Oklahoma City Thunder 2016-17

[Laramie]

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Westbrook's signature win!



Oklahoma City Thunder 85 - Los Angeles Clippers 83

http://www.espn.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400899514

[Roger S]

For at least a 24 hour span... Very well could go longer.... a team that a lot of people are saying won't even make the playoffs is..... THE BEST IN THE WEST!!!

I've been telling my friends I would be ecstatic if we came off this road trip with at least one win and they got that done. If they beat the Warriors tonight I may run out in the streets and start a one man riot!

[Anonymous.]

One silver lining about tonight, is Russ feels and did not play to his abilities against LAC, so look for him to have a big night tonight @ the Oracle. I am excited, but 9:30 tip games on national TV really cut into the sleep bank!

[Roger S]

I am excited, but 9:30 tip games on national TV really cut into the sleep bank!

Yeah..... This morning is definitely going to be a two cups of coffee morning after staying up to watch last nights game... Tomorrow I may need an I.V. drip of coffee going all morning!

[Laramie]

For at least a 24 hour span... Very well could go longer.... a team that a lot of people are saying won't even make the playoffs is..... THE BEST IN THE WEST!!!

I've been telling my friends I would be ecstatic if we came off this road trip with at least one win and they got that done. If they beat the Warriors tonight I may run out in the streets and start a one man riot!

You'll never riot alone; contact me OKCTalk private message; we"ll make that a TWO MAN RIOT.

[Urbanized]

My picture-in-picture function got worn the hell out last night.

[Urbanized]

Point distribution was seriously lacking, but it's hard to be mad about another W and first place in the standings, for as long as it may last. That said, I'd expect GSW to expose how far the Thunder has to go yet. The good news is that they seem to be headed in the right direction and I still maintain they are one big-ish move away from being actual contenders.

[Roger S]

That said, I'd expect GSW to expose how far the Thunder has to go yet.

Last year I might have agreed with this but GSW hasn't exactly gotten their game figured out yet. They've looked better with each game but these are two teams still trying to figure things out.

If we win this game tonight we win it on the boards, especially on the offensive end, and we definitely have to protect the ball better than we did last night.... Russ can't have double digit turnovers for us to win...... On the other hand I'm counting on KD dribbling the ball off his foot at the top of the key at least half a dozen times tonight and Russ punishing the rim at the other end of the court at the end of a fast break as a result of it.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^^^^
I agree with everything you said. I'm only saying my gut tells me that tonight is the night when you'll probably see GSW gel the most it has so far, if only because of the opponent. The Thunder still has a ton to figure out with line-ups, ball movement, etc., but the good news is that I think they will do so and - barring injury or something awful - be an unexpectedly good team by the playoffs. Unexpected by most, anyway. I've been a pretty consistent believer since, oh, about July 6 or 7.

[Roger S]

I've been a pretty consistent believer since, oh, about July 6 or 7.

HA! Yeah... Once I got over the initial shock and started looking at what we had.... My doubts pretty much went away.

I'm one of those fans that would rather have a team that is competitive every year and is built to last than be a comet. And Golden State is a comet team in my opinion.... In a few years they'll look more like the Lakers do right now and we'll still be a playoff team.

[Roger S]

Oh and one other thing about tonights game..... our second team doesn't give up points to their second team.... GSW's second team is going to be their Achille's heel all season.

[Thomas Vu]

Not sure what the Clippers were doing last night and would say it's more of an indictment on them. Russ with a triple double (turnovers), and no other thunder player in double digit scoring.

[Roger S]

Not sure what the Clippers were doing last night and would say it's more of an indictment on them. Russ with a triple double (turnovers), and no other thunder player in double digit scoring.

Or you could give the Thunder credit for disrupting their game...... Half empty or half full

[dcsooner]

Not sure what the Clippers were doing last night and would say it's more of an indictment on them. Russ with a triple double (turnovers), and no other thunder player in double digit scoring.

Agree, this Thunder team will be exposed. Too many big, slow defenders and no consistent shooters to have to guard. I am not drinking the kool-aid. before someone disparages my comment, I love the Thunder, I am a season ticket holder

[Bellaboo]

Not sure what the Clippers were doing last night and would say it's more of an indictment on them. Russ with a triple double (turnovers), and no other thunder player in double digit scoring.

