Whatever happens, OKC got something going. Something happened after game1 with Spurs, OKC turned it around and is been on after-burner since. Well at least now we know Durant can't leave.
The Big O and Isiah are correct about how bad perimeter defense is nowadays.
However, a few things have caught up with this unique and entertaining Golden State team.
1. The length and speed of the Thunder. OKC can stick with the Warriors on defense better than most teams. Also, the Thunder push the ball, control the pace, and that has disrupted the Warriors' rhythm and flow. Make no mistake about it, Golden State led by theirs guards, is a rhythm team.
2. Coach Billy Donovan. This guy has done a heck of a job guiding the Thunder's lineup, match-ups, and strategy. The Thunder is a team on another quantum level with Coach Donovan. He was new, and there was a mid-season trade, but now OKC is reaping the full benefits of Donovan.
3. Draymond Green's meltdown. But for Commissioner Silver's desire to have a glamour team in the Finals from the densely populated Bay Area and California, Green would have been suspended for that egregious groin kick.
If he receives another technical, he will be suspended. This seems to have had a chilling effect on Green. He's the Warriors' much needed enforcer on a team of finesse guards and average power forwards.
Green pulls a lot of stuff to give the Warriors a toughness, a presence. And without him doing that, there seems to be an essential element missing from the team's chemistry.
Warriors have a chance to win tonight at home. But the probability of winning three straight against this Thunder club is low.
However, a few things have caught up with this unique and entertaining Golden State team.
1. The length and speed of the Thunder. OKC can stick with the Warriors on defense better than most teams. Also, the Thunder push the ball, control the pace, and that has disrupted the Warriors' rhythm and flow. Make no mistake about it, Golden State led by theirs guards, is a rhythm team.
2. Coach Billy Donovan. This guy has done a heck of a job guiding the Thunder's lineup, match-ups, and strategy. The Thunder is a team on another quantum level with Coach Donovan. He was new, and there was a mid-season trade, but now OKC is reaping the full benefits of Donovan.
3. Draymond Green's meltdown. But for Commissioner Silver's desire to have a glamour team in the Finals from the densely populated Bay Area and California, Green would have been suspended for that egregious groin kick.
If he receives another technical, he will be suspended. This seems to have had a chilling effect on Green. He's the Warriors' much needed enforcer on a team of finesse guards and average power forwards.
Green pulls a lot of stuff to give the Warriors a toughness, a presence. And without him doing that, there seems to be an essential element missing from the team's chemistry.
Warriors have a chance to win tonight at home. But the probability of winning three straight against this Thunder club is low.
2
The Warriors may yet win this series and the league championship, but if they do not, then people should consider the possibility that they burned themselves out setting the regular season record for most victories. To me, they look like a team that is spent, flat, exhausted. Even in beating Portland in the second round, they were outplayed by the Blazers for long stretches of the series. Steve Kerr may look back on the past season and regret the decision to go for the record.
It's a grueling schedule no matter what. If the Warriors had started resting their regulars a lot after the All-Star game, we'd be just as likely to be saying that they lost their competitive edge. Look at the 2009 Indianapolis Colts, who thought they'd save something by the playoffs by tanking their last two regular-season games after a 14-0 start. They made it through the first couple rounds of the playoffs but lost the Super Bowl pretty badly.
Once a team shows that it can be beaten, it becomes a lot more beatable.
Once a team shows that it can be beaten, it becomes a lot more beatable.
1
Of course the sharks are going to rip into the Warriors. The Warriors didn't get any respect when they were on top, so you can imagine the carnage soon to be showered on them. It's going to be a feeding frenzy. Next year, those same sharks will rip into the Cavs or the Thunder when they don't repeat. That's what talking heads and their fans do.
4
It's all about the post-season and winning the championship. If the Warriors don't win, their entire season would be a waste. The team will be ridiculed for failing to cap their historic season with a championship.
1
"And now it is 3-1 for the Thunder, who arguably have the two best players remaining in the playoffs".
Umm, no, they don't. What a stupid thing to say at the end of a fairly good, objective article. LeBron is probably the best player in the game, bar none. An then you want to dis Curry because of one bad game? Puh-lease, just a ridiculous comment.
Umm, no, they don't. What a stupid thing to say at the end of a fairly good, objective article. LeBron is probably the best player in the game, bar none. An then you want to dis Curry because of one bad game? Puh-lease, just a ridiculous comment.
12
You are absolutely right about this, and it also is going on in the other series - the Cavs and the Raptors.
Having watched some or all of each game, there seems to be a pattern of front loading the calls against one team (in this case, the Warriors and the Raptors) into the first half. This throws off their rhythm, causes starting players to have to sit out part of the game and lay off on their defense, and puts the team behind the curve going into the second half.
OKC has a terrific team, but their style of play should be described as "bowling for free throws." Race down court, bang into the opposing players and hope for a goal or a free throw or two.
The NBA has got to clean up their act on: (1) poor officiating; and (2) sloppy play - traveling rarely called, fouls called (or not), way too much contact.
Oscar Robertson is right in his criticism of the current game.
Having watched some or all of each game, there seems to be a pattern of front loading the calls against one team (in this case, the Warriors and the Raptors) into the first half. This throws off their rhythm, causes starting players to have to sit out part of the game and lay off on their defense, and puts the team behind the curve going into the second half.
OKC has a terrific team, but their style of play should be described as "bowling for free throws." Race down court, bang into the opposing players and hope for a goal or a free throw or two.
