casmith07
Attorney-at-Zone
- Messages
- 31,538
- Reaction score
- 9,312
So, while I like to pretend like I'm an expert on defensive backs, the one sport that I played (and still play) more than any others, and have coached is basketball. It was my absolute first love.
That being said, something that I really like to do is talk basketball, both on and off the court. So, fellow basketball fans, I would like to do a post mortem on the 13-14 Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.
Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) - Western Conference Runner Up
The Thunder came into this season with quite a few question marks as to their competitiveness for this year's championship. Russell Westbrook was injured early, and the Thunder struggled mightily upon his return while the chemistry worked itself back up, getting blown out in three straight contests. They bounced back, however, and made it back to the WCF.
However, they lost to the Spurs in 6 games (4-2). Oklahoma City's two wins were blowouts over San Antonio, though, which is interesting. The bottom line with the Thunder is that they are one of, if not the most athletic and explosive team in the league. Russell Westbrook can get to the rim whenever he wants, and Kevin Durant is a "sniper" of a shooter when he is hot. Serge Ibaka (or "Iblocka") is their primary rim protector, although somewhat offensively challenged or easily neutralized by opposing defenders like Tim Duncan.
Going forward, for the Thunder to be able to get over the hump, they need a little more depth in the frontcourt and they need another stalwart figure in the frontcourt. Ibaka cannot be the only contributor both on offense, defense, and rebounding in the low post on this team. Kendrick Perkins basically played this season with a fork stuck in him (he's done), and the other players, while nice role players, also don't possess the ability to catch fire and contribute when their number is called like Boris Diaw of the Spurs.
My offseason plan for the Thunder would be to continue to put young pieces around Durant and Westbrook. While Westbrook is not your traditional distributing point guard (anyone who knows me here will know of my philosophy of the Holy Trinity of Basketball), his abilities and natural talent as a scorer will consistently draw extra defenders and leave players like Durant open for good shots. The problem, however, is that Westbrook goes 1-on-1 too often without working the ball inside/out in the post or working the ball through Kevin Durant, who is their best player.
I would keep an eye on the Thunder to take a look at a player like Adreian Payne, the PF from Michigan State. There are also rumors out there that Denver would like to move Kenneth Faried before free agency, and if I'm Oklahoma City I'm all for sending Denver some expiring contracts in exchange for Faried to help bolster the frontcourt (even though I want my Wizards to get Faried really badly).
Thoughts from my fellow basketball fans? Lets talk Thunder!
That being said, something that I really like to do is talk basketball, both on and off the court. So, fellow basketball fans, I would like to do a post mortem on the 13-14 Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers.
Oklahoma City Thunder (59-23) - Western Conference Runner Up
The Thunder came into this season with quite a few question marks as to their competitiveness for this year's championship. Russell Westbrook was injured early, and the Thunder struggled mightily upon his return while the chemistry worked itself back up, getting blown out in three straight contests. They bounced back, however, and made it back to the WCF.
However, they lost to the Spurs in 6 games (4-2). Oklahoma City's two wins were blowouts over San Antonio, though, which is interesting. The bottom line with the Thunder is that they are one of, if not the most athletic and explosive team in the league. Russell Westbrook can get to the rim whenever he wants, and Kevin Durant is a "sniper" of a shooter when he is hot. Serge Ibaka (or "Iblocka") is their primary rim protector, although somewhat offensively challenged or easily neutralized by opposing defenders like Tim Duncan.
Going forward, for the Thunder to be able to get over the hump, they need a little more depth in the frontcourt and they need another stalwart figure in the frontcourt. Ibaka cannot be the only contributor both on offense, defense, and rebounding in the low post on this team. Kendrick Perkins basically played this season with a fork stuck in him (he's done), and the other players, while nice role players, also don't possess the ability to catch fire and contribute when their number is called like Boris Diaw of the Spurs.
My offseason plan for the Thunder would be to continue to put young pieces around Durant and Westbrook. While Westbrook is not your traditional distributing point guard (anyone who knows me here will know of my philosophy of the Holy Trinity of Basketball), his abilities and natural talent as a scorer will consistently draw extra defenders and leave players like Durant open for good shots. The problem, however, is that Westbrook goes 1-on-1 too often without working the ball inside/out in the post or working the ball through Kevin Durant, who is their best player.
I would keep an eye on the Thunder to take a look at a player like Adreian Payne, the PF from Michigan State. There are also rumors out there that Denver would like to move Kenneth Faried before free agency, and if I'm Oklahoma City I'm all for sending Denver some expiring contracts in exchange for Faried to help bolster the frontcourt (even though I want my Wizards to get Faried really badly).
Thoughts from my fellow basketball fans? Lets talk Thunder!
