Kevin Durant vs. LA Laker open thread

A couple quick observations. Looks like the Thunder took the other people need to step up memo to heart.

I wish Kevin Durant would shot fake a bit more and then go to the rack in this game. Artest guesses way too much.

I entice shots from Ron Artest in this game. I also try to avoid looking directly in to Gasol’s eyes lest I be turned to stone. Does the Thunder have a Perseus in the paint?

A weak offensive foul on a non-advantage play cost the Thunder one of their best players. Over officious fucksticks is the main reason I hate this game. That and in game black eyed peas riffs.

I’m used to watching them play, but it’s shocking how tall the Lakers are. 6-7, 6-8, 7-0, 7-1 at 2/3/4/5.

Ha, Green bumps Gasol on a cut and gets called for a foul. Only in LA is it illegal to bump cutters and legal to bump coke.

I’m a big fan of the organ music, cries of “Dayyyyoooooo”, and the announcer imploring the crowd to scream Deee-clap clap -Fence

Scipio, with a Lamar Odom off the bench as a perimeter player. Sick.

Durant is really bothered by the size it looks like?

Does he usually settle for this many jumpers when blowing by Artest is so available?

Thunder is settling for jumpshots way too much. Playoff basketball boys, get it to the rim.

I guess if you don’t have a single other shotmaker on the court, if Durant takes the ball to the rack, who hits the J on the collapse?
 
They need Harden to do something with his minutes. He was overwhelmed last game.

An NBA player?

I just saw Adam Morrison on the bench. He’s wearing Gary’s terrorist disguise from Team America World Police.

Congo should punch that crackhead in the mouth.

Westbrook being out is a bigger deal than I thought because evidently no one can shoot for the Thunder? Makes Durant’s year even more impressive.

Is this how the Thunder has won games this year Scip? Durant, Westbrook, and transition?

Phil Jackson rocks Che Guevara Tees, imo.

Yeah, pretty much. Also, Jeff Green isn’t typically this much of a complete pussy.

I liked Eric Maynor when he single handedly beat Duke. I don’t like him as much anymore.

Collison shoots like Jacque Vaughn

Bynum is fucking good.

Someone should tell Harden it’s not Ramadan.

Harden needs to seek the counsel of Mahmoud Abdul Rauof.

Harden has tourettes?

When I watch Texas basketball, people think I have tourettes.

Green hasn’t been the same since that surgery to repair his torn Labia.

Westbrook is f’ing good.

He’s Iverson fast.

Yes. What a draft pick.

I also like this Chewbacca guy. Jeff Green can play Princess Lea chained to Robert Traylor.

Green has two points and one rebound so far.

Derek Fisher missed his calling as a forward for A.C. Milan.

Artest shoots like Scipio. I’m waiting for him to call his own fouls in this game.

Why does Bynum complain? Hilarious after the Westbrook calls.

Finally.

When I saw Durant come sprinting down the court on that steal, and they passed him the ball, “OH SHIT” went through my head. I thought maybe we were about to see something stupid. An assist and 3 will work.

Eric Maynor hates my lack of ulcers.

How did the Thunder get this within 2?

Maintain contact with Westbrook on the bench. Perfect.

I’m struck by how well the Thunder defends without a whole lot of size. I can see how they win games in this League. Defend, and wait for Westbrook and Durant to go off against disinterested defenses.

If I’m OKC, I sell my soul for Greg Monroe.

Is Greg Monroe athletic enough?

I trade Harden’s beard and its 100 virgins for the number 5 pick in the draft. Throw in Jeff Green.

When they flipped to shots from the Phoenix and someone game I realized how much I won’t care about the playoffs after the Durantsare done.

Durant says FUCK YOU LAKERS. 19 now.

Greg Monroe? Not a big fan of him. He won’t fit, imo. Jeff Green is 5 of 18 from the field for the series they just said.

HAhAHA OKC with the lead.

HA HA HA HA! Halftime lead.

Scipio, absolutely. He raped Syracuse’s big frontcourt with his back to the basket. Imagine what he’d do to Gasol in this game with his face up game. He can also defend the post much better than Green.

Kobe is such a piece of shit dick.

“I trade Harden’s beard and its 100 virgins for the number 5 pick in the draft. Throw in Jeff Green.”

Not the beard. What they need will be available around #10 or so.

Wow, halftime lead with no Westbrook. Huge.