The NBA has got to clean up their act on: (1) poor officiating; and (2) sloppy play - traveling rarely called, fouls called (or not), way too much contact.
Oscar Robertson is right in his criticism of the current game.
2
Does anyone wonder what the Thunder would be like had James Harden stayed with the team?
2
No. Because much to most people's surprise, Harden is much better as a starter. While a member of the Thunder, many experts thought James Harden was filling it up against the opponents' second unit. James Harden has now proven himself to be a superstar starter.
If he had stayed on OKC, he's have many fewer touches playing on the same team as Westbrook and Durant. There's only one basketball. In addition, there are only so many max contracts. The Thunder had to think about what to give to Ibaka. Hence, it was logical to pay him and keep him. Then the OKC management retooled by getting Waiters as a second team scorer.
When you think about it, the Oklahoma City management was very insightful and masterful the way they built the squad. And James Harden did well for himself also.
If he had stayed on OKC, he's have many fewer touches playing on the same team as Westbrook and Durant. There's only one basketball. In addition, there are only so many max contracts. The Thunder had to think about what to give to Ibaka. Hence, it was logical to pay him and keep him. Then the OKC management retooled by getting Waiters as a second team scorer.
When you think about it, the Oklahoma City management was very insightful and masterful the way they built the squad. And James Harden did well for himself also.
1
The Warriors were the champs last year, and with that comes the favorite of sports fans worldwide: we hope to see the champs taken out the next year. While the Warriors won last year let' snot forget that they beat a depleted Cavaliers. This kind of discussion is good in sports because while the odds makers can predict, that's all it is: a prediction. The Thunder have courted a championship for years and so it is good to see the fire now that it is once again in sight.
2
Steven Adams IS the main reason OKC has survived the playoffs.
3
Golden State is a great team. OK I said it - now to business. The NBA and Silver are cowards and they are not fooling anyone. J.R. Smith was suspended for two games in the 2015 playoffs for throwing an errant elbow. Green kicks Adams' family jewels into his larynx and the NBA accepts his answer that he was just "exaggerating his shooting motion". Oh so that's how it works. Let the perpetrator have the last word as opposed to what your lying eyes are telling you. Shame on you J.R. Smith for not appealing your two game suspension last year since you were obviously just exaggerating your shooting motion, which just happened to involve the nose of the other player.
Go CAVS!!
Go CAVS!!
3
Kevin Durant is my favorite all-around player in the game: a silky 6-9 perfection.
1
In fairness, he's been injured for the playoffs. Was not hobbled by that while churning out the unanimous mvp season.
4
We have long known that Durant and Westbrook are outstanding players. But they do not have the sustained record of excellence that James has or the sustained record of team-building that he has. They do have an extraordinary record for three of the last four games, with all the hype which goes with it. But the latest news should not dictate any meaningful assessment. Neither is better than LeBrown James, though that day is inevitably coming.
The city problems of OKC from the collapse of natural gas prices and oil from fracking and the indictment and tragic death of its former lead owner months ago
Means that OKC really needs its first NBA championship to cheer its citizens.
San Francisco's Golden State by contrast has the ebullient wealth of Silicon Valley.
F
Means that OKC really needs its first NBA championship to cheer its citizens.
San Francisco's Golden State by contrast has the ebullient wealth of Silicon Valley.
F
Russell Westbrook is the best individual player in the game the last 1.5 seasons. Hands down.
1
This is less an indictment of the Warriors and more of a testament to OKC, whom basketball authorities knew was a sleeping giant that had not played up to its potential during the regular season. When healthy and playing together, the Thunder are a big, fast, athletic team that can beat anyone. They have been the best team on paper for a while. Now it appears they are on the court, as well.
1
If, or when the Warriors loose their fans will understandably be disappointed. But the credit really has to go to OKC. They added better players to go with their two super stars. They got tougher on defense, which is ultimately what the play offs require. And they made a simple adjustment that Golden State hasn't responded to. They simply decided to contest the three shot and take away the thing Golden State likes to do. Golden State simply hasn't responded. They haven't forgotten ball movement. It's that those passing lanes aren't as open as they were in the regular season. Every team has a weakness and the champion will be decided by the team that covers their own while exploiting their opponents. As they say, four teams have the talent to win it all, but it's all about the adjustments.
2
All you have to do is look at Golden State's regular season stats with their stats in this series. No comparison. The playoffs are different. They expose teams that know only one way to win. In this case "bombs away" is not working, but Golden State can't adjust.
2
Green needs to emote less, play more.
Thompson needs to see the basket before he launches his 3's.
Curry & Green need to make passes that get to where they want them to go.
Bogut needs to make his plays including catching the ball.
Clark needs to play more.
Livingston, please keep up the good work.
After all that, there's a small matter of shutting down the Thunder - might not happen.
Thompson needs to see the basket before he launches his 3's.
Curry & Green need to make passes that get to where they want them to go.
Bogut needs to make his plays including catching the ball.
Clark needs to play more.
Livingston, please keep up the good work.
After all that, there's a small matter of shutting down the Thunder - might not happen.
4
Durant and Westbrook are playing with inner fire. That fire seems doused in the Warriors. Their passing is clumsy, their perimeter shooting abysmal; they often appear flummoxed by the OKC defense. Could it be that OKC is just the better team right now? Will the NBA and the TV networks be satisfied with an LJ-KD final? They may have to be. If somehow it ends up OKC vs. Toronto, kiss the audience goodbye.
