Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Clippers

[All Net]

Who's better right now and who would you bet on in a series?

[Mr Exlax]

I'm gonna say OKC. Can't exactly explain why, but that's who I'm rolling with. Guess it's cause of Durant. Nobody on the Clippers can stop him or really even slow him down. The Clips have the better bench, but OKC has Martin coming in giving 17+ consistently.

[Rubio2Gasol]

The Clippers are playing better ball but at the end of the day I don't really see them winning anything.

[joeyjoejoe]

Could very well b wcf hope for clipps but god knows who wins wld b great series

[B-hoop]

If Perkins plays 20+ minutes every game then i have Clippers sweeping OKC :lol

[dunksby]

I'm taking OKC, But I'm a Thunder fan. Still I don't see how they can beat us in the playoffs in case we meet. OKC goes into beast+ mode during postseason.

[All Net]

I'm taking OKC, But I'm a Thunder fan. Still I don't see how they can beat us in the playoffs in case we meet. OKC goes into beast+ mode during postseason.

Durant and Westbrook certainly do. Be interesting of Kevin Martin can play in the playoffs like he is now

[PyrrhusX]

I'm taking OKC, But I'm a Thunder fan. Still I don't see how they can beat us in the playoffs in case we meet. OKC goes into beast+ mode during postseason.

Its the enemy from within.
http://dimemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/bos_perkins_kendrick-480x270.jpg

:coleman:

[Indian guy]

OKC. Depth is close to irrelevant in the playoffs, since everybody shortens their rotation and the edge LAC's 2nd stringers currently enjoy against other teams' benches simply won't exist in the playoffs. The playoffs are all about your core 3-4 players, coaching and defense. OKC's best 4 are much better than LAC's, they have the best player and the coaching is a toss up. The only edge LAC does have is their D, which has surprisingly been elite this year(ranked #2) while OKC's merely above average(#11) on that end of the floor. If LAC can somehow maintain that level on defense all year, which I highly doubt to begin with, VDN's teams have a history of being awful defensively, then I can see LAC stretching a 7 games series to 6, but no more.

[raprap]

OKC, they can neutralize the Clips athleticism and just destroy them late in the game with there two superstars.

[detroitdogg]

Durant = Paul

Blake > Westbrook (especially in a playoff series where you know Russ will try too much)

DJ >>>>>>>> Perkins (by a mile, and DJ has been playing great when posting up)

Crawford > Martin (I would slap the shit out of any ***** that thinks K Mart has ever been a equal or better player than Mal)

Ibaka > Butler (Caron has a lot of experience and his game is made to be effective in the playoffs so I think Caron could impact a series as much as Ibaka, but Ibaka will block shots and rebound fasho and you cant just ignore that)


I dont know what the **** is wrong with the few people in this thread, but if you think OKC has a better core 4 then you are blowed as ****. As a team (not even talking bench depth) the Clippers are put together perfectly, everybody plays off each other and OKC does not do that at all. They dont move the ball at anywhere near the level the Clippers do. GTFOH you uneducated on basketball ass ******, only a fool would say some shit like that.

[PyrrhusX]

Durant = Paul

Blake > Westbrook (especially in a playoff series where you know Russ will try too much)

DJ >>>>>>>> Perkins (by a mile, and DJ has been playing great when posting up)

Crawford > Martin (I would slap the shit out of any ***** that thinks K Mart has ever been a equal or better player than Mal)

Ibaka > Butler (Caron has a lot of experience and his game is made to be effective in the playoffs so I think Caron could impact a series as much as Ibaka, but Ibaka will block shots and rebound fasho and you cant just ignore that)


I dont know what the **** is wrong with the few people in this thread, but if you think OKC has a better core 4 then you are blowed as ****. As a team (not even talking bench depth) the Clippers are put together perfectly, everybody plays off each other and OKC does not do that at all. They dont move the ball at anywhere near the level the Clippers do. GTFOH you uneducated on basketball ass ******, only a fool would say some shit like that.


:oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol: :oldlol:

[Thechosen1]

chris paul will not lose if hes that close to his first ring...so clippers

[swe_suns]

Durant = Paul

Blake > Westbrook (especially in a playoff series where you know Russ will try too much)

DJ >>>>>>>> Perkins (by a mile, and DJ has been playing great when posting up)

Crawford > Martin (I would slap the shit out of any ***** that thinks K Mart has ever been a equal or better player than Mal)

Ibaka > Butler (Caron has a lot of experience and his game is made to be effective in the playoffs so I think Caron could impact a series as much as Ibaka, but Ibaka will block shots and rebound fasho and you cant just ignore that)


I dont know what the **** is wrong with the few people in this thread, but if you think OKC has a better core 4 then you are blowed as ****. As a team (not even talking bench depth) the Clippers are put together perfectly, everybody plays off each other and OKC does not do that at all. They dont move the ball at anywhere near the level the Clippers do. GTFOH you uneducated on basketball ass ******, only a fool would say some shit like that.

I think we all stopped reading right there.

[shaunliv]

I'm gonna say OKC. Can't exactly explain why, but that's who I'm rolling with. Guess it's cause of Durant. Nobody on the Clippers can stop him or really even slow him down. The Clips have the better bench, but OKC has Martin coming in giving 17+ consistently.

Actually, the Clippers have had the MOST success defending Durant during his young career. According to DJ Foster (ESPN): ..." the Clippers have had Kevin Durant's number for a while now. In their past nine matchups, Durant is shooting just 40.8 percent from the field and has more turnovers (34) than assists (29)."

Also, your assessment that "Nobody on the Clippers can stop him..." is precisely TRUE. But then again, no ONE player can stop Durant. The Clippers happen to be playing some of the best TEAM defense AND offense. So, although Matt Barnes doesn't have a good chance of guarding Durant one on one, best believe any combination of: Paul, Griffin, Jordan, Butler, Odom, and Bledsoe (for goodness sake, THIS player alone could improve any team's chances on "D") can at least make it difficult for any player to score.

Finally, the Clippers bench is NO JOKE. According to NBA.com

[Thechosen1]

I think we all stopped reading right there.

not really

[swe_suns]

not really

In what universe is KD = CP3?

[knicksman]

clippers are better right now unless westbrook stops chucking. But in terms of upside, ill go with okc. I think clippers have reached their peak unless griffin becomes a goto scorer while okc already had durant who is the most unstoppable right now.

[The Redemption]

The biggest issue OKC would have is limiting their turnovers since they do like to turn the ball over. The Clippers will convert those almost every single time with highlight plays which get the team going and boost the Clippers defense even more.

I got the Clippers winning in 6 due to having an ability to dominate games defensively and share the ball in a way which is hard to defend.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGHNJvRs4qc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYp8T8vOsc

[2swift4u]

Durant = Paul

Blake > Westbrook (especially in a playoff series where you know Russ will try too much)

DJ >>>>>>>> Perkins (by a mile, and DJ has been playing great when posting up)

Crawford > Martin (I would slap the shit out of any ***** that thinks K Mart has ever been a equal or better player than Mal)

Ibaka > Butler (Caron has a lot of experience and his game is made to be effective in the playoffs so I think Caron could impact a series as much as Ibaka, but Ibaka will block shots and rebound fasho and you cant just ignore that


I dont know what the **** is wrong with the few people in this thread, but if you think OKC has a better core 4 then you are blowed as ****. As a team (not even talking bench depth) the Clippers are put together perfectly, everybody plays off each other and OKC does not do that at all. They dont move the ball at anywhere near the level the Clippers do. GTFOH you uneducated on basketball ass ******, only a fool would say some shit like that.

what's wrong with you?? :wtf: :facepalm

[Thechosen1]

In what universe is KD = CP3?

this one

[detroitdogg]

what's wrong with you?? :wtf: :facepalm
16 and 9 can be just as effective as 28 and 3 bro bro, its all still points scored, Paul gets others involved but has the ability to give you 20 every night. OKC just does not move the ball well enough to be able to "easily" beat the Clippers, I think the Clips have a huge advantage on offense if they can keep KD from going ham. I would say to let Russ do his thing and focus on Durant.