I knew you skanks would be drooling over KD.

The size inside is clearly bothering OKC. Krstic and Collison are outside in players. So is Green. Ibaka is stout on D but also seems to play outside on O. Wasn’t expecting that. Meanwhile, Gasol and Bynum are cleaning up inside. I still stand by putting Ibaka on Bynum and Collison on Gasol. Ibaka on Bynum…raw athleticism vs. raw athleticism. Bynum is eating Krstic’s finesse ass. Meanwhile, Gasol can be bothered…see Chuck Hayes shutting him down last post-season. But you need someone smart. Collison isn’t overly athletic, but he’ll establish position and seal off for rebounds. That’s enough for me.

Maynor’s shown me nothing, then the last couple of minutes he hits a KD alley-oop and a buzzer beating fadeaway. Westbrook is still vitally important, if only to get another scorer on the floor to help out KD. Durant is still adjusting to Ron-Ron, but that’s a hard matchup to get used to. I expect him to explode for 40+ in either game 3 or 4. That is, if he doesn’t do that in game 2.

Jeff Green has been more than disappointing. He actually posted a solid overall line for my fantasy team, kinda KD-lite. But the only thing he’s been going for so far is the spot up 3, since Gasol refuses to follow him outside. At least he’s hit two this game. Also, their shots just aren’t falling. Compared to the sweet strokes of Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar, OKC has the look and feel of a college team. Which they practically are.

I’ve mentioned this before but Damion James would fit well with what the Thunder try to do plus he will rebound.

Also, rumor mill is Presti really likes Daniel Orton of Kentucky for one of their two late round 1sts. He’d fit right in with Seattle’s recent history of taking big stiffs based on potential.

dick, you like Aldrich or Udoh there?

With Durant, I’d opt for a more versatile 4 because defense doesn’t seem to be an issue. I’d hate to grab a plodder, shrink the floor, and cannibalize on Durant and Westbrook’s ability.

But I’ve only watched OKC a few times so I’ll defer.

Unfortunately, Orton is moving up on a lot of mock’s and might not even be available with their first 1st round pick.

Setting your sights on Orton is pure coaching hubris. Monroe’s going to be Chris Bosh, Orton will be a poor man’s Kendrick Perkins.

“dick, you like Aldrich or Udoh there?

With Durant, I’d opt for a more versatile 4 because defense doesn’t seem to be an issue. I’d hate to grab a plodder, shrink the floor, and cannibalize on Durant and Westbrook’s ability.

But I’ve only watched OKC a few times so I’ll defer."

I"ve been pimping Udoh for a while. Having him at #10-12 in all the mocks is a steal to me. The real reason I don’t like Monroe is I don’t see the competitiveness in him. The rest of his game is fine and he’s only 19 compared to Udoh being 23 yo.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see them pick up Avery in the late first with their 2nd first round pick. Fits their profile.

Charles “Y’all some assholes round heah!”

jc25, great post. I like your matchup thesis. A mere inkling of post resistance makes Gasol run, not walk, to his face up game. He’s not the least bit interested in fighting you on the block so physical is the requisite. But who does Green guard? I think Brooks is trying to match pussy on pussy. Evidently Brooksy likes him some sapphic sets.

On one of the other Thunder threads I talked about how much more I liked NHL playoffs much more than NBA, for a variety of positive reasons.

Here’s a negative one: I am completely fucking fed up with the endemic whining over officiating in the NBA. And it seems like the worst offenders on that front are the Lakers and the Celtics. It’s become almost as rampant as it is in top-flight soccer.

Seriously, on every play you can hear Gasol or Bryant or Jackson screaming “where’s the foul?!”

Durant led OKC in rebounding this year with 7. something, almost 8 a game. The Thunder needs someone who can really clean glass and put up 10 boards a game. I think Harden becomes a great asset as the second option scorer. Between Durant, Westbrook and an improved/older Harden there will be plenty of points. Ibaka is a nice five and can be a nice cog, but they really need a larger, tougher four who can get junk points and plenty of boards.

Joakim Noah would be an amazing fit, but pretty much any team can use someone like that. I’m not sure who is in the draft this year that is an A+ effort guy who will do all the hard work, never complain, and never need offense run through them. But that’s what I think the Thunder really need.

Egg, thanks, you’re the NBA guy. Sounds like you like Collison or Udoh.