1
Shows how much the NBA is "watered down" which is the point Barkley and Thomas are trying to make. If you look at the "all time" teams of the past including the '96 Bulls, great Sixer, Celtic and Laker teams, none got smoked in the play-offs like this 73 win Warrior team has.
1
No one in the league loses money, the fans appreciate the games and kids everywhere are inspired, so what is there to gripe about?
Long live roundball............and Sir Charles!
Long live roundball............and Sir Charles!
1
Somebody needs to wake up Curry. He is sleepwalking out there.
1
Hubris. Humility departs, arrogance arrives, the fall is bound to follow.
I highly doubt the Warriors' single season record will ever be eclipsed. That is why winning the title is so important for their legacy. If the Warriors don't win, every sportswriter, from this point forward, whenever referring to the single-best regular season in NBA history, will add the qualifier that the team did not win the title.
2
Sort of like the Primaries.
The Warriers are not playing the tough man-to-man defense that got them here. If Iguodala cannot play Durant, if Bogut cannot play Adams and Green cannot play Ibaka, and if Curry and Thompson cannot play Westbrook, Golden State had a nice run against the undermanned. If Curry is injured, they won't win and that is that. When Curry jumped over the bench two games ago, he got up and slowly walked to the bench. He did not look right and supposedly, his elbow took a beating. Maybe Curry needs to take another cortisone shot for the torn cartilege he may have somewhere.
1
I neglected to mention Dave Debuscher and Red Holzman.
I was there for one regular season game without all the hoopla and cheerleaders they have now. Games were much shorter in time but there was a toss up to start each quarter as I recall. Something the NBA should bring back, rather than equalizing the teams. Similar to gelding a horse in my opinion.
I was there for one regular season game without all the hoopla and cheerleaders they have now. Games were much shorter in time but there was a toss up to start each quarter as I recall. Something the NBA should bring back, rather than equalizing the teams. Similar to gelding a horse in my opinion.
1
The Dubs need to win three in a row. They have done that consistently. Kerr is calm, so should we be.
After all this writer's analysis is done it looks like an OO final.
Oklahoma v. Ohio with Lebron besting Durant 4 games to 2.
As for past superstars comparison who can forget the chemistry of Willis Reed,
Dollar Bill Bradley , Walt Frazier and I think Earl Monroe was in there also.
Willis Reed probably took as much pain killer to choke a horse in at least one game. One of the best short centers to play the game.
Oklahoma v. Ohio with Lebron besting Durant 4 games to 2.
As for past superstars comparison who can forget the chemistry of Willis Reed,
Dollar Bill Bradley , Walt Frazier and I think Earl Monroe was in there also.
Willis Reed probably took as much pain killer to choke a horse in at least one game. One of the best short centers to play the game.
I think they are just making things interesting and will win the championship again this year.
In the end, they are just the best team. Steph will pull it together and make some history in the next three weeks.
In the end, they are just the best team. Steph will pull it together and make some history in the next three weeks.
1
It's a few things with the Warriors play. First they don't have a answer for Westbrook. They can't guard him. Second they don't play half court offense at all. Last thing is y look tired. To achive 73 wins is awesome but it has to take it's toll. Wish they were talking bout the Knicks like this!!
1
So if they end up winning 4-3 will they be considered greatest of all time? Isn't this article prematured, shouldn't it wait until OKC has actually won and through to the finals?
1
To quote Emerson "Life is a journey, not a destination." The Warriors gave us the best season ever. Can't remember ever having so much fun watching basketball. If a better team emerges to beat them, we are all better off.
3
"It don't come easy..."
But the Warriors are playing as though if it don't come easy, they won't be trying.
There seems to be complete lack of ability to fight back against adversity. So what if they won without Curry. They're not winning with him now. And if they don't stop lolling around, too caught up in acting as if "this doesn't faze me," they'll be deservedly out of the playoffs.
Their attitude has been an embarrassment. When things don't go your way, you better try especially hard, and/or try something different. Just running back and forth does nothing to justify their astronomical salaries, fan allegiance, general admiration and accolades, and astounding record this year.
Maybe though, they're just mentally and physically worn out by the effort expended to break the Bulls' record. If so, that's just another indication of the greatness of Michael Jordan and his ability to keep going, and keep his team going, no matter how drained all of them might have been. His killer instinct (as with Kobe) was evident no matter how badly his team was doing in a game, or how off his game was. There is no comparable effort from any of the Warriors.
But the Warriors are playing as though if it don't come easy, they won't be trying.
There seems to be complete lack of ability to fight back against adversity. So what if they won without Curry. They're not winning with him now. And if they don't stop lolling around, too caught up in acting as if "this doesn't faze me," they'll be deservedly out of the playoffs.
Their attitude has been an embarrassment. When things don't go your way, you better try especially hard, and/or try something different. Just running back and forth does nothing to justify their astronomical salaries, fan allegiance, general admiration and accolades, and astounding record this year.
Maybe though, they're just mentally and physically worn out by the effort expended to break the Bulls' record. If so, that's just another indication of the greatness of Michael Jordan and his ability to keep going, and keep his team going, no matter how drained all of them might have been. His killer instinct (as with Kobe) was evident no matter how badly his team was doing in a game, or how off his game was. There is no comparable effort from any of the Warriors.
2
It looks like the Warriors are being coached by Mark Jackson again: one-on-one isolations; poor defense; one and done shooting. Please bring back Steve Kerr.
