That was the best way to lose.

[Uriel]

If it had been a close game where we had lost down the stretch, we would have expended a lot of energy trying to win a game in vain. It would've been disheartening for our players, shattered our confidence in our execution down the stretch, and been generally devastating for the whole team.

Instead, we were able to rest our key players down the stretch while Scott Brooks overplayed his, and it's not difficult to see our guys coming back with a vengeance next time around.

[dmon35]

If it had been a close game where we had lost down the stretch, we would have expended a lot of energy trying to win a game in vain. It would've been disheartening for our players, shattered our confidence in our execution down the stretch, and been generally devastating for the whole team.

Instead, we were able to rest our key players down the stretch while Scott Brooks overplayed his, and it's not difficult to see our guys coming back with a vengeance next time around.

didnt really get why Brooks didnt pull his players, when it was obvious SA's starters were not gonna return..was risky and stupid.

[naico]

:tuYes, better for confidence to get our asses handed like this in front of the loudest home crowd of the nba

[pikkiwoki]

rope a dope ftw

[DontStopBelieving]

Fully expect BNSF to come in and blast OP, but I agree with OP imho

[Uriel]

:tuYes, better for confidence to get our asses handed like this in front of the loudest home crowd of the nba

As Steve Kerr pointed out midway through the broadcast, we were extremely lackadaisical and played with "no spirit." Losing in this manner is the best way to reignite that competitive spirit.

[naico]

As Steve Kerr pointed out midway through the broadcast, we were extremely lackadaisical and played with "no spirit." Losing in this manner is the best way to reignite that competitive spirit.

You certainly have a point. Mine is: losing this bad gives the Thunder a whole lot of confidence going into the next game. Guys like Sefolosha, Ibaka, Perkins are fn pumped now and we just handed it to them on a platter.

[spursfan1000]

Now spurs players are pissed, expect them to come back for blood tommorow!

[Spursmania]

Agree!! We needed an ass kicking! Get them hungry for game 4!!

[manu the best]

Honestly i liked that we lost by 20. Now our players are embarrassed and will definitely show up in the next. The SPURS will show these cocky ass thunder kids who's the boss.

[ElNono]

:lol there's no "best" way to lose a playoff game... but whatever makes you sleep easier at night...

[Spursfan092120]

Agree with OP. Main players got to rest...Timmy always plays phenomenal after being embarrassed...as do Manu and Tony. Stephen Jackson started hitting his stride. I expect big things from him in Game 4. Spurs split in OKC and take it in Game 5 back home.

[Spurminator]

Thing is, we got subpar efforts from Duncan, Manu and Parker, and we still only lost by... 20.

I got nothing.

[rasho8]

This happened to us when LA beat us. I think we went on a 20 game win streak.

[justinandimcool]

Better than the team playing its best and losing. OP has a point.

Nowhere to go but up.

[TampaDude]

This was the game the Spurs were probably gonna lose, anyway.

Spurs in 5. Book it.

[DontStopBelieving]

Thing is, we got subpar efforts from Duncan, Manu and Parker, and we still only lost by... 20.

I got nothing.

I guess we should have played our stars down the stretch to get the score within 10-15.:depressed

[pikkiwoki]

No injuries :tu

[Budkin]

No injuries :tu

This.

[DMC]

I guess we should have played our stars down the stretch to get the score within 10-15.:depressed
I guess you don't understand what "I got nothing" means.

[Fpoonsie]

:lol there's no "best" way to lose a playoff game... but whatever makes you sleep easier at night...

[Russo21]

Better than the team playing its best and losing. OP has a point.

Nowhere to go but up.

exactly. if you play your absolute best and still lose, then you have a big problem.

we played like shit tonight, they played better then us = loss

[TE]

I hate losing, tbh.

[timvp]

Losing while limiting minutes > Losing while playing big minutes

But "the best way" wouldn't have included the Thunder making adjustments that worked to perfection, tbh. I'd feel much better about this loss if OKC shot like 60% from threes and attempted 50 free throws, fwiw.

[pikkiwoki]

Spurs stayed healthy and can retaliate in game four.

from 2005 :D

[Sean Cagney]

This happened to us when LA beat us. I think we went on a 20 game win streak.

No that was 17 games, but I see where you are going there..... I thought of this tonight too! Can't say I did not. It was close to 20 though, that was a longgggg one and we won the first two, well you know the rest! GOD LETS NOT REPEAT THAT.

[T Park]

Losing while limiting minutes > Losing while playing big minutes

But "the best way" wouldn't have included the Thunder making adjustments that worked to perfection, tbh. I'd feel much better about this loss if OKC shot like 60% from threes and attempted 50 free throws, fwiw.


Yup.

Their adjustments, the spurs have none for em. It pack the paint and make the shooters beat us and Green and others arent going to.

Shit....

[Thomas82]

I hate losing, tbh.

Me too....I don't think OKC will be able to replicate that same energy that they came out with tonight. I'm not saying it'll be an easy game for the Spurs, but there won't be another blowout in OKC's favor.

[will_spurs]

:lol there's no "best" way to lose a playoff game... but whatever makes you sleep easier at night...

Might not be a "best", but there's definitely a "worst". 0.4 comes to mind. Or losing after getting a 20+ point lead. These would have been much, much worse.

So yes, if I had to pick a way to lose, it would be a blowout on the road with the coach throwing the towel in the 3rd quarter (or even end of the 2nd).

[TampaDude]

No that was 17 games, but I see where you are going there..... I thought of this tonight too! Can't say I did not. It was close to 20 though, that was a longgggg one and we won the first two, well you know the rest! GOD LETS NOT REPEAT THAT.

What the fuck are you talking about? We just won 20 in a row, not 17. :lol

[Durant 35]

Me too....I don't think OKC will be able to replicate that same energy that they came out with tonight. I'm not saying it'll be an easy game for the Spurs, but there won't be another blowout in OKC's favor.

We Always play with great energy at home...

[mudyez]

There is just no way, the Spurs will lose tomorrow acfter that game!