2013-2014 Thunder better than the one that went to the finals two years ago

[Thunderstruck]

Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka have entered their prime and the team is deeper and more talented than the 2011-2012 Thunder. The draft picks they have made since whiffing on Cole Aldrich have been brilliant.

[NumberSix]

I doubt they'll win the West.

[juju151111]

Westbrook, Durant and Ibaka have entered their prime and the team is deeper and more talented than the 2011-2012 Thunder. The draft picks they have made since whiffing on Cole Aldrich have been brilliant.
We will see. They look great so far. Reggie and Lamb seems to have taken over Harden production. Perkins is worse tho if you can believe it.

[juju151111]

I doubt they'll win the West.
Who is going to beat them. The Spurs struggle with them. If they stay healthy WB and Durant going to dominate the spurs.

[russwest0]

By the end of the year OKC is probably gonna have the #1 scoring duo in the league (Westbrook and Durant) and also the #1 bench scoring duo in the league (Reggie and Lamb). Unbelievable. All of these guys play great defense as well.

Whats also going unreported is how OKC has been the best or 2nd best rebounding team in the league this season. As a team they are basically elite on all aspects you'd want. Offense, defense, rebounding, chemistry, good mix of vets and young guys, the best 1-2 punch in the league, best FT shooting team in the league, great bench.

Sorry rest of the league, it's fcking over if OKC is healthy.

[Eric Cartman]

Perkins is worse tho if you can believe it.

I got this.

http://a.espncdn.com/i/headshots/nba/players/full/2991235.png

[Thunderstruck]

I doubt they'll win the West.
They may not win the regular season with how insanely deep it is, but I don't see anybody in the west taking them down in a 7 game series right now. I'm very biased but I've watched a lot of Thunder games over the past few years. It's early, but this team has got IT.

We will see. They look great so far. Reggie and Lamb seems to have taken over Harden production. Perkins is worse tho if you can believe it.
Perk has been pretty solid lately. He shows his value when he has to guard a good big, like the other night against the Pacers. It's all about match ups for him.

[Fudge]

Dem Tunders. I wont even be surprised if we win the ring this year.

[ripthekik]

Heat really got lucky in the 2012 finals meeting an inexperienced and young Thunders team. If it was that Heat team against 2014 Thunders, they'll lose.

[russwest0]

Heat really got lucky in the 2012 finals meeting an inexperienced and young Thunders team. If it was that Heat team against 2014 Thunders, they'll lose.

If you just switch the ref bias to OKC instead of MIA OKC probably wins that series in 6. Westbrook's 43 point game with him getting fouled every time in the paint yet only getting 3 FTA, it was disheartening. Especially with all of the BS calls Wade and LeBron were getting.

[Fudge]

If you just switch the ref bias to OKC instead of MIA OKC probably wins that series in 6. Westbrook's 43 point game with him getting fouled every time in the paint yet only getting 3 FTA, it was disheartening. Especially with all of the BS calls Wade and LeBron were getting.
And LeBron stans have the audacity to complain about the amount of calls Durant gets. It's hilarrrrr. :oldlol:

[oh the horror]

Heat really got lucky in the 2012 finals meeting an inexperienced and young Thunders team. If it was that Heat team against 2014 Thunders, they'll lose.


I'd bet the entire bank on the Heat over this years okc.



Again Miami is made for perimeter teams like okc.

[SpecialQue]

I was gonna say "but they don't have Harden," and then I remembered that he wasn't there when they were in the finals, either.

[BlazerRed]

I doubt they'll win the West.
Yeah, because coming second or third in the West is a terrible accomplishment with the way it is out there :rolleyes:

Seriously, Thunder are the hottest team in the league ATM. Blowing everyone out.. even on back-to-backs. This team is most definitely more well-rounded and set for a title run than any team they've had previously.

[DMAVS41]

Last year's Thunder was better than 12. This year's Thunder will ultimately be better by the playoffs in my opinion.

So yes.

[BlackVVaves]

By the end of the year OKC is probably gonna have the #1 scoring duo in the league (Westbrook and Durant) and also the #1 bench scoring duo in the league (Reggie and Lamb). Unbelievable. All of these guys play great defense as well.

