To start…I don’t think there’s any conspiracy whatsoever by NBA refs to take sides against the Thunder. The refs in this league haven’t been the problem for the most part. The problem is the Thunder are basically around a No. 4 or No. 5 seed type of team in the West. I had them as a No. 4 on my West bracket sheet–so I guess by the same token I should stop calling them underachieving and just refer to them as overhyped a bit.
I do think though that the refs in this league are tired of listening to Russell Westbrook complain as much as he does. There’s a psychology involved to winning refs over to your side. I would suggest Billy Donovan and his staff teach this approach to their players. Refs are human, they get tired of listening to the same people complain over and over and over.
OKC’s defense is the primary problem as in it’s one of the worst in the league since January 1st giving up 118 ppg… which is exactly what they just allowed to the Clippers. Only bottom dwellers Phoenix and the New York Knicks have been worse during the same time span.
Bottom line…OKC has to get its minutes and its defense figured out. They have to design a plan which can somehow ‘hide’ or ‘disguise’ how weak Dennis Schroder is defensively. Coaches in basketball and hockey have to do this all the time—so it can be done. I don’t think all the sudden Steven Adams has become a bad player. I think he’s just worn out to a certain degree.
Here’s Billy Donovan’s post game presser last night following the loss to the Clippers.