YGWHI
10-07-2015, 01:03 PM
Since Pop will experiment with different lineups in the first games this is more about how to beat them through the season.
We don't know enough about Durant's recovery or Ibaka's latest injury, and the questions about their health won't be completely answered in the preseason games.
If Durant stays healthy he should get back to MVP level of play, but it's not a given that he'll stay healthy after three surgeries.
Assuming his foot heals fine, on paper the Thunder might be a better team than 2014 WCF OKC?
The new coach is expected to be an upgrade over Brooks but the transition from college to NBA isn't easy. Anyway, he won't be alone, Monty Williams and Mo Cheeks are experienced coaches. Also, Donovan emphasis on ball movement will be a nice change for the Thunder. If Durant durability is a concern, managing his minutes and a new style -instead of Brooks iso-heavy scheme- can help.
Augustin, Waiters, Morrow and Kanter, make the Thunder a better team?
Kanter's a nice component, he provides interior scoring, but he finished with a defensive RPM of minus-3.87, the worst mark of any center in the NBA.
They also added depth on the wing with Morrow, he can give them the wing shooter they've needed, but he's still a defensive negative.
Aldridge and Kawhi should attack both -and Durant- without mercy.
We should play the new wall defense against them?
The zone defense can mask individual defensive deficiencies, it will help to hide Parker's D, Tim's loss of movility and Splitter departure, also can be effective at preventing Westbrook penetrations. But with Durant, Morrow now, and Ibaka expanding his range to 3-point territory wall strategy will work?
Who're the better small ball team? Thunder or Spurs?
I'd pick Spurs over Thunder all day. Leonard, Aldridge, Duncan, West and Diaw is one of the best NBA froncourts because of the depth and versatility of our forwards.
With many talented bigs and Kawhi/Danny duo, the Spurs won't need to go small very often but if they want, West and Aldridge are dream additions for any small-ball lineup.
However, it'll be so interesting to watch Kawhi at PF position and Aldridge/West as centers against Durant and Ibaka.
So...can Durant get back to his old form? Are they a better team now? Will the Spurs wall defense work against them? Go small or keep big against OKC?
We don't know enough about Durant's recovery or Ibaka's latest injury, and the questions about their health won't be completely answered in the preseason games.
If Durant stays healthy he should get back to MVP level of play, but it's not a given that he'll stay healthy after three surgeries.
Assuming his foot heals fine, on paper the Thunder might be a better team than 2014 WCF OKC?
The new coach is expected to be an upgrade over Brooks but the transition from college to NBA isn't easy. Anyway, he won't be alone, Monty Williams and Mo Cheeks are experienced coaches. Also, Donovan emphasis on ball movement will be a nice change for the Thunder. If Durant durability is a concern, managing his minutes and a new style -instead of Brooks iso-heavy scheme- can help.
Augustin, Waiters, Morrow and Kanter, make the Thunder a better team?
Kanter's a nice component, he provides interior scoring, but he finished with a defensive RPM of minus-3.87, the worst mark of any center in the NBA.
They also added depth on the wing with Morrow, he can give them the wing shooter they've needed, but he's still a defensive negative.
Aldridge and Kawhi should attack both -and Durant- without mercy.
We should play the new wall defense against them?
The zone defense can mask individual defensive deficiencies, it will help to hide Parker's D, Tim's loss of movility and Splitter departure, also can be effective at preventing Westbrook penetrations. But with Durant, Morrow now, and Ibaka expanding his range to 3-point territory wall strategy will work?
Who're the better small ball team? Thunder or Spurs?
I'd pick Spurs over Thunder all day. Leonard, Aldridge, Duncan, West and Diaw is one of the best NBA froncourts because of the depth and versatility of our forwards.
With many talented bigs and Kawhi/Danny duo, the Spurs won't need to go small very often but if they want, West and Aldridge are dream additions for any small-ball lineup.
However, it'll be so interesting to watch Kawhi at PF position and Aldridge/West as centers against Durant and Ibaka.
So...can Durant get back to his old form? Are they a better team now? Will the Spurs wall defense work against them? Go small or keep big against OKC?