Series Thread: Western Conference Finals: (1) Oklahoma City Thunder vs (6) Minnesota Timberwolves

[thunderc]

I will say that I am very interested to see how the Thunder rebound the basketball, it wasn’t great against Denver. There were way too many 3 and 4 chance possessions. That’s a key to the series for me.

 

[trojanfan12]

Folks having some reading and comprehension issues this morning.

Points in the paint isn't the be all end all of playing in the paint.

In fact, I never said anything about points in the paint.

 

[trojanfan12]

I will say that I am very interested to see how the Thunder rebound the basketball, it wasn’t great against Denver. There were way too many 3 and 4 chance possessions. That’s a key to the series for me.

Which would mean exactly what I said, "if the Thunder are vulnerable anywhere...it's in the paint". Getting extra shots and limiting the opponent to 1 or 2 shots on a possession is part of playing in the paint.

The Wolves beat the Lakers and the Warriors on the boards, leading to those extra shots. If Gobert gets a rebound and throws it out to someone who hits a 3...that's not points in the paint...but it's still play in the paint.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Which would mean exactly what I said, "if the Thunder are vulnerable anywhere...it's in the paint". Getting extra shots and limiting the opponent to 1 or 2 shots on a possession is part of playing in the paint.

The Wolves beat the Lakers and the Warriors on the boards, leading to those extra shots. If Gobert gets a rebound and throws it out to someone who hits a 3...that's not points in the paint...but it's still play in the paint.

Yep.

 

[DJ Fieri]

It's the playoffs, refs tend to swallow their whistles more. I think it's likely to get a bit physical and that, imo, favors Minny.

Wolves in 6.

The Wolves are really good at bully ball....

 

[thunderc]

The Wolves are really good at bully ball....

Did people not see the Nuggets complaining about the physicality of the Thunder?

 

[thunderc]

Which would mean exactly what I said, "if the Thunder are vulnerable anywhere...it's in the paint". Getting extra shots and limiting the opponent to 1 or 2 shots on a possession is part of playing in the paint.

The Wolves beat the Lakers and the Warriors on the boards, leading to those extra shots. If Gobert gets a rebound and throws it out to someone who hits a 3...that's not points in the paint...but it's still play in the paint.

Minny is not Denver in the paint though, the numbers just don’t back that up. Let’s get this going, I look forward to seeing the Thunder with their legs under them now playing more like they did in the regular season.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Wolves are really good at bully ball....

That's the key, imo. They were able to play bullyball vs the Lakers and Warriors. If they are able to do the same vs the Thunder, they can win the series. If they can't...it could be a short series.

 

[thunderc]

Ok I have to make a prediction I guess. Thunder in 5.

 

[boogiewithstu2007]

Minnesota will struggle to keep up. OKC will likely have one average to below-average offensive output performance, and Minny will get a win because of that. Other than that, I see OKC just totally overwhelming Minnesota

I’m going with Minny in 6, for the franchises first ever NBA finals trip !

 

[tlance]

So you want to take Reid and Randle off the court? I think the Thunder would love that. They’re two of their top 4 players.

Are they going to play all 48 minutes?

I am saying Minnesota doesn’t have to have 2 of Reid, Randle and Gobert on the court at all times.

Mostly because I think Gobert is likely to struggle hard this series.

 

[ducky]

Are they going to play all 48 minutes?

I am saying Minnesota doesn’t have to have 2 of Reid, Randle and Gobert on the court at all times.

Mostly because I think Gobert is likely to struggle hard this series.

This is Rudy's best matchup of the playoffs so far.

He will finally have a center to guard that wont extend him out of the paint who will be the primary pick setter and allow Rudy to play his drop coverage. He hasnt had that nearly the entire playoffs. Even Draymond after hitting like 3 3's in the 1st half of game 1 had Rudy extended for the rest of the series.

It's Randle that is going to struggle when they cross match Hartenstein on him leaving Chet to guard Rudy and be able to help off of him. At least that is my guess on how OKC will play it. Even if they keep Chet on Randle, that length is going to give him some issues he hasnt had to deal with in the playoffs.

And both Randle and Reid need to play it WAY more close to the vest with the ball than they have previous series. Both have been turning over the ball way too much (Reid especially).

Reid in particular has to play out of his mind for us to have a chance. Take away his catch and shoot baskets in the playoffs so far and he is averaging 1 turnover for each made basket. He has been disappointing this year IMO. I was hoping for more this season without KAT. But he really is just a great catch and shoot guy with so-so defense and rebounding for his position. Obviously that catch and shoot ability makes him valuable. But I was really thinking he was going to expand on his offensive game (he has some crazy moves). On the upside, no one is going to go crazy on him in the offseason and drive his contract into the $30M a year range after seeing him this year (at least I dont think they will).

 

[bksballer89]

Are they going to play all 48 minutes?

I am saying Minnesota doesn’t have to have 2 of Reid, Randle and Gobert on the court at all times.

Mostly because I think Gobert is likely to struggle hard this series.

I don’t see Gobert struggling as much as you seem to believe

 

[Wamu]

Did people not see the Nuggets complaining about the physicality of the Thunder?

Nope didn't see it. Even though I agree with you.

Go Thunder!

 

[Jordan23]

Speaking of this series. Why is this one starting before knicks pacers? Talk about a huge break for those teams. Thunder just played Sunday and east hasn’t played since Friday

 

[tlance]

This is Rudy's best matchup of the playoffs so far.

He will finally have a center to guard that wont extend him out of the paint who will be the primary pick setter and allow Rudy to play his drop coverage. He hasnt had that nearly the entire playoffs. Even Draymond after hitting like 3 3's in the 1st half of game 1 had Rudy extended for the rest of the series.

It's Randle that is going to struggle when they cross match Hartenstein on him leaving Chet to guard Rudy and be able to help off of him. At least that is my guess on how OKC will play it. Even if they keep Chet on Randle, that length is going to give him some issues he hasnt had to deal with in the playoffs.

And both Randle and Reid need to play it WAY more close to the vest with the ball than they have previous series. Both have been turning over the ball way too much (Reid especially).

Reid in particular has to play out of his mind for us to have a chance. Take away his catch and shoot baskets in the playoffs so far and he is averaging 1 turnover for each made basket. He has been disappointing this year IMO. I was hoping for more this season without KAT. But he really is just a great catch and shoot guy with so-so defense and rebounding for his position. Obviously that catch and shoot ability makes him valuable. But I was really thinking he was going to expand on his offensive game (he has some crazy moves). On the upside, no one is going to go crazy on him in the offseason and drive his contract into the $30M a year range after seeing him this year (at least I dont think they will).

I disagree about this being a good matchup for Rudy.

OKC is not going to just let him guard Hartenstein on the block. They are going to involve him in pick and roll and they are going to play small with Chet at 5.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Are they going to play all 48 minutes?

I am saying Minnesota doesn’t have to have 2 of Reid, Randle and Gobert on the court at all times.

Mostly because I think Gobert is likely to struggle hard this series.

Agree with the Gobert comment

 

[thunderc]

Speaking of this series. Why is this one starting before knicks pacers? Talk about a huge break for those teams. Thunder just played Sunday and east hasn’t played since Friday

It’s stupid

 

[Jordan23]

It’s stupid

Really damn stupid

 

[bksballer89]

It’s stupid

I think it’s great