[Thechosen1]

clippers are better right now unless westbrook stops chucking. But in terms of upside, ill go with okc. I think clippers have reached their peak unless griffin becomes a goto scorer while okc already had durant who is the most unstoppable right now.

lol clippers arent even close to their peak...


people need to realize this.

1. Chris Paul isnt playing like Chris Paul because he saves it for the playoffs, and they are still kicking everyones ass
2. Because CP3 isnt looking for his own shot, he makes everyone around him that much more effective because they have more confidence to produce and he puts them in the right places to succeed.
3. He himself knows that if he is aggressive looking for his shot, but everyone else isnt a threat, they can still be beat. However, if his teamates are also a legit threat to score, and now teams have to worry about him getting his points, it makes it that much harder for them to defend.


I laugh at people like chuck, and others that diminish how great cp3 is. The man is playing chess with everyone that steps on the court with him, but they continue to pretend like he just all of a sudden lost all his skill...he can take over a game if he wants to, IN HIS SLEEP.

He knows that basketball is more than just one guy, and thats all hes doing in the regular season....i'll say this once, NOBODY in the playoffs wants to see the clippers if Chris Paul is very close to his first ring. He wont lose.

[detroitdogg]

lol clippers arent even close to their peak...


people need to realize this.

1. Chris Paul isnt playing like Chris Paul because he saves it for the playoffs, and they are still kicking everyones ass
2. Because CP3 isnt looking for his own shot, he makes everyone around him that much more effective because they have more confidence to produce and he puts them in the right places to succeed.
3. He himself knows that if he is aggressive looking for his shot, but everyone else isnt a threat, they can still be beat. However, if his teamates are also a legit threat to score, and now teams have to worry about him getting his points, it makes it that much harder for them to defend.


I laugh at people like chuck, and others that diminish how great cp3 is. The man is playing chess with everyone that steps on the court with him, but they continue to pretend like he just all of a sudden lost all his skill...he can take over a game if he wants to, IN HIS SLEEP.

He knows that basketball is more than just one guy, and thats all hes doing in the regular season....i'll say this once, NOBODY in the playoffs wants to see the clippers if Chris Paul is very close to his first ring. He wont lose.
I agree with this, and they are a much better matchup for Miami. They have all the stregnths needed to beat MIA in 7. I dont think it will happen cause Wade has played great lately and has more spring in his step than he had all last season, but it would be great to see unfold bro bro.

[PJR]

Not sure, but that would be one hell of a western conference finals.

Neither is beating Miami, though.

[Fudge]

lol clippers arent even close to their peak...


people need to realize this.

1. Chris Paul isnt playing like Chris Paul because he saves it for the playoffs, and they are still kicking everyones ass
2. Because CP3 isnt looking for his own shot, he makes everyone around him that much more effective because they have more confidence to produce and he puts them in the right places to succeed.
3. He himself knows that if he is aggressive looking for his shot, but everyone else isnt a threat, they can still be beat. However, if his teamates are also a legit threat to score, and now teams have to worry about him getting his points, it makes it that much harder for them to defend.


I laugh at people like chuck, and others that diminish how great cp3 is. The man is playing chess with everyone that steps on the court with him, but they continue to pretend like he just all of a sudden lost all his skill...he can take over a game if he wants to, IN HIS SLEEP.

He knows that basketball is more than just one guy, and thats all hes doing in the regular season....i'll say this once, NOBODY in the playoffs wants to see the clippers if Chris Paul is very close to his first ring. He wont lose.
lol

[senelcoolidge]

Clippers. Better defensive team. They can play uptempo or half court effectively. They capitalize on mistakes and the Thunder can surely make mistakes.

[noob cake]

Clippers are fool's gold. That franchise won't be winning shit.

[red1]

would put all of my money on the thunder

[LemonMan]

two of the most fast paced teams in the NBA head to head? it's gonna be who has the most stamina, who can outlast the other team through all 4 quarters. I think in this matchup, it's a matter of depth

[Unstoppabull]

OKC

[knicksman]

lol clippers arent even close to their peak...


people need to realize this.

