With all this lebron/durant talk how much of a matchup problem are Miami for OKC?

[All Net]

So if they were to meet in the finals are OKC still a perfect Matchup for the heat?

[BlazerRed]

Difference is OKC now have the best player in the series. Miami still stacked to hell doe. Still, I think Durant would take them over the top. He's that good.

[JohnFreeman]

Miami in 5 again

[ImKobe]

The last Miami-OKC game showed me that OKC really isn't that stacked if Russ & KD aren't playing at their very best. I just worry that Russ will chuck OKC out of the series like he did the last time. Russ needs to be more of a facilitator & put his energy on defense if OKC wants to have a chance at beating Miami in a series. You can't go into a shooting match with Miami because you know damn well Battier/Allen/Chalmers will knock those wide open threes down like they're nothing while Russ bricks contested mid-range shots while ignoring KD & Ibaka.

Miami is a match-up problem for OKC, because they can't defend Wade & Bron all that much & when they start doubling Miami gets all the wide open 3s in the world & they don't stand a chance. Also, Miami will punish OKC with all the stupid TOs Russ commits. As much as I love Westbrook, he tends to do too much in big games that he's a detriment to his team, best example would be his 43 point Finals game, where he doesn't look at the shot clock & intentionally fouls Chalmers to seal the game for Miami.

[All Net]

Role players will be key

Question can OKC depend on the supporting cast?

[JohnFreeman]

Role players will be key

Question can OKC depend on the supporting cast?
I think the supporting casts are equally matched :confusedshrug:

[KyrieTheFuture]

OKC is guaranteed 60 points out of KD and Russ...who else can score enough to get enough points to match Miami? Miami in 6

[All Net]

I think the supporting casts are equally matched :confusedshrug:

Not experience wise. OKC will need production from guys like Jackson and lamb for example as shooters.

Chalmers
Allen
Battier
Anderson

Are role players you can count on.

[JohnFreeman]

Not experience wise. OKC will need production from guys like Jackson and lamb for example as shooters.

Chalmers
Allen
Battier
Anderson

Are role players you can count on.
Butler and Fisher?

[Prometheus]

Overall the teams match up fairly well, but the mismatch at the small forward position is what really makes this one lopsided. Miami in four if they meet in the finals this year.

[oh the horror]

Again I'll put money on it that Miami beats them in a series.



Why can't people see that the way okc is constructed plays perfectly into what Miami is suited to neutralize?


Miami would win in 6 games people.

[Im Still Ballin]

Last game proved that Lebron still has it over KD when it comes down to h2h match ups.

If KD tries to guard Lebron he's gonna end up in foul trouble like 2012 finals.

[All Net]

Still think it's highly possible Clippers knock off okc in round two if they get heathly.

[pegasus]

I have a hard time seeing the refs go out of their way to give Lebron his third ring instead of giving Durant his first. They should be at least neutral, which might be enough for the OKC to win this time.

[Keno]

let's just say, out of the three contenders in the west, okc is the least to be worried about. heat in five maximum.

[navy]

Still think it's highly possible Clippers knock off okc in round two if they get heathly.
Durant >>> Blake
CP3 cant guard Westbrook.

I dont think so.

[Charlie Sheen]

Again I'll put money on it that Miami beats them in a series.



Why can't people see that the way okc is constructed plays perfectly into what Miami is suited to neutralize?


Miami would win in 6 games people.

How are you so confident? What do you see that makes OKC the perfect matchup for the Heat? RW was a nightmare for the Heat 2 years ago

[sd3035]

Miami is a nightmare matchup for OKC, except at the SF position where OKC has a clear advantage

[navy]

How are you so confident? What do you see that makes OKC the perfect matchup for the Heat? RW was a nightmare for the Heat 2 years ago
He had one nightmare game. Game 4.

In Game 5 he was 4-20. Which often gets swept under the rug.

[Rocketswin2013]

Durant >>> Blake
CP3 cant guard Westbrook.

I dont think so.
He has outplayed Westbrick since forever.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=paulch01&p2=westbru01

[navy]

He has outplayed Westbrick since forever.
http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/h2h_finder.cgi?request=1&p1=paulch01&p2=westbru01
Westbrook is such a chucker. :facepalm

Well maybe Im wrong. Those stats didnt agree with my eye test.

