Bleacher Report - Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City-Utah: Thunderous Road Win Serves League Notice

Robert Kleeman — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:01:17 -0500

The name might still sound dinkier than a wedding at a roller rink and cheaper than box wine, but the team is as excitable as a litter of Dobermans.

With a resolute performance in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, the Oklahoma City Thunder inched farther from the NBA's cellar and closer to its rooftop.

Though the Thunder still needs a few years to join the ranks of the league's elite, it notified the Utah Jazz and other conference adversaries that no contest will be won easily.

The team's 104-94 victory at Energy Solutions Arena oozed gameness and maturity.

Anyone not able to appreciate this squad's competitive spirit needs a pulse check.

Even if championship contention is reserved for the Boston Celtics, L.A. Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, Orlando Magic, Cleveland Cavaliers, and maybe a few others, things are looking up in Oklahoma City.

It might be too early for the NBA's newest die-hards to start talking playoffs, but with the West muddled more than ever, the lower seeds could lock up the final slots with less than 45 wins.

The Thunder needed to show some life after a dreadful performance against the champs at Staples Center.

How did Oklahoma City eke out a win in a building where the home squad lost eight times last year and four times in 2007-08?

How did a former 23-win franchise complete the kind of confidence-building conquest that was off-limits mere months ago?

The Jazz had more rebounds and points in the paint and still lost by double figures.

Here's how the Thunder stole this one, and the seven others, that have the franchise one game above .500 for the first time ever.

Rumbling and Rolling

Kevin Durant delivered a star performance, posting 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting. His defense was active, and he scored several breathtaking buckets in transition.
His two treys and career-high assists also helped the cause.
The ball moved from side to side, rarely sticking in one player's hand for an extended period. This unselfishness forced Utah defenders to react, causing open jumpers galore. Most of Oklahoma City's 18 three-point tries were uncontested. The Thunder drilled eight of them, good for 44 percent.
For a team in the throes of puberty, 25 assists to 16 turnovers in a hostile environment is a groovy ratio.
Players put their athleticism to good use on the defensive end and swiped the ball 18 times.
The Thunder caused 24 turnovers, a season high for an opponent and the Jazz.
Surviving after making only 4-of-12 baskets in the final frame, with Utah charging back to within eight, is commendable.
Russell Westbrook deserves props for sinking all four of his freebies in the fourth quarter. Those free throws helped the Thunder keep the Jazz at arm's length.
The reserves drained of 11-of-15 attempts. Rookie James Harden sizzled with 10 points, and Kyle Weaver swooshed a timely triple in the fourth period.
The team also swatted six shots, three more than the Jazz.
Thabo Sefolosha's clingy defense frustrated Deron Williams into a 5-for-14 night. Williams recorded nine assists, but also turned the rock over nine times.
Memo Okur missed eight of his 13 looks, a testament to the Thunder's interior labor.
Closing out quarters is the underappreciated key to scoring road triumphs. The Thunder finished strong in the second, third, and fourth periods with mini-runs.
The 53-52 halftime lead alone put the Thunder in position to snatch the game.

Presti's Plan Procures Praise

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich once called now Thunder GM Sam Presti a "resident genius."

His work in Oklahoma City has done nothing to tarnish the tremendous reputation he built in San Antonio.

Had he kept Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis two summers ago, the Seattle Sonics-turned Thunder might have been a playoff team.

Instead, Presti let Lewis walk, where he promptly signed a $100 million deal with the Orlando Magic he would never have earned in Seattle. He then traded Allen to the Boston Celtics on draft night for the rights to Jeff Green.

This determination to avoid stopgap players and borderline All-Stars will give the Thunder's budding star core of Westbrook, Green, and Durant ample time to grow together.

The Memphis Grizzlies could learn from this wise philosophy. How bad would Oklahoma City be had it signed Zach Randolph or Allen Iverson?

Underrated Signing and Overlooked Trade Pay Dividends

When Presti traded a first round pick to the Chicago Bulls for two-guard Sefolosha, it did not garner mass SportsCenter attention.

