Series Thread: Western Conference Finals: OKC Thunder VS Golden State Warriors

[bksballer89]

I agree. I could OKC using Durant at the 4 some to better play the P&R.

I think Kanter switching onto Curry would be a nightmare for OKC. (and not switching gives up the 3)

That would be stupid if they ever switch Kanter on to Steph. I would like to see late in games go with a lineup of Westbrook, Waiters, Robertson, Durant, & Ibaka/Adams

 

[WiggyRuss]

This wasn't supposed to be the matchup, but here we are.

only people who WAAAAY OVERREACT and think in these absolutist terms ever thought we were 100% going to get Spurs/Warriors....

Spurs are GREAT....they wont EVER beat themselves...OKC has more talent. Its why they won.

This is the first time the Thunder have had their full team since they got to the Finals a few years ago if i am not mistaken- and it is by far its deepest team.

GSW just has the ability to shock people and those SAS scoring droughts will be far and few between this series.

 

[gordontrue]

Something to keep an eye on is Draymond's technical foul count.

He has four. #7 = one-game suspension. (And #9, #11, #13, etc...).

Other players that are still in the playoffs who have more than 1 are Westbrook(3), Livingston(3), & Varejo(2).

 

[bksballer89]

Something to keep an eye on is Draymond's technical foul count.

He has four. #7 = one-game suspension. (And #9, #11, #13, etc...).

Other players that are still in the playoffs who have more than 1 are Westbrook(3), Livingston(3), & Varejo(2).

At Draymond's rate, he is likely going to get suspended by the end of this series or early in the NBA finals if they advance

 

[gordontrue]

At Draymond's rate, he is likely going to get suspended by the end of this series or early in the NBA finals if they advance

Yep... if he keeps up the same rate. I have to think the Warriors are going to have a talk with him about it going into the series. I wouldn't be surprised too see a more subdued Draymond for the first game or 2.

 

[Clayton]

I think the Thunder are going to have 1 game where Durant goes on fire and wins it and I think the Thunder have one epic 4th quarter meltdown in them.

Curry has 2 games where he'll go on fire and win it.

Leaning towards Warriors in 6

 

[bksballer89]

I think the Thunder are going to have 1 game where Durant goes on fire and wins it and I think the Thunder have one epic 4th quarter meltdown in them.

Curry has 2 games where he'll go on fire and win it.

Leaning towards Warriors in 6

Sounds about right.

 

[CitySushi]

Bogut's injury provides some additional worry for the team, but he didn't cross the 20 minute mark in two of the games they played against OKC.

The biggest x-factor this series once again is going to be Harrison Barnes. I think OKC will adjust on some of their lineups and put weaker defenders on Barnes and dare him to beat them. With the way Barnes has played in the playoffs thus far, that would be a reasonable guess on how they match up.

The biggest x-factor for the Thunder will be Roberson and Ibaka. Roberson is going to be dared to shoot the ball and the Warriors will live with the outcome. They tried to do this against Aminu last series, but the guy shot the ball so well it was ridiculous. Ibaka is going to have to knock down shots for them as well because Draymond is going to be the help man on a lot of the plays, with Bogut being out(I'm assuming).

 

[trojanfan12]

Warriors in 6.

 

[Clayton]

Sounds about right.

Big wildcard here is Billy Donovan. Scott Brooks was/is an awful coach imo.

 

[CitySushi]

Big wildcard here is Billy Donovan. Scott Brooks was/is an awful coach imo.

I wasn't able to watch a lot of the Spurs/Thunder series. Does anyone know of any adjustments OKC made after game 1? Just trying to get a feel of Donovan as a coach. In a few of the games I saw the Thunder play, I came away a bit underwhelmed.

 

[gordontrue]

I wasn't able to watch a lot of the Spurs/Thunder series. Does anyone know of any adjustments OKC made after game 1? Just trying to get a feel of Donovan as a coach. In a few of the games I saw the Thunder play, I came away a bit underwhelmed.

Game 1 Roberson primarily guarded Danny Green, KD primarily guarded Leonard.

Game 2 (and the rest of the series) they switched defensive assignments. Durant took Green and Roberson took Leonard.

This is detailed article on it that I thought was pretty well done.

 

[Clayton]

I wasn't able to watch a lot of the Spurs/Thunder series. Does anyone know of any adjustments OKC made after game 1? Just trying to get a feel of Donovan as a coach. In a few of the games I saw the Thunder play, I came away a bit underwhelmed.

I don't think he is a guru or anything. I just think that the Warriors matchup is much different than the Spurs matchup and I think that a good coach is needed for the Thunder to win any games.

 

[purguy12]

OKC just doesn't have the D. After seeing Spurs come back from 35 in almost 1 Q. I feel GS will score at will.

GS in 5 with a chance it goes 6(game 6 will be a blow out).

 

[lakersrule]

This should be a great series. OKC could have won two of those three regular season matchups. Warriors prevail in 7 games, assuming good health.

 

[purguy12]

I don't think he is a guru or anything. I just think that the Warriors matchup is much different than the Spurs matchup and I think that a good coach is needed for the Thunder to win any games.

It looks like they made the right coaching change.Brooks had trouble with GS and Spurs. I do like Adams is playing. I just don't see OKC playing enough D to win.

 

[lakersrule]

OKC just doesn't have the D. After seeing Spurs come back from 35 in almost 1 Q. I feel GS will score at will.

GS in 5 with a chance it goes 6(game 6 will be a blow out).

Golden State can pretty much score at will against any team. It comes down to whether OKC can keep up offensively. They are 3rd in the playoffs in OFF EFF. Cleveland is 1st. GS 2nd.

 

[Heatles84]

This a very complex series to gauge. Both teams have clear advantages over the other and are peaking at the right times. Prediction: Fun series to watch.

 

[Clayton]

It looks like they made the right coaching change.Brooks had trouble with GS and Spurs. I do like Adams is playing. I just don't see OKC playing enough D to win.

A quick view at the stats so far and the two areas that Golden St has the advantage on is Blocks + Steals and Interior FG% so I think when you are talking about the Warriors winning, the +/- to look out for is easy buckets. Warriors have given up a lot fewer easy buckets than the Thunder. Its the issue Barkley has always had with OKC - they need ways to get easy buckets.

 

[LAD]

I agree. I could OKC using Durant at the 4 some to better play the P&R.

I think Kanter switching onto Curry would be a nightmare for OKC. (and not switching gives up the 3)

I think KD at the 4 would be a nightmare for him with Dray guarding him.