Spurs v OKC: Tale of the Tape & Series Prediction

[ace3g]

Matt Moore CBS Verified account ‏@MattMooreCBS

The Thunder win IF…http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25571192/six-things-that-must-happen-for-okc-to-pull-upset-over-the-spurs … The Spurs win If… http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25571261/seven-things-that-must-happen-for-the-spurs-to-take-down-the-thunder …

[ace3g]

San Antonio Spurs Verified account ‏@spurs

AT&T and @PapaJohns_SA are helping us Paint the @attcenter Silver & Black tomorrow for Game 1!

[benefactor]

As usual, you contribute nothing of substance and are too dumb to realize how hypocritical you are. You claim I'm predictable, yet I can't remember seeing a post from you that didn't amount to whining about other posters.

calling a take where you type out a novel while simultaneously treading water in a lake of your own tears "substance."

Me calling you a ing girl is not being a whiner, it's just pointing out the obvious.

gutless worms
okc in 6

[dabom]

I wonder what's your mental status when people call "Kawhi re ed/autistic, he will never be a scorer, his defense is overrated"...every time they post here.


Damn...I'm an alt now?

You made it bro. You got haters on your jock now. Me calling you "rookie of the year" ticked people off.

[cd021]

Agree with a lot of this.

However, IMO its almost most beneficial to have Ibaka check Aldirdge high, and let Kawhi, Parker, and others have free reign to go to the basket ALA 2014 games 1+2.

the pick and pop game between parker, Manu, Kawhi, with Aldridge and Duncan, if it can get going, ends this series quickly, because it opens up the offense from there.

Aldrige seems to bully Ibaka in the post, and has no issue getting his shot off over him. I would mix pick and pops in but i would like to see LMA go right at Ibaka around 5 or six times a game. The post ups may be more effective with West/ Diaw paired with LMA because of the extra spacing they provide. OKC would have to choose between doubling LMA in the post our leaving two good mid range shooters open.

[TD 21]

calling a take where you type out a novel while simultaneously treading water in a lake of your own tears "substance."

Me calling you a ing girl is not being a whiner, it's just pointing out the obvious.

gutless worms
okc in 6

It sure as beats being a fat, slovenly 40 year old, playing internet tough guy and repeatedly spewing antiquated childish insults and thinking they're funny.

[benefactor]

It sure as beats being a fat, slovenly 40 year old, playing internet tough guy and repeatedly spewing antiquated childish insults and thinking they're funny.

You forgot "inbred hick." That one is my favorite. Kinda disappointed though...stealing words from Harlem is a new low for you.

Seriously though...I could pound out takes like some cats do in here(as evidenced by the recognition I received back in 2010)...but I don't really care anymore. This place is more entertainment for me than anything. You rolled in here desperately wanting to be somebody...wanting to be recognized...and occasionally you put some good takes out there. I just did what came natural and got that recognition without all the begging that you felt you needed to do.

Now you come here when you see the optimal opportunity to unload your feelings. You put on Diary of Jane and start rolling out that big ball of salt filled liquid like you are ready to replenish the worlds oceans. You just can help yourself. The feels get the best of you...you log on to ST and go to work. But , I guess all of us need a role...so you keep doing you breh. I might even back off of calling you out for it.

[TD 21]

You forgot "inbred hick." That one is my favorite. Kinda disappointed though...stealing words from Harlem is a new low for you.

Seriously though...I could pound out takes like some cats do in here(as evidenced by the recognition I received back in 2010)...but I don't really care anymore. This place is more entertainment for me than anything. You rolled in here desperately wanting to be somebody...wanting to be recognized...and occasionally you put some good takes out there. I just did what came natural and got that recognition without all the begging that you felt you needed to do.

Now you come here when you see the optimal opportunity to unload your feelings. You put on Diary of Jane and start rolling out that big ball of salt filled liquid like you are ready to replenish the worlds oceans. You just can help yourself. The feels get the best of you...you log on to ST and go to work. But , I guess all of us need a role...so you keep doing you breh. I might even back off of calling you out for it.

Antiquated is a Harlem word? I could see if I said tbh . . .

To each their own, but I've never understood why anyone would frequent a message board and not offer their opinion.

I never begged, I just pointed out that there was an old boys club feeling to this place and there was, at the time. I've never minded being called out; on the contrary, I enjoy a good debate as long as it's relevant.

[benefactor]

I think too many think this will be easier than it will be in actuality.

As I've talked about ad nauseam the past few years, these assholes play with supreme confidence against the Spurs and unfortunately, it's not reciprocated, though having two in their prime stars, one of whom is at the level of the Thunder's two, should help with the latter.

On top of that, it's been obvious for years that they're jealous of the Spurs, dislike them and would love nothing more than to beat them. Rightly or wrongly, I'm sure they feel that had Westbrook been healthy throughout the playoffs in '13 and Ibaka played the first two games of the WCF in '14, they'd have been in the Finals. Throw in the possibility of Durant leaving and their motivation will be sky high. Not that the Spurs' won't be, for obvious reasons, but still.

The numbers might point to Spurs in 6, but I've seen too many alarming signs from this team (especially on the road) to feel confident in that, so I'll go Spurs in 7. Thunder in 6 wouldn't shock me though.

