NBA Playoffs 2011: Kobe Bryant and Other Players Between OKC and the Finals

The Thunder are very likely to move past the Nuggets and into subsequent playoff rounds. If so, they will probably be faced with a number of players who will give them problems and could potentially eliminate them. There are a couple of such players in each of round of the playoffs who the Thunder can play into.

Zach Randolph

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SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 17: Guard Tony Allen #9 and Zach Randolph #50 of the Memphis Grizzlies react after making free throws against the San Antonio Spurs in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2011 at

Randolph has been an absolute monster against the Thunder, averaging 26.5 points and 13 rebounds. He has been the biggest catalyst in the Grizzlies securing a 3-1 regular season edge over the Thunder.

If the OKC gang is forced to match up against Memphis in the second round (which could very well happen), who wins the series will most definitely be dependent on how well the Thunder can defend Randolph.

San Antonio’s “Small” Three

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OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 24: George Hill #3 talks to Gary Neal #14 of the San Antonio Spurs during their game against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena on January 24, 2011 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

Surprisingly, it was not the vaunted trio of Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan who killed the Thunder in the regular season. It was actually the bench trio of Matt Bonner, George Hill, and Gary Neal. Each of these “small” three averaged 11 points in each of the Spurs’ matchups with Thunder.

Now that the Thunder have size down low in Kendrick Perkins to combat Duncan and Blair, their biggest matchup problem would be containing these three guys who anchor what is probably the best bench in the NBA.

Gerald Wallace

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DALLAS, TX - APRIL 19: (L-R) Gerald Wallace #3, LaMarcus Aldridge #12 and Marcus Camby #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during a loss against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April

Wallace was a big get for the Blazers at the trade deadline and though he doesn’t appear to have been a Thunder-killer in the past, his numbers tell another story.

Gerald Wallace is tied among Western Conference playoff players for number one in scoring vs. the Thunder this season at 26.5 points per game (with Zach Randolph). He has shot over 51 percent against them and could be the only way the Blazers would have any chance of eliminating the Thunder.

Chris Paul and Jarrett Jack

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 17: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets directs the offense as he brings the ball up court against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2011 at Stapl

Together, these two point guards for the Hornets have averaged 4.5 assists per turnover against the Thunder. Jack by himself averaged 11 assists per turnover.

With the lack of David West to help out, it will be up to these two points to run the offense in such a way that their team can keep up with the explosiveness of Durant and Westbrook.

Dirk Nowitzki

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DALLAS, TX - APRIL 19: Forward Dirk Nowitzki #41 of the Dallas Mavericks reacts against the Portland Trail Blazers in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2011 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, T

Dirk has been the biggest factor in the Mavericks’ 3-1 regular season edge over the Thunder. He’s averaged 23.5 points per game, shooting 61 percent and averaging only 25 minutes played.

Nowitzki is a matchup problem for the everyone, much like Kevin Durant, as an outside player with tremendous length and shooting ability. He would be the biggest reason why the Thunder would possibly lose to Dallas.

Kobe Bryant

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 10: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers puts his jersey in his mouth after committing a foul in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center on April 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Thunder de

The Lakers were able to get a 2-1 regular series advantage against the Thunder, despite being outlasted in their matchup by a considerable margin. Kobe has averaged 23 points against OKC and other than that you need no statistics.

Kobe is widely considered to be the best closer in the game and has closed close games with OKC this season. This is a matchup in which Thabo Sefolosha, Thunder’s defensive-minded starting two-guard, would be extremely critical. Even so, Kobe has still proven that he can score on Sefolosha and will continue to try in a potential playoff matchup.