Thunder vs Warriors — Game 1

Even if OKC never had a team and these guys were still wearing Sonics jerseys, this is a series I’d be highly excited about watching. (A) It would give me an escape from thinking about my Philadelphia 76’ers and the departed Sam Hinkie’s dysfunction, (B) it’s a series pitting some of the most talented players in the game against one another for the right to play LeBron for the O’Brien Trophy. Can you tell how exited I am about Eastern Conference basketball? I’ve watched two Detroit-Cleveland games and that’s pretty much been it.

So let’s pretend Durant and Westbrook are Sonics, not Thunderers, who would my objective mind tell me to pick?

My Del Mar Okie (born in San Diego) heart would hope for OKC in six games, my objective mind says Golden State in Game 7.

IF OKC can get a split in the first two games in Oakland though, my heart may have more than a chance. The Thunder would want no part of a Game 7 in Oracle with a Warrior repeat on the line, so it’s a must OKC either win one of the first two games, then win Games 3 & 4, then close out the Warriors at home in Game 6. That seems like the roadmap the Thunder have to travel to advance to LeBron.

Is OKC good enough to do this?

Sure they are, but they have to continue playing smarter basketball, especially Russell Westbrook. Durant always scores well against the Warriors—I see no reason for that change. Steven Adams needs to continue his torrid play of late. Dion Waiters can’t turn back into a bad shot taker at just the wrong moment. Serge Ibaka needs to roar like a lion instead of meowing like a house cat. Billy Donovan needs to feel the times in the game to go with Kanter and see if the Thunder can punish the Warriors on the offensive boards for using their small ball lineups. Randy Foye needs to continue being functional. And, maybe just here and there, Anthony Morrow needs to hit some big threes at important moments in the series.

That’s nine guys. Unless injury or something crazy happens I don’t really see Cam Payne playing. He was brutal against the Spurs. Go with the vet Foye. Not sure how much if any Nick Collison or Kyle Singler will see the floor, if at all. But as Donovan has shown, he can surprise at times with his bench decisions. But basically–it should be eight players for OKC with Durant and Westbrook logging heavy minutes.

We know about Steph Curry, the two-time MVP coming off a regular season where he obliterated his own record for made three point shots. His old record was 286, this year he made 402 threes. Obviously, when you pair Curry with Klay Thompson you have a lethal perimeter shooting attack, actually historic.

So OKC’s perimeter defense has to be able hang with these guys and make them work for their space. Make them work for their space and time, just don’t give it to them in truckloads. I would think Donovan will rotate different guys on Curry going with Roberson, Waiters, Westbrook, and maybe even Foye.

Harrison Barnes–he’s been in a three point shooting slump of late (25%), it would be nice if this continues for the Thunder’s sake. To me, Barnes is like Danny Green in that when he’s on his team bumps to an even higher level.

Andrew Bogut is hurt and is a game time decision. This would be a big deal if he can’t go because he’s their best rim protector and Festus Ezeli has had his own injury issues this season. If Westbrook has an open lane to the rim I can’t see that being a good thing for the Warriors.

Iguodala, Livingston, Mo-Buckets, Barbosa, and Rush give the Warriors quality depth. But since Donovan is going to be doubling down on Durant and Westbrook’s playing time–it’s unlikely OKC should get burned by these guys without Payne and Singler on the floor.

Bogut’s health is definitely a consideration. Will OKC pound the glass and make the Warriors pay for playing small? That’s a question we’ll be talking about throughout the series.

Both teams have something to prove. Durant and Westbrook want a ring. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green want a repeat.

It all makes for a compelling series if both teams bring their A games.

I can’t wait.