Whats also going unreported is how OKC has been the best or 2nd best rebounding team in the league this season. As a team they are basically elite on all aspects you'd want. Offense, defense, rebounding, chemistry, good mix of vets and young guys, the best 1-2 punch in the league, best FT shooting team in the league, great bench.

Sorry rest of the league, it's fcking over if OKC is healthy.

No low post presence = no title. You're not beating the Heat by their own game - perimeter play and 3 point shooting.

[Droid101]

Prove it.

[TheMilkyBarKid]

If you just switch the ref bias to OKC instead of MIA OKC probably wins that series in 6. Westbrook's 43 point game with him getting fouled every time in the paint yet only getting 3 FTA, it was disheartening. Especially with all of the BS calls Wade and LeBron were getting.
In westbrook's biggest game of his career (so far) he managed to **** up by fouling after the jump ball, it couldve gone either way otherwise. What a loser!

[leMVP]

Until they win a championship, they're not better than 2012.

And no regular season crap please.

[poido123]

OKC will be a great regular season team and great western conference team, but they do not match up well against the Heat.

Lebron absolutely abuses Durant. The way OKC play, Miami are that much better and they have better ball movement to boot.

A team with height and shooting will beat a Miami team. One that has good ball movement and plays inside out.

[All Net]

I doubt they'll win the West.

Why? They have two top 5-6 players and a good 3rd option.

Only Spurs can beat them in a series out west

[All Net]

No low post presence = no title. You're not beating the Heat by their own game - perimeter play and 3 point shooting.
Who's to say they make it? Pacers could beat them.

[Trollsmasher]

The Thunder will be a cakewalk for the Heat if they get through the Pacers

[K Xerxes]

I have the Thunder as my favorites out West if their core stays healthy.

If they play the Heat in the finals, I say they lose quite comfortably again.

If they play the Pacers in the finals, I say they win. They match up very well against the Pacers where Westbrook dominates their mediocre guards.

[kurple]

and also the #1 bench scoring duo in the league (Reggie and Lamb). Unbelievable.
Nate Rob and Wilson will claim that title once Gallo returns

[BlackVVaves]

Who's to say they make it? Pacers could beat them.

Very true. But, despite their start, I still hold the Heat as perpetual favorites. Until the Pacers knock them out in the postseason, I'm not giving them that credit.

[TheGreatDeraj]

I think the Thunder will win the West.

Thunder will be champions if Pacers beat the Heat.

If the Heat beat Pacers then it will take an all-time performance from Mr. Second place to be #1/\

[BlackVVaves]

If OKC does end up facing the Pacers instead of the Heat, then it's OKC winning the chip. You neutralize George's defensive prowess by forcing him to be more of an off the ball defender than an on the ball defender with KD running off screens. Westbrook will wreck havoc on Hill on both sides of the ball, and we all know how incompetent Hill is when an opposing point guard is able to apply pressure defensively. Hibbert is rendered less effective with a better compliment of bigs to guard him and keep him off the boards (in comparison to the Heat).

Yeah. That match up doesn't bode well for the Pacers. OKC fans should be cheering for the Pacers as much as Pacers fans are. Because I don't see them winning the title if Miami makes it to June again.

[scm5]

Brooks needs to start giving Lamb more PT.

Lamb is looking like he's ready to start

[russwest0]

Why are people acting like the Heat would run through OKC. If OKC doesn't play Perkins this time around I like their chances more than Miami's.

You guys are grading OKC off a series when Ibaka was raw and basically just a rim protector and decent shooter. A series when Harden was playing horrible D and horrible offense. A series where OKC was playing 4v5 (or 4v8) with Perkins getting the minutes he wouldn't get now. A series where the refs were giving Miami every momentum call, every 50/50 call, and then just some outright bad calls in general, all while looking away on Russ's 43 point game, or when KD is fouled on the game tying shot.

If OKC would have been healthy last year they absolutely would have beaten that disgruntled Heat team that barely got past the old and banged up Spurs. Kevin Martin would have played the role of Danny Green, making D Wade chase him all over the place. And Durant and Westbrook alone would have been better than Parker, Duncan, and Ginobli. Ibaka is now a good enough player to go toe to toe with a guy like Bosh as well.