The move, however, has allowed the Thunder to make massive improvements on the defensive end. He can hound ones, twos, and threes, as evidenced by his recent pesky turns on Caron Butler, Kobe Bryant, and Williams.

He won't shut many stars down, but he can make any of them work. His long arms force opponents into wild shots, and his resourcefulness often causes bad passes and poor clock management.

Twice in the fourth quarter of Tuesday's win, Sefolosha filched the ball from Williams.

Coach Scott Brooks calls Sefolosha his hardest working, best defender.

Also under the radar was Presti's signing of Serbian center Nenad Krstic. His eight-point, four-rebound average would dazzle few observers at first glance.

He fouled out late in the fourth quarter in Utah and scored a listless two points in L.A. on Sunday.

His mid-range shooting and spirited defensive stands have juiced the Thunder's attack.

The team owes much of its win in San Antonio to a third quarter stretch in which Krstic nailed three straight 20-footers.

Tuesday, he drew two fourth quarter offensive fouls and blocked a would-be layup.

Coach's Demeanor Triggers Competitive Streak

When former NBA journeyman Brooks took over for P.J. Carlesimo, the team was 3-29. Since, the squad has improved to a .500 record.

How many thought this interim hire would seize the job?

Brooks has cultivated his own style on the sidelines, molding a streetwise product, where players up and down the roster contribute.

The players, Durant in particular, have responded to his tactics.

Undrafted in the CBA and now one of the game's youngest coaches at 44, Brooks has guided his team into the top 10 in field goal percentage defense after a dolorous 26th place finish last year.

His squads own victories at Miami, Detroit, San Antonio, and Utah. The Thunder smacked around the Magic at the Ford Center.

After the beat down, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said with a straight face, "The Thunder is a better team than we are now."

A lot of coaches could emerge from matches with Oklahoma City grumbling similar blunt assessments.

Dinky name. Excitable product.

In September 2008, Oklahomans felt the Thunder's impact for the first time. Now, everyone else in the NBA is feeling it, too.

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Oklahoma City Thunder Plus Chris Bosh Could Be 'Scary Good'

Casey Womack — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:50:34 -0500

The young Thunder lineup is already promising and getting better every day.

Now, picture that same lineup with the addition of Chris Bosh. Almost gave you goosebumps didn't it?

With Bosh joining the team as a five, the Thunder would jump immediate into playoff contention. With another of year or two of growing, this team could easily be the most dominant team in the league.

Kevin Durant is already one of the toughest match-ups in the league as a power forward with a shot of a two guard.

James Harden is starting to come out of his shell and show the world why he was the third pick in the draft with his stroke.

Russell Westbrook is getting better every single game and learning from his mistakes. His turnovers are down drastically from last year and is already one of the quickest point guards in the league.

Uncle Jeff is still called 'the best player nobody knows about.' He's learning how to play the four and will always have open looks playing on the same court with KD. Plus, his defense is unbelievably better from last year and is more valuable than ever.

With Chris Bosh on that same lineup, there is no doubt the Thunder would be playing for championships. He is one of the premier big men in the game and his skills have sky-rocketed within the past two years.

Thabo Sefolosha is the second best defender in the league (Josh Smith), in my opinion, and can contain any star scorer in the league.

I know Oklahoma City isn't the biggest market in the league, but everyone who pays attention to the Thunder knows the city is growing.

Plus, Bosh should know joining the roster with as much talent as OKC would compete for titles.

If he stayed in Toronto, he would continue to be one of the most underrated players in the game and would never experience a true contender.

He is the missing piece to this young Thunder squad.

That starting lineup would create shots and passing lanes all game with the opposition having to pay attention to every player. Plus they're all young. This team is not going anywhere.

Even Deron Williams knows what's going to happen in the West in the near future.

"...the Thunder are on their way to being a good team as well.... In a couple years, they're going to be scary good."

So come on Chris Bosh. I'll even bet that KD, Uncle Jeff, and Harden will let you join their music group.

We'll get your popcorn ready.