7
If there is any team that can come back from a 3-1 deficit, it's the Golden State Warriors. Having said that, if the Thunder manage to win and knock out (presumably) Cleveland I think they have to be in the conversation for greatest post-season run in NBA history, and one of the best ever in American sport.
9
The Warriors themselves had a pretty good post-season run in 1975. Swept the Bullets in the most exciting four games I can recall.
Let's remember that OKC beat the SA Spurs in six games. A Spurs team that had one of the best defenses in recent times and tied the record for fewest home losses during the regular season. So what OKC is doing to the Warriors is neither a fluke or an indictment on what Golden State achieved this season. It simply means OKC has two of the best four players in the NBA who happen to be peaking at the right time, and in doing so are elevating the play of their teammates. So let's celebrate OKC for what they're doing in the playoffs but not at the expense of what San Antonio and Golden State accomplished during the regular season. That would diminish OKC's incredible run and demean the greatness of the Spurs and the Warriors in the regular season.
59
Very well and respectfully put
1
Much prefer this kind of sport where your team wins or loses and then everyone goes home to try another year than the sport of politics.
Unfortunately, the political pundits sound much like sports commentators. Let's keep the the game analogies in sports.
Politics should be about who has the better ideas not the better winning strategy.
Unfortunately, the political pundits sound much like sports commentators. Let's keep the the game analogies in sports.
Politics should be about who has the better ideas not the better winning strategy.
3
I'm loving it. The gimmick known as the GS Warriors is crumbling before our eyes. Isaiah Thomas and the other old school guys are right: NBA perimeter defense has become a joke; the NBA has become a bloated, self-absorbed shadow of its former self.
That—not the supposed brilliance of the video game generation of players led by the obviously talented Curry—is the real story here. It took the real best player in the game, the extraordinary Russell Westbrook, to pop this balloon. Yeah, RW is old school, but he matches fire with style, skill and talent with brains.
We are witnessing the reemergence of real basketball. I'm thrilled.
That—not the supposed brilliance of the video game generation of players led by the obviously talented Curry—is the real story here. It took the real best player in the game, the extraordinary Russell Westbrook, to pop this balloon. Yeah, RW is old school, but he matches fire with style, skill and talent with brains.
We are witnessing the reemergence of real basketball. I'm thrilled.
17
Well, not really. Defenses are statistically better than they ever were, especially with zones. But they were right about some of the things they said about Curry.
1
Uhhh, Charles Barkley is more than just "Jordan's inept golfing partner".
4
Harsh judging by who? The Warriors are the defending champs and have been exceptional for two seasons. OKC is hot, playing fierce defense and Westbrook creating opportunities with his speed. Durant looks unstoppable since his size and shot create mismatches all across the perimeter. No one's going to judge GS for losing (if they do) to a superbly talented team finally running on all cylinders.
17
The Warriors do not match up well with OKC. Kerr has yet to make a meaningful adjustment and for this reason, he is being outcoached by Donovan. And truth be told, the predictable use of Draymond Green isn't enough to handle the OKC front line. The Warriors are playing like an undermanned team; blame the coach. Aggressive, strong rebounding teams are a problem for GS, look at the Celtics against GS this year. The way GS responds to teams that pressure the ball on defense, attack the rim on offense, and rebound at both ends with authority, OKC, Cleveland, or San Antonio would beat them.
12
GS was 3-0 vs. OKC in the regular season.
1
Sure, the playoffs are different from the regular season. Sure, Curry says he isn't hurt, and Kerr agrees. Sure, OKC is playing well. Etc. etc. The one thing we will never know for sure is how well GS might have been playing now if Curry hadn't gotten hurt and had that layoff. Hard to imagine any other reason why a team so dominant all season long would fall apart like this in the playoffs.
14
They are not falling apart. They are being taken apart by a bigger, better team.
1
No excuses. At least he's playing.
That just reinforces the argument that "we'll never know how the 2015 finals would have turned out if the Cavs had both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love available."
That just reinforces the argument that "we'll never know how the 2015 finals would have turned out if the Cavs had both Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love available."
There's no mystery as to why Golden State has looked human. Russell Westbrook is playing at an otherworldly level. His drives to the basket are ferocious and he's hitting 3s. He is probably the best athlete in any major sport in terms of strength, skill and speed.
2
Every time the Warriors get down the entire world doubts them - including some of the "fans." I resent judgement and question marks on last years playoff run. They played their butts off as a team and earned the championship hands down. They need to start playing as a team again. The team that figured out how to defend James, the team that figured out how to win a best every 73 regular season wins, the team that makes the thrilling comeback. I know they'll come out guns blazin'. We love the WAARRRIOORS! Go Dubs!
5
Thank you for the humor.
The Warriors only "figured out" how to defend James because they didn't have to worry about defending Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love at the same time. He was less "defended" and more "tired out" by having to carry so much of the load by himself. That doesn't mean the Warriors are not a great team - they are - but whether they are as truly great as the hype suggests remains to be seen.
1
The harshest judgment from this series should be reserved for NBA VP of Operations Kiki Vandeweghe for his abject failure to administer appropriate discipline to Draymond Green with a suspension, and by extension to Adam Silver for neglecting to overrule Vandeweghe's ineptitude. Given an opportunity to demonstrate that the NBA makes decisions independent of marquee matchups, television ratings, or preferential treatment for favored teams or "star" players, Vandeweghe failed, showing once again that he's not nearly as effective as an executive as he was as a player. Silver and Vandeweghe should be livid at having to cover up for a knucklehead like Green, sacrificing their own credibility in the process.