It's likely gonna be a Pacers/OKC finals this year though.

[russwest0]

No low post presence = no title. You're not beating the Heat by their own game - perimeter play and 3 point shooting.

Not sure if you have watched Ibaka this year or not.

http://thunderobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SERGE-footwork-dot-gif.gif

This is shit he would only dream of doing 2-3 years ago.

People are going to continue to overrate Miami when they were a few plays away from losing in either the ECF or the Finals last year and now have appeared to have gotten worse. Losing Mike Miller who clocked in 30+ good minutes in game 6 of the Finals, Wade is even older, anyone who thinks he is gonna be more healthy in the playoffs this year is kidding themselves. Battier, Allen, Haslem, Birdman aren't any better. Yet OKC and IND look much better this year than last.

[grantz]

Hate Ibaka with a passion......................................but he has totally stepped up his offensive repertoire. Good for him they will need productivity from someone outside KD and RW to make a deep playoff run.

[LEFT4DEAD]

Yes, I agree. I would say they have a very good chance to win it all and I would definitely be happy for Durant and Westbrook getting their rings.

[KG215]

OKC will be a great regular season team and great western conference team, but they do not match up well against the Heat.

Lebron absolutely abuses Durant. The way OKC play, Miami are that much better and they have better ball movement to boot.

A team with height and shooting will beat a Miami team. One that has good ball movement and plays inside out.
No, not really. Outplay him? Sure, generally, but he doesn't "abuse" him.

[Mass Debator]

The Spurs match up better with the Heat because they have impeccable ball movement and bench depth that matches the Heat's. Danny Green had to break records all over the place for the Spurs to ALMOST win it. He was getting Finals MVP considerations...Most of all, they have a HOF coach.

The Pacers match up best with the Heat and we all know why. They have twin towers that can score, rebound, and play defense at a high level. Their perimeter players can also knock down threes like the best of them. The two towers can't be stopped unless they get into foul trouble or get injured.

The Thunder don't match up as well because they fall right into Miami's game plan. The Heat play to stop penetration and pick and roll offense. You cannot rely on Westbrook and Durant isolation to ice games so that's why people say they need a dominant post presence. If Durant and Westbrook don't catch fire every game, I don't think it'll look any different than what it did in 2012.

[imdaman99]

Depends if the refs rig games for the flopping heat again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvMG7mZGo04

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

8 on 5 is impossible. 5 on 5, okc has it.

[All Net]

If okc can keep this core together titles will be following soon. Never thought Ibaka would develop like this offensively.

[Buffalobraves]

If okc can keep this core together titles will be following soon. Never thought Ibaka would develop like this offensively.

I think a lot of it came from playing with both Gasols on the Spanish national team. Most of the spanish big men have good offensive game and are great passers out of the post and I'm glad he was exposed to that. Even though him being on the team is a huge stretch.

[russwest0]

Jeremy Lamb's shot chart.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbS1zbbCYAAIBFW.png

And no, this isn't even our Martin/Harden replacement. That's Reggie Jackson.

[Ken_Masters]

Thunder will most likely win the West. I just don't think they have a realistic chance of beating Miami simply because they still don't have an answer for Miamis 3 point shooting. When the Heat hit their 3's they win. I don't think the Thunder have the ability to stop them from hitting their 3's.

[scm5]

It's crazy to think how much upside OKC still has despite losing both Green and Harden.

[veilside23]

people seem to forget that thunder also has steven adams i mean he is not their savior but he is reliable at times.

I agree with a finals trip just like dallas this thunder team can win it all... if healthy

[KG215]

people seem to forget that thunder also has steven adams i mean he is not their savior but he is reliable at times.

I agree with a finals trip just like dallas this thunder team can win it all... if healthy
And he's just a 20 year old rookie with a very steep learning curve. He has already grown and improved a ton since summer league. Sucks that he's going to miss some time, now, with an ankle sprain, but he's our starting center of the future and he's going to be exactly what the team needs from that position: a very solid defensive presence who can protect the paint and rim, has a high motor and is a force on the offensive glass, and he's already shown flashes of being able to catch the ball on the block and make a move and score; oh, and he runs the floor very well, too, and can consistently catch and finish in traffic.

