Bad
- Splitter was absolutely horrible, a complete non-factor..he played well vs. OKC at home, but he struggled against their length and help activity in the paint tonight..
The playoffs will be the true test, but games like we watched tonight don't inspire confidence..I'm a big Splitter fan and he may be the X-factor for the Spurs in the playoffs, performances of tonight's nature are unacceptable..
- Danny Green continues to struggle in Methamphetamine Arena..he's 3-9 from 3 @ OKC this year, which is a small sample size, but it's compounded to his terrible series vs. OKC in last year's playoffs..
He seems to struggle against OKC's pressure and aggression..his decision making was poor and his defense was hit/miss IMO..his last turnover was symbolic of Green's struggles against OKC..
- OKC won by double-digits, despite losing the FT battle..this will rarely occur, as they are arguably the most ref-coddled team in NBA history..
- OKC's offense has more explosive quick bursts than any team in the NBA IMO..that was one of the differences in the game..every time the Spurs cut the deficit, OKC went on a quick 6+ to 0 run and blew the game open..
The Spurs erratic ball-control and decision making killed them against OKC's quick offensive bursts..
Good
- Spurs have been close to OKC in most of the head-to-head minutes this season, despite playing without either Parker or Ginobili for most of those minutes..
If either Ginobili or Parker can play at a high level against them in a potential series, the Spurs win IMO..
- Kawhi Leonard is not afraid of OKC..he had a good performance in the previous game and he was dominant in tonight's game..
This could play a key role in a potential matchup if Parker struggles against Thabo again, and if Manu can't find his form..
- OKC's bench sucks..they lack the element they had with Harden..Kevin Martin is inconsistent and soft, and he's their only reliable scorer of the bench..
- Fisher will not replicate tonight's performance..sure, he's a Spurs killer, but he's a terrible player, tbh..he could have 1 big game in a series, but he can't do it for an entire series..if OKC is relying on Fisher to play a key bench role, that's virtually always an advantage for the opposing team, tbh..
- Westbrook does not play great against the Spurs..he has good stretches against the Spurs, but he cannot dominate for an entire game..his erratic shot selection and decision making has been a huge advantage for the Spurs the past 2 years, and it will continue to be an advantage..
The Thunder don't have Harden anymore, they rely on 2 guys for the majority of their offense, and Westbrook does not play at a top-10 level against the Spurs..
Last edited by HarlemHeat37; 04-04-2013 at 11:47 PM.
Add in a healthy Tony and Manu to this Spurs team and I don't see them losing a series to this OKC team. HCA or not. OKC is not the same without Harden. The Spurs can actually get stops against this team now.
Of course adding in a healthy Tony and Manu might be too much to ask. I guess time will tell.
Im not so sure that Kawhi cant shoulder the load THIS season. relegating Parker back to his prime role player status.
The Thunder's bench I agree is noticeably short. It took Fisher out of his mind to win this game. Shut down Tony for the rest of the RS, let him get good.
If Parker had been close to 90% tonight the Spurs win this game. Leonard's defense on Durant is 180 degrees from what it was in June. Stays with him much better, challenges alot more shots. Love the Spurs chances if they can get Manu and parker close to 90%.
The Thunder are an underrated defensive team - at least when they play the Spurs. The Thunder excel at taking away what the Spurs do best and forcing them into terrible offensive possessions. Most times, the Spurs struggle mightily just getting off decent shots because the Thunder are good at bottling up Parker and keeping the Spurs from penetrating into the lane. They are also good at limiting the Spurs to one shot. It just seems the Spurs tend to struggle to score more against the Thunder versus any other opponent.
This certainly not the say the Spurs can't beat this team, but they're going to have to have good health, consistent bench contributions and be firing on all cylinders to do it.
I think another good thing is that we didn't need 3s to be compe ive with them. We shot terribly and our defense was able to keep us in it.
Another in the "good" column: Kawhi played 41:43 tonight. In a series against the Trefs he'll play 44+
Good point, tbh..
Tbh, Danny Green wasn't too bad. I think fatigue played a bit of a factor. Splitter's play is worrisome, but again I think he was tired.
Spurs won't beat OKC as the #2 seed unless both Tony and Manu are playing at a high level. Their bench isn't as scary, but they always seem to have someone go off for 16 or 17 points each night. Considering how random scrubs like to go HAM against this team every other night, that is worrisome. Would be nice to have Manu there to consistently counter that. We all know it and called it before, but Westbrook will be OKC's undoing this year, and it might even happen before the WCF.
Not only his defense, but Durant usually checks him going the other way and can't coast. Kawhi makes him play defense.
I agree with every single point made tbh.
Some more bad:
Offensive rebounds: The Spurs continue to give up waaaay too many offensive rebounds to this team. They're already at a disadvantage athletically, however they need to make a conscious effort to fundamentally box out the OKC bigs and keep them off the offensive glass.
Defending the 3-pt line: The Spurs are supposedly one of the better teams in the NBA at defending the 3-ball. It didn't look like it tonight, as Fisher and Durant got pretty much what they wanted from behind the arc. This is not an issue that just started tonight. The Spurs have been slipping in this area ever since the all-star break, it seems.
Exactly. He was literally chasing Leonard around the court and that during a 7 game series takes its toll.
The offensive rebounds were long ones where Ginobili and Parker excel at. Get them back that gets cleaned up.
Also, 4th game in 5 nights, OKC has rested since saturday, that has to be taken into context imo.
Normally? Yes. Tonight? No. We had more offensive boards than they did and at least 4 of their 9 were off of massive 3pt bricks from Westchuck off the back iron bouncing out to half court. Ball just didn't bounce our way tonight.
Durant played 45 frickin minutes. Damn these young horses
Absolutely and good points. Meanwhile, the Thunder had been off for four days.
Did I mention?
Good: Poop didn't wear those in' diareah colored slacks tonite.
Playing Green and (after tonight) Splitter against the Thunder in a 7-game series still does not give me warm fuzzies. Other than health in the big 3, we're going to need Jax and Neal to play significant minutes.
They had 3 in one possession, and they ended up getting nothing out of it anyway.
Don't forget the 3 fastbreak fails...
I wish Green was more consistent.
Ya, that was horrible..
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