[All Net]

Durant >>> Blake
CP3 cant guard Westbrook.

I dont think so.

Basketball is more than just those matchup.. Role player wise Clippers have great depth.

[strike first]

Is Scott Brooks still the Thunder coach? Yes? same result as last time then.

Cant win with stupid.

[TMT]

If Ibaka can play a fully consistent series, limit Perk to minutes only when Oden is in the game, and Lamb, Fisher, Butler are hitting their open shots I would say OKC has a great chance.

[All Net]

Is Scott Brooks still the Thunder coach? Yes? same result as last time then.

Cant win with stupid.
Wasn't long ago people were calling spo bad.. Winning solves Alot.

[secund2nun]

Wasn't long ago people were calling spo bad.. Winning solves Alot.

Spo still sucks, but then again so does Brooks.

[Solefade]

Difference is OKC now have the best player in the series. Miami still stacked to hell doe. Still, I think Durant would take them over the top. He's that good.


was able to claim KD as best player AND miami is stacked in the same post :applause:



so incase OKC loses, he can blame it on miami being stacked so KD can retain his best player status :lol

[EnoughSaid]

OKC has nothing inside. They don't post up, they don't play in and out. That's what bothers Miami.

If the Thunder are going to shoot jumpshots, then I'm confident the Heat can beat them in a series. But that's also going to depend on whether or not everyone is healthy and playing well

[Solefade]

Wasn't long ago people were calling spo bad.. Winning solves Alot.


Spo isn't as bad as Brooks though

[Charlie Sheen]

He had one nightmare game. Game 4.

In Game 5 he was 4-20. Which often gets swept under the rug.


It's been a while, but I remember him playing well in the 2 home games. He didn't look over matched. Nightmare was prolly an oversell. Still... WB presents a much greater challenge for Miami than they do for him.

[LoneyROY7]

Still think it's highly possible Clippers knock off okc in round two if they get heathly.

Agreed.

[Solefade]

Wade can't really guard Westbrook in his current form.

[TMT]

I don't see a healthy OKC team losing to anyone in the West. Or losing to anyone but the Heat for that matter. I honestly can't see the Spurs, Clippers or Rockets taking them out.

[russwest0]

1through 4 OKC has Miami beat. No doubt about it. OKC also has the more talented bench but that is kind of negated by Brooks.

If we had Steven Adams in his prime this shit would be no contest. He's already pretty skilled offensively and would out rebound the hell out of their team. I just feel that he's too young to trust for this year.

OKC's closing lineup vs Miami should be

Russ
Reggie
Butler
KD
Ibaka

I think that'd be a pretty good matchup vs whoever Miami plays.

[All Net]

I don't see a healthy OKC team losing to anyone in the West. Or losing to anyone but the Heat for that matter. I honestly can't see the Spurs, Clippers or Rockets taking them out.
I dunno I think Clippers and Spurs stand a great shot.

[russwest0]

I dunno I think Clippers and Spurs stand a great shot.

The Spurs, alright. But THE CLIPPERS?

:roll: :roll: :roll:

[TMT]

I dunno I think Clippers and Spurs stand a great shot.

I've been a strong observer of the Spurs-Thunder matchup since OKC has been relevant, and the Spurs don't bode well at all against them. I just don't see it. We'll get a good look tomorrow night if Pop let's the starters play, but I just can't see the Spurs outplaying the matchup disadvantages that OKC presents, even as we are playing peak basketball right now.

Call me a pessimist, but I'm just not buying the Clippers right now. Even with the boost in coaching, some nice new additions here and there, and an improved Blake and healthy CP3, I don't think they have what it takes to take out the Thunder either. To be honest though they probably have as good a shot as the Spurs do in my eyes right now.

[Milbuck]

Are we really ignore the fact that in the 2012 finals, games 2, 3, and 4 were all decided by 6 points or less? If Harden didn't disappear like a little bitch, who knows what would've happened?

OKC is a much more balanced team with Harden gone. Westbrook and Durant have full reign of that team but now they have more balance with Ibaka, Lamb, Adams, Jackson, PJ3, Collison, Fisher, even Perk and Sefolosha. They haven't been at their best, but unlike Miami, their "slump" is actually a slump. Miami's struggles are more serious - they're mentally and physically exhausted, and significantly older.