It is also embarrassing to see Steve Kerr choose to make excuses for a knuckleheaded player like Green, and to minimize the seriousness of Green's intentional kick to Adams' groin; embarrassing, but understandable to a degree since it is Kerr's job to advocate for his team and his players. The honorable thing for Kerr and the Warriors to have done would have been for them to sit Green down for Game 4. Instead, Green neutered himself with another choke-job of a performance. Overrated does not begin to describe Green's reputation, although the term "cheap shot artist" and "choker" now seem to be a good start.
It is also embarrassing to see Steve Kerr choose to make excuses for a knuckleheaded player like Green, and to minimize the seriousness of Green's intentional kick to Adams' groin; embarrassing, but understandable to a degree since it is Kerr's job to advocate for his team and his players. The honorable thing for Kerr and the Warriors to have done would have been for them to sit Green down for Game 4. Instead, Green neutered himself with another choke-job of a performance. Overrated does not begin to describe Green's reputation, although the term "cheap shot artist" and "choker" now seem to be a good start.
19
The Warriors appear to have entered the playoffs over confident because of the 73 , which now shows based on all their turnovers....
If OKC has caught onto this the series will be over for the Warriors at home the next game....
And give OKC more credit since they have been relentless in each of their 3 wins, by barely letting GS back into any of those games.
If OKC has caught onto this the series will be over for the Warriors at home the next game....
And give OKC more credit since they have been relentless in each of their 3 wins, by barely letting GS back into any of those games.
7
Tonight Cleveland is back to being Cleveland, which means trouble for any team. When James plays quarterback from the inside, Cleveland looks formidable and the defense is always there now.
3
Russell Westbrook, by the way, is a gem. We all know about Kevin Durant but Westbrook is a bit in the shadow of Durant. I also think the Cleveland will be a perfect match for the Thunder, should that be the final pair. Cleveland is not to be underrated.
6
Here's the plan for Golden State: Bring Dennis Rodman out of retirement. He then starts pushing, grabbing, kicking, holding, choking and tackling the other teams players.The refs don't see it. Well they don't care, but anyway ....
No one is even slightly embarrassed by the Jr. NFL approach to the NBA. After knocking down, fouling and ridiculing every player on the other team, Dennis runs over and kicks bystanders in the groin. What a Hero! What skill!
Then when Golden State "miraculously" comes back and wins, they are referred to as the greatest team ever! Why not? I say!....the people of Chicago bought that garbage lock, stock and barrel.
Did I mention that I have not watched the NBA since .......
No one is even slightly embarrassed by the Jr. NFL approach to the NBA. After knocking down, fouling and ridiculing every player on the other team, Dennis runs over and kicks bystanders in the groin. What a Hero! What skill!
Then when Golden State "miraculously" comes back and wins, they are referred to as the greatest team ever! Why not? I say!....the people of Chicago bought that garbage lock, stock and barrel.
Did I mention that I have not watched the NBA since .......
4
I guess you believe the first three Bulls' championships ... the one without Dennis ... were won by luck. Or, you could just be a Pacer fan. How many championships did Reggie win? Remind me.
1
Yes, I also lost interest when it became a slugfest. Despite what the players say, it is not all about winning. Rather, basketball is entertainment and not a microcosm of global warfare. Tp see competitive artistry, one has to go back beyond the old timers to Dr. J. and his amazing moves.
Turns out the real warriors are OKC.
19
Its Westbrook and Waiters-these are the OKC warriors.
Two very good teams - one a champion and the other that could be a champion but never has - it seems they just might.
We will have two championship teams. Nothing to feel bad about. Durant, Westbrook and Curry are all great players. It is exciting to see all of them play. I still cannot forget Durant's speech thanking his mother for the life she gave him. I would love to see him win the championship for his team.
We will have two championship teams. Nothing to feel bad about. Durant, Westbrook and Curry are all great players. It is exciting to see all of them play. I still cannot forget Durant's speech thanking his mother for the life she gave him. I would love to see him win the championship for his team.
13
"the Judging May Be Harsh"?
It's SPORTS! Upsets and surprises are why we WATCH them!
If it was all computer-modeling and utterly predictable outcomes, who would care?
It's SPORTS! Upsets and surprises are why we WATCH them!
If it was all computer-modeling and utterly predictable outcomes, who would care?
16
Hmmm, what's different about the Thunder this year? Oh yeah, guy called Billy Donovan.
7
um also the fact the westbrook is playing????? and durant didn't miss ~40 games during the year????
5
The real issue is that OKC now believes and the aura of GS has dimmed. BTW, Is it the Oklahoma City Supersonics or the Seattle Thunder?
6
One question that puzzles me is why the play, offensively and defensively, of Draymond Green appears to have weakened considerably. Another question is a seeming lack of concentration by Steph Curry, accounting for turnovers.
6
I am no fan of Green, but I respect his competitiveness. He seems to be playing with some discomfort, or injury that he is not letting on.
The Warriors were playing better as a team during the regular season, and took advantage of more talented teams that are quicker, more powerful and more athletic, but not in sync with one another. Now these teams are getting more in sync, and GS just is not that talented. They should not vote for MVP until after the playoffs. I am a GS fan, and a Bay Area resident, but I definitely saw this coming. GS was lucky to beat Portland.. I love Steph Curry, but I disagree on the MVP vote. He cannot play defense very well against the fast guards like Irving and Dillard
10
You're not a fan, just stop already.