1. Chris Paul isnt playing like Chris Paul because he saves it for the playoffs, and they are still kicking everyones ass
2. Because CP3 isnt looking for his own shot, he makes everyone around him that much more effective because they have more confidence to produce and he puts them in the right places to succeed.
3. He himself knows that if he is aggressive looking for his shot, but everyone else isnt a threat, they can still be beat. However, if his teamates are also a legit threat to score, and now teams have to worry about him getting his points, it makes it that much harder for them to defend.


I laugh at people like chuck, and others that diminish how great cp3 is. The man is playing chess with everyone that steps on the court with him, but they continue to pretend like he just all of a sudden lost all his skill...he can take over a game if he wants to, IN HIS SLEEP.

He knows that basketball is more than just one guy, and thats all hes doing in the regular season....i'll say this once, NOBODY in the playoffs wants to see the clippers if Chris Paul is very close to his first ring. He wont lose.

At the end of the day, its about scorers vs pgs. pgs hasnt won since isiah. So I just dont see cp3 winning it and worse is that hes already a damaged good. Thats the reason hes been coasting. Maybe he will take over in the playoffs but at the same time, theres a possibility that he wont coz money is more important than a ring. Whereas okc's problem is just westbrook who is a cancer to that team. If he stops chucking, they will be good but they can trade him for a true point. The reason why clippers are dominating because they are a complete team. They have an anchor, a scorer and the playmaker. But the problem is that theyre scorer is not elite and thats the hardest to acquire in this league. Whereas okc have underperforming starters like perkins and a cancer in westbrook.

[The Nets]

They will be top 2 in the league. Clippers will finish with 65-69 wins and grab the HCA of the entire playoffs, Thunder may come second with around 60-64 wins.

[28renyoy]

lol @ the clippers being the Durant stopper. Let's just look at his scoring output vs the Clippers over the past 4 years

46
26
30
40
32
16
21
23
29
36
32
22
24
35

29.4 ppg :rolleyes:

[The Redemption]

lol @ the clippers being the Durant stopper. Let's just look at his scoring output vs the Clippers over the past 4 years

46
26
30
40
32
16
21
23
29
36
32
22
24
35

29.4 ppg :rolleyes:

While shooting 40 percent. :applause:

[mjokc]

While shooting 40 percent. :applause:

Hello Clippersfan86

[maybeshewill13]

While shooting 40 percent. :applause:

Even from the grave he's still butthurt about OKC > Clippers. Playoffs will prove it.

[imdaman99]

At the end of the day, its about scorers vs pgs. pgs hasnt won since isiah. So I just dont see cp3 winning it and worse is that hes already a damaged good. Thats the reason hes been coasting. Maybe he will take over in the playoffs but at the same time, theres a possibility that he wont coz money is more important than a ring. Whereas okc's problem is just westbrook who is a cancer to that team. If he stops chucking, they will be good but they can trade him for a true point. The reason why clippers are dominating because they are a complete team. They have an anchor, a scorer and the playmaker. But the problem is that theyre scorer is not elite and thats the hardest to acquire in this league. Whereas okc have underperforming starters like perkins and a cancer in westbrook.
I didn't realize cancers helped teams make the finals. I didnt realize durant did it alone.

[qrich]

Love how no one continues to give the Clippers a shot. Memphis will beat em easy,, despite the Clips improving and coming off a series win against the Grizz without home court. Now, they also have zero shot against the Thunder, despite matching up very well with them the past few years? I mean, sure, Durant will get his, but with Barnes,Butler and Hill it will not be easy. Griffin will not have it easy against Ibacka neither, but CP will get him easier looks. Russ won,t do the same for Durant.


Will be a close series, but I think the vet leadership from Billups, Butler and Paul will help the Clips prevail

[alenleomessi]

clips are hungry man... cp3 had enough jerking around... he wants a title and he has the perfect cast around him... vets like crawford, barnes, billups and even hill will help a lot... blake and deandre will go hard on ibaka and perkins... lots of fouls here

[Darius]

I'd still favor OKC because of Durant's ability to create shots in the clutch but Clips would have a decent shot, I think.