Not to mention that this time around, OKC has the best player in the world.

I would pick the Thunder in maybe 6, probably 7.

[Nash]

As long as Lebron is in the Miami Heat I'm going with Miami.

[Solefade]

Lebron gonna remind KD why he should hit the weight room after the finals

[All Net]

The Spurs, alright. But THE CLIPPERS?

:roll: :roll: :roll:
Yes they are a top 4-5 team this year.. Like it or not they aren't the same Clippers they used to be.

[Solefade]

Yes they are a top 4-5 team this year.. Like it or not they aren't the same Clippers they used to be.


Clippers are legitimate this year because of the improvement of Blake. They only go as far as Blake takes them not CP3 as many would probably think. CP3 makes this team an elite team but BG can make them a contender.

[J Shuttlesworth]

OKC has the talent but experience from the younger guys could bite them in the ass. At least the starting 5 have seen the finals so that's assuring for OKC

[LWBMIA]

Heat match up extremely well against OKC.

-None of their bigs can feast inside against Miami like Hibbert or Duncan.
-They're very turnover prone.
-They fall in love with jumpers.
-They leave 3 point shooters open.
-Nobody on that team can effectively guard Lebron when he's in beast mode.


RW was a nightmare for the Heat 2 years ago

Westbrook historically shoots poorly against Miami.

Look up his numbers.They're not pretty.(except game 4 finals 2012)

Like I said yesterday OKC is 0-7 against Miami with Westbrook in the lineup since game 2 of the finals.

Heat will live with him shooting mostly jumpers.

Rondo is the PG that slices up Heat defense and can easily get his teammates inside buckets with his crafty passing.

Westbrook is only a "nightmare" if he's in transition and penetrating.Miami WANT him to shoot jumpers.


Are we really ignore the fact that in the 2012 finals, games 2, 3, and 4 were all decided by 6 points or less? If Harden didn't disappear like a little bitch, who knows what would've happened?

OKC is a much more balanced team with Harden gone. Westbrook and Durant have full reign of that team but now they have more balance with Ibaka, Lamb, Adams, Jackson, PJ3, Collison, Fisher, even Perk and Sefolosha. They haven't been at their best, but unlike Miami, their "slump" is actually a slump. Miami's struggles are more serious - they're mentally and physically exhausted, and significantly older.

Not to mention that this time around, OKC has the best player in the world.

I would pick the Thunder in maybe 6, probably 7.

Game 2 was a wire to wire victory for Miami ON THE ROAD against a team that was supposedly the "favorites".

Heat was blowing them out for 3 quarters until they made a run in the 4th quarter.Similar to game 1 but Miami made the right plays in game 2 and Wade played better.

Winning is winning.The series had mostly close games but Miami was clearly the superior team .The ball movement was beautiful especially the last game and OKC's defense wasn't as good as Miami's.

Heat in 5 or 6 vs OKC if they meet this year.Heat just match up too well against them...

[plowking]

Not experience wise. OKC will need production from guys like Jackson and lamb for example as shooters.

Chalmers
Allen
Battier
Anderson

Are role players you can count on.


Really? Because we haven't been able to all season. How was that any different last season? Each of those players only show up for one or two games in the finals max. Our bench is terrible and always has been. We're always bottom 5 in bench production.

And how are Miami a bad match up? They aren't. They take away our fast break points, and actually score more than us when we face off on the break. Can anyone actually point to what makes us a bad match up for them instead of just repeating what others say? They have a better bench, size, more athletic and are far younger than we are. Which bit is a bad
match up?

[aj1987]

LeBron would absolutely DEMOLISH OKC. If Wade's healthy, he's gonna take a massive dump on Westbrick as well.

Seriously. Who the heck on OKC can stop LeBron and Wade?

EDIT: Healthy Wade.

[k0kakw0rld]

LeBron if he wants to play seriously, will shut down Durant.

[aj1987]

LeBron if he wants to play seriously, will shut down Durant.
Not possible. KD is too long and has an absolute WET jumper. KD will get his just like LeBron. The series would totally be dependent upon the supporting cast. LeBron might slow him down, but no way in hell is he shutting him down.

