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Unbelievable day of NFL Divisional Playoff football yesterday. So—I decided to move the poll back till today. Still can’t believe the ending of the Packer game. One of the craziest endings ever in the history of the league.

Some NBA games yesterday which will cause me to shake things up near the top of this week’s poll. Namely, the Pistons beating Golden State for the Warriors second loss in three games. Golden State for the first time this season won’t be No. 1 in my poll. Sacramento beating the LA Clippers and ending the Clips’ ten game winning streak will make me drop the Clippers a notch, although if you look at the standings it’s not inconceivable George Karl could get his mentally fragile team into the 8th spot in the West before season’s end.  The Chicago Bulls had a rough week and are moving down in my poll as well. OKC’s Thunder didn’t really beat a quality team during the week, but due to  the Clips and Bulls showing they’re probably not Top 4 worthy–the Thunder slide back up, but still in my mind haven’t done anything to be moved into the top three tier of teams.

Are the Detroit Pistons for real in the East? I’m not sure, but they get my attention and for the second straight week they climb in the poll. Are the Toronto Raptors the second best team in the East behind Cleveland.. again, not sure, but in this week’s poll they are my second highest rated team from the East.

1     San Antonio Spurs

2     Golden State Warriors

3     Cleveland Cavaliers

4     OKC Thunder

5     LA Clippers

6     Toronto Raptors

7     Atlanta Hawks

8     Chicago Bulls

9     Miami Heat

10   Detroit Pistons

11    Dallas Mavericks

12    Memphis Grizzlies

OKC Thunder 113 — Minnesota Timberwolves 93

OKC’s Thunder moved the basketball Friday night inside the Chesapeake Energy Arena. It didn’t stick, it swung, then found a wide open shooter. Basketball is simple, yet beautiful when played this way. OKC had 31 assists to but 6 turnovers en route to an easy coast to coast cakewalk win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Russell Westbrook played like you want your point guard to play in registering the 23rd triple double of his unique career. One game removed from being snookered into an ejection by J.J. Barea, and showing little composure on the floor, Westbrook gave a clinic on what a team aspiring for lofty goals needs from their point guard on every night, not just when they’re playing one of the worst teams in the league.

Russell Westbrook is my No. 1 Star with 12 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and only two turnovers. When Westbrook plays like this, OKC is elite. When he plays that other way, not so much. Hate to dwell on it, but for OKC to be Warriors, Spurs, Cleveland-like elite—this is the Westbrook OKC has to have, not the one who J.J. Barea got ejected the other night. You don’t think every good team in post season won’t talk about getting under Westbrook’s skin? C’mon, this isn’t Nick Gallo’s recap or the Fox postgame show.

This was basically over at the end of the first period as OKC took command in the first twelve minutes leading 31-17 at the end of the period, then 57-43 at the half. Like I said in the preview, Minnesota isn’t very good, but still–it’s a team with two No. 1 picks from two different drafts in Wiggins and Towns. Not trying to be critical of Sam Mitchell, but maybe these young guys should be coached just a little different. Like maybe starting with the decision of who’s your point guard moving forward…Ricky Rubio or Zack Lavine. Make a decision and go with it like OKC did with Westbrook during his ugly growing days. Just a random thought there for the editors of Daily T Wolves. Sigh.

It was a night of ball Billy Donovan and staff hope will be the template for the Thunder’s remaining 41 regular season games and beyond. Almost perfect. OKC had six players score in double figures and its starters combined for 66 points, while OKC’s often criticized bench scored 47 points. Tell me this isn’t what Donovan would want every night, and I’ll tell you you’re wrong. This is what Billy Donovan wants from his team and his two stars. HE WANTS WESTBROOK AND DURANT TO MAKE THE OTHER PLAYERS AROUND THEM BETTER AND HE WANTS THESE PLAYERS TO MAKE SHOTS. I hope the caps didn’t take away from the thought I was trying to convey.

BTW, OKC shot 52.8% from the field on the night. Nice.

Durant had a good game as well scoring 21 points and handing out 7 assists. This means combined Westbrook and Durant had 17 helpers and but 3 turnovers. That will win Billy Donovan a basketball game on almost every night.

The curious, mysterious Dion Waiters had his second effective game in a row scoring 20 points and only completely missed the rim on a layup–once.

In closing this one out–let me quote Jeff van Gundy from the Cleveland-Houston game which caused me to be late with this recap.

‘Teams which aspire to win championships play defense and move the ball every night. It’s not just a sometimes thing. It’s something which comes about through working hard as a team to do it every day in practice and in every game. Most teams won’t do this though.”

