Series Thread: First Round: 1) Thunder vs 8) Pelicans

[thunderc]

Somehow I kind of doubt the Thunder shoot 59% from the field and 64% from 3 for the game. Great 1st quarter though.

 

[bksballer89]

Might be able to catch up on sleep tonight

OKC not playing around

 

[thunderc]

Might be able to catch up on sleep tonight

OKC not playing around

Na watch basketball. The whole notion of catching up on sleep is wrong anyway, once you lose it it’s gone!

 

[thunderc]

That is not a fn foul

 

[bksballer89]

That is not a fn foul

Yes it is

 

[thunderc]

Yes it is

Well yeah, on the other guy lol.

 

[thunderc]

Barkley, “these nba players are so dumb, the zone defense is so easy, just move the ball.”.

 

[bksballer89]

Barkley, “these nba players are so dumb, the zone defense is so easy, just move the ball.”.

I don't agree. I think getting the ball to the middle is the way to beat a zone

 

[thunderc]

I don't agree. I think getting the ball to the middle is the way to beat a zone

Teams started zoning the Thunder a lot to try to show Shai down. Some had success with it. The Pelicans definitely have the wings to be as successful as anyone with it.

 

[thunderc]

That had to hurt

 

[trojanfan12]

I don't agree. I think getting the ball to the middle is the way to beat a zone

Basically, it's about finding the "soft spots" (gaps) in the zone.

The middle is one, especially if your best ballhandler or a good passer is there.

You can attack the gaps with player and ball movement by having players move to the gaps and getting the ball to them before the defense can adjust.

The short corner is also a good spot because it tends to get forgotten.

All of those require sharp passing and player movement.

 

[thunderc]

Thunder were sharp last night. Shaq picked them to beat the Clippers or Mavs. Means nothing but I’m glad they got it going.

 

[thunderc]

Thunder fans are heating up too. A local bank has a promotion at the end of the 1st quarter where a fan gets to try a half court shot for $20k. After going all year without a shot being hit all of the sudden 3 of the last 4 games it has been hit. Fans, like the Thunder are 2-0 in the playoffs.

 

[thunderc]

Be interesting to see if Valunchunus falls for the letting him wear himself down strategy again today.

 

[fightinfunbags]

Be interesting to see if Valunchunus falls for the letting him wear himself down strategy again today.

This is an astute observation I hadn’t thought of but you’re right. Hes been gang busters in Q1 and then isn’t the same rest of the game. It’s a shame for the Pelicans that V can’t really pass out of the post well. Pelicans should be using that matchup to not only get V off but to get three pointers up as well.

 

[thunderc]

This is an astute observation I hadn’t thought of but you’re right. Hes been gang busters in Q1 and then isn’t the same rest of the game. It’s a shame for the Pelicans that V can’t really pass out of the post well. Pelicans should be using that matchup to not only get V off but to get three pointers up as well.

I expect a much better game from the Pelicans today

 

[fightinfunbags]

I expect a much better game from the Pelicans today

Yeah, coming home after losing two on the road, this is their season. I felt like they came into Game 2 already beaten in the way they processed Game 1. They played without confidence because they were focused on their chance being Game 1 and they couldn’t close the deal. That’s not the way you want a team to respond to that kind of adversity.

 

[thunderc]

Yeah, coming home after losing two on the road, this is their season. I felt like they came into Game 2 already beaten in the way they processed Game 1. They played without confidence because they were focused on their chance being Game 1 and they couldn’t close the deal. That’s not the way you want a team to respond to that kind of adversity.

Ingram has to be more aggressive, 20-25 shots whether they are falling or not.

 

[Wamu]

Second game of the day has tipped off.

Hopefully it's more entertaining than the first one.

 

[thunderc]

Second game of the day has tipped off.

Hopefully it's more entertaining than the first one.

Well it started with Ingram about knocking out Jdub with no call