This topic contains 6 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by AvatarAvatar mgreener_34 12 years, 10 months ago.

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  • #29430
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    The8thDeadlySin
    Participant

    I know its easy to say looking back but:

    Why didnt the Thunder start Harden?

    I get why they dont most of the time.. I understand that he sparks the second unit and I get that Thabo starts to guard the other teams best player.. However, He cant guard Dirk.  Kidd doesnt need a special defender anymore.  Stevenson is a defender himself.  That doenst make lots of sense putting a defender guarding a defender.. Marion is the same ask Kidd, he really doesnt require a defender.

    Terry is the only person that Thabo would need to really get in a guard.. Harden would have provided a boost to the offense and let the team jump out earlier and maybe hold a lead longer.

    Would this have made a difference in the series?? 

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  • #536055
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    Scottoant93
    Participant

    I think so, I think Harden is a better player then he shows. I think if he starts he will put his ability on full display

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  • #536056
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    stealsgalore
    Participant

     I’d like to know what Brooks’s strengths are as a coach, because it seemed like he held them back in this series.

    Not getting an offensive flow by getting Durant easy looks and leaving the ball to Westbrook to do whatever he pleases.

    I don’t know it seems like they could do better.

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  • #536058
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    ilike.panochas
    Participant

    Westbrook ultimately takes responsibility for everyone to get their proper touches, hes the PG and has the ball in his hands all the time so you can’t blame the coach on why Durant didn’t get the ball more.

    I thought it came down to experience, and Dallas were just much smarter, more experienced, and HUNGRIER. They wanted it more.

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  • #536059
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    TyrekeJones
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    In my opinion, it made a major difference in game 4 where when Harden picked up his sixth foul and then fouled out of the game, OKC’s offense had no flow, it looked like the players had no idea what they were doing and the offense was out of control and it showed which is when Dallas sparked the 17-2 run that forced overtime. I definitly think in that situation Harden was sorely missed, he provides another scoring threat and with him being taken out, they were able to double Durant and not stay home on Thabo because he isn’t the same offensive threat as Harden is. Harden has not only the ability to score, but to create for other teammates as he assumes the playmaker role and it really adds a new dynamic to the young Thunder squad, looking back we can question Westbrook’s erratic play at times, Harden not starting, Perkins getting more minutes then he should have earlier in the series or Durant dissapearing at times and not "taking charge" and being more of a verbal leader but when it comes down to it, the Mavs were able to beat them and capatilize on the mistakes the Thunder made down the stretch because this series could have very well been 3-2 in favor of OKC if the Thunder could of held onto to their leads in the fourth quarter. The Thunder are such a young team and have already been far into the Playoffs, they will learn from this experience and I definitely could see Harden getting the starting spot as early as the beginning of the next season.

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  • #536060
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    jerb2011
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    I feel Brooks is still learning how to coach, just as much as the team is learning. There were a few time when he should have called a time out and switched players out. He makes young coach mistakes, too. It seems like he wants to be a friend and a coach. An example being game 3. He left Russell in the entire 2nd half of the game to make up for game 2 IMO. That’s not what a coach does. You do what works. The Eric Maynor, James Harden, and KD trio is a more KD friendly offense because they look for KD in his spots and they are all willing passers, which Russell isn’t much of right now. The three of them are all very unselfish players which is why the bench can hold on to a lead much better than the starters. I’m not hating on Russell, but he needs to do some more work with Jason Kidd this off season to work on his decision making, finishing ability, and passing/ creating for his teammates.

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  • #536063
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    mgreener_34
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     I agree the coaching isn’t the best in OKC, but if this series showed us one things it’s that Westbrook really isn’t a point guard, and has a long way to go in his development as a player. It reminds me of Tyreke Evens, and how everyone was going crazy because of a 20-5-5 pg, who had the potential to be a lock down defender. The Kings made the move to finally move him to SG where he belongs, and Thunder should take notes.

    KD can’t really create for himself until he learns how to dribble, so that leaves RW to make all the choice, and that lost the Thunder some games. Heck, Harden even played the point better then Westbrook in this series. 

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