1
What I noticed last night was that the Warriors lacked offensive rebounds perhaps due to being so accustomed to making those long range shots during the regular season that they leave no one beneath the basket for the loose ball. When your team isn't making the usual shots, you've gotta create more opportunities. I hope the Warriors can come back and make it an interesting series.
12
There are two seasons in American professional sports: regular and playoff. In the regular season the winner is (usually) the most consistent. In the playoffs the winner is (usually) the hottest. Teams are judged on playoff championships, not regular season championships. It's the American Way.
Way back in the NBA day Red Auerbach's Boston Celtics played a regular season mostly hurt and aimed for the final playoff spot, theorizing that the team would be whole and healthy towards the end of the regular season. They were and they won the championship. Again.
Way back in the NBA day Red Auerbach's Boston Celtics played a regular season mostly hurt and aimed for the final playoff spot, theorizing that the team would be whole and healthy towards the end of the regular season. They were and they won the championship. Again.
9
The deficit that Golden State finds themselves in has many causes. After watching the last few games, this is what I see.
1. OKC has upped the pace of the game. Westbrook’s quickness to the rim has highlighted GS’s lack of team speed. Curry is quick but undersized. Thompson is big but too slow. Once Westbrook gets free & the defensive switching/help starts, GS is slow in reacting to Westbrooks passes. Durant slashes & Roberson jumpers & it’s all over.
2. GS has been lazy with the ball and has had numerous self-inflicted turnover that have led to baskets. A great example were 4Q turnovers by Thompson/Curry. Led to many OKC baskets.
3. GS has shot poorly. The team has had numerous good, & open, looks. OKC’s defense has really benefited by the lack of accuracy and feeds their quick run up the court as a lot of the rebounds go long.
4. OKC has really protected the rim. No mention of Ibaka in the article but he’s dominated the inside & GS is getting few inside points. GS doesn’t have a post scorer & it shows.
5. OKC has pounded the offensive glass (16). The mismatches caused by Westbrook’s speed have opened up big rebounding lanes. Possessions = points. In the regular season, GS protected the glass.
I’ll bet we’ll see Curry on Westbrook more the next game & more emphasis on defensive rebounding as a start. Players need confidence in their open looks to make shots. Playing at home will help a great deal. Game 6 in OKC that will be the hardest. Looking to see the adjustments.
1. OKC has upped the pace of the game. Westbrook’s quickness to the rim has highlighted GS’s lack of team speed. Curry is quick but undersized. Thompson is big but too slow. Once Westbrook gets free & the defensive switching/help starts, GS is slow in reacting to Westbrooks passes. Durant slashes & Roberson jumpers & it’s all over.
2. GS has been lazy with the ball and has had numerous self-inflicted turnover that have led to baskets. A great example were 4Q turnovers by Thompson/Curry. Led to many OKC baskets.
3. GS has shot poorly. The team has had numerous good, & open, looks. OKC’s defense has really benefited by the lack of accuracy and feeds their quick run up the court as a lot of the rebounds go long.
4. OKC has really protected the rim. No mention of Ibaka in the article but he’s dominated the inside & GS is getting few inside points. GS doesn’t have a post scorer & it shows.
5. OKC has pounded the offensive glass (16). The mismatches caused by Westbrook’s speed have opened up big rebounding lanes. Possessions = points. In the regular season, GS protected the glass.
I’ll bet we’ll see Curry on Westbrook more the next game & more emphasis on defensive rebounding as a start. Players need confidence in their open looks to make shots. Playing at home will help a great deal. Game 6 in OKC that will be the hardest. Looking to see the adjustments.
19
All very good points. I would add that the Warriors have continued to try to pass over the arms of Thunder defenders, leading to many turnovers. They did it in Game 3 and instead of adjusting, continued to do it in Game 4.
Steph seems very tentative, passing up open shots more than usual, even missing free throws (only three, but that's a lot for him). I'm wondering if that elbow blow is having an effect. After all this is a game of inches and if pain is causing him to alter his shot....
Steph seems very tentative, passing up open shots more than usual, even missing free throws (only three, but that's a lot for him). I'm wondering if that elbow blow is having an effect. After all this is a game of inches and if pain is causing him to alter his shot....
14
Nice analysis.
1
I don't know, I think part of the problem is that Curry is having to guard Westbrook in the first place. It's tiring him out trying to defend such an explosive player. They need to switch Curry out and put someone else on Westbrook. Curry can then focus on his offense more.
6
OKC have Warriors doubting themselves. It'll be hard to correct that in next game or two. Warriors look finished.
6
Of late, there has been endless talk of how team ball, as played by the Spurs and the Warriors, is the key to victory. Well, no team can block Durant's jump shot and no team can slow down Westbrook's drives to the basket. The passing game is ok. But, in the NBA, you win with talent.
4
But that talent did nothing for them in their past few seasons.
It's the jelling of this team as a whole, under Billy Donovan, a new coach, that has made the difference this year for the Thunder.
That, and Westbrook and Durant are now secure enough to share the ball with their teammates in crunch situations. Talent AND teamwork are nothing without each other.
It's the jelling of this team as a whole, under Billy Donovan, a new coach, that has made the difference this year for the Thunder.
That, and Westbrook and Durant are now secure enough to share the ball with their teammates in crunch situations. Talent AND teamwork are nothing without each other.