Not to be too picky but it's just a double, double.

[king183]

Good Try but those players would be Restricted and OKC could match any offers. Not the same as being Unrestricted.

Agree, this Thunder team will be exposed. Too many big, slow defenders and no consistent shooters to have to guard. I am not drinking the kool-aid. before someone disparages my comment, I love the Thunder, I am a season ticket holder

Hahaha. Like clockwork!

[king183]

Oh and one other thing about tonights game..... our second team doesn't give up points to their second team.... GSW's second team is going to be their Achille's heel all season.

Exactly! This is what I've been telling everyone who thinks (now, thought) the GSW were unstoppable. They had to trade two MAJOR parts (Barnes and Bogut) of their successful team AND empty their bench talent in order to sign KD. That's going to be their downfall this entire season and playoffs. They are emphatically worse than they were last year, so don't be surprised when they get bounced in the second round.

[Roger S]

Agree, this Thunder team will be exposed. Too many big, slow defenders and no consistent shooters to have to guard. I am not drinking the kool-aid. before someone disparages my comment, I love the Thunder, I am a season ticket holder

HA! Losing one game, on the road, to the team everyone expects to win the West, exposes the Thunder? Yeah, it's obvious you aren't drinking kool-aid.

If the Thunder went undefeated this season and won the championship. Based on your track record I would still be shocked if you had anything positive to say about the team...... I'll give you one thing... Your love for the Thunder is definitely tough love.

[OKCRT]

Agree, this Thunder team will be exposed. Too many big, slow defenders and no consistent shooters to have to guard. I am not drinking the kool-aid. before someone disparages my comment, I love the Thunder, I am a season ticket holder

Thunder needs a consistent outside shooter and they can beat any team. They might have one in Abrines but not right now. He is lost on defense but he's a rookie so there is hope.

Grant looks like a decent pickup that can play defense and a better scorer than Roberson. Roberson played some good defense again late in the game last night that helped win that game but he's a one trick pony and just a horrible FT shooter. His best game is slashing to the basket and getting fouled but then he can't hit the FTs. Grant needs to get up to speed asap and take Robersons minutes and Roberson can come of the bench as a defensive specialist when needed. But without some better outside shooters they will be exposed as the season goes on.

Laverne or whatever is growing on me. Looks like a good 2nd team player. homedipo needs to be more consistent because what I have seen so far he doesn't look like a reliable scorer. The Thunder needs another consistent scorer to help Russ and I am not sold on homedipo. Everyone said he was better than Ibaka but I'm not buying that just yet.

I wouldn't mind them sending Abrines to the Blue and let him get some meaningful playing time for a couple weeks. I think he has a good future and just needs to cook a little more.

[dcsooner]

Hahaha. Like clockwork!

King183 and BBQ Yep! you can count on me being straightforward and speaking my mind. Thank YOU

[dankrutka]

Roberson was the Thunder's second best player against the Clippers IMHO. His defense was off the charts.

Gonna be fun tonight. No need to read too much into one game. It's a long season...

[warreng88]

The matchups will be interesting. i would think it would go like this:

Russ - Curry
Oladipo - Thompson
Roberson - Durant
Sabonis - Green
Adams - Pachulia/McGee

I would think Sabonis would be the first sub out and Kanter would come in and Adams would switch to Green... and probably get kicked in the nuts again...

[Thomas Vu]

Not to be too picky but it's just a double, double.

You're correct, my mistake. The credit due is that they got the W.

With regards to GSW bench, they only gave up barbosa and Ezeli. Ezeli wasn't great, but they're definitely going to miss bogut.

[OSUMom]

I personally have no problem with Roberson, he is awesome at defense and can score at the basket. But he Has. To. Stop. Shooting. Threes.

We do need more three shooting (Morrow been getting some action lately, maybe he will start getting hot), but we can live with it being someone other than Roberson.

[OkiePoke]

1st Quarter - Great ball movement, good D.
2nd Quarter - Exact opposite of 1st...