So—there’s the challenge to Durant, Westbrook, and the Thunder as a whole via Coach Jeff van Gundy. If you want to win a championship you have to get dirty, play smart, and do the little things which don’t come easily.

End of lecture.

Mike Jackson

T-Wolves in town tonight to play the Thunder for the second time this week. After their 8-8 start, reality has set in with this team as they’ve settled downward to the No. 14 seed in the West currently only ahead of the tanking dumpster fire Lakers.

The only ones not seeing this trend coming we’re a group of hoop youngster knaves over at Daily Thunder who started their own rogue Wolves blog because of their restless boredom on Daily Thunder. But still — you have to admire their passion however misguided. We’ll be chatting about the midway scores in the Daily Thunder Western Conference Seeding Contest soon though.

I have great seats tonight–so I’ll work hard at making it fun just seeing Wiggins and Towns.

Vegas has OKC as a 13.5 point favorite, which should be about right if the Thunder bring some focus into this game. This marks the halfway point in the season for OKC. Hard to tell in the past two games if OKC’s confused perimeter defense has improved in that Minnesota is a terrible three point shooting team and Dallas held out Dirk, Chandler, and Matthews on Wednesday night. I would suspect the answer is not much.

If OKC shows up and plays with any kind of fire this should be another game where Cam Payne plays at least 25 minutes. The Thunder bench was torched with a -28 earlier this week against this next to last place team and needs to assert something so as just to get some kind of positive feel going about itself.

The curious Dion Waiters had a horrible game on Monday, a solid game on Wednesday…how would one know what’s in store tonight. Kanter’s defense has been the subject of many recent local stories with various local internet scribes using every imaginable advanced stat to tell us what we already knew….Enes Kanter isn’t very good on the defensive end.

In defense of Billy Donovan and his rotations, he’s going to be dealing with this for the remainder of this season in that Kanter has a no trade clause in essence for the first year of his contract. This is on Sam Presti, not Billy Donovan.

OKC’s record is 28-12 which is good. People can’t be down on the Thunder because of what Golden State and the Spurs are doing. Both are on potentially historic runs and OKC has only played one game total against either of these teams so far.

It’s pretty simple for OKC…their bench and their overall team defense have to get markedly better if they aspire to go beyond the second round.

Not that I think tonight will tell us anything because Minnesota is a bad team, but I’ve got a great seat. So— take smart shots, Dion. Play some defense, Enes. LET’S GO THUNDER!

As we near the trade deadline on February 20th, this much remains certain whether you’re Bill Simmons or Nick Gallo — the OKC Thunder because of injuries, team chemistry, inconsistent bench play, or losing the absolute perfect player to slide into the OKC co-point guard position along with Westbrook, has never made it back to the NBA Finals. But more importantly–from the trade forward, OKC has never found the right fit at the shooting guard position as Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, Reggie Jackson, and Dion Waiters have never filled the role as Harden did. Reggie Jackson came close, but ultimately he didn’t want the role. He wanted his own team. So–here OKC is almost four seasons later and still struggling with what  they should do trying to fill the shooting guard position.

 

Even with last night’s loss to Denver, Golden State still very much in pursuit of a seventy win regular season at 36-3. But the next ten games will provide some tests, plus the Warriors and Spurs finally hook up for the first of their four regular season meetings.

Golden State’s next ten games…. Jan 14 Lakers, Jan 16 @ Pistons, Jan 18 @ Cleveland, Jan 20 @ Bulls, Jan 22 Pacers, Jan 25 San Antonio, Jan 30 @ Sixers, Jan 31 @ NY Knicks, and Feb 3 @ Wizards.

Plus, the Warriors and Spurs meet twice in the final week of the regular season.

OKC Thunder 108 —  Dallas Mavericks 89

When it was announced Dallas coach Rick Carlisle was sitting all five of his starters tonight–this one figured to be an easy one-sided win for the Thunder even with their recent mood swings of apathy and complacency. One of those where you felt cheated for buying tickets to see a high level NBA game.

But thanks to some showmanship by gritty Dallas guard J.J. Barea and veteran forward Charlie Villanueva this one at least remained fun to watch.

With 5:17 left in the second period, Russell Westbrook and Barea became entangled, expletives were were exchanged, and somehow Charlie Villanueva found himself trying to choke Serge Ibaka in the aftermath. Villanueva was ejected and double techs were given to Barea and Westbrook.