10
Agree about Billy Donovan. But the Thunder don't play a structured offense. They don't emphasize that extra pass. Durant and Westbrook aren't Stockton and Malone. Their games are based mostly on their individual skills, not how they play together. The Thunder's assists on baskets are below average. They aren't known for dishing it out for a corner three. They aren't known for pic and roll basketball. They are known for Durant and Westbrook, crashing the boards, and solid, if not spectacular, defense. Their skilled big men have been critical. But who knows how they will perform if they get to the championship. The last time they were there the Thunder blew up, Harden couldn't hit a basket, and the whole team looked lost. Everybody likes to say you can't win without emphasizing team. The Thunder play less like a well-oiled unit and more like a team that will give it up regularly to Westbrook and Durant. Talk team all you want. OKC mostly wins because they have the best one-two combination in basketball.
3
I agree. For years this team was all about isolations because they had 3 great players. This is the first year I am seeing ball movement and other guys stepping up. Waiters is also a gamer.
2
This is an OKC team that is peaking at the right time and that has beaten two teams, San Antonio and Golden State, that have had historic winning regular seasons. Warriors "small ball" style has not fared any better than San Antonio's strategy of running everything through Aldridge - though they were missing Diaw for much of the series. Turnovers and rebounding have killed the Warriors. During the regular season they often were out rebounded but could win with their shooting and ball movement.
Not impossible for them to comeback if they play at their highest level - but seems far fetched given how soundly they were beaten in OKC.
Not impossible for them to comeback if they play at their highest level - but seems far fetched given how soundly they were beaten in OKC.
10
What Happened When Venture Capitalists Took Over the Golden State Warriors
http://nyti.ms/230YX2q
More revolutionary Apple watch from Silicon Valley, what a surprise. Just think of the shame in getting a beat down from the blue collar, red state, folks in Flyover Country.
http://nyti.ms/230YX2q
More revolutionary Apple watch from Silicon Valley, what a surprise. Just think of the shame in getting a beat down from the blue collar, red state, folks in Flyover Country.
14
Glad you brought this up. The owner was so smug in the article about they do things and how great it is. Rich people being so much smarter than everybody else at everything, not just making money.
4
I like that!
Proving that anything can be made to fit one's political world view.
I had to reconfigure my prognostication when OKC dispatched, what I had thought was the best TEAM in the NBA , The Spurs, in 5.
Defense wins championships. Period. The space to operate offensively diminishes as each games importance and intensity increase .Just ask Tom Brady ,Cam Newton, and any NCAA team that lost a Championship game to UCONN. Billy Donovan may be the difference maker here for an extremely talented, yet to date, under achieving team, peaking at the right time.
Defense wins championships. Period. The space to operate offensively diminishes as each games importance and intensity increase .Just ask Tom Brady ,Cam Newton, and any NCAA team that lost a Championship game to UCONN. Billy Donovan may be the difference maker here for an extremely talented, yet to date, under achieving team, peaking at the right time.
6
It wasn't just that the Warriors were pitiful on defense, they were terrible on the boards AND didn't take care of the basketball when they did manage to get their hands on it. Run and gun got them the championship last year, pretty much solely on the strength of their shooting. But once other teams have seen enough video, unless you bring the complete package, you are going to have a very hard time against quality competition.
8
The Warriors and the Spurs play great team ball with great talent. For both, the system -- that extra pass -- comes first, and the talent succeeds because of structured ball movement. OKC encourages Westbrook, Durant, and the rest to do their thing. There is little structure. Instead, there are 5 different matchups which they seek to exploit. Durant is, by far, the best big man out there. Nobody can stay with Westbrook -- he's the fastest PG in the game. On defense, Durant is everywhere and his long arms allow him to be even where he is not. The starting five are all strong on defense and the Thunder are the best rebounding team in the NBA. I couldn't tell you why Roberson and Kanter have been playing so well, but everyone has long known that the Thunder do best when Durant and Westbrook share the ball with others. If I had to explain what's going on, I'd say that the Thunder are just better than the Spurs and the Warriors, that Scottie Brooks was unimaginative and a poor motivator and that Billie Donovan's coaching and game to game adjustments are taking the Thunder to the top, where they always should have been.
5
The Warriors are now 3-4 in their last seven games, including 2 humiliating beat downs.
Even if they were to win out the rest of their games, I don't think you can make the argument they are the best team ever because of 1 more regular season win than the Bulls.
Even if they were to win out the rest of their games, I don't think you can make the argument they are the best team ever because of 1 more regular season win than the Bulls.
3
Very prescient of Michael Jordan, who when asked for his opinion on the Golden State Warrirors' 73 wins during the regular season, said... "Well, let's see how they do in the post-season!"
15
Charles Barkley is right. Today's NBA is hard to watch. Everyone knows what most every team's game plan involves--live by the 3, die by the 3. Yet teams don't defend on the perimeter. Plus, the officiating is generally terrible.
18
Everyone loves an epic collapse.
Let's all just sit back and enjoy the well-deserved public humiliation of another one-dimensional sports wonder.
RIP, Warriors.
Let's all just sit back and enjoy the well-deserved public humiliation of another one-dimensional sports wonder.
RIP, Warriors.
25
One dimensional? Really? That was enough to win 73 games in the regular season?
37
Haters gonna hate. Even if they don't win the championship they have achieved wonderfully and Dub nation loves them.
