Grievances about the Thunder

 True, it will be interesting to see if they adjust for next game. Superstar players want to have the big game in the closeout games and seem prone to forcing it in these situations.

 True, it will be interesting to see if they adjust for next game. Superstar players want to have the big game in the closeout games and seem prone to forcing it in these situations.

Unbelievably frustrating. Thunder need to win in blow outs because everyone knows there are three players on the court that won’t even touch the ball in the last 5 mins of the game let alone take a shot.

Unbelievably frustrating. Thunder need to win in blow outs because everyone knows there are three players on the court that won’t even touch the ball in the last 5 mins of the game let alone take a shot.

 Thunder went panic mode those last 2 minues. KD and Russ blew a great opportunity. Incredible shooting by Klay though. Warrioirs defintely favorites going into game 7

 Thunder went panic mode those last 2 minues. KD and Russ blew a great opportunity. Incredible shooting by Klay though. Warrioirs defintely favorites going into game 7

This season has been bad for the leaguewide (especially with the fans) reputation for KD and Westbrook. Until last season everyone assumed that the late game hero ball was Brooks’ fault, but even with a new coach being brought in with the express purpose of modernising the Thunder offense and getting more ball movement, the team transforms into pure iso late games. In my mind this is on Westbrook and KD, you can even see them telling other players to move away when they come in with screens.

What blew my mind in this last game is that even if Westbrook and KD want to ignore their teammates late game, a two man pick and pop action with them is still one of the most potent scoring plays in the game. If KD commited to screening the man guarding the ball then popped or rolled once Westbrook turned the corner those guys would create good shots most possessions. However, Durant keeps flaring off to the perimeter before the play can start, and Westbrook is forced to go 1 v 2/3 or give it to KD to eye his man up for three seconds before taking a heavily contested double teamed jumper off the dribble. It just makes no sense, and the fact that this isnt a new problem makes it beyond frustrating. I love those guys, but sometimes I wonder if they are afraid of running a real pick and roll and being trapped and forced to pass the ball to someone else.

This season has been bad for the leaguewide (especially with the fans) reputation for KD and Westbrook. Until last season everyone assumed that the late game hero ball was Brooks’ fault, but even with a new coach being brought in with the express purpose of modernising the Thunder offense and getting more ball movement, the team transforms into pure iso late games. In my mind this is on Westbrook and KD, you can even see them telling other players to move away when they come in with screens.

What blew my mind in this last game is that even if Westbrook and KD want to ignore their teammates late game, a two man pick and pop action with them is still one of the most potent scoring plays in the game. If KD commited to screening the man guarding the ball then popped or rolled once Westbrook turned the corner those guys would create good shots most possessions. However, Durant keeps flaring off to the perimeter before the play can start, and Westbrook is forced to go 1 v 2/3 or give it to KD to eye his man up for three seconds before taking a heavily contested double teamed jumper off the dribble. It just makes no sense, and the fact that this isnt a new problem makes it beyond frustrating. I love those guys, but sometimes I wonder if they are afraid of running a real pick and roll and being trapped and forced to pass the ball to someone else.

 Kevin Durant takes some low percentage shots.  Really makes you shake your head, not in a good way.

 Kevin Durant takes some low percentage shots.  Really makes you shake your head, not in a good way.

 Conference Finals history……. OKC coach Billy Donovan built a system that GSW can NOT stop……..

Even w/ Klay Thompson’s All Time Clutch performance, Golden State is Still Out if OKC does Not beat themselves……..

So Frustrating to watch……. I’m older so I was hoping to see OKC win the Ring this year to set up something like a reverse of the 80’s Lakers / Celtics / Sixers Wars w/ All 3 teams winning Rings & Conference Titles……….

& I thought OKC / Golden State / Cleveland could be that………. but I just have Zero confidence that OKC will Ever get out of their Own way…….

 Conference Finals history……. OKC coach Billy Donovan built a system that GSW can NOT stop……..

Even w/ Klay Thompson’s All Time Clutch performance, Golden State is Still Out if OKC does Not beat themselves……..

So Frustrating to watch……. I’m older so I was hoping to see OKC win the Ring this year to set up something like a reverse of the 80’s Lakers / Celtics / Sixers Wars w/ All 3 teams winning Rings & Conference Titles……….

& I thought OKC / Golden State / Cleveland could be that………. but I just have Zero confidence that OKC will Ever get out of their Own way…….

As a Thunder fan, last night was as devastating a loss as Kentucky’s loss to Wisconsin in the final 4 last year (also a UK fan). The fact that Klay had to have an all time great shooting game just to beat us and only won by 8, shows that we should’ve put the game away. I can’t believe how poorly KD played all game long and how Russ played the last 2 minutes. It’s like they forgot how they got here and told each other before the game that they had to carry the team or else they’d lose.

38 missed shots between 2 players while the rest of the team only shoots 32 is terrible basketball

As a Thunder fan, last night was as devastating a loss as Kentucky’s loss to Wisconsin in the final 4 last year (also a UK fan). The fact that Klay had to have an all time great shooting game just to beat us and only won by 8, shows that we should’ve put the game away. I can’t believe how poorly KD played all game long and how Russ played the last 2 minutes. It’s like they forgot how they got here and told each other before the game that they had to carry the team or else they’d lose.

38 missed shots between 2 players while the rest of the team only shoots 32 is terrible basketball

If KD and Westbrook can’t learn how to trust their teammates and actually pass the ball in the closing moments of a tight playoff game, I will go so far as to say they will never win a ring.  

If KD and Westbrook can’t learn how to trust their teammates and actually pass the ball in the closing moments of a tight playoff game, I will go so far as to say they will never win a ring.