It seemed like Presti went from being a GM most people around here thought was a great GM to being one people were ready to crucify after the Harden trade and, for whatever reason, letting Martin go even though I don't think Martin was ever more than a one year stop gap. But, once again, Presti has done a brilliant job of sort of "rebuilding" the team. He's somehow managed to find a new core of young, talented players to add to the core of Durant, Westbrook, and Serge. I've said it before, but this year has sort of been like 2009 and 2010 when OKC fans were watching Durant, Westbrook, Harden, and Ibaka grow-up while showing flashes of brilliance. Except this time we're legit contenders and we're getting to watch a new group of talented youngsters grow and improve while also having KD, Russ, and Serge entering the early stages of their peak/prime years.

[TheCorporation]

Yeah, because coming second or third in the West is a terrible accomplishment with the way it is out there :rolleyes:

Seriously, Thunder are the hottest team in the league ATM. Blowing everyone out.. even on back-to-backs. This team is most definitely more well-rounded and set for a title run than any team they've had previously.

Coming out of the West means winning the WCF. Beating all teams in the West in the playoffs, and going to the Finals, hence "coming out of the West" it has nothing to do with which seed the team gets...

[TheCorporation]

The Spurs match up better with the Heat because they have impeccable ball movement and bench depth that matches the Heat's. Danny Green had to break records all over the place for the Spurs to ALMOST win it. He was getting Finals MVP considerations...Most of all, they have a HOF coach.

The Pacers match up best with the Heat and we all know why. They have twin towers that can score, rebound, and play defense at a high level. Their perimeter players can also knock down threes like the best of them. The two towers can't be stopped unless they get into foul trouble or get injured.

The Thunder don't match up as well because they fall right into Miami's game plan. The Heat play to stop penetration and pick and roll offense. You cannot rely on Westbrook and Durant isolation to ice games so that's why people say they need a dominant post presence. If Durant and Westbrook don't catch fire every game, I don't think it'll look any different than what it did in 2012.

Would rep but gave out too much. Will have to try and rep later.

[andremiller07]

If okc can keep this core together titles will be following soon. Never thought Ibaka would develop like this offensively.
Like what? Making open jumpers and dunks cause no one defends him? He travels on most his post moves/dribble drives or misses badly I don't get it.

[AintNoSunshine]

I am fairly confident against the Thunder, if we get there.

[KG215]

Like what? Making open jumpers and dunks cause no one defends him? He travels on most his post moves/dribble drives or misses badly I don't get it.
:oldlol:

I'm starting to think Ibaka could become an Hakeem Olajuwon clone and you'd still doubt his offensive ability. He absolutely has improved around the basket and with his back to the basket as an offensive player. It may not be to your liking, but he's improved regardless, and has at least become somewhat reliable to some degree as a post scoring option. He's also added the ability to score off the bounce by baiting his defender into falling for a head fake 15 feet out. Again, it's not perfect, but it's there.

[andremiller07]

:oldlol:

I'm starting to think Ibaka could become an Hakeem Olajuwon clone and you'd still doubt his offensive ability. He absolutely has improved around the basket and with his back to the basket as an offensive player. It may not be to your liking, but he's improved regardless. He's also added the ability to score off the bounce by baiting his defender into falling for a head fake 15 feet out. Again, it's not perfect, but it's there.
:oldlol: lol ok.......
According to Thunder fans
Adams >Nikola Vucacic
Jackson and Lamb >Harden
Ibaka elite two way player and top 5/10 PF

They about to become the greatest dynasty of All time at this rate.

[KG215]

:oldlol: lol ok.......
According to Thunder fans
Adams >Nikola Vucacic
Jackson and Lamb >Harden
Ibaka elite two way player and top 5/10 PF

They about to become the greatest dynasty of All time at this rate.
Not once have I said or inferred any of those things. I just get a kick out of how badly you underrate and/or dislike Ibaka's game. I know you claim you don't have a problem with Ibaka but it's really hard to believe given how much you shit on him.

[Trollsmasher]

The Spurs match up better with the Heat because they have impeccable ball movement and bench depth that matches the Heat's. Danny Green had to break records all over the place for the Spurs to ALMOST win it. He was getting Finals MVP considerations...Most of all, they have a HOF coach.

