I’m trying to be very cautious with my words on the Thunder right now. I just don’t want to come out battering them every game calling them a collective group of underachieving chokers. They’ve been through a lot in the last month or so, but by the same token I’d like to see Durant, Westbrook, and Ibaka to show some leadership on this team and snap out of it.
I don’t want to keep calling this a dumb basketball team either. But still–they keep playing dumb basketball, but by the same token I don’t want to be like Nick Gallo, Brian Davis, Royce Young, and Michael Cage pretending none of this is happening.
Dumb teams with little heart don’t go very far beyond April generally.
There I said it.
Portland has been the polar opposite of OKC this season in overachieving after losing four of their five starters to free agency this past summer. Either Terry Stotts or the Boston coach are going to be my COTY winner in all likelihood. Stotts has squeezed every possible ounce of juice out of the proverbial pulp this season in putting the Trailblazers in a position to make the playoffs.
I have no thoughts on this game other than it would be refreshing to see OKC play 48 minutes of smart, inspired basketball.
I can’t go any further. They need to show me something because against elite teams this Thunder team is 3-8 on the season and quite frankly an underachieving bunch so far.
They showed you something.
They played like they’re capable of playing, plus they were so far ahead their fourth quarter demons weren’t in play. But yes, I’m happy. The local media needs to stop coddling the two superstars. If they leave OKC it’s not going to be because of OKC’s very gentle coverage of the Thunder. Durant and Westbrook need to step up. They’re not kids anymore.