Last season, the Thunder dispatched the Lakers in five tough games. It appeared that Kobe was passing the torch to Durant and Westbrook to dominate the West for the next five years. It seemed like a time of transition was coming. Yet, the next few months have been very turbulent for both teams but mostly the Lakers.
As they met again tonight, the Thunder were just one step ahead of the Lakers. For nearly 44 minutes, they were dominant and humming. Durant and Westbrook gave the Lakers, a one-two punch that decided this game well into the Third Quarter. The Lakers were outclassed and out-manned on this night.
Oklahoma City was in mid-season form. It was a team that was breath taking to watch. Most notably, the shooting of the enigmatic Russell Westbrook. He was 10-15 in the first half, and his shots were judiciously selected. It was not the player who made boneheaded shots or decisions when he had Durant on one side who could light any unlucky defender like a Christmas tree. Westbrook was so hot that he went 75 feet in 5.9 seconds and swished a three pointer to cut the Laker lead to one at end of the opening stanza.
From there, the Thunder just feasted on the Lakers turnovers and poor defensive rotations. They turned a one point deficit into a 14 point halftime lead with a 41 point quarter. Nick Collison was instrumental as well. He made timely rebounds, tips, and was rewarded for his efforts to the tune of 13 pts and 7 rebounds off the bench.
By the time, the Lakers made a run, it was too little too late. The Thunder cruised to a six point win as the Lakers made furious late 4th Quarter charge. The only positives for the Laker was how they got the ball to Dwight Howard in the post and he made his free throws. In addition, they never quit and played the full 48 minutes. Yet, the bottom line, their defense, stagnant ball movement and 17 turnovers doomed them.
In Essence, the game was that the Thunder are still the Thunder. They are an Elite team who appeared to have gotten over the sluggish week following the shocking James Harden trade. It still needs some tinkering but for one night, it was the far superior team.
As for the Lakers, it's still a work in progress that will get noticeably better when at full strength. It will be very different than what we have seen in the last 20 games. However, it's still a team that is top-heavy with bloated contracts and an aging roster. Steve Nash can only mask so many flaws that this Laker team has, which are potholes. Yet, the Lakers will still be both fascinating and riveting to watch.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Heat vs. Knicks: No Melo, No Problem.
When these last two teams met, the Knicks played their first game after a terrifying hurricane devastated much of Long Island and flooded parts of Manhattan. It was a time where most areas had no power. In fact, there are still some areas that do not have any power. Yet, on that night, the Knicks put on a happy show for their weary and exhausted fans for just a few hours.
From then on, the Knicks have become a revelation in that the team's ball movement, unselfishness and commitment to defense, has led the Knicks to a 13-4 start. This from a team that was in complete turmoil and chaos. The 2011-12 season read more like the plot arcs of a steamy soap opera or hit drama on cable. This season, the plot lines moved 3,000 miles away to a certain team in Purple and Gold.
It has been a great feeling for Knick fans but was the first game at MSG, a Cinderella-like dream or a sign of things to come?
Tonight, the Knicks outplayed Miami and shot the air out of the ball. They played their hearts out and without Carmelo Anthony who injured his fingers in a thrilling buzzer beating win in Charlotte. Felton and Kidd got the Knicks into position with their pinpoint passing and penetration, which led to open looks around the three point line.
Felton was unconscious in the third and deciding quarter, which saw the Knicks put 37 points on the Heat. His shooting became contagious as other Knicks players such Steve