[Keno]

Are we really ignore the fact that in the 2012 finals, games 2, 3, and 4 were all decided by 6 points or less? If Harden didn't disappear like a little bitch, who knows what would've happened?

OKC is a much more balanced team with Harden gone. Westbrook and Durant have full reign of that team but now they have more balance with Ibaka, Lamb, Adams, Jackson, PJ3, Collison, Fisher, even Perk and Sefolosha. They haven't been at their best, but unlike Miami, their "slump" is actually a slump. Miami's struggles are more serious - they're mentally and physically exhausted, and significantly older.

Not to mention that this time around, OKC has the best player in the world.

I would pick the Thunder in maybe 6, probably 7.

if lebron dropped forty points per game the heat would of won in four games.

if wade wasn't injured the heat would of won in four games.

if bosh was 100% healthy the heat would of won in four games.

if if if if if.

[russwest0]

Yes they are a top 4-5 team this year.. Like it or not they aren't the same Clippers they used to be.

Sure. Maybe Blake and CP3 will average about 10PPG more than Ibaka and Jackson will for us. Gonna be tough to counter that, I tell ya :lol :lol :lol

[Solefade]

Really? Because we haven't been able to all season. How was that any different last season? Each of those players only show up for one or two games in the finals max. Our bench is terrible and always has been. We're always bottom 5 in bench production.

And how are Miami a bad match up? They aren't. They take away our fast break points, and actually score more than us when we face off on the break. Can anyone actually point to what makes us a bad match up for them instead of just repeating what others say? They have a better bench, size, more athletic and are far younger than we are. Which bit is a bad
match up?


lack of inside presence and jump shooting team...and not a very physical team....that's what miami feasts on.

[russwest0]

People are sleeping on Reggie Jackson though.

When OKC wins he's averaging like 16PPG on 50% while defending and rebounding well. If OKC mostly wins in the playoffs he'll likely be even better for OKC than Harden was during their 2012 Finals run.

[aj1987]

People are sleeping on Reggie Jackson though.

When OKC wins he's averaging like 16PPG on 50% while defending and rebounding well. If OKC mostly wins in the playoffs he'll likely be even better for OKC than Harden was during their 2012 Finals run.
Do you honestly believe that it was just Harden and not Maimi's defense? We let KD get his and shut everyone else down. Miami's defense was absolutely on point during that series.

[russwest0]

Do you honestly believe that it was just Harden and not Maimi's defense? We let KD get his and shut everyone else down. Miami's defense was absolutely on point during that series.

You didn't "let" Durant and Westbrook get theirs, you just couldn't do a man thing in regards to defending them and then the rest of OKC's supporting cast didn't step up.

That year especially they kind of depended on Harden vs top flight opponents. Ibaka was a 9PPG guy, not a 15PPG guy. Durant wasn't AS good as he is now. Westbrook was only getting like 5 APG playing alongside Harden, etc. If Harden plays like shit, who else was OKC supposed to go to? They are much better suited now. Reggie can create his own offense but doesn't become useless without the whistle. Lamb can create his own offense if we really need him to. Butler is a guy we didn't have in 2012. The list goes on.

Biggest two factors in that series in regards to OKC losing were Kendrick Perkins and the officials. Every single starting SF that faced MIA got into big foul trouble that year in the playoffs. Shit like that hurts when your allstar SF comes out of the game in foul trouble with a 5pt lead and comes back with a 5pt deficit, leads you back down to being down 2, shoots the game tying shot, gets blatantly fouled and.......

no call.

There were key calls favoring Miami like that all series. This isn't just a Thunder fan mentioning shit either, the media mentioned it plenty in all articles wrote during the Finals that year. Game 3 was bullshit as well.

[JT123]

You didn't "let" Durant and Westbrook get theirs, you just couldn't do a man thing in regards to defending them and then the rest of OKC's supporting cast didn't step up.

