The Coward Draymond Green Escapes a Suspension

I’m not totally shocked Draymond Green will play in Game 4. He only kicked or kneed Steven Adams in the balls in two consectutive playoff games. He’s a difference maker….who acts like a punk. Maybe that’s why he was still around in the second round of the NBA draft.

It’s the world we live in as far as looking the other way of elite athletes who help our teams win games yet act like lowlife creeps at times.

Draymond Green would get his ass whipped into the concrete in thirty seconds if Steven Adams could fight back— but he knows he can kick a Steven Adams between his legs because he knows his coach, his GM, his owner, ESPN, TNT and the league office will cover for him.

In the world the rest of us live in daily have we ever seen one man kick another man in the groin once and a brawl of some sort not ensue?

But not in this NBA of Adam Silver I’m to now assume.

They fined Green $25,000 and upgraded his foul to a Flagrant II. Which means everything Kerr and Green said postgame was total bullshit because why else would you cop a plea to avoid the suspension he should have received?

Pathetic, by all parties involved. The Flagrant II carries an immediate ejection–which is what should have happened last night.

Sounds like some Warrior lawyering and the league office all took the easy way out with Draymond Green, the coward.

 

 

Draymond Green Should Be Suspended for Game 4

For the second game in a row, Draymond Green either kneed or kicked Steven Adams in the balls with intent. Are you kidding me? Steve Kerr and Draymond Green both sounded foolish in their post game comments on the matter.

The league has a recent history of little tolerance for these type of crotch blows. Stu Jackson the former VP of Basketball Operations has already stated Green should be suspended. The ultimate decision will rest with Kiki Vandeweghe.

Draymond Green needs to sit a game. He’s teetering on punkdom. It’s one thing to take his boring act of Clubber Lang to the Western Conference Finals, it’s another thing to allow him to possibly injure an important player of the Warriors’ opponent.

But who knows? The Warriors are the darlings of the national media this season as they broke the ’95-’96 Bulls all-time record for wins in a regular season. You’d also think the league would want a Warriors-LeBron rematch in the Finals.

But here’s the thing, just the night before the league suspended Cleveland’s Dahntay Jones a game for administering a crotch shot to the Raptors’ Bismack Biyombo. As I wrote above, the league has been consistent in the past five seasons levying suspensions for these type of cheap shots—even against star players.

I don’t know how the league cannot suspend him without looking incredibly hypocritical.

Brazenly stupid play by Draymond Green who should have been rovering Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook instead of Steven Adams’ balls. Maybe he has a thing for tall New Zealanders with tied back hair.

I can’t say, but he should be sitting Game 4.

Thunder Run Golden State Out of the Building in Game 3 Rout

Oklahoma City Thunder 133 — Golden State Warriors 105

Oklahoma City leads series 2-1, Game 4 on Tuesday in Oklahoma City

Tonight….Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were the two best basketball players in the world.

Period.

Tonight, in this Game 3, they didn’t just run with the defending champion Warriors, they ran the defending champs out of Chespeake Energy Arena.

But it wasn’t just Durant and Westbrook doing it alone which made this beautiful, it  was the way they morphed their games seamlessly with their teammates as they went about the business of humiliating the Warriors in front of the basketball world.

They ran in transition. The ball moved. Six Thunder players scored in double figures. The Thunder whipped the Warriors on the boards. Turnovers were not an issue.

Russell Westbrook played a near perfect game at the point. Kevin Durant took care of the ball and finished. Andre Roberson made shots. Serge Ibaka roared like the finger wagging lion of past. Steven Adams played well enough until he  again was cheap shotted in the balls by Draymond Green. Dion Waiters was rock solid. Enes Kanter did his job.

As far as Draymond Green, at some point, a Thunder player is going to have to put him down on the floor hard. Don’t get ejected or suspended hard, but put down hard on the floor with a tough playoff foul. His bullshit the last two games cannot go unanswered. Foye is a tough little bastard—he could do it. Derek Fisher would have already kicked his ass.

