Hoops - NBA/Basketball Talk

[brokenshoelace]

What a game that was.

 

[DarthFed]

Missed that one, too bad. Zebo and Duncan both played 48 minutes, that's nuts. These aren't spring chickens...

 

[kskate2]

game tonight on TNT @ 9:30-- OKC @ GSW

 

[the AntiPusher]

game tonight on TNT @ 9:30-- OKC @ GSW

Yes Maam

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Rondo to Mavs. Big deal, OK deal? I think he can bring some positives to the Mavs.

 

[kskate2]

Big deal Murat. They could win the West w/ Rondo.

 

[kskate2]

OKC on fire in the 1Q. They lead 40-32 after 1, and KD has about half of those points.

 

[kskate2]

Things are heating up now. Tie game at 50 in the 2nd.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Crap...how many times do I have to see players stepping on other player's foot and turn their ankle? I hope Durant is fine.

 

[kskate2]

Oh no. KD goes down. Looks like he turned his ankle. 65-63 GSW at the half

 

[brokenshoelace]

That was a fantastic half. Really hope KD is OK because he's been on fire. On the other hand, it's one of those frustrating nights were Westbrook is out of control and playing like he is on skates.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

x-rays are negative but there is a sprain. Hopefully not too serious.

 

[DarthFed]

Mild sprain for Durant. Will probably be day to day after this but thankfully it's not too serious. Always scary when you see plays like that.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Well that's good news then, although given how close this game is, you can't help but feel OKC would have won it if he'd stayed in the game. He missed the entire second half, but had already scored 30 points in less than 20 minutes, with 10/13 FG (5/6 from 3). Oh well.

Still, it was a pretty entertaining game.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Its always very competitve with OKC vs QS.. I was at thegame last year.. very similar and Iggy won it at the buzzer for QS( but they had David Lee in that game).. As for the Rondo trade, its really makes the West even stronger.. I would feel safe in saying that the top 6 teams in the West can be anyone in the East including the Bulls or LBJ and the Cavs in five games or less in the best of 7.. My Kobe/Lakers will NEVER bounce back ..darn shame

 

[brokenshoelace]

Dallas are going to be insane with Rondo running the point and orchestrating things. They really catapult to legit title contenders, if they weren't already.

As far as OKC goes, they rely way too much on individual talent. Scott Brooks still can't draw up plays for Westbrook and Durant beyond a high screen, so they're way too ISO heavy. Of course, if they're firing on all cylinders, it's almost impossible to stop, but OKC's offense is becoming predictable: High screen for Durant/Westbrook, a Durant/Westbrook ISO, and a pick and roll with Ibaka for a mid range jumper.

Compare that to how fluid GSW's offense looked and how easy that makes things for Steph and Klay. What's even a bigger problem when dealing with these two is they're amazing shooters who can also penetrate and finish, so if the defense helps, they have to worry about the kick out, and if it doesn't, they have to worry about giving up easy lay-ups. It's a catch 22.

Part of GSW's offense being more fluid than OKC is because Steph is a better point guard than Russell (though not necessarily a better player) as far as running the offense goes, but part of it is definitely Scott Brooks' limited offensive creativity. Nevertheless, if Durant and Russ stay healthy, OKC are a major problem for anyone because there's only so much you can do to stop them. I still think Durant is the guy, despite how well Westbrook has played (bar last night, because he wasn't good). When Durant was on, as he was in the first half before the injury, it literally doesn't matter what you do.

 

[DarthFed]

I like the move for Dallas. They are an old team so it's kind of a win-now situation and the team they had was not a legit threat. IMO this doesn't elevate them to being favorites over the top teams like SA, OKC, Memphis or Golden State but it gives them much more of a chance. Rondo is still young but he feels like an older 28 with all the injuries he's had, but if he can stay healthy for them it is a big upgrade over Nelson. The other thing is that they got this done fairly early in the season so if there are chemistry issues they can iron them out in plenty of time before the playoffs.

 

[brokenshoelace]

The thing about Rondo is he's going to make the others so much better. Imagine the amounts of open shots Chandler Parsons will be getting now, or the easy dunks Tyson Chandler will be scoring. And it's not like Monta and Dirk needed help, but god, the thought of Rondo picking defenses apart and finding open teammates is scary.

Most importantly though, when you look at how the Western Conference is filled with great point guards (Westbrook, Steph, Lillard, CP3, Parker, etc...) Dallas not only has an elite point guard of their own, but they've got someone who is a great defender too, and will be able to guard these guys.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Darn, what a nasty fall by Landry Fields. I hope his back will be OK.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

Rockets get a solid perimeter guy in Corey Brewer.