NBA PLAYOFF THREAD

[Andy]

Refs taking over for LA. That call on Durant was shameful.

[Guest]

Refs taking over for LA. That call on Durant was shameful.

 

I've only been watching since halftime and not that closely since I had a story to write but I remember one time where Durant clearly hacked Gasol but got credit for a block.

 

Also, after Brown's two FTs, Oklahoma City will still have shot three more FTs than the Lakers have. It's not like nothing is getting called on LA.

[CubbieBum]

All I know is it is almost almost 1:30 am and no game should end that late no matter where it is played.

[imb]

i think this has been a really fairly called game/series, in fact i think we've gotten the benefit of the doubt more often than not

[Vanilla Ice]

I can't believe Kobe missed that

[Guest]

Like the call by OKC there. That was a good look for Durant.

[Guest]

That was one of the sickest moves and dunks I've seen out of Westbrook, and he's had his share.

[Flames24Rulz]

This crowd is ridiculous.

[Flames24Rulz]

Awesome. Win on Saturday, please.

[Mike Aller]

Awesome win for the Thunder. And, you're right, that crowd was absolutely ridiculous. Probably the second best in recent memory, with Golden State's during the Mavericks series a few years ago being the first.

 

Obviously, I still expect the Lakers to win the series, but it's kind of scary to think how good the Thunder are going to be for the next decade or so if they can keep that core together. If they had a big man who could consistently take pressure off of Durant and Westbrook, they could probably compete for a title this year.

[Cubswin11]

Awesome win for the Thunder. And, you're right, that crowd was absolutely ridiculous. Probably the second best in recent memory, with Golden State's during the Mavericks series a few years ago being the first.

 

Obviously, I still expect the Lakers to win the series, but it's kind of scary to think how good the Thunder are going to be for the next decade or so if they can keep that core together. If they had a big man who could consistently take pressure off of Durant and Westbrook, they could probably compete for a title this year.

That's clearly their glaring weakness. Who are some of the FA centers in the upcoming offseason, that would make sense in OKC? I would assume they wouldn't break the bank with a big guy like Bosh, but just a guy to take up space, grab boards, play some D and maybe score 9-12 a game seems like the type of guy that could elevate them from mid/low tier western conference team to a top 3 contender annually with Durant/Westboork/Green/Harden as their core.

[Mike Aller]

Awesome win for the Thunder. And, you're right, that crowd was absolutely ridiculous. Probably the second best in recent memory, with Golden State's during the Mavericks series a few years ago being the first.

 

Obviously, I still expect the Lakers to win the series, but it's kind of scary to think how good the Thunder are going to be for the next decade or so if they can keep that core together. If they had a big man who could consistently take pressure off of Durant and Westbrook, they could probably compete for a title this year.

That's clearly their glaring weakness. Who are some of the FA centers in the upcoming offseason, that would make sense in OKC? I would assume they wouldn't break the bank with a big guy like Bosh, but just a guy to take up space, grab boards, play some D and maybe score 9-12 a game seems like the type of guy that could elevate them from mid/low tier western conference team to a top 3 contender annually with Durant/Westboork/Green/Harden as their core.

Shaq? I'm not sure how he'd hold up after another year, but that's pretty much exactly what he did for the Cavs all year long. Plus, his ego seems to have finally accepted his limited role.

 

He'd only be a piece to add if the Thunder could/would seriously compete for a championship next year.

[SpongeWorthy]

OKC will probably get good enough organically with Westbrook and Harden developing. They could use another big but the West in general is getting pretty old.

[imb]

i really wish we had someone like varejo in the middle, as much as i hate him.

 

Honestly, somehow we're still competent defensively, but we need a scoring option to take the load off durant. westbrook gets to be that guy this series because the lakers point guards are miserable.

 

That was an amazing game tonight, I'm so glad I ponied up the dough to go. the best part was the idiot lakers fan in front of me gloating to the entire section after the 10-0 start only to walk out in shame.

[Mike Aller]

but the West in general is getting pretty old.

True. Without huge shake ups the Spurs, Suns, and Lakers should all be significantly worse next year. OKC, Houston, Portland, and (maybe) Dallas are probably the ones that are going to be better next year as it stands now. And, OKC and Houston are probably way ahead of the other two.

[imb]

That was one of the sickest moves and dunks I've seen out of Westbrook, and he's had his share.

 

he went off his right foot, took off a step early basically. it surprised us, too, because it happened way too fast.

[Guest]

Watching the highlights on SC right now and I'm always a sucker for the entire crowd wearing the same color. That had to be a fun game to be at as an OKC fan.

[imb]

Watching the highlights on SC right now and I'm always a sucker for the entire crowd wearing the same color. That had to be a fun game to be at as an OKC fan.

 

we got there early and i was afraid the crowd was going to burn out early. we have this reputation as a crazy arena or whatever, but i've never really seen it until tonight. Then LA gets up 10-0 to start and 15-3 and I thought the crowd would die off. Obviously they didn't. I don't know if it made a difference or not but holy [expletive] was that fun to be at.

 

When you grow up in a state with nothing professional (and all the college teams that matter 180 miles away,) you don't get to experience nights like this. I think a lot of people take it for granted. Was cool to be there as it happened here for the first time.

[mhuber92211]

no wonder the last 2 portland games are on NBA TV no one wants to watch the horror that is those 2 games.

 

Supposedly Portland was supposed to be "redded out" like OKC had all their blue on. Anyone see the game and notice anything?

 

ugh, what a pitiful last 2 games. Now Batum is hurt. Can anyone stay healthy on this team?

[Vanilla Ice]

That was an amazing crowd and good game. I think they could take the series; win tonight and anything could happen

[Buford T Justice]

I too was at the Thunder-Lakers game last night, wish I would remembered to set my DVR last night. After getting to the game and hearing how loud it got in the Ford Center I was curious of what TNT’s announcers were saying about us. Which dunk of Westbrook’s were you talking about his very first one that got the crowd going.

 

My ears are still ringing and I’m surprised I had my voice.

[imb]

I too was at the Thunder-Lakers game last night, wish I would remembered to set my DVR last night. After getting to the game and hearing how loud it got in the Ford Center I was curious of what TNT’s announcers were saying about us. Which dunk of Westbrook’s were you talking about his very first one that got the crowd going.

 

My ears are still ringing and I’m surprised I had my voice.

 

the smash on odom that ignited the 8-0 run at the end of the third quarter

 

if you have nbatv, they're playing a condensed version at noon.

 

there are sports torrents sites that have the game up, too.

[Buford T Justice]

Thanks for the info!

 

Westbrook got the crowd going a couple times, Harden did too. I love this team!

[Guest]

That was one of the sickest moves and dunks I've seen out of Westbrook, and he's had his share.

 

he went off his right foot, took off a step early basically. it surprised us, too, because it happened way too fast.

 

It took TNT by surprise too as they were showing some replay and only turned back to the game as Russ was screaming and pounding his chest.

[imb]

That was one of the sickest moves and dunks I've seen out of Westbrook, and he's had his share.

 

he went off his right foot, took off a step early basically. it surprised us, too, because it happened way too fast.

 

It took TNT by surprise too as they were showing some replay and only turned back to the game as Russ was screaming and pounding his chest.

 

yeah, i was wrong, too. he jumped off his left foot, but something about it looked unnatural.

 

here's a good blow by blow description of it

 

http://www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2010/04/23/nba-playoffs-thunder-lakers-game-3-heres-how-russell-westbrook-killed-a-man/