But on this night, OKC absorbed  Draymond Green acting like a punk and used it as the catalyst to embarrass Steve Kerr and his defending champions in front of the basketball world.

On this night, the Thunder were a smart team….. and the best team in the world.

One game means nothing in playoff basketball. OKC’s road map to beating the Warriors and advancing is predicated on winning at home in Games 3, 4, and 6.

Tuesday night is an absolute must win for the Thunder. In essence, an introverted elimination game for the Thunder.

Tonight was beautiful. The Thunder played like we know they can play.

In OKC’s last nine games, they’re 6-3 versus the Spurs and Warriors. No fluke attached. The USA hockey team only had to beat the Soviets once. The Thunder know what they’re capable of achieving.

When the Thunder play the right way they’re every bit the team the Warriors are and maybe even better. But only when they play smart basketball for forty-eight minutes.

Only then.

Mike Jackson

 

 

Game 3 Preview

This will be brief because it’s not that complicated. OKC went back to playing like a dumb team in Game 2. Dumb teams don’t win NBA championships. The final two minutes of the first half were basically horrific from a decision and composure standpoint. From the point Dion Waiters hit a three to give the Thunder a 47-46 lead, the Thunder then in essence morphed into the Sacramento Kings. That’s pretty dumb and if the Thunder as a team don’t take that as the ultimate insult then I really don’t know what to say. Others covering the Thunder might be polite and call it a lack of composure, I’m calling it dumb basketball.

OKC did not touch the rim with a shot on their final three possessions of the first half even with Kevin Durant in a white hot shooting run going 9-13 from the field at that point. This is on both Westbrook and Durant, but more so on Westbrook because he is the quarterback of the team. Get the ball where it needs to be gotten.

Kevin Durant’s eight turnovers were embarrassing—for him. That has to be cleaned up as well.

But what is even more stunning to me were that both Durant and Ibaka took fouls on three point shooters once again in this Thunder post season. By my completely unofficial count, I have the Thunder committing seven three point shooting fouls just from the Spurs and Warriors series to date. If that alone isn’t an indictment of the Thunder’s mentally loose play then I don’t know what is. I hope this isn’t too much for loyal Prestette readers.

Serge Ibaka, please competitively engage or tell Billy Donovan this is too much for you. I feel like I’m watching you go through male menopause or something. I’m even beginning to wonder if it’s a low T problem. I can’t believe I’m even writing this and how awkward it makes me feel writing it. This could be my low point as a first year Thunder blogger who hopes to someday be mentioned in the same breath as Royce Young and Nick Gallo. But still…it’s tough watching.

But mainly, I’m just saying, play like a smart basketball team with some mental toughness. Again… mentally soft teams teams don’t win championships.

In closing, I’ll go with this Draymond Green quote on his role as the designated Thunder rover, “Try to stop KD and Russell,” he said. “…and if Roberson makes a play, then he made a play.”

I hope this wasn’t too direct, but somebody in this market has to write some of this since we know the Prestettes aren’t allowed.

OKC has the talent, but do they have the mental part is the question at this point.

I guess what I’m trying to write is just grow up as a basketball team. Eight years is my statue of limitations for playing mentally loose (dumb) basketball.

I should sign my name since I just called the Thunder dumb in Game 2.

Mike Jackson

 

DeRozan, Biyombo Lead Raptors to Game 3 Win Over Cavs

I actually watched this Eastern Conference Final game. Raptors spank the Cavs in Game 3 and the series is now 2-1. Bismack Biyombo…wow. 26 rebounds, interior defense, blocked shots, physicality, and swagger. Reminded me of a player the Thunder used to have on their roster–Serge Ibaka. Phone home, Serge. Your team needs you to play like Biyombo instead of Bambi.