The Pacers match up best with the Heat and we all know why. They have twin towers that can score, rebound, and play defense at a high level. Their perimeter players can also knock down threes like the best of them. The two towers can't be stopped unless they get into foul trouble or get injured.

The Thunder don't match up as well because they fall right into Miami's game plan. The Heat play to stop penetration and pick and roll offense. You cannot rely on Westbrook and Durant isolation to ice games so that's why people say they need a dominant post presence. If Durant and Westbrook don't catch fire every game, I don't think it'll look any different than what it did in 2012.
Perfectly said:applause:

[andremiller07]

Not once have I said or inferred any of those things. I just get a kick out of how badly you underrate and/or dislike Ibaka's game. I know you claim you don't have a problem with Ibaka but it's really hard to believe given how much you shit on him.
I said the Thunder fans on here not you outside of discussing Ibaka you seem pretty reasonable and realistic.

[KG215]

I said the Thunder fans on here not you outside of discussing Ibaka you seem pretty reasonable and realistic.
Ok, then your response to my other post made absolutely no sense.

[andremiller07]

Ok, then your response to my other post made absolutely no sense.
It did cause of what you said about Serge in this and multiple other threads. I was just giving examples in general of how hard some of these guys are being overrated.

[Fudge]

andremiller07 hating on da boi Serge. What's new? Did he take Keri Hilson away from you?

[CelticBaller]

I doubt they'll win the West.
Who will stop them? The Spurs?
OKC in 6

[andremiller07]

andremiller07 hating on da boi Serge. What's new? Did he take Keri Hilson away from you?
Fudge saying Steve Adams is better than Nikola Vuacic and making threads on who is cute what else is new?

[Fudge]

Fudge saying Steve Adams is better than Nikola Vuacic
:oldlol:
I'll give you a million bucks if you could show me where i've said this. Seriously.


and making threads on who is cute what else is new?
Are they not good looking people tho?

[andremiller07]

:oldlol:
I'll give you a million bucks if you could show me where i've said this. Seriously.


Are they not good looking people tho?
They are good looking no doubt, it's in that thread you were saying Reggie Jackson right now is better than prime Jameer Nelson as well, it was some sort of trade idea thread.

[Fudge]

They are good looking no doubt, it's in that thread you were saying Reggie Jackson right now is better than prime Jameer Nelson as well, it was some sort of trade idea thread.
Show me yo.

[andremiller07]

Show me yo.
O ok found it you said he has the potential to be better which he doesn't my bad. Still top 3 C......Adams is alright he can throw the odd nifty pass and can play solid but top 3 C and the Magic should make a deal to trade him come on now.
http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318573&page=4

[plowking]

http://thunderobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SERGE-footwork-dot-gif.gif



Massive travel. Looked good though.

[Fudge]

O ok found it you said he has the potential to be better which he doesn't my bad. Still top 3 C......

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=318573&page=4
Why's that? You do know that they have similar stats when comparing their rookie years right?

[andremiller07]

Why's that? You do know that they have similar stats when comparing their rookie years right?
Kirk Hinrich had better rookie stats than Jason Kidd and Jimmer had similar numbers to rookie Steve Nash.

[jimmy77x]

I was gonna say "but they don't have Harden," and then I remembered dat niqqa wasn't there when they were in the finals, either.

:lol

[Fudge]

I can't.

[BlackVVaves]

Not sure if you have watched Ibaka this year or not.

http://thunderobsessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/SERGE-footwork-dot-gif.gif

This is shit he would only dream of doing 2-3 years ago.

People are going to continue to overrate Miami when they were a few plays away from losing in either the ECF or the Finals last year and now have appeared to have gotten worse. Losing Mike Miller who clocked in 30+ good minutes in game 6 of the Finals, Wade is even older, anyone who thinks he is gonna be more healthy in the playoffs this year is kidding themselves. Battier, Allen, Haslem, Birdman aren't any better. Yet OKC and IND look much better this year than last.

I've watched the Thunder maybe, 10 or 12 games? Ibaka still seems to get most of his points off mid-range shots and dunks/layups. Am I mistaken?