This doesn't happen without being a team:
2015 NBA Champions
2016 - Best record in the history of the NBA, 73 wins
Steve Kerr 2016 Coach of the Year
Steph Curry 2015 MVP
Steph Curry 2016 first ever unanimous MVP
This doesn't happen without being a team:
2015 NBA Champions
2016 - Best record in the history of the NBA, 73 wins
Steve Kerr 2016 Coach of the Year
Steph Curry 2015 MVP
Steph Curry 2016 first ever unanimous MVP
3
Hey Ca. kerr only coached 39 games.
GS is a flim fam
Enjy it CA
GS is a flim fam
Enjy it CA
This is very odd. Talking about OKC without even mentioning Kevin Durant. 73 wins without the championship puts the Warriors in league with the 2008 NE Patriots.
3
D WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS !
2
As well as the 2001 Seattle Mariners and the 1954 Cleveland Indians
Spurs had the best D though.
2
The playoffs are about defense above all, and the Warriors have not played the sort of defense the Thunder have. Steve Kerr worried about the defense as the season went on but evidently was not able to prepare for a defense surge when faced with a rough tough team like the Thunder are.
I am not surprised by this series, other than the margins for the Thunder being higher than I would have thought. Defense is critical, so how do the Warriors focus on that now?
I am not surprised by this series, other than the margins for the Thunder being higher than I would have thought. Defense is critical, so how do the Warriors focus on that now?
4
Amazing that all of the so-called NBA experts did not see this coming. The guys on TNT with Ernie Johnson. The ESPN guys. Steven A. Smith. Skip.
I'm no expert but I do know that great defense will still trump great offense. And also that many NBAers don't care to play much defense during boring 82 game regular season. But was there any doubt when the OKC bigs wreaked havoc on the boards during the Spur series?
Far from being the best team ever, the Warriors are well on their way to not even being the best team in the Western Conference this year.
Reminds me of the Patriots in 2011/12 --except the Warriors aren't cheaters.
I'm no expert but I do know that great defense will still trump great offense. And also that many NBAers don't care to play much defense during boring 82 game regular season. But was there any doubt when the OKC bigs wreaked havoc on the boards during the Spur series?
Far from being the best team ever, the Warriors are well on their way to not even being the best team in the Western Conference this year.
Reminds me of the Patriots in 2011/12 --except the Warriors aren't cheaters.
16
Great offense will trump great defense. Great defense couldn't stop Kevin McHale down low, Kareem's skyhook, Jordan's quickness and elevation, etc.
Perhaps Draymond Green should play the next game wearing steel-toed Nikes.
14
I think golden state has more to prove than just this season alone. They have to prove to the haters (like myself) that last season's championship wasn't a fluke when they beat other teams with major player injuries. Including the finals (Lebron and who else on Cleveland?). OKC just look unstoppable right now.
4
Not to take anything away from Curry's achievements, but I am always skeptical when people rally around someone or something. One bag of tricks never works for the long haul. You could see nearly everyone practicing their 3s, leading up to the playoffs. But 3s alone can't win a championship. OKC's team leaders - KD and Westbrook - wisely responded to critics who said they needed to share the load. That was the game changer. A team effort. One guy can never carry it. Another exhibit A: LBJ who was a favorite until he stopped following his team on Twitter. He left the Heat. He will leave Cleveland. He leaves when things don't go his way. That's capitalism. KD could leave, too. But the bigger issue is that you need your team. Our two greats in recent years - having two very different personalities - demonstrate this.
2
There have been a number of missed fouls on the Warriors by the officials and it seems the officials have allowed the Thunder to be more physically engaging without calling a foul. The change in Greens foul of intentionally kicking Adams is a joke.
5
Agree about officiating. It's so one sided that even the national commentators, beholden as they are to the NBA, have commented several times, including last night when they showed Curry being manhandled, tripped, and grabbed, with no foul called. Yet, Bogut stands near an opponent and gets whistled. (If you can get it online, watch his first PF yesterday. He did NOT TOUCH the opponent.) He also had a block that was all ball and got whistled. The first game at OKC the official was the terrible Scott Foster, chosen as worst ref in NBA in a poll conducted by the Los Angeles Times. To have someone like that refereeing the Western Conference Finals is deplorable. Not to blame the referees entirely, because the Warriors are playing very badly, but both of these games started out with such awful officiating that the Dubs were taken out of their defensive game completely. This is what bad officiating does; it's not so much one bad call that hurts, it's that the way a team plays is changed, or their momentum is stopped, or key players are forced to leave the game with two or three fouls in the first quarter.
34
You, my friend, have never been intentionally kicked in the groin. If you had you, would have demanded a game suspension.
1
In the game last night, it seemed that the refs were taking their cue from the league; if Green wasn't going to be suspended for kicking a guy in the nuts, then the refs weren't going to call many fouls. The Warriors can't have it both ways. If Green is allowed to play, it's the height of chutzpah to complain about non-calles.
1
Warriors can win this and I hope they do. But I think we are witnessing an OKC team that has finally started to realize its true potential. KD and RW are incredible players who have taken a long time to figure out how to most effectively play together. It seems that about 2 weeks ago they came back from the lab with a formula that actually works.
26
What's different about the Thunder is Billy Donovan. Scottie Brooks will go down as the Mark Jackson of Thunder coaching.
2
As a long-suffering Wizards Fan I hope you are wrong but fear you are right. OKC now plays 5 on 5, not 2 on 5.