Not long after—Barea instigated Westbrook again, and again Westbrook was given a tech while Barea was given nothing. Good, smart hockey-basketball by one J.J. Barea. Westbrook done for the night, Barea still in the game. OKC needs a player like Barea..seriously. OKC is in serious need of another player with an edge besides Westbrook. I just love Barea, Patrick Beverly as well. You need some energy players with edge.

But it mattered not one bit in this monumental mismatch between OKC starters and Dallas subs as OKC easily cruised to an all smiles feel good win over the Mavericks.

It was 65-44 at the half and the game was basically over.

Serge Ibaka is my No. 1 Star of the Game with 20 points, 11 rebounds,, and 3 blocked shots.

Durant doubled-doubled with 29 points and 11 rebounds. The curious Dion Waiters had his periodic good game scoring 18 points and dishing 5 assists. OKC’s bench was much better as a result and Cam Payne in 25 minutes had 10 points and 3 assists. OKC’s bench had 44 points on the night.

Andre Roberson scored nine points in the first quarter and never scored again, while Russell Westbrook for only the second time in his NBA career went scoreless.

This win means nothing except OKC improves to 28-12 and for the first time in a while actually looked engaged and having some fun.

Minnesota on Friday evening at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Mike Jackson

 

 

Almost halfway through an NBA marathon regular season and the feeling on the Thunder in OKC in Durant’s free agency season is basically just kind of ….. blah. This was supposed to be the year Sam Presti and OKC’s ownership group ponied up and showed Kevin Durant and his management team how perhaps the best pure scorer the league has ever seen could fulfil his championship legacy by staying in Oklahoma City.

Instead– what we’ve seen are a series of trades from Sam Presti in the past twelve months which have all gone the wrong way towards that end and basically in no way have strengthened the Thunder to roll with the likes of the Warriors, Spurs, and the Cavs.

Not one move to date has gone the right way  unless you believe giving up Lance Thomas and a protected first round pick for Dion Waiters has made OKC more title viable.

The trading of Reggie Jackson for Kyle Singler and DJ Augustin hasn’t panned out either, but on that one–it had become so toxic near the deadline it’s not as if keeping Jackson was an option. But still- most people including me thought OKC would at least get two reliable bench pieces. Neither are in the rotation currently.

Later that same day, OKC acquired Enes Kanter and eventually resigned him this past summer at a cost of $70 million for four years. Granted–Kanter does give the Thunder some much needed interior scoring, but it’s a net nothing in reality  because OKC’s weakest defensive lineups all generally include Kanter resulting in a net wash. Unlike the OKC bench glory days with Harden, Collison, and Maynor when the Thunder were always getting a positive push from their bench– this bench is a liability presently. Last night a classic point in case as OKC’s bench was -28 against one of the weakest teams in the entire league.

The other thing with the signing Kanter is Presti in essence signed Mitch McGary’s playing time death knell because they’re both defensive liabilities and cannot be on the floor together with the bench units.

Later this past summer, Jeremy Lamb, who was one of the two key pieces coming back to OKC in the Harden trade , was traded to Charlotte for little of consequence. Not that I think Lamb staying here would be a game changer, because I don’t think it matters.

Perry Jones was finally traded to Boston this summer as well as he was given every chance to fill a niche role, but couldn’t on a team like the Thunder with championship aspirations. Perry Jones would have been a good player for the Russian in Brooklyn.  Presti could have told him he was the next Kevin Garnett. Maybe when Trump becomes president…Trumpy, Putin and Mikhail will clean up that mess of a franchise. Damn—that almost read like Maureen Dowd. I wonder how lenient Maureen would be with this Thunder team right now?

Then there’s the Josh Huestis Experiment, which we’ll talk about at a later time.

All in all–not a good sequence of team building moves given what we see right now with the OKC bench.

The good news is Steven Adams has worked himself into a nice basketball player, the bad news is Serge Ibaka is all  over the radar screen consistency wise.

But still–the Thunder mantra continues…’we have Durant, we have Westbrook.’  Yet if you’ve been paying attention it should be obvious that alone the two stars won’t be enough to get OKC back to the NBA Finals this summer unless Sam Presti has something in mind on the trade deadline of a significant nature which would go beyond say Ronnie Brewer, Kevin Martin, or Caron Butler.

So–on a beautiful sun washed January day in Oklahoma City—the Dallas Mavs visit OKC tonight. Both teams are coming  off games last night and could be dragging. Dallas lost to Cleveland in overtime as they allowed a sixteen point lead to go poof to LeBron James and Company. OKC comes in 27-12 and a game and a half ahead of the Clippers for the third seed. Rick Carlisle, my second favorite coach in the league behind Pop,  has his team at 22-17 as the No. 5 seed. Carlisle is another coach who would be really good with Durant and I’m almost certain Mark Cuban will whisper that in KD’s ear at some point.

