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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?
Last edited by YGWHI; 10-07-2015 at 01:09 PM.
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Basically, as much as we'll be tinkering okc has to work in Durant and Billy Donovan. Just play basketball.
Too many variables and no game tape of the Donovan thunder make it hard to predict.
Score more points than them.
Unleash the Jimmer.
you bring up some interesting points, but we really need to watch some meaningful games from both teams
We need to make sure their total points are less than ours
Thanks Magic.
Execute on offense, make shots, play solid defense.
Thunder by 30 tbh
Put Velcro on the ceiling.
Wet their lips and stick them to the wall.
I didn't even watch OKC last year with all their new guys TBH, so I don't know. I do hope Durant has a good year and is healthy. The watching quality of games is greatly diminished when stars are out. There is also no glory in defeating a decimated OKC team.
1. Score points.
2. Prevent opponent from scoring points.
3. ???
4. Profit!
Hope they play Kanter, Waiters, Roberson, and Singler 25+ minutes. Their team is arguably worse than the one we beat in 2014, and we're definitely better.
There isn't much strategy that goes into regular season NBA games, let alone the first game of the year, tbh..as Pop and other coaches have said, they only really have time to worry about their own teams, rather than thoroughly preparing for opposition on short rest..
Especially considering the Spurs are integrating Aldridge/West and the Thunder are getting back Durant to play with Kanter/Waiters, too, it'll probably be a little ugly on both sides..
Don't forget they have a new coach also, and likely a new system. Gonna be difficult to gameplan, tbh... I'm not sure you can gather too much info from a few preseason games...
You think Billy Donovan will change it up that much?
I still see a lot of Westbrook PnR in their future tbh.
I do. I mean, you'll have the usual KD/RW ISOs, but I expect a new defensive system and a different approach to their offense, especially off the bench.
What that will look like is anybody's guess...
OKC has no one to defend the post. Kanter is a turnstile, and Abaka is purely a weak side shot blocker.
season opener with plenty of unknowns to be known for both squads..it has chance to be both a sloppy and free wheeling affair which often end up a in nailbiter in both extreme; either 84-82 score or 122-120 type of game..
Feed kawhi the ball
Reduce Parker to Spot up
Listen To sean ELLIIIOT demands to feed the ball to Kawhi
Demote Porker to the Toros' bench.
You're overrating Parker.
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