POLL What team is the biggest obstacle to the Thunder?

[DJ Fieri]

Vote and more importantly, discuss.. ..

It is a sports message board after all.

 

[tlance]

I think it is the Thunder.

None of these teams are on their level. It is going to be about their health and their lack of post season experience.

If they play their best basketball they will win the West.

But that is not a given.

 

[trojanfan12]

In order....

Nuggets: Lots of recent playoff and title experience. Joker will be a problem. They can be pretty physical as well. Lots of length.

Warriors: They will have Steph looking for 1 last run and Playoffs Jimmy will be looking for his first. If Dray doesn't overdo it with his shenanigans...he could get in the Thunders head a bit.

Lakers: Similar to the Warriors...Lebron looking for 1 last title and Luka seems to have re-energized him. We just saw Luka take a team to the finals last year. They'll also get physical with the Thunder. Problem will be...can Jaxson Hayes continue to develop and can he and the Lakers bargain basement bigs at least be competitive with Hartenstein and Chet? They can match and maybe exceed OKC's length.

End of the day though...agree with tlance. If OKC is able to play at their best...they're coming out of the West.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I will say it now, the biggest x-factor in the west playoffs is Jamal Murray. Can he play to the level of when they won it all? If so, Denver can compete with anyone in the west. The bench still has its’ worries though

LA is a problem for anyone but the other guys will need to step up to another level

Only other teams that can compete at the highest level in the west might be GS if we get playoff Jimmy, but still a big if and I small chance of this happening.

OKC, Denver and LA

 

[thunderc]

I’m looking forward to these back to back games with the Nuggets coming up. The last few times the teams have met it’s been apparent that the Thunder are just way too deep for the Nuggets, they have a title though and will get the Thunders full attention. I actually think Porter and Gordon are the potential difference makers against the Thunder. No chance without big outings from those 2.

 

[bksballer89]

I’m looking forward to these back to back games with the Nuggets coming up. The last few times the teams have met it’s been apparent that the Thunder are just way too deep for the Nuggets, they have a title though and will get the Thunders full attention. I actually think Porter and Gordon are the potential difference makers against the Thunder. No chance without big outings from those 2.

Depth matters in the regular season but not so much in the playoffs. Denver got a sold 8-9 man rotation to use once Strawther and Watson are healthy

 

[thunderc]

Depth matters in the regular season but not so much in the playoffs. Denver got a sold 8-9 man rotation to use once Strawther and Watson are healthy

It matters across the board, but yes rosters shrink in the playoffs. I do not expect the Thunder to do that as much as some though because they don’t have to. They have a bunch of guys that can go off any given night so they have options.

 

[bksballer89]

It matters across the board, but yes rosters shrink in the playoffs. I do not expect the Thunder to do that as much as some though because they don’t have to. They have a bunch of guys that can go off any given night so they have options.

I think they run with a 10 man rotation but can see them going to 9 and leaving one of the Williams out

 

[bksballer89]

They can stagger Chet and Hartenstein minutes against smaller teams if they want and run with a 9 man

 

[HurricaneDij39]

Going to be bold and say Golden State due to Steph and Jimmy’s ability to flip the switch when the bright lights come on…

 

[Shanemansj13]

Going to be bold and say Golden State due to Steph and Jimmy’s ability to flip the switch when the bright lights come on…

You have to include LA too...Lebron and Luka. That is a better duo than GS unless you think the supporting cast is better in GS and I am not sure anyone believes that....

 

[thunderc]

They can stagger Chet and Hartenstein minutes against smaller teams if they want and run with a 9 man

I think 10 is the minimum with Shai, Jdub, Chet, Hartenstein, Wallace, Dort, Wiggins, Joe, Caruso and Kenrich Williams all getting at least some regular rotation minutes. JWil will play a little depending on the competition and on any given night Dieng could be called on for a few minutes. He has played pretty well when called on of late. I know it’s a lot of guys but if Ajay Mitchell is healthy he may as well. They are just a deep team.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I think 10 is the minimum with Shai, Jdub, Chet, Hartenstein, Wallace, Dort, Wiggins, Joe, Caruso and Kenrich Williams all getting at least some regular rotation minutes. JWil will play a little depending on the competition and on any given night Dieng could be called on for a few minutes. He has played pretty well when called on of late. I know it’s a lot of guys but if Ajay Mitchell is healthy he may as well. They are just a deep team.

Cleveland has 10 as well. Maybe starters do play a bit more minutes especially in close or clinching games but the identity has also been depth the entire season. I doubt that will change much in the postseason. Also will depend on if guys are hot too.

Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, Hunter, Allen, Strus, Jerome, Wade, Merrill, Okoro

 

[ducky]

3 point shooting and rebounding.

They are good enough that it doesnt really matter who they play. It's how they play. If their 3 pointers are falling at a 37% clip and they rebound the basketball, they will win any 7 game series IMO.

 

[bksballer89]

I think 10 is the minimum with Shai, Jdub, Chet, Hartenstein, Wallace, Dort, Wiggins, Joe, Caruso and Kenrich Williams all getting at least some regular rotation minutes. JWil will play a little depending on the competition and on any given night Dieng could be called on for a few minutes. He has played pretty well when called on of late. I know it’s a lot of guys but if Ajay Mitchell is healthy he may as well. They are just a deep team.

10 is the maximum. 11 man rotation in the playoffs won’t end well. Can’t have teams playing their top guys 42-44 mpg while you out here playing your top guys 35-37 and don’t expect it to catch up to you eventually. For regular season it’s fine

 

[thunderc]

10 is the maximum. 11 man rotation in the playoffs won’t end well. Can’t have teams playing their top guys 42-44 mpg while you out here playing your top guys 35-37 and don’t expect it to catch up to you eventually. For regular season it’s fine

I was talking about possibly just a few minutes for the other guys.

 

[Picklerick 2.0]

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Insecurity raising it's ugly head again.