Ironman92;1849533 wrote:The beginning of it sounded really good for Westbrook, as it went on it just turned into a begrudging pissing contest. He should've let Adams answer the question. The reporter (doing his job) sounded very entitled so maybe that particular guy is always asking those type questions.

But from what little I know....the question was fair and RW said the right things as well. The monster probably should've answered the question.

There is probably some history between that reporter and Russ. It didn't look like Adams wanted to answer the question anyway. All in all, it was great for the lulz.

like_that;1849536 wrote:There is probably some history between that reporter and Russ. It didn't look like Adams wanted to answer the question anyway. All in all, it was great for the lulz.

That reporter is the same one who have Dirant the nickname "Mr. Unreliable." Russ was 100% right to do what he did. Also, Adams answered the question when he pointed at Russ and nodded in agreement.

superman;1849537 wrote:That reporter is the same one who have Dirant the nickname "Mr. Unreliable." Russ was 100% right to do what he did. Also, Adams answered the question when he pointed at Russ and nodded in agreement.

He could've also said "unga bunga"

Pretty good start by Portland

Apollo vs Drago

Laley23;1849611 wrote:Apollo vs Drago

Well, Rocky is waiting his turn

Sweet playoff outing Portland.

Oladipo is trash. Really expected him and Russ to form a nice 1-2 punch.

Russ wants to play again on Thursday

My ultimate sports bucket list is to sit in one of those few seats courtside between the benches and the press box.

Thunder up going to the 4th and Harden has been bad

Wonder what will happen next....

Pick6;1849788 wrote:Oladipo is trash. Really expected him and Russ to form a nice 1-2 punch.

I've stated before, not sure how anyone can play with him. Durant even struggled at times, and he is the 2nd best player in the game.

Rockets 6/34 from 3 and Thunder defense letting them drive.

Houston a dozen points per game better than OKC in the 4th this series

Lol at Thunder defense. Harden to the hole and Adams 3 feet away just watched him glide in for easy lay in? WTH? Step over, take a charge, foul, mutilate...my god do something.

This series has been a pretty tough watch.

Seriously how is Roberson so miserable at free throws? At least with the big men you could blame their hands or something. He's a fucking small forward.

Westbrook 2/11 in the 4th lol

friendfromlowry;1849805 wrote:Seriously how is Roberson so miserable at free throws? At least with the big men you could blame their hands or something. He's a fucking small forward.

2/20 this series?

SportsAndLady;1849806 wrote:Westbrook 2/11 in the 4th lol

Hopefully you recognize the correlation between having to play nearly the entire game and be the only player on his team offensively worth a shit.

friendfromlowry;1849808 wrote:Hopefully you recognize the correlation between having to play nearly the entire game and be the only player on his team offensively worth a shit.

Nobody even knows what his team is capable of.

Russ might need new players, but he DEFINITELY needs a new style. Impossible to win this way.

19 players in history have had a usage rate of 35% or higher. 7 have missed playoffs, 6 have lost in first round and only 1, Iverson, has made the finals (losing to Lakers in '01)

friendfromlowry;1849808 wrote:Hopefully you recognize the correlation between having to play nearly the entire game and be the only player on his team offensively worth a shit.

Lmao is that supposed to defend Westbrook? Who's fault is it that he spends all his energy in quarters 1-3? Who's fault is it that he takes all the shots and doesn't allow his teammates to get into any sort of rhythm offensively?

And he's not the only player on his team offensively worth a damn. They just don't look good playing alongside RW.

Laley23;1849810 wrote:Nobody even knows what his team is capable of.

For sure, but they could certainly use a shooter. Russ, front office and Donavan need a plan of adjustment for next year.

Maybe they change nothing they do in quarters 1-3...but regardless something needs done in the 4th. Maybe play Russ with a back up PG and let him bring it down and set it up. Gotta move the ball. Thunder look like a team with a crazy quick athletic guy who can always get a make able shot, perimeter players that aren't bad players but aren't guys you want shooting when it matters a whole lot and they don't seem to want the shot anymore than Russ wants them to take it. They kinda look like a 7 seed but in quarters 1-3 they look like a better team and in the 4th one of the worst. A comedy of issues. Turnovers go up, free throws not as good, opponents tighten up defense causing hero type ball to be less effective and come playoff time....fatigue has to be at least some part of the poor shooting issue with Westbrook. All of those areas need looked at...even then a 4-5 seed at best with current roster if everything fixed/improved. Not near a contender.

SportsAndLady;1849812 wrote:Lmao is that supposed to defend Westbrook? Who's fault is it that he spends all his energy in quarters 1-3? Who's fault is it that he takes all the shots and doesn't allow his teammates to get into any sort of rhythm offensively?

And he's not the only player on his team offensively worth a damn. They just don't look good playing alongside RW.

You're right, he shouldn't spend all his energy in quarters 1-3 because what happened in games 2, 3, and 4 is he went to the bench with double-digit leads and all three times his teammates managed to blow it quickly. Oladipo shot 4-17 tonight, 4-14 in game two, and 1-12 in game one. Was that Westbrook's fault? Kanter might be helpful on offense but he's too fucking miserable against the P&R on defense to play at all.

He's too aggressive for my taste sometimes but they won 47 games this season so they did something right. I think Houston has something good going right now and what OKC needs to aspire to become. Can't bash Westbrook for doing the best he could with what he had at the time. If they go out and make some moves between now and this time next year trying to improve the system, but suffer the same fate then I'll be more critical.

IMO, the problem is that this team was built around Westbrook and Durant. Look at the timeline..

6/23 Ibaka traded for Oladipo, Ilyasova and the rights to Sabonis

7/7 KD leaves town

8/4 Sign Westbrook to an extension

8/30 Traded for Joffrey Lauvergne from Denver (scrub center who averaged 5ppg in 50 games for OKC)

10/31 Sign Adams and Oladipo to extensions from their rookie deals.

11/1 Deal Ilyasova to Philly for Jeremi Grant

Trade deadline, they traded Lauvergne, Payne and Morrow (3 bench guys) for Dougie McBuckets and Taj Gibson. Gibson took over for Sabonis down low and McDermott gave them 6 points a game off the bench in the regular season and post season.

Signed Norris Cole before the end of the season.

Now next season they have Gibson as a FA and Roberson can become a restricted FA. It will be intersting to see how much teams throw at him. He turned down their offer before the season started when Oladipo and Adams signed theirs. You might see a team sign him to a 100/4-5 year deal, and force OKC into matching it or letting him walk.

Russ is at 28.5 next season, Adams at 22, Oladipo at 21 and Kanter at 17.8. Their best bet is trade Kanter for a few pieces and let Roberson walk and get someone cheaper for the 2 spot.

Those wacky Clippers. Drop home game five, head back to Utah Friday down 3-2 in the series.

Probably one of the better images of the playoffs is Steve Ballmer with the "dear god what the fuck is going on" look on his face after each loss.