into the crowd after shooting or hitting a three, without a whistle or a stoppage in play, I could certainly understand someone wanting to do what Ainge did to Elie.

[GMATCallahan]

As was Martin in that first year, but of course two years were lost due to playoff and entire injuries to Westbrook and Durant. Ibaka was banged up that year the Spurs won it all, but they still went 7. That Spurs team was clicking on all cylinders though, so I don't think the addition of Harden would have helped, since the Spurs dominated them inside in the games that Ibaka missed.

... they went six (2014 Western Conference Finals), and Ibaka played in the last four games. I am not sure if he was completely healthy upon his return, but he did average 3.3 blocks while shooting .500 on threes in the series.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01/gamelog/2014/#68-71-sum:pgl_basic_playoffs

And despite less "talent" and fewer regular season wins, that San Antonio team certainly turned out to be superior to this year's version; I will raise this topic with you more extensively later on.

The thing about Kevin Martin, though, is that he did not possess the off-the-dribble skills of Harden or Waiters.

[bwgood77]

As was Martin in that first year, but of course two years were lost due to playoff and entire injuries to Westbrook and Durant. Ibaka was banged up that year the Spurs won it all, but they still went 7. That Spurs team was clicking on all cylinders though, so I don't think the addition of Harden would have helped, since the Spurs dominated them inside in the games that Ibaka missed.

... they went six (2014 Western Conference Finals), and Ibaka played in the last four games. I am not sure if he was completely healthy upon his return, but he did average 3.3 blocks while shooting .500 on threes in the series.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ibakase01/gamelog/2014/#68-71-sum:pgl_basic_playoffs

And despite less "talent" and fewer regular season wins, that San Antonio team certainly turned out to be superior to this year's version; I will raise this topic with you more extensively later on.

The thing about Kevin Martin, though, is that he did not possess the off-the-dribble skills of Harden or Waiters.

I agree that the 14 team was much better. The way they were playing at the end of the season and playoffs was about as good of a team as I've seen play. But that link you pointed out, the two games Ibaka missed, they lost by 17 and 35, and he comes back and they win the next two by 9 and 13. I remember he had aggravated the injury prior to game 5 and he clearly didn't look like himself especially that game, but even in the last one he wasn't as active as usual.

But I still think SA wins the series regardless. My point is that I think SA was good enough to beat an OKC team with Harden that year anyway. And yes, Kevin Martin was no Harden, but whether it's Martin or Harden, I don't think they beat SA in 2013 without Westbrook in the finals. SA was great in 2013 as well but just happened to almost inexcusably blow game 6 in the finals and then went on to lose the series (and of course that Miami team who had won like 25 straight or something during the season was obviously a very worthy opponent).

[GMATCallahan]

I agree that the 14 team was much better. The way they were playing at the end of the season and playoffs was about as good of a team as I've seen play. But that link you pointed out, the two games Ibaka missed, they lost by 17 and 35, and he comes back and they win the next two by 9 and 13. I remember he had aggravated the injury prior to game 5 and he clearly didn't look like himself especially that game, but even in the last one he wasn't as active as usual.

But I still think SA wins the series regardless. My point is that I think SA was good enough to beat an OKC team with Harden that year anyway. And yes, Kevin Martin was no Harden, but whether it's Martin or Harden, I don't think they beat SA in 2013 without Westbrook in the finals. SA was great in 2013 as well but just happened to almost inexcusably blow game 6 in the finals and then went on to lose the series (and of course that Miami team who had won like 25 straight or something during the season was obviously a very worthy opponent).

... agreed.

[Gorilla Warfare]

The only thing keeping me from changing the channel on this Cavs vs Raptors game is the AT&T commercials with Lily. Love me some Lily.

[GMATCallahan]

The only thing keeping me from changing the channel on this Cavs vs Raptors game is the AT&T commercials with Lily. Love me some Lily.

I saw a movie instead; I have no idea who won.

