Fluke game, tbh...

[tmtcsc]

Spurs may not shoot like this again but there will be no slugfest. Spurs are double digits better than OKC 9 out of 10 times. The Thunder are horrible on D, take terrible shots and have no "system". They have 2 superstar players that feasted on bad teams this season.

Its not going to happen to the Spurs. They have a plan and are prepared to face Okc every game. The Spurs have the better coaching staff too. Okc is 2 dudes that like to flap their gums. Rudderless chuckers.

[TD 21]

I don't want to jump the gun, but the main thing that's concerned me with this match-up since '13, that I've alluded to ad nauseam, was their confidence versus the Spurs and the Spurs' lack thereof versus them. Sure, the Spurs have repeatedly blown them out at home in the playoffs, but this is the first time it felt like that had shifted (I did mention beforehand that the Spurs now having two in their prime stars should help).

Did we already witness the point in a series where both teams figured out who was better? Impossible to say at the moment, but if so, I can't ever remember seeing that in game 1, between two elite teams.

[BackHome]

[AFMadison]

2014 first round game 7 sort of performance. Here comes the Spurs at their peak, tbh

[Budkin]

Spurs may not shoot like this again but there will be no slugfest. Spurs are double digits better than OKC 9 out of 10 times. The Thunder are horrible on D, take terrible shots and have no "system". They have 2 superstar players that feasted on bad teams this season.

Its not going to happen to the Spurs. They have a plan and are prepared to face Okc every game. The Spurs have the better coaching staff too. Okc is 2 dudes that like to flap their gums. Rudderless chuckers.

Well said sir.

[tmtcsc]

I don't want to jump the gun, but the main thing that's concerned me with this match-up since '13, that I've alluded to ad nauseam, was their confidence versus the Spurs and the Spurs' lack thereof versus them. Sure, the Spurs have repeatedly blown them out at home in the playoffs, but this is the first time it felt like that had shifted (I did mention beforehand that the Spurs now having two in their prime stars should help).

Did we already witness the point in a series where both teams figured out who was better? Impossible to say at the moment, but if so, I can't ever remember seeing that in game 1, between two elite teams.

Anytime the Spurs lose a playoff series, the sting lingers. They had a 2 game lead on OKC and then sat back and helplessly watched as a younger, hungrier team made adjustments and did a backdoor sweep. This was their roster & head coach:

Head Coach: Scott Brooks

45 Cole Aldrich
4 Nick Collison
14 Daequan Cook
35 Kevin Durant
37 Derek Fisher
13 James Harden
11 Lazar Hayward
9 Serge Ibaka
7 Royal Ivey
15 Reggie Jackson
6 Eric Maynor
8 Nazr Mohammed
5 Kendrick Perkins
33 Ryan Reid PF
2 Thabo Sefolosha
0 Russell Westbrook

The 2011-2012 team had character and an iden y. DFish added Championship experience off the bench and timely 3's. Perkins provided muscle and at ude. James Harden was instant offense and created mismatches for the Spurs. Ibaka was an athletic beast who manned the paint.

All that is gone now. You have a s of a team led by two guys who answer to NO ONE. They run the asylum, Donovan is along for the ride. Nah, this team is dead on arrival. Ibaka camps out on the 3 point line, Kanter has no idea what playoff intensity is and Dion Waiters probably hates the 2Live Crew who do pressers in their home made clothes.

The Thunder know they can't suddenly become dedicated on defense. They know San Antonio has an answer for anything they try to throw at them. I expect Durant and Westbrook to throw their teammates under the bus when all is said and done. Young team, inexperienced, first year coach...blah blah blah. I'll be more shocked if this goes 6 than I would be if it were a sweep.

[ManuTastic]

Yes, shooting like that is a fluke, but a nice one. Every once in a while a team will have a game where they can't miss; just nice that this one happened during the playoffs instead of, say, in January against the Nets or something.
But if OKC continues to play defense like a bunch of lazy prima donnas, they will lose this series fast.
Also, let Westbrook shoot 3s--he really sucks at it.

[BillMc]

Spurs may not shoot like this again but there will be no slugfest. Spurs are double digits better than OKC 9 out of 10 times. The Thunder are horrible on D, take terrible shots and have no "system". They have 2 superstar players that feasted on bad teams this season.

Its not going to happen to the Spurs. They have a plan and are prepared to face Okc every game. The Spurs have the better coaching staff too. Okc is 2 dudes that like to flap their gums. Rudderless chuckers.

This.

[Old School 44]

But we'll take it...