That year especially they kind of depended on Harden vs top flight opponents. Ibaka was a 9PPG guy, not a 15PPG guy. Durant wasn't AS good as he is now. Westbrook was only getting like 5 APG playing alongside Harden, etc. If Harden plays like shit, who else was OKC supposed to go to? They are much better suited now. Reggie can create his own offense but doesn't become useless without the whistle. Lamb can create his own offense if we really need him to. Butler is a guy we didn't have in 2012. The list goes on.

Biggest two factors in that series in regards to OKC losing were Kendrick Perkins and the officials. Every single starting SF that faced MIA got into big foul trouble that year in the playoffs. Shit like that hurts when your allstar SF comes out of the game in foul trouble with a 5pt lead and comes back with a 5pt deficit, leads you back down to being down 2, shoots the game tying shot, gets blatantly fouled and.......

no call.

There were key calls favoring Miami like that all series. This isn't just a Thunder fan mentioning shit either, the media mentioned it plenty in all articles wrote during the Finals that year. Game 3 was bullshit as well.
:cry: :oldlol: Only time in Durant's career he hasn't gotten the benefit of the doubt, and his stans lose their minds! :roll: :roll: :roll: I shudder to think about how much bitching you guys would do if your boy were officiated the same way as Bron these last few years.

[aj1987]

You didn't "let" Durant and Westbrook get theirs, you just couldn't do a man thing in regards to defending them and then the rest of OKC's supporting cast didn't step up.

That year especially they kind of depended on Harden vs top flight opponents. Ibaka was a 9PPG guy, not a 15PPG guy. Durant wasn't AS good as he is now. Westbrook was only getting like 5 APG playing alongside Harden, etc. If Harden plays like shit, who else was OKC supposed to go to? They are much better suited now. Reggie can create his own offense but doesn't become useless without the whistle. Lamb can create his own offense if we really need him to. Butler is a guy we didn't have in 2012. The list goes on.

Biggest two factors in that series in regards to OKC losing were Kendrick Perkins and the officials. Every single starting SF that faced MIA got into big foul trouble that year in the playoffs. Shit like that hurts when your allstar SF comes out of the game in foul trouble with a 5pt lead and comes back with a 5pt deficit, leads you back down to being down 2, shoots the game tying shot, gets blatantly fouled and.......

no call.

There were key calls favoring Miami like that all series. This isn't just a Thunder fan mentioning shit either, the media mentioned it plenty in all articles wrote during the Finals that year. Game 3 was bullshit as well.

Lost all credibly right right there. Just because KD was a shitty defender who reached in on almost every play doesn't make the officiating bad.

BTW, before you bring up KD's final play in Game 2, you're retarded ass might should recollect what happened a couple of plays ago.

Bottomline, KD was a shitty defender. He couldn't even say in front to Mario "mother****ing" Chalmers. Westbrick and Harden were trash. Nobody could stop LeBron and Wade.

KD was ALLOWED to get his and still got SHIT on by LeBron and the Heat.

[russwest0]

:cry: :oldlol: Only time in Durant's career he hasn't gotten the benefit of the doubt, and his stans lose their minds! :roll: :roll: :roll: I shudder to think about how much bitching you guys would do if your boy were officiated the same way as Bron these last few years.

You mean like being given a playoff run with the 3rd most total FTA of all time?

:lol :oldlol: :roll: :facepalm

Shut it down, giving a 90% FT shooter (who already averages 32PPG) an assload of FT's and getting his opponents in massive foul trouble in the playoffs wouldn't even be fair

[aj1987]

You mean like being given a playoff run with the 3rd most total FTA of all time?

:lol :oldlol: :roll: :facepalm

Shut it down, giving a 90% FT shooter (who already averages 32PPG) an assload of FT's and getting his opponents in massive foul trouble in the playoffs wouldn't even be fair
http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/192/492/full-retard.gif

[JT123]

You mean like being given a playoff run with the 3rd most total FTA of all time?

:lol :oldlol: :roll: :facepalm

Shut it down, giving a 90% FT shooter (who already averages 32PPG) an assload of FT's and getting his opponents in massive foul trouble in the playoffs wouldn't even be fair
Probably cause he lived in the paint. Cause after all, he can't shoot, isn't that what you guys are always saying? :coleman:
Instead of talking about total free throws taken, why don't you look at FT attempts per game? I'm sure if you look at the AVERAGES, he will be no where near 3rd all time. :cheers: