[DondiJohnParticipant]

 See you next year. They showed inexperience in this NBA Finals. Probably next year they can get their ring. Here’s my observation

They have to address their inside scoring. You cannot rely heavily on your jumpshots, especially if you only have 3 players who can score.

James Harden did his best Lebron impersonation in this finals, hiding, shave the beard young fellah.

Kevin Durant tends to dribble behind his back thus making it prone for the opposing player trailing him to steal the ball. He also needs to demand the ball more, look up at the 2nd quarter he just lets Westbrook and Harden touch the ball and just wait for the kickout

Russell Westbrook always plays out of control, 1 on 3 fastbreak and he still goes to the hole. He needs better decision making shotwise and PG wise.

Bench – I feel that they should have played deeper. Probably 9 players (Daequan Cook).

[ChrisCrossParticipant]

 They really really really need a post player who can actually score. They need to upgrade their bench also. 

[DondiJohnParticipant]

[ChrisCrossParticipant]

 they should pray to the basketball gods Sullinger falls to them

[T-WOLF FANParticipant]

Criss cross,

That would be great if Sully fell that far, but I don’t think he will even with the back problems that he has.

[DondiJohnParticipant]

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

James Harden’s strength is playing the pick and roll. The Heat’s strength is defending it with the hedge, trap, etc. Something was bound to give and it was Harden.

Then add in the fact he was asked to defend LeBron a lot during this series.

He’s still a young pup. He’ll bounce back.

To me, the Thunder just need to get better. Ibaka needs to keep working on his jumpshot and defensive maturity. Durant needs to hit the weight room and continue to work on his overall game. Westbrook needs to work on his control and shot selection.

I mean, this team was RIGHT there in this series… A few foul calls, missed rebounds, missed-free-throws and mental lapses away from winning a couple of these games. I was actually impressed with the way they played with no fear this series despite their youth.

I really like this team heading forward. Very scary. It’s a good thing the Heat got theirs right now.

[avavalisParticipant]

OKC couldn’t handle lebron’s post game (and passes) , harden dissapearing and game 2 travesty

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 I agree with IB.  The Thunder will get theirs.  Just internal maturation will help them.  They have made massive improvements every year.  They have shown what can happen if you trust a young core to develop and mature together.

Looking forward, I think Durant needs to just watch Dirk Nowitzki tape.  He is the league’s premier scorer, but he can’t create his shot for himself at will on any given possession.  The next step in his progression as a player is to grow as a post scorer.   

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

Westbrook had a bad game tonight, but I think he’s a good mid-range shooter. Of course he can keep working on his range, etc.

He’s gotten better every season. Of course he can continue to work on his decision making and passing, but people don’t seem to understand that he has to score on this team. Other than Durant and Harden (who struggled this series) they don’t have anybody else who can score.

One other thing I think he needs to work on is playing without the ball. Everything is off of the dribble with him. He needs to be more active when the ball isn’t in his hands and become better at catching and shooting the ball.

Regardless, this guys is still a baby in this league. This is just the beginning for him.

 

[anthonymatthew24Participant]

 OKC needs a post up player and inside scoring badly! They need somebody who can demand atention in the paint and open up there best players. 

[T-WOLF FANParticipant]

 I hope Westbrook works on his jumpshot in the off-season.. 4 for 20…really??  He needs to become a better passer and decision maker. He has to learn to distribute the ball better  when he has bad shooting nights like this.

Perkins isn’t the answer down low, he’s doesn’t provide much low-post scoring but then again neither does Nazr Mohammed. OKC also needs to upgrade their bench since the only decent player on the bench  is Harden.

They could benefit from better scoring at the SG or PF positions as well. Thabo and Serge provide good defense but not much in the way of scoring, atleast not consistantly.

[OldSkoolBasketballParticipant]

[ItsVictorOladipoParticipant]

+1 for the amazing Fresh Prince reference.

The Thunder need someone who can score in the lowpost. It doesn’t have to be star, just someone who can score around15 a game and keep opposing defences from keying on their shooters. They might have to amnesty Perkins if they want to free up some money but they’re gonna need it if they want to make a real improvement. Best case scenario, they amnesty Perkins and go after Garnett in free agency. Garnett proved that he can be a top 5 center in this league if given a chance and he might be willing to sign a relatively modest deal if it means a championship. Even a player like Kaman might be a good fit if he can stay healthy.

[Beard13Participant]

time to develop cole aldrich

[omphalosParticipant]

 I think the Thunder overreacted to Durant’s foul troubles by keeping away from Lebron the last two games until it was too late. At the end of the day, Durant was best suited to guarding Lebron but they were so worried about the possibility of foul trouble that they hid him on Chalmers.

Durant made some jaw-dropping plays in game 5, his ability to rise up and dunk is phenomenal with that length and quickness. He needs to improve defensively, and get better at freeing himself up off the ball, but Durant played an amazing series, and it’s even more ridiculous when you consider he’s only 23.

The Thunder as a team need to do a better job of defending without fouling, because putting guys on the FT line allows rest for Lebron, Wade and Bosh, which lets them play practically the whole game.

Bosh really proved his value in this game, was great defensively, gave Perkins fits and hit the shots he needed to.

I have no complaints about bias in the refereeing for this game, but the general quality was appalling, that flagrant on Fisher, several no-calls where Lebron got hip-checked among others. 

[thricethefunParticipant]

 That’s why I think Sullinger would be perfect for them. He is one of if not the best post players in this draft. They should do what they can to trade up to get him or pray he falls that far.

[Author]

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