Anthony Morrow and Andre Roberson by the Numbers

Andre Roberson actually had one of the better offensive games of his career in Game 6 against the Spurs, but the numbers do not lie on this and are why this will always be a reoccurring problem for the Thunder. Career-wise, Roberson is a .274 three point shooter. This season was his best though as he went 32-103 at .311.

But it’s clear what Steve Kerr is going to do, in essence it’s going to be a live ball version of Hack a Shaq with Andre Roberson from the outside. Draymond Green will either clog Westbrook’s driving lane to the basket or muddle Kevin Durant’s operating space.

In these first two games of the series, OKC has scored 47 and 49 points in the two first halves trailing by 13 and 9 nine points respectively. Golden State is a different animal offensively than any other team in the league in that you have to score with them. You’re not going to shut them down as evidence by OKC giving up a combined 220 points these first two games of the series. That’s 110 points per game so far.

The question Billy Donovan will have to decide is if his team can score enough to win three additional games against the Warriors with Draymond Green roving on both Durant and Westbrook.

Obviously-Dion Waiters has upped his game in these playoffs, but even if you upped his minutes to 34 minutes a game there’s going to be a need for an additional 14 minutes or so at the shooting guard position. Donovan could go Foye there some if had to, he could continue to clog his offense by using Roberson, or he could give Anthony Morrow some minutes.

From an offensive standpoint, Morrow is the best choice. In his career to date, Morrow is 766-1,804 (.425) shooting the three. Last season, when Scott Brooks had to use him 24 minutes a game, he went 141-325 (.434) shooting the three ball. This season with Billy Donovan his role has been greatly diminished because of the defensive aspect of his game. He’s played in 68 games averaging 13.6 minutes a game going 79-204 (.387).

But Steph Curry and his Warriors are a different animal. A team which goes off on spectacular runs and spurts. You’re not going to eliminate this from their game, rather you need to have runs of your own like the Westbrook led run in the third period of Game 1.

I’d only put Morrow out there if it was with Durant, Westbrook, Adams, and Ibaka to somewhat mitigate his defense. But if Steve Kerr continues to ignore Andre Roberson (he will), this lineup could along with either Waiters or Foye getting more minutes  be a strategy Donovan considers.

OKC’s Starting Shooting Guard Problem

OKC has a bit of a problem. Namely, Steve Kerr doesn’t think Andre Roberson is ever going to beat his Warriors shooting the ball. This isn’t a unique observation among  NBA coaches or observers. It’s something OKC has seen every time Roberson takes the floor, albeit to varying degrees of ignoring Roberson in the offensive zone.

But as the stakes have gotten higher, the opposing coaches are basically roving the player assigned to guard Roberson. In essence it’s 4 on 5 basketball for the Thunder in their offensive zone unless they can score in fast break transition.

In this series, the rover is Draymond Green, and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist as a rover against the Thunder to realize most of your roving should focus on Durant and Westbrook. Especially Durant, because Durant more so than Westbrook is a pure clutch scorer and finisher. Plus, he struggles dribbling in limited space.

I just read Tramel over at newsok. He says Billy D must either devise an offensive scheme for Roberson or bench him.

OKC took  a hard look at moving Dion Waiters to the starting shooting guard position when Roberson was injured this season. It didn’t do much for me. Besides, as was the case when Reggie Jackson was the Sixth Man, Dion is finishing most of the games on the floor already.

Dion has had a nice post season, but I’d keep him coming off the bench, but possibly nudging his minutes up by say five minutes a game. But I would not start him.

But why not start Anthony Morrow if your problem is creating space and time for Durant?

Granted, his defense isn’t great, but he’s a career 40% three point shooter. His man cannot leave him unattended in the corner. Steve Kerr will not have Draymond Green float off of Anthony Morrow. The downside is if you start Morrow he’s probably going to have to guard Harrison Barnes. But Tramel is right, there is no way OKC can go this entire series with Draymond Green basically floating the passing lane between Durant and Westbrook.

This is what the playoffs are about. Adjusting and changing on the fly. Even Scott Brooks with his stubborn streak of never changing the starting lineup had to sit Thabo in the 2014 post season at one point.