Udoh looks EXACTLY like Ibaka. Stout D, solid on O. Raw on offense, but actually prefers to play a few steps outside the paint, can hit the J, and can put the ball on the floor. Oh yeah, and Ibaka is 18 months YOUNGER than Udoh. If Presti is committed to a quick, running team, then Ibaka is their center of the future. That means they’re in need of a 4.

I stay the F away from Aldrich. They had an Aldrich; his name was Robert Swift.

I agree on Monroe. Dude may have talent but he doesn’t seem interested in playing. Maybe too smart, kinda like Sam Dalembert.

I agree that Orton isn’t the answer as well, but if you’re playing with house money on the second first rounder, why not? Unlike other potential-only picks, Orton really never did get a chance to play behind Cousins and Patterson. Had he returned to school, he could’ve posted a 16/8 or so and gotten himself in the lottery.

On a Kentucky note, I think Patrick Patterson is the answer. He’s a bigger 4 than say, Damion James, but can play the running game and shoot the outside shot. Too bad he won’t last til the 20s.

Their other position of need is the Bruce Bowen role on the wing. Here’s hoping Thabo can fill it, but he desperately needs to develop that 3 point shot. Bradley is a nice idea, but pairing him and Westbrook in the backcourt, plus a small Green and Udoh at the 4/5, makes for a scarily small first team. Plus, this is a position that generally takes experience to cultivate.

KD needs to get a little stronger because he can get to the glass whenever he wants, especially on late rotations. He needs to put down the Jordan Rules

Green needs to go.

Trips, I’d experiment with Green on Artest/Odum and buy minutes with Durant on Bryant. It’ll take Durant’s mind off O. Plus, Kobe’s shot is off, and I expect he’ll try to put the ball on the floor a little more. Either way, Durant’s length may provide enough for a resistance to limit but not stop. If Green continues to be an offensive black hole, you put in Thabo for D or hope Harden gives you something on O.

Charles, the answer is brunette. Jessica Alba, Megan Fox, Sasha Grey, etc., etc.

NBA pimping the women’s league. Nice.

Egg, Noah would be great. As I mentioned, I think that player this year is Patrick Patterson.

I think you guys are missing the boat on Monroe. His game is tailor made for the NBA. He thrived in a physical conference that let things go at times, and he did it without the benefit of truly elite guard play. Make a list of the best power forwards in the game and Monroe should be able to hold his own on defense. Offensively, you can run offense through him with the right matchups because Monroe is such a good passer and ballhandler. He’d be deadly as a facilitator for Durant and Westbrook.

Krstic playing well.

jc, I thought the same thing about Durant on Bryant. Problem is putting your best player on the best player in the world on his home floor may be asking for trouble. It’s the kind of shit that gets coaches fired, even if it might work.

The Lakers complain after every call. The Phil Jackson effect.

“Their other position of need is the Bruce Bowen role on the wing. Here’s hoping Thabo can fill it, but he desperately needs to develop that 3 point shot. Bradley is a nice idea, but pairing him and Westbrook in the backcourt, plus a small Green and Udoh at the 4/5, makes for a scarily small first team. Plus, this is a position that generally takes experience to cultivate.”

Udoh could play the 4 with the Serge. Avery Bradley wouldn’t need to start either. Westbrook, Harden, KD, Udoh and Ibaka could a very big and good front court. Maynor, Thabo, Avery, Kristic and Collison off the bench.

Thabo is doing a good job on Kobe, people keep acting like it’s just Kobe struggling vs air.

Westbrook almost just destroyed Bynum on that dunk attempt.

Artest is fucking insane. Loved the Mbenga + Adam Morrison sighting.

Jeff Green is more than willing to pass the ball. Pussy, imo.

Lakers will pull away here in a minute.

dick, I thought about that, but then you’re REALLY counting on your wings to produce consistently. That may be kind of hard when your lead guard shoots 40%. Where’s your Horace Grant?

I love how we’re all writing off Jeff Green. For all we know, Presti loves him based on some calculus-type advanced metrics.

Thabo has been doing pretty well, but he’s been making some Deon Beasley-sized mistakes that get amplified just because they look so bad. Again, that’ll come with experience. The other problem is he’s been mostly a black hole on O. Reminds me of Chuck Hayes, only it’s worse when you’re the starting SG as opposed to the starting center.

