I loved the game last night. This was a playoff basketball game setting. Keep in mind this was the first Thunder road win since February 3rd. I like the fact OKC pulled together and finally embraced a street fight mentality and didn’t play like they were entitled to anything.
It’s just one game, but my hope is this is the spot where the half assed bullshit stops this season and this marks the beginning of an attitude for this team. A team which should be embarrassed about their first round exit to Utah last season.
The fact Westbrook and Paul George took so many shots doesn’t bother me all that much. They came through when they had to. Other guys chipped in as needed. Adams, Grant, Ferguson, Schroder and Markieff Morris did some nice things.
I thought it was one of Billy Donovan’s better games. He coached it like a playoff game. If you doubt me take a close look at the box and examine the minutes.
What I really liked though was he realized the defensive liability Dennis Schroder has been of late and sat him the last ten minutes of the game. Yet, I think he still played Schroder enough earlier in the game to not crater what Schroder can still add to this team if you are careful not to play him too many minutes with Westbrook.
At this time of the year it’s about defense, stops and execution on the offensive end.
Westbrook had a bad turnover night, yet I thought the rest of his game was excellent and amidst all of what happened last night Westbrook amazingly didn’t pick up a technical.
The Westbrook vs. Lillard duel was classic. You just hope Westbrook has something left in the tank tonight versus the Clippers.
Clippers tonight in Staples. This game is pretty big as well.
Let’s hope this is the catalyst for a run of good play heading into the goal achieving portion of the season.