12/13 - POSTGAME | Oklahoma City Thunder (100) - (95) Indiana Pacers

[hardenASG13]

haha what. why are abrines' points so special? if a lot of things don't happen, we lose. and it wasn't even an impressive win!

Gotta keep the movement alive.

these guys feel physical pain when andre roberson succeeds. they are basketball evangelicals. roberson is having a good year and has been instrumental on a team with the #2 defense in the nba! but he's the problem because anthony, westbrook, and george can't figure out how to play together. roberson's one of the few guys actually doing his job properly. him and adams.

but i guess when you have an agenda you take it all the way.

His job isn't one used by NBA teams (play defense and not be able to dribble, pass or shoot as a perimeter player). That's the problem guys.

[hardenASG13]

No one thought the defense was fine without Dre after the Charlotte game. Of course hardenasg and his crew are nowhere to be found after that game.

They had 1 bad quarter.....charlotte hit everything. You and the Roberson crew were very happy after that one...how you can't see that this team needs to and should try to shoot teams out of the gym is just funny. Their defensive personel is fine without him.

[NOOB77]

I know I'm behind, but I just read the ICYMI article on The Ringer.

How, in a game where our "Big 3" shoot a combined 10/25, and Adams shoots 11/16, does Adams get 0 FGA in the 4th quarter?

Because the person with the ball never passed it to him. He isn't a centre where you can run a post ISO for him. He is a fantastic finisher in traffic and has great hands. So if the person driving doesn't feel like passing this time down the court then he will not get the ball.

There isn't a set play for Adams. Adams gets his points off of pick and rolls. If a defence decides to take away the roll then Adams will get no points or shots.

OKC's 2nd half problems are that the team goes away from the plan that has worked in the first two quarters and this is especially true in fourth quarters, Adams doesn't get looks in the 4th quarters because we become more inclined to ISO plays that five the players contested looks and it's not working.

Is that the team or the players. They seem to be running the same type of stuff just the decisions are different I see alot of pick and roll with Russ in the 4th just Russ is shooting instead of passing.

[hardenASG13]

Because the person with the ball never passed it to him. He isn't a centre where you can run a post ISO for him. He is a fantastic finisher in traffic and has great hands. So if the person driving doesn't feel like passing this time down the court then he will not get the ball.

There isn't a set play for Adams. Adams gets his points off of pick and rolls. If a defence decides to take away the roll then Adams will get no points or shots.

OKC's 2nd half problems are that the team goes away from the plan that has worked in the first two quarters and this is especially true in fourth quarters, Adams doesn't get looks in the 4th quarters because we become more inclined to ISO plays that five the players contested looks and it's not working.

Is that the team or the players. They seem to be running the same type of stuff just the decisions are different I see alot of pick and roll with Russ in the 4th just Russ is shooting instead of passing.

Same....the roll is still there if they want it.....especially if they stick 4 shooters on the perimeter like all other nba teams.

[ozwizard8]

Okcs starts shot awful, and still got the W.

A few things

Russ could legit average 15 apg if he wanted too....might be best for this year's team.

Adams was a man child tonight, needs to stay active on the boards.

Kill me, I like the version of OKC where all the guys on the perimeter can shoot. That's the only way they hit their ceiling, the stars shoot well tonight and they hang 120. Defense was fine.

Melo should be coming off the bench

Since many were so fast and happy to jump on 1 bad defensive quarter vs. Charlotte, where they hit numerous lucky shots.....held the pacers 14 points under their average, without Roberson. They are fine without him defensively, if they give effort like tonight. That's what defense is mostly, effort. You don't need to feature an all D no O WING heavy minutes. Guys just have to try and be accountable. Great win, more coming.

"without Robertson".
That means better defense in my book.

PG and Huestis are better defenders.
Whenever people says Robertson cant shoot they also say he's good on D though. His offensive issues brings praises on his defense.
People really think he's like B.Bowen, T.Allen like lockdown guy. He isnt.
Robertson let star players do what they want on many occasions.
PG-Huestis makes much more impactful defensive moves. Blocks, steals, taking charge.