I'd give Clips a 35% chance.

[upside24]

In what universe is KD = CP3?
It's closer than you think.

CP3 is a bad mother****er.

[noob cake]

Sure Chris Paul can pass the ball but can he score points?

At end of the day, scoring wins games. Kevin Durant is the most prolific pure scorer in NBA history.

[upside24]

Sure Chris Paul can pass the ball but can he score points?

At end of the day, scoring wins games. Kevin Durant is the most prolific pure scorer in NBA history.
Of course CP3 can score. You are comparing apples to oranges though.

CP3 is the best point guard in the league and the best leader at that position. He does his damage with the pass, not with the jumpshot though he can score if he needs to.

Durant is a pure scorer who is nearly unstoppable and is adding a new dimension to his game by facilitating more.

Durant is the better player IMO, simply because he can score so effortlessly, but it's not outrageous for someone to think CP3 is as good due to the way he manages a game and sets up his teammates.

[Bigsmoke]

as of right now the Thunder.

[kingBynum]

clippers would tap that nut like wade and DMC

[konex]

In the playoffs, you win with stars. OKC's stars are much better than the Clipps..

[kingBynum]

In the playoffs, you win with stars. OKC's stars are much better than the Clipps..
tell that to the piston

[Jyap9675]

Possible WCF preview?:oldlol:

[clipps]

OKC. Depth is close to irrelevant in the playoffs, since everybody shortens their rotation and the edge LAC's 2nd stringers currently enjoy against other teams' benches simply won't exist in the playoffs. The playoffs are all about your core 3-4 players, coaching and defense. OKC's best 4 are much better than LAC's, they have the best player and the coaching is a toss up. The only edge LAC does have is their D, which has surprisingly been elite this year(ranked #2) while OKC's merely above average(#11) on that end of the floor. If LAC can somehow maintain that level on defense all year, which I highly doubt to begin with, VDN's teams have a history of being awful defensively, then I can see LAC stretching a 7 games series to 6, but no more.

The shortening roster argument won't work. The Clippers bench has been sh!tting on everyone's starters. No one in the league can stop Westbrook and Durant but I guarantee if you put Barnes on Durant and Bledsoe on Westbrook in a 7 game winning streak, shit won't come easy. And then you have Griffin who has improved tremendously on his help and on ball defense.

With that said, a Clippers/Thunder playoff series can go either way. The Clipps have been on fire but they are not invincible either and neither are the Thunder. The Clippers have inflated their bench because of what happened last spring against the Spurs. As long as the Clipps stay healthy, they have as good of a shot at winning the Championship as anybody.

[All Net]

Who matches up better with miami.. Clippers? Or thunder?

[devin112]

tell that to the piston

ouch :roll: :applause:

[Doctor Rivers]

Who's better right now and who would you bet on in a series?

Clips sweep

[senelcoolidge]

Clippers are a better defensive team. They lead the league in causing turnovers...and the Thunder are turnover prone. Clippers are better, but the Thunder are more experienced.

[devin112]

Darius is right about KD's scoring ability, that really does scare me. Barnes tries but Kobe, when he needed to, went through Barnes like a hot knife through butter. No one has an answer for KD, but sometimes the best defense is a good offense, someone who KD will have to guard and will take it to him- and we don't have an answer to that. But it'll still be a great series, Clipps played them well last year and won the season series. It doesn't mean a lot but gives us some indication.

[All Net]

Darius is right about KD's scoring ability, that really does scare me. Barnes tries but Kobe, when he needed to, went through Barnes like a hot knife through butter. No one has an answer for KD, but sometimes the best defense is a good offense, someone who KD will have to guard and will take it to him- and we don't have an answer to that. But it'll still be a great series, Clipps played them well last year and won the season series. It doesn't mean a lot but gives us some indication.

The meeting in a few weeks should be a good measuring stick.

[Clutch]

I say OKC in 6. Their stars are better than OKC stars. Durant is better than CP3 and Westbrook is better than Blake Griffin.
Also Clippers inability to hit free throws when it counts (Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are poor free throw shooters) is a huge disadvantage.