I wouldn't be surprised if he has started his decline. Small players that rely on their athleticism like that have a sharp decline.
2012 NBA Playoffs
- Thread starter NBAfan
- Start date
Archbob
Ancient CFC Guardian
Nah, he's barely 30, even Allen Iverson lasted until he was 32/33.
Archbob
Ancient CFC Guardian
That last KD shot should have been a foul on LeBron but game was officiated decently. OKC got their share of 50/50 calls.
classical_hero
In whom I trust
If they are to complain about a call it is the goal tending charge against Ibaka, what a rubbish play that was. The ball got blocked by Durrant and the ball was not even above rim height.
Archbob
Ancient CFC Guardian
True, that call sucked. But that Durant/Battier call was a big 50/50 call that went OKC's way.
Didn't Wade play 3 seasons of college ball?
It is weird to watch 
. First parts of both games the Heat 'look' like the better team, but like something is worrying them. Then the Thunder come on strong and show they are just as good if not a better team and we see why the Heat were worried. Why does it take so long for them to hit their gear? It 'seems' like the Heat know the Thunder are better, but are ready to play from the first second... and the Thunder are not. Is this an experience thing? Coaching? What? Can't understand it 
.
What do you basketball thinkers 'think'?
. First parts of both games the Heat 'look' like the better team, but like something is worrying them. Then the Thunder come on strong and show they are just as good if not a better team and we see why the Heat were worried. Why does it take so long for them to hit their gear? It 'seems' like the Heat know the Thunder are better, but are ready to play from the first second... and the Thunder are not. Is this an experience thing? Coaching? What? Can't understand it .What do you basketball thinkers 'think'?
You sticking with that?
On a side note: I giggle at your avatar everytime I see it, my daughter (21) is a HUGE Laker/Kobi fan... and I tease her making that face at her tennis matches and in general.
THANKS!Always brings a smile to her face.
Kraznaya
Princeps
It is weird to watch
What do you basketball thinkers 'think'?
That I can't believe I'm watching this psychoanalyzing babble on ESPN about team "dispositions" when Kendrick Perkins starts the game.
It's also amazing to me how people (re: Magic Johnson and Skip Bayless) think Russell Westbrook was responsible for the OKC bombing or something when Scotty Brooks starts Kendrick Perkins.
Kraznaya
Princeps
They could start Harden, Collison, or even Fisher + the other 4 and all of those lineups would be far better than any with Perkins in it.
Kraznaya
Princeps
Sebastian Pruiti excellent as always on the problems with OKC's "big" lineup. Note that although he doesn't explicitly say it, both Ibaka and Collison are much more mobile than Perkins and can play a smidgeon of perimeter defense. Still, Haralabos Voulgaris has the right idea when he recommends rotating Ibaka and Collison at the 5 and leaving Perkins out all together (especially because he doesn't have any actual basketball skills other than setting illegal screens). The new NBA enforcement of handcheck rules and the way NBA refs call fouls (re: smalls can get away with a lot more contact than bigs) favors the small ball style which is why you see the two best small ball teams in the NBA playing in the Finals.
Archbob
Ancient CFC Guardian
The King wants his crown -- Now.
Archbob
Ancient CFC Guardian
Chalmers is the King's knight this time.
Kraznaya
Princeps
Harden had his hand wrapped up after the game. He might be hesitant as all hell on offense because he's banged up, or because he has to guard Lebron for 36 minutes a game due to OKC's defensive lineups making zero sense.
This game, they had Durant guarding Chalmers, Harden on Lebron, and Ibaka often on Battier. Which part of this makes any sense? Go small: Ibaka or Collison on Bosh, Durant on Battier, Sefolosha on Lebron, Westbrook on Wade, and Harden on Chalmers. By the way, Ibaka is proving what a huge fraud the DPOY voting was with his rotations this series. Collison has been better.
This game, they had Durant guarding Chalmers, Harden on Lebron, and Ibaka often on Battier. Which part of this makes any sense? Go small: Ibaka or Collison on Bosh, Durant on Battier, Sefolosha on Lebron, Westbrook on Wade, and Harden on Chalmers. By the way, Ibaka is proving what a huge fraud the DPOY voting was with his rotations this series. Collison has been better.
Well... that settles that 
. It was a nice run by the Thunder, but I guess it is just another part of the 'learning process'.
Westbrook was great... then dumb. He never fails to shock me
in both good and bad ways. He makes a phenomenal drive and shot, comes back in a close game and dribbles the ball off his foot trying to go between the legs 
. Scores over 40 but still fails to think by fouling Wade with only 5 sec put on the shot clock after the jump ball... after at least 2 coaches mentioned to the team directly (and they looked up at the clock) on what the exact situation would be. 
Drains a 3 pointer, then throws the ball away next possession. The dude is quick beyond belief, then a step slow on defense. He is enough to give poor Scottie a heart-attack.
Thunder's bench stunk. Harden looks lost.
Heat playing tough... but I can't believe Kobi, Bird, Magic or Jordan for instance would come out of game with a minute or so left in game 4 of the finals. Like you-know-who did
.
. It was a nice run by the Thunder, but I guess it is just another part of the 'learning process'.Westbrook was great... then dumb. He never fails to shock me
in both good and bad ways. He makes a phenomenal drive and shot, comes back in a close game and dribbles the ball off his foot trying to go between the legs . Scores over 40 but still fails to think by fouling Wade with only 5 sec put on the shot clock after the jump ball... after at least 2 coaches mentioned to the team directly (and they looked up at the clock) on what the exact situation would be. Drains a 3 pointer, then throws the ball away next possession. The dude is quick beyond belief, then a step slow on defense. He is enough to give poor Scottie a heart-attack.Thunder's bench stunk. Harden looks lost.
Heat playing tough... but I can't believe Kobi, Bird, Magic or Jordan for instance would come out of game with a minute or so left in game 4 of the finals. Like you-know-who did
.