Huestis should start instead of Robertson. Huestis needs to polish his game little bit but he can only do it with playing time.

Melo cant jump at this point. He is liability on defense. And offense he simply not good enough to compansate his defensive woes.
I'd say bench him but Donovan doesnt have balls to do it. So reduce his minutes. Give him a day off sometimes.

Roberson is a better defender than Tony Allen ever was.

Keep believing in that and one day you might see Roberson locks an opponent player up. Just have little faith right?

Nice formula:
Suck on offense and get credit on D.
It only works when a GM gives 40m contract though.

[Pillendreher]

"without Robertson".
That means better defense in my book.

PG and Huestis are better defenders.
Whenever people says Robertson cant shoot they also say he's good on D though. His offensive issues brings praises on his defense.
People really think he's like B.Bowen, T.Allen like lockdown guy. He isnt.
Robertson let star players do what they want on many occasions.
PG-Huestis makes much more impactful defensive moves. Blocks, steals, taking charge.

Huestis should start instead of Robertson. Huestis needs to polish his game little bit but he can only do it with playing time.

Melo cant jump at this point. He is liability on defense. And offense he simply not good enough to compansate his defensive woes.
I'd say bench him but Donovan doesnt have balls to do it. So reduce his minutes. Give him a day off sometimes.

Roberson is a better defender than Tony Allen ever was.

Keep believing in that and one day you might see Roberson locks an opponent player up. Just have little faith right?

Nice formula:
Suck on offense and get credit on D.
It only works when a GM gives 40m contract though.

I see the sleestak crew has recruited.

[RalphSampsonJr]

Their defensive personel is fine without him.

so the thunder defensive rating is 100.9 but a Hornets team, with a offensive rating of 103 score 116 on us and its "fine"?

Roberson is more important than ever right now. our defense is keeping us close to .500

why has the ol "roberson cant shoot so he sucks" argument come back up anyway? he is low on the priority list of things that need to change! Robes has been doing his job all season. Yea its limited, but thats a good thing.

Abrines has finally been making shots but he is getting attacked on D. anyone that has watched the last couple of games can see that.

[hardenASG13]

Their defensive personel is fine without him.

so the thunder defensive rating is 100.9 but a Hornets team, with a offensive rating of 103 score 116 on us and its "fine"?

Roberson is more important than ever right now. our defense is keeping us close to .500

why has the ol "roberson cant shoot so he sucks" argument come back up anyway? he is low on the priority list of things that need to change! Robes has been doing his job all season. Yea its limited, but thats a good thing.

Abrines has finally been making shots but he is getting attacked on D. anyone that has watched the last couple of games can see that.

It was brought up as Roberson was out this game. They held Indy well below their season average, as the TEAM, especially Westbrook, was engaged defensively. They did well on that end.

Agree, abrines is a liability on D. George and Huestis aren't. Abrines should come off the bench. George and huestis can guard the 2 wings. Huestis can hit open 3s. NBA is all about 3s. All teams employ role players that can stroke open 3s. Felton/abrines/melo(hes gonna get benched), grant, and dakari can be the second unit. Roberson can play spot minutes, like other no offense wings (although he is the extreme of the bunch offensively). This team can afford the slight defensive drop without him, if they play shooters all game they could really light it up. It's clearly the way to reach their ceiling as a team. Individual perimeter D isn't a high impact aspect of NBA ball. The offensive players are too good. The team simply has to be accountable, like this game.

[slick_watts]

George and huestis can guard the 2 wings. Huestis can hit open 3s. NBA is all about 3s.

you've jumped the shark on this take by preferring huestis over roberson. that is idiotic. he's not even a better offensive player.

Individual perimeter D isn't a high impact aspect of NBA ball.

since 2015

roberson on court (5200+ minutes) - 105.2pp100 allowed
roberson off court (5000+minutes) - 109.8 pp100 allowed

difference = 4.5pp100 on defense.

wings don't matter!

this is where you'll tell everyone these numbers are 'invalid' for some reason. your alleged youth coaching experience, perhaps? or because basketball isn't played on spreadsheets? numbers don't matter?

i'll agree that numbers don't matter if you're advocating josh huestis.

[spearsy23]

Huesless isn't even good on defense, let alone offense.

[hardenASG13]

George and huestis can guard the 2 wings. Huestis can hit open 3s. NBA is all about 3s.

you've jumped the shark on this take by preferring huestis over roberson. that is idiotic. he's not even a better offensive player.

Individual perimeter D isn't a high impact aspect of NBA ball.

since 2015

roberson on court (5200+ minutes) - 105.2pp100 allowed
roberson off court (5000+minutes) - 109.8 pp100 allowed

difference = 4.5pp100 on defense.

wings don't matter!

this is where you'll tell everyone these numbers are 'invalid' for some reason. your alleged youth coaching experience, perhaps? or because basketball isn't played on spreadsheets? numbers don't matter?

i'll agree that numbers don't matter if you're advocating josh huestis.

He's a much better open 3 point shooter. Try to Stay with me. The guy in that role (Roberson, abrines, Huestis) won't be needed to create much offense. Russ and PG will do that, and should. They need to be able to hit open 3s! What happens when Roberson catches it wide open? He swings it or airballs....no one closes out. Its not bad offense if it generates open looks, but with him it is because the shot either isn't attempted or misses badly. What happens after they spend 12 seconds in handoff action, break down the D, and hit an open Roberson, and he passes it? Yep, ISO time! Or they don't even pass to him to begin with and have to Chuck up a bad shot.

You're stats are certainly invalid. Do you deny when Roberson is off the court, and has been, that other starters also are off (namely adams), and replaced by what has essentially been projects and washed up vets off the bench? Of course the numbers are (a whole 4 points) better with him on. He plays in better lineups!

My freshman coaching has nothing to do with it man. You simply don't have a very good understanding of NBA basketball, and will not budge from an opinion. It's becoming hilariously obvious.Maybe you did in 1995. Perimeter players need to be able to shoot. It's all about the 3 ball

[RalphSampsonJr]

Their defensive personel is fine without him.

so the thunder defensive rating is 100.9 but a Hornets team, with a offensive rating of 103 score 116 on us and its "fine"?

Roberson is more important than ever right now. our defense is keeping us close to .500

why has the ol "roberson cant shoot so he sucks" argument come back up anyway? he is low on the priority list of things that need to change! Robes has been doing his job all season. Yea its limited, but thats a good thing.

Abrines has finally been making shots but he is getting attacked on D. anyone that has watched the last couple of games can see that.

It was brought up as Roberson was out this game. They held Indy well below their season average, as the TEAM, especially Westbrook, was engaged defensively. They did well on that end.

Agree, abrines is a liability on D. George and Huestis aren't. Abrines should come off the bench. George and huestis can guard the 2 wings. Huestis can hit open 3s. NBA is all about 3s. All teams employ role players that can stroke open 3s. Felton/abrines/melo(hes gonna get benched), grant, and dakari can be the second unit. Roberson can play spot minutes, like other no offense wings (although he is the extreme of the bunch offensively). This team can afford the slight defensive drop without him, if they play shooters all game they could really light it up. It's clearly the way to reach their ceiling as a team. Individual perimeter D isn't a high impact aspect of NBA ball. The offensive players are too good. The team simply has to be accountable, like this game.

Yea they held Indy to 95 but the last two games without Roberson they have only scored 103 and 100.
You use the logic to say that the defense is just as good without him, well i can use the same logic to same the offense is just as worse without him..
Roberson is not the main concern offensively. Everyone was saying Robes being on will make the stars jobs more difficult because they can double team them as Robes is a "non factor" on that end.
Well the three stars just shot 10-45 while Abrines and Huestis were playing significant minutes while "spreading the floor".