I guess that I will look it up now ...

[bwgood77]

Damn, Biyombo has 15 rebounds and 2 blocks in 18 minutes. I expect Cleveland to make a bit of a run in the 2nd half, and if it gets close, I bet these forums slow down a bit, or come to a halt, given the enormous Toronto fan base on the site.

[Cactus Jack]

Damn, Biyombo has 15 rebounds and 2 blocks in 18 minutes. I expect Cleveland to make a bit of a run in the 2nd half, and if it gets close, I bet these forums slow down a bit, or come to a halt, given the enormous Toronto fan base on the site.

Biyombo 20/4. Cleveland is closing the gap.

[Cactus Jack]

Toronto pulling away now. Didn't see that happening. 2-1.

[SunsRback4Good]

Love the fight by the Raptors tonight to inch a bit closer in tying the series.

[Frank Lee]

hope Bledsoe is watching the beast that is Westbrook

[LukasBMW]

I was not expecting this from OKC. Wow.

After SAS blew them out in the first game I was SURE they were done. But they won that series convincingly and now are up 2-1 on a 73 win team. Wow!

[lilfishi22]

I was not expecting this from OKC. Wow.

After SAS blew them out in the first game I was SURE they were done. But they won that series convincingly and now are up 2-1 on a 73 win team. Wow!

I said after Gm1 of the Spurs/Thunder series that the Thunder were going to take one or two games max but eventually lose the series because of the Spurs experience, depth and coaching. My work mate and I both said even when the Spurs/Thunder series was tied at 2-2, that the Spurs won't lose this series.

I said before the Thunder/Warriors series began that the Thunder might take one game but eventually get blown out by the more offensively talented and deeper Warriors team. My work mate also echoed this opinion. It's now Gm3 and the Warriors are down 2 games to 1 with the chance of dropping another one on the road against a very confident Thunder team.

I have said as recently as a month ago that in a series against the Cavs, the Thunder just won't have enough to beat them.

I should shut up

[Qwigglez]

No LilFish! I really value your input, everything you've said I've been betting on the opposite to happen. Needless to say I've made a lot of money lately.

[bwgood77]

I was not expecting this from OKC. Wow.

After SAS blew them out in the first game I was SURE they were done. But they won that series convincingly and now are up 2-1 on a 73 win team. Wow!

I said after Gm1 of the Spurs/Thunder series that the Thunder were going to take one or two games max but eventually lose the series because of the Spurs experience, depth and coaching. My work mate and I both said even when the Spurs/Thunder series was tied at 2-2, that the Spurs won't lose this series.

I said before the Thunder/Warriors series began that the Thunder might take one game but eventually get blown out by the more offensively talented and deeper Warriors team. My work mate also echoed this opinion. It's now Gm3 and the Warriors are down 2 games to 1 with the chance of dropping another one on the road against a very confident Thunder team.

I have said as recently as a month ago that in a series against the Cavs, the Thunder just won't have enough to beat them.

I should shut up

I think the Cavs might actually be the toughest matchup for OKC if they get that far though. I think they blew them out twice in the regular season and don't have the LeBron stopper like Kawhi or Iguodala (ok, maybe not LeBron stoppers, but Lebron stiflers).

[DRK]

Dion Waiters is shutting me up. Used to be my least favourite player in the league- low IQ, selfish chucker with no defence.

These playoffs however, he is playing amazing for OKC. Elite defence, plays within the system and is willingly making plays for other people by leading OKC's second unit. Hes playing fantastic basketball right now.

[saintEscaton]

Dubs really got their teeth kicked in and Dray may be possibly suspended a game for that groin kick on Adams, still think OKC needs to take both games at home to be in the driver's seat

[lilfishi22]

No LilFish! I really value your input, everything you've said I've been betting on the opposite to happen. Needless to say I've made a lot of money lately.

It's been like this all my life. If I can make a buck for you, then I've done my job