If Green was a balla, he’d be playing HORSE with Gasol on the offensive end.

What the fuck just happend there

Kevin F’n Durant.

Durant’s a beast. He desperately needs help in this game.

Battery’s out, so I’m out too. They still have a chance, but I’m not holding my breath.

Go KD!

jc25, Charge your shit man!

“I think you guys are missing the boat on Monroe. His game is tailor made for the NBA. He thrived in a physical conference that let things go at times, and he did it without the benefit of truly elite guard play. Make a list of the best power forwards in the game and Monroe should be able to hold his own on defense. Offensively, you can run offense through him with the right matchups because Monroe is such a good passer and ballhandler. He’d be deadly as a facilitator for Durant and Westbrook.”

Monroe would be a better guard against 4s than Green, that’s for sure. You are right about him though, the best part of his game is as a half court passer. He put up solid rebounding #s in the Big East and he got better on defense from Year 1 to Year 2. But the Thunder like to get in transition and Monroe is horrible there. Their half court game is pick and roll, Westbrook penetrating and finding Durant coming off screens. Monroe doesn’t really fit what they like to do. There won’t be any “pass it into Monroe and let him facilitate” offense on this team. He doesn’t like transition offense nor transition defense. And like I said, his main problem is that he has a reputation for not working hard and being not competitive. That shit won’t fly on this Thunder team. The competitiveness and fire they play with should be obvious even with just a couple of watches.

Dude, this game is pretty freaking good.

“dick, I thought about that, but then you’re REALLY counting on your wings to produce consistently. That may be kind of hard when your lead guard shoots 40%. Where’s your Horace Grant?

I love how we’re all writing off Jeff Green. For all we know, Presti loves him based on some calculus-type advanced metrics."

jc, I’m ok counting on Durant to produce consistently. Udoh will be able to provide some offense too. I expect Harden and Westbrook will also get better on offense. Hell even Ibaka. These dudes are young as shit. I think Udoh would be the oldest guy in that starting rotation i just threw out. It’s crazy.

Good game. I’m struggling with my decision to pull for an Oklahoma team, though. I’m worried about exposing my 3 month old daughter to this crap, man. My saving grace is that california is teh suck.

Chewbacca with another block. Ewoks need not apply.

The Thunder are not a shot blocking team and they have like 12 already.

The Lakers never foul. Just ask them.

Nice hustle harden.

Jack Nicholson called that timeout, in my opinion.

lots of really really bad TOs by Westbrook

Holy shit, the Lakers just stole a point.

WTF? The announcers call out the refs for not reviewing the 3-point attempt by Kobe and now the audience is left wondering “what if?”

If the Lakers win by one point, or if it goes to OT…

Does Artest have a Papal dispensation to foul on every possession without a call?

I’m sure the state of California will give OKC an IOU.

Scipio, yes, that’s why he dyed his hair.

Artest is selfish with that 3.

Sweet. Point taken away.

Artest should have fouled out by now. He’s lucky he got 3rd year KD and not 5th year KD.

Kobe is nails.

Have to double Kobe right away. Make Artest beat you.

Horseshit call on Durant. What the fuck?

NBA refs are a disgrace. How do you call that on Durant?

Lane violation??

deja vous? will durant take a 3, get fouled, but no call from the refs?

Goddamn.

Oh well. Good effort from the Thunder.

Leading rebounder for the Thunder for the game:

Durant with 8, right at his season average.

Lakers +12 on the boards and got off 14 more shots than the Thunder.

Monroe would be a great pick-up and great fit, IMO. He can play with his back to the basket and he’s a very unselfish player. The knock on his game is that he plays passively and doens’t look to dominate. I think the passively part is overstated. He looks to set up teammates and has a lot of pride in his passing ability. He is a very smart player and can read and react well to double teams. His unselfish team first attitude also fits in great with OKC and he wouldn’t be counted on to dominate with KD around.

You could also use him to either slide Green to the 6th man spot as the backup 3/4, and allows you to put Ibaka into the starting lineup. That front line would cause tons of problems defensively with their length and athleticism. The question then becomes, can you hold onto both Green and Harden, especially if Thabo continues to grow into that Bruce Bowen role(he needs to improve his 3 point shooting but he’s already improved a lot over last year, which tells you how pathetic he was last season).

However, I don’t think Monroe has declared yet so all this may not even matter.

Monroe declared yesterday or the day before.