Skip reading Spurstalk stealing from you. Listen to the first 15 seconds of this First Take video.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:15445297

[ceperez]

Spurs looked ridiculously good so it would seem like a fluke, however:

(1) The defense will remain consistent as it is one thing you can control.
(2) LaMarcus isn't hesitating with his shot, it is almost a set shot since he barely gets of the ground and he somehow developed a left hand during the break. Those 3 observation tells me he's going to be just as consistent the entire series.
(3) Leonard played like his usual consistent self.
(4) Durant had another bad game, but recently he's been inconsistent.
(5) Westbrook had a bad game, but you can expect this with Kawhi covering him.
(6) Kanter didn't show up, but he's got a bad rib.
(7) Ibaka had a high percentage scoring night, but they were still blown out.

Unless Spurs put their foot off the pedal, this likely will be a sweep.

[Horse]

I don't want to jump the gun, but the main thing that's concerned me with this match-up since '13, that I've alluded to ad nauseam, was their confidence versus the Spurs and the Spurs' lack thereof versus them. Sure, the Spurs have repeatedly blown them out at home in the playoffs, but this is the first time it felt like that had shifted (I did mention beforehand that the Spurs now having two in their prime stars should help).

Did we already witness the point in a series where both teams figured out who was better? Impossible to say at the moment, but if so, I can't ever remember seeing that in game 1, between two elite teams.

There is a point in the 2nd quarter I believe that show your point perfectly, half the thunder team are pump-faking shots they usually take with no hesitation. ibaka even pump faked Tony now that's being unsure of yourself.

[Brazil]

I'd take three other fluke games in a row tbh

[spurs10]

Spurs may not shoot like this again but there will be no slugfest. Spurs are double digits better than OKC 9 out of 10 times. The Thunder are horrible on D, take terrible shots and have no "system". They have 2 superstar players that feasted on bad teams this season.

Its not going to happen to the Spurs. They have a plan and are prepared to face Okc every game. The Spurs have the better coaching staff too. Okc is 2 dudes that like to flap their gums. Rudderless chuckers.

[TD 21]

Anytime the Spurs lose a playoff series, the sting lingers. They had a 2 game lead on OKC and then sat back and helplessly watched as a younger, hungrier team made adjustments and did a backdoor sweep. This was their roster & head coach:

Head Coach: Scott Brooks

45 Cole Aldrich
4 Nick Collison
14 Daequan Cook
35 Kevin Durant
37 Derek Fisher
13 James Harden
11 Lazar Hayward
9 Serge Ibaka
7 Royal Ivey
15 Reggie Jackson
6 Eric Maynor
8 Nazr Mohammed
5 Kendrick Perkins
33 Ryan Reid PF
2 Thabo Sefolosha
0 Russell Westbrook

The 2011-2012 team had character and an iden y. DFish added Championship experience off the bench and timely 3's. Perkins provided muscle and at ude. James Harden was instant offense and created mismatches for the Spurs. Ibaka was an athletic beast who manned the paint.

All that is gone now. You have a s of a team led by two guys who answer to NO ONE. They run the asylum, Donovan is along for the ride. Nah, this team is dead on arrival. Ibaka camps out on the 3 point line, Kanter has no idea what playoff intensity is and Dion Waiters probably hates the 2Live Crew who do pressers in their home made clothes.

The Thunder know they can't suddenly become dedicated on defense. They know San Antonio has an answer for anything they try to throw at them. I expect Durant and Westbrook to throw their teammates under the bus when all is said and done. Young team, inexperienced, first year coach...blah blah blah. I'll be more shocked if this goes 6 than I would be if it were a sweep.

Maybe so, but I still think a long series is more likely than not, if for no other reason than the Spurs offense, on the road, being sub par.

[ElNono]

I'd take three other fluke games in a row tbh

Make that 7... While we're at it, make that 11, tbh...

[DAF86]

Thunder are not nearly as good as they used to be. Only s like TD21 think this series will be compe ive.

You are so confident and edgy.

[ElNono]

damn, hate to be right on this one, tbh...

[ElNono]

At least LMA's game wasn't a fluke...

[Budkin]

At least LMA's game wasn't a fluke...

[Mnky]

Lma was the reason we win game 1. His repeat performance was no fluke. Been doing it his whole career. His fellow stars had a bad day collectively. That's more of a fluke.

[Brazil]

Make that 7... While we're at it, make that 11, tbh...

[pgardn]

Game 2 was more of a fluke.

[szkorhetz]

Where is KawhiAlpha? Where is everyone talking all year about LMA, and who called Leonard the second coming of MJ?

If we get a good out of both, we have a chance to win, if we get some from others plus them, it's a blowout as game 1.
Where is ing Diaw? Why did Pop play KA over Martin? Marjanovic some minutes was exploited just as much if Bonner had been played.
Bad, bad game.
I believe.

[YGWHI]

Lma was the reason we win game 1.

Not really, Kawhi scored 25 points in 21 minutes, Danny made 5 3's, both played the best perimeter D in a game, Tim looked good, guys were rebounding...A lot of factors contributed to the win.

Sadly, even with LMA's monster game the Spurs didn't get the win in game 2. That tells you that one player can't win it alone.

[BillMc]

Game 2 was more of a fluke.

THis