I love what Steven Adams has turned into as a player, but the part of the Harden trade which burned OKC is that Jeremy Lamb was a bust at the shooting guard position and with neither Harden or Jackson content in the Sixth Man role–it’s still biting the Thunder.

When you get to this level of competition it’s very difficult to put a player on the floor who the other team literally does not have to guard.

OKC got away with this in the Spurs series as Roberson had a career night in Game 6 at home. But in this series and in the Cavs series if OKC gets that far, they’ll be playing uphill as it is with five players on the floor who can score the ball.

I think it’s worth a look to see if Anthony Morrow can give Donovan 12 minutes a game total starting both the first and third periods.

One thing is certain, Steve Kerr will become more brazen and aggressive in not guarding Andre Roberson because it’s a percentage money play when the alternative is allowing either Durant and Westbrook more operating space.

Billy Donovan Game 2 Press Conference

Good presser by Billy D as well. I enjoy his press conferences. Smiled when he eluded to the effort question and used the semantically more acceptable ‘activity’, but he’s a smart guy and knows how to play the media game.

At these pressers usually it’s Anthony Slater, Erik Horne, and sometimes Royce Young asking the better questions of Donovan. All three with good questions in this one. Usually though, Slater asks the best questions. He’s the one willing to take a chance and ask the tougher questions. Good for him, that’s one of the reasons he’s become the best Thunder beat writer in the local market. Doesn’t mean you have to be an asshole, just ask a to the point question which has relevance. Not complicated.

Royce Young needs to work on this aspect of his coverage, otherwise he’s a fair, balanced, and for the most part a solid beat writer as well. But you gotta be willing to stick your nose in there from time to time getting your nose bloody if need be. Advantage–Anthony Slater.

My father was a courtroom trial lawyer at both the state and federal level. This is part of my upbringing. I have no tolerance for drawn out, weak, or stupid questions by the media. Ask the question, try to get the answer, and move forward getting the information for your readers. If Durant and Westbrook don’t like tough questions, then that’s just too bad. Cry me a river.

Anyway, Donovan does a good job at his pressers for the most part. I guess Tramel’s question was the genesis for his breakthrough column this morning on Steph Curry’s flurries. Are you kidding me?

This is what Steph Curry does and he has done it against every defense in the league with every scheme attached. You’re not going to shut this guy down entirely, just like no one is ever going to shut down Kevin Durant entirely. You just work through the flurries and hope to overcome them by………… winning the boards, not turning over the ball, playing overall sound team defense, getting everyone involved offensively, making free throws, playing smart, and showing some composure during the rough stretches of the game.

Not complex.

Steve Kerr Game 2 Postgame Presser

Good questions, good answers, interesting postgame press conference.  Before we go to the press conference, I’m going to grade our three local  writers on their Game 2 pieces. I basically put Royce Young at the Daily Thunder, Anthony Slater at Newsok, and Berry Tramel at Newsok on this list.

1 Royce Young – I thought his piece was solid and I’d go B+. Touched on the things which needed to be touched on, yet didn’t lose sight this will probably be a six or seven game series. Touched on OKC’s rebounding, the two horrible shots by Westbrook to close the first half, and Durant and Ibaka both commiting fouls on three point shots by the Warriors.

2 Anthony Slater – His piece centered on the close of the first half, which btw as Steve Kerr mentioned in his presser was the most important segment of the game as OKC went stupid to close the first half. Good piece. Things which had to be written given the script the game followed. Slater has turned himself into a solid NBA beat writer. I’d go A- on his piece.

3 Berry Tramel – I usually enjoy Tramel as he meanders through the southern plains with his folksy Mark Twain prose, but I thought his piece on Game 2 was weak. He basically ignored Durant’s eight turnovers, Westbrook’s horrible close to the first half, the Warriors finding Enes Kanter’s man, Durant only getting two shots attempts in the third period, OKC getting out rebounded by the smaller Warriors. Instead it was just a defense of his piece the previous day on his thoughts of new found fangs in the Thunder defense.