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Harden, Thunder Starting To Gain Confidence

Casey Womack — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:50:04 -0500

After Friday's win over Washington Friday night, James Harden and company went and ate at Mickey Mantles restaurant with a little bit of swagger.

For the second straight game, Harden set a new career high with 25 points. The rookie was hot from behind the arch again going 4-6 from trey ball land.

But the thing that has impressed me the most is with every game that passes, he seems to be gaining more knowledge and confidence. That behind-the-back pass he dished to Westbrook before going out of bounds was nothing short of amazing.

When this team is on offensively, they have the potential to be the toughest team in league to stop.

The Thunder are already making a name for themselves for their new found defensive efforts. Although with players like Durant, Green, Westbrook, and now Harden all being offensive threats, they could be just as tough as the Boston Celtics to slow down.

Jeff Green seemed to be getting out of his slump as of late hitting 53 percent of his field goal attempts Friday night. He scored 19 points with 14 rebounds securing a double-double in the first half.

Here's five reasons why I'm pumped for the rest of the season and why you should be too.

1. James Harden gaining confidence as a rookie and watch his veteran-like playing style. Plus it's just funny to watch him kiss his shooting hand after he makes a three pointer.

2. Russell Westbrook gaining poise and patience in big games. He is still going to have his games where Thunder fans leave scratching their heads but he is definitely looking for his offensive threats when the situation comes. Plus, he'll get in any ones face regardless if they're twice his size. Yes Rashard Lewis I'm talking about you.

3. Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and James Harden's music videos. This reason alone is worth keeping up with the Thunder just to watch their twitter videos just for the entertainment value.

4. This young team molding together and playing as a team and not as selfish individuals. All of the star players on this team are best friends each other. They want to see each other succeed and push each other to see their team gain respect.

5. Kevin Durant . Surprise! His touch on his shot is unbelievable. I don't know of anyone in the league who could have an advantage on him with his length. Even Bill Simmons has admitted he has a man crush on KD.

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Westbrook, Thunder Try to Stay Hot Against Magic

Casey Womack — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:49:25 -0500

Before we talk about tonight's game, let's reflect on how right I was about the matchup problems against Miami. Kidding. But seriously, feels good to be right.

Tonight, the Thunder rolls into Orlando and try and steal another game from the Magic. Last time these teams met up, I had the chance to watch first hand at the massacre that the Thunder handed the Magic. They completely came out and shut Orlando down in the third quarter and never looked back.

Tonight, the Thunder will have a much harder time getting the "W."

Last game, the Magic was full of injuries and slept on the Thunder. Now the league is becoming more aware of how good the team actually is and will give no breaks.

This game, the legendary Vince Carter is back from his injury and will look to get back into his rhythm against the Thunder. Also, Rashard Lewis is back from his 10 game suspension and looking to shake off his recent rust tonight.

Again, call me bias, but the Thunder have a shot again tonight.

Thabo Sefolosha will look to build on his recent reputation as a top defender and take on Vince Carter. Vince Carter didn't take long in his first game to get his shot going and hit four trey balls last game.

Although, Carter hasn't played against a defender like Sefolosha. He will be forced to do things he doesn't want to do and he will be contained tonight. Mark that down.

Russell Westbrook will be going up against Jason Williams tonight. I know Williams can be pretty good. He has the skills to lead any time to a victory.

But let's be honest. Do you really think he'll be able to stop Westbrook from doing anything he wants offensively? Hopefully Westbrook doesn't have one of his down games and can take advantage of this matchup.

Dwight Howard will look to get some revenge against the Thunder tonight after being extremely frustrated last game. The Thunder was all over him all night and gave him no easy baskets. He was forced into making his points from the foul line. Now it's very doubtful that same thing will be happen again.

If Howard can get open down low tonight, this game could get out of hand. However, with the physical presence of Etan Thomas I doubt Scott Brooks will let him get going too much.

Kevin Durant will be going up against Mickael Pietrus and should have another great night based off this match up. Pietrus is no way near the length of Durant and that is a very, very bad thing for the Magic.

Ask Miami how their matchup went last night.

Tip off is at 6:00 CST.

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