Needless to say, Dallas moves the ball on the perimeter as well as in any team in the league and have three capable bombers in Dirk, Chandler Parsons, and Wesley Matthews. OKC’s porous perimeter defense is likely a key tonight.

Hopefully–Dallas is tired.

 

 

 

OKC Thunder 101 — Minnesota Timberwolves 96

Took my time tonight deciding what approach to take with this game . It was a dreadful game to watch as the Thunder plodded thru the game with what I thought was little joy or fun in the manner in which they played against a grossly inferior young team which will eventually challenge the Lakers for last place in the West.

Even though OKC jumped out okay and at one point had an eighteen point lead–I just wished I wasn’t watching this team play right now. They strike me as a team with little joy or motivation about this basketball season. I don’t get it. I just don’t get it because this is a team which basically had their entire season obliterated by injuries last season. I thought this Thunder season would be about redemption or playing with an attitude or just playing with reckless abandon and becoming the best team possible, but this apathy and indifference is not what I expected.

This has little to do with being 27-12 because that’s a good mark. That’s not the point. The point is they’re not getting better and they quite frankly appear to be a joyless team except when Westbrook and Payne do their pregame ritual. It’s still early January and the saying is you don’t want to leave your best basketball behind you in November and December. But this team has three new coaches and Mo Cheeks back for his second Thunder tenure, all should be in sync with the players by now, and vice versa. Halfway thru a season that excuse should just about be over.

But then again, maybe they’re just not that good and this is their ceiling. Maybe we’ve already seen their best.

With 3:15 left in the game, Andrew Wigins hit a two to trim the Thunder’s once eighteen point lead to three. Unlike the other night in Portland, when Durant didn’t score a point in the fourth as the Thunder wilted under Damian Lillard’s shooting assault, Durant took control of the game from this point forward and saved his team.

After going 7-21 in the first three quarters and appearing he wasn’t really all that much into the game, Durant scored 12 straight points for the Thunder in the final three minutes to seal a road victory for OKC’s Thunder. For these three minutes, Durant is my No. 1 Star of the Game. Durant finished the night with 30 points on an 11-25 shooting night.

Only two other Thunder players scored in double figures. Russell Westbrook with a 22 point, 7 rebound, 11 assist night, and Enes Kanter scoring 18 points on 8-10 from the field.

Once again, the OKC bench got blitzed as they were outscored 55-27 by the Minnesota  bench. OKC had zero assists and five turnovers in the fourth period. Not pretty.

Zach Lavine and Andrew Wiggins led the Wolves with 21 and 20 points respectively.

Maybe Scott Brooks knew this team better than Sam Presti.  Run back faster. Play hard. Maybe that’s how they liked to be talked to. But it doesn’t appear Billy Donovan is a tough love coach or all that difficult to play for.

These guys need to start with a fun win tomorrow night in OKC against the Mavs and see if they can redirect their season. Maybe have some fun. That’s all I’ve got right now.

Mike Jackson

 

 

Just kind of a random, passing thought with me right now as I see this Thunder team meandering in mediocrity forty games in and showing no real evidence anything is different in the team culture with Billy Donovan. Don’t get wrong, Sam Presti should be taking most of the heat, but as a basketball fan who wants Durant to win a ring in his prime–the thought of Durant with Greg Popovich intrigues me somewhat.

I mean, as a lifelong NBA fan living in Deer Creek, Oklahoma–it means he wouldn’t be playing a mere twenty-minute drive from my front door anymore. It would mean the Thunder would be in a very bad way, but I’m tired of seeing this ugly basketball. The lack of correction, the mentally lazy mistakes made over and over again.

Durant is a student of the game. A historian of the game. A smart player. This can’t be escaping him. He’s too smart for it to be.

I’ve run all the franchises thru my head as to who would be the best fit for Durant, and to me it would be the Spurs provided Pop stays on after Duncan and Ginobli retire after this season. I would have Phil Jackson, Derek Fisher, and the Knicks as my third choice, with my second choice staying in Oklahoma City with Westbrook, Donovan and Presti. But to win a ring –if that’s what matters most to Durant, which I think it does, the Spurs with Pop would be my first choice.

There is a quiet, elegant grace Durant and Tim Duncan share which I think would make KD and Pop an instant mesh in a superstar/iconic coach relationship.

Just some random self thoughts.