Let me be clear, you can have fangs galore on defense, but if the Thunder get beat on the boards, have Durant continually making soft turnovers, have only two guys in double figures, and Westbrook making bad decisions to close a half or a period–OKC is not winning this series. I’m going C. Vintage Prestette fluff. If it can’t be better than this then give the assignment to Jenni.

BTW I heard three questions from local media people in this presser. Fred Katz, Norman Transcript—good question. Myron Patton, Fox– good question. Dean Blevins, OKC CBS affiliate–good question. Made me proud.

 

Warriors Drub Thunder in Game 2 Beat Down

Golden State Warriors 118 — Oklahoma City Thunder 91

Series tied 1-1

In Game 1, the Oklahoma City Thunder got their split and a reinforced identity as a new Thunder squad. Anything beyond a split would have been gravy, but what I didn’t want to see tonight was OKC basically play a complacent game in a series where you have a chance to take out the defending NBA champions.

The fact the Thunder ultimately got hammered by 27 points doesn’t alter the fact the Thunder still have a plausible road map to winning this series in six games, but that won’t happen if the Thunder team we saw tonight is the real Thunder team for the remainder of this series.

All the bad things OKC did at times this season reared their ugly head in this Game 2 blowout win by the Warriors with turnovers and soft defense being the main culprits. But add to the fact—the Warriors played with a sense of urgency while the Thunder played with their luggage already on the team charter for the return flight to OKC at halftime.

Steve Kerr did make some adjustments in finding Enes Kanter  on the floor, but in the end the Warriors just outworked and out-smarted the Thunder.

There’s no way in this series the Warriors should ever outrebound the Thunder, yet for the game the Warriors out boarded the Thunder 45-36. Same with 50/50 balls and long rebounds as the Warriors came up with the hustle plays, while the Thunder were basically outworked and out shot.

Three sequences stand out to me: (1) The Iguodala no look layup and one in the midst of a Warriors 11-2 run to close the first half .  (2) Kevin Durant fouling Steph Curry on a three then compounding it even more by getting a tech and a four point play just when OKC couldn’t afford that type of mental gaffe.  Game over right there and then. You could feel the water rushing through the dam in Oracle…literally. You can’t have that from your leader. You just can’t. And (3) Russell Westbrook air balling two horrible threes to end the first half for the Thunder.

Five Thunder players scored in double figures in Game 1, only two Thunder players scored in double figures tonight while the Warriors had seven players in double figures led by Steph Curry’s 28 points on 15 shots.

The Warriors went back to moving the ball, the Thunder reverted to holding the ball and watching Durant and Westbrook.

Actually, Durant got on a tear late in the second period and the Thunder led for the briefest of times before the Warriors closed the half on an 11-2 tear of their of their own. It would be the first of two Warrior tears of consequence in the game. OKC did their part by committing a turnover, then gift wrapping two Westbrook air balls on two horrible threes. And like the Durant four point giveaway to Curry, you can’t have three possessions to close a half where you don’t touch the rim once on any of the three possessions. You have to maintain some degree of composure.

Playoff basketball isn’t for knee jerkers. If you lose a game you lose a game, but the manner in which OKC competed tonight is a bit alarming. This wasn’t the new Thunder, this was the same Thunder we saw far too often with its warts and blemishes.

The question to be asked is which Thunder squad we’ll see in Game 3? The Thunder we saw for the previous four games or the Thunder we saw struggle with composure and execution issues against elite teams all regular season and tonight?

The win on Tuesday night did not make the series, nor did the loss tonight eliminate the Thunder’s plausible path to a Game 6 series win over the defending champs.

But make this clear, the old Thunder don’t have a plausible path to winning this series, only the new Thunder when this series resumes for Game 3 in Oklahoma City on Sunday evening.

Mike Jackson