[ViceCity86]

What I thought about Blunders all season long.Once you get past the hero ballers,their roster is trash.The mainstream media dolts like JVG,Jalen Rose,Barkley have all pumped them to having deepest roster in the league.

I expect them to get hot and play well in Oklahoma.This series reminds me of 2 years where Spurs dominated every home game.Hard seeing OKC winning in SA with Spurs so dominant at home and Thunder being so flawed.

[DPG21920]

Basically, here is 3 barometers to look for IMO:

Rebounding: 11 offensive rebounds for OKC or less

Free Throws: 20 free throws attempted for OKC or less

Turn Overs: 12 turn overs for SA or less

If the Spurs get 0 of those 3, they lose the game.

If the Spurs get 1 of those 3, they lose a close game.

If the Spurs get 2 of those 3, they win the game.

If the Spurs get 3 of those 3, they win the game big.

Game 1 results:

11 offensive rebounds for OKC. 21 Free Throws for OKC. 8 Turn overs for SA. Basically got all 3 during the guts of the game and combined with the great shooting, they won the game big.

[benefactor]

Antiquated is a Harlem word? I could see if I said tbh . . .

I didn't even say it was antiquated. Thanks for proving me right.

[will_spurs]

LMA/Kawhi (and TP) getting their mid-range game going would go a loooooong way to SA's offense getting back to where it was.

Happy?

[DPG21920]

Happy?

Yes?

[will_spurs]

Yes?

Good

[DPG21920]

Well, OKC definitely has adjustments to make, but unlike the Dallas series where OKC shot really, really well from 3, they honestly don't have the personnel to do that consistently. Spurs defend the 3PT shot so well & Roberson kills OKC's spacing so bad, they will have to change.

While Morrow/Waiters certainly help, I still think it's going to be tough for OKC to solve the issues because Pop will dare those guys to beat you before he really changes things up.

OKC will have to win because of offensive rebounds, Spurs being sloppy and Spurs going cold. They really need 2 of those to happen IMO (along with getting to the free throw line).

Of course, Morrow or Watiers could droop 20 and those games will be tough, but can they do it over and over? The entire years worth of data says no, but it's the only logical move at this point.

I'm also worried about Ibaka. I don't think it was game plan to let him go off. He's agile and can space the floor all the way to the 3PT line. He shot amazing vs Dallas and is shooting great in game 1. Does not seem like a fluke and Spurs have to keep him down. If OKC gets a 3rd 18-20PT scorer in their SL vs Spurs that could spell big time trouble especially in games where WB/Durant are scoring (which is likely to happen).

[DPG21920]

Matt Moore CBS Verified account ‏@MattMooreCBS

The Thunder win IF…http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25571192/six-things-that-must-happen-for-okc-to-pull-upset-over-the-spurs … The Spurs win If… http://www.cbssports.com/nba/eye-on-basketball/25571261/seven-things-that-must-happen-for-the-spurs-to-take-down-the-thunder …

Not sure how I missed this, but Moore with some really bads again. In the OKC piece, he basically says SA "has no one else to guard KD" if Kawhi is on Westbrook. How can someone who prides himself on being knowledgable completely undersell Danny Green?

It's biased at worst and just really ignorant at best.

[TD 21]

Unless I missed something, that only counts for one game.

I didn't even say it was antiquated. Thanks for proving me right.

It's far and away the least commonly used word in the quote.


You're a walking cliche.

[benefactor]

You're a walking cliche.

Could be worse. I could be "the guy friend" to every girl I've ever known.

[BillMc]

One slight worry to take from Game 1 is that Kawhi picked up 3 fouls in 22 minutes of play guarding Westbrook. In a more compe ive game this could be a real factor against the Thunderefs if KL spends the majority of his time on Westbrook and continues to amass fouls at that rate.

That said, I'm too lazy (and I admit it) to look up who KL fouled and whether it was a product of him guarding RW or just happenstance.

[BillMc]

Game 1 results:

11 offensive rebounds for OKC. 21 Free Throws for OKC. 8 Turn overs for SA. Basically got all 3 during the guts of the game and combined with the great shooting, they won the game big.

Good call.

[hater]

This series just became very simple. If kawhi shows up for most of rest of series spurs win. If he dissapears, spurs lose. If he dissapears he also becomes a legit playoff choker. Missed FTs vs Miami, getting his pushed in by Barnes, and choking vs meth cookers

[SAGirl]

One slight worry to take from Game 1 is that Kawhi picked up 3 fouls in 22 minutes of play guarding Westbrook. In a more compe ive game this could be a real factor against the Thunderefs if KL spends the majority of his time on Westbrook and continues to amass fouls at that rate.

That said, I'm too lazy (and I admit it) to look up who KL fouled and whether it was a product of him guarding RW or just happenstance.

The first two were on Russ. The third one I don't remember.

[BillMc]

The first two were on Russ. The third one I don't remember.

Many thanks.

[DaBears]

Im not sure about this. But has anyone heard or noticed kawhi Leonard looks a bit off like he is injured or hurt. I was thinking that since the fall in game 1 st play.. I know he played well in game 1 but still didnt look right, maybe playing off adrenaline. And in GM2 he looked at bit slow, he wasnt able to blow by people.. i'll give credit to Roberson but i dont see him stopping kawhi like a top 10 defender.. Then again It could just be Kawhi had an off game.