Series Thread: 4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs 5) Utah Jazz

[OregonDucks]

As I Blazer fan, poor OKC.

 

[Mebert]

It is almost like Westbrook being so focused on the Jazz's 5th scoring option did not pay off somehow.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

I'll bet OKC wishes they could do a big redo as far as the 2 supposed lopsided trades in their favor last season.


Melo with a 29M option this summer...

 

[Black Adam]

I'll bet OKC wishes they could do a big redo as far as the 2 supposed lopsided trades in their favor last season.


Melo with a 29M option this summer...

didn't know that...

well, THERE'S money well spent...

 

[Scapegoat]

Well....KD left because of Westbrook. Oladipo and Sabonis get out from under Westbrook's thumb and are a big reason why the Pacers are where they are...and now, with PG and Melo they were able to improve on last year's record by 1 game and are looking at the very real possibility of a 1st round exit...just like last year.

If none of that has convinced him...not sure what will. If PG leaves, OKC fans will probably just call him Cupcakev2.0 which means Russ won't have to acknowledge that he's the problem.

cupcake let OKC think he was coming back. PG has said all along he wants to play in LA.

 

[LAD]

cupcake let OKC think he was coming back. PG has said all along he wants to play in LA.

Still blaming KD for your team's woes, meanwhile he's moved on to winning in GS.

 

[Scapegoat]

Donovan needs to actually do something.

His 3 stars are playing completely out of control. It is not their fault. Energy is great, but a coach needs to direct it.

You cannot just have guys with high number of FOULS+TURNOVERS along with almost zero assists.

I dont blame the players for OKC tonight.

Coaching is the issue. OKC should be better.

 

[CitySushi]

Coaching is the issue. OKC should be better.

Coaching is an issue, but personnel is also a key issue here. Lots of talent, not the right fits.

 

[trojanfan12]

cupcake let OKC think he was coming back. PG has said all along he wants to play in LA.

I don't remember KD doing that, but I didn't follow it all that closely either.

PG said he wanted to come to LA before he was traded to OKC. Since then, he has intimated that he will at least strongly consider remaining in OKC.

Having said that though, he would be foolish to say he's still going to LA while he's playing for OKC. It would have created too many distractions and he'd have been booed mercilessly by OKC fans.

It will be interesting to see what happens. When he, Westbrook and Melo have been on the same page...they have looked like they could take down the Warriors and Rockets.

On the other hand, they only improved by 1 win over last season and are on the verge of a first round exit. My guess is that it will come down to whether or not he believes that the "big 3" being on the same page is something that can be done consistently enough for them to contend.

 

[Scapegoat]

I don't remember KD doing that, but I didn't follow it all that closely either.

PG said he wanted to come to LA before he was traded to OKC. Since then, he has intimated that he will at least strongly consider remaining in OKC.

Having said that though, he would be foolish to say he's still going to LA while he's playing for OKC. It would have created too many distractions and he'd have been booed mercilessly by OKC fans.

It will be interesting to see what happens. When he, Westbrook and Melo have been on the same page...they have looked like they could take down the Warriors and Rockets.

On the other hand, they only improved by 1 win over last season and are on the verge of a first round exit. My guess is that it will come down to whether or not he believes that the "big 3" being on the same page is something that can be done consistently enough for them to contend.

I think he was just trying to say the right things. He's gone and everyone has known it all season. The problem with a rental.

 

[Wamu]

Really thought OKC's Big 3 would have played better last night.

Russ: 7-18 (0-3 from downtown) 23 points, 5 TO's
Melo: 5-18 (0-6 from downtown) 11 points
George: 9-21 (2-9 from downtown) 32 points, 6 TO's

Now those #'s are no bueno.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think he was just trying to say the right things. He's gone and everyone has known it all season. The problem with a rental.

My gut tells me that you are probably right. I will say though, that if the Thunder can turn things around and win this series (which doesn't look likely) and at least make a strong showing in the 2nd round, he may stay.

But yeah, if they lose in the first round, it seems likely that he's gone. He can go to the Lakers, get eliminated in the first round and at least know he's with a young team that will get better.

 

[bksballer89]

The Thunder are going to win this series

 

[wildturkey]

I'll bet OKC wishes they could do a big redo as far as the 2 supposed lopsided trades in their favor last season.


Melo with a 29M option this summer...

Screw that. Let's do the ultimate First Take Hot Take machine.

The redo the Thunder wish they had is they should have traded Westbrook, not Harden.

BOOM. We just broke the internet

 

[The Derski]

What happened to WestBrick’s guarantee of shutting down Mitchell?

 

[The Derski]

Romney “taunting” WestBrick shows just how hilariously white Utah’s crowd is.

Keep rocking that Rodney Hood jersey, Mitt!

 

[msgkings322]

The Thunder are going to win this series

I like your bold takes but no. The Ws didn't win game 4 either.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Coaching is an issue, but personnel is also a key issue here. Lots of talent, not the right fits.

Is it possible to have a correct fit with Westbrook?

 

[thunderc]

I don’t think Melo belongs in the conversation about a Big 3, Big 2 or even a Big one. Once Durant left the Thunders only option was to build around Westbrook and they were doing that. Apparently they thought the only way to get him to stay was to make the trades they did. The series is not over but a major shift would have to occur.

 

[Scapegoat]

My gut tells me that you are probably right. I will say though, that if the Thunder can turn things around and win this series (which doesn't look likely) and at least make a strong showing in the 2nd round, he may stay.

But yeah, if they lose in the first round, it seems likely that he's gone. He can go to the Lakers, get eliminated in the first round and at least know he's with a young team that will get better.

I know he's said he wants to live and play in LA, but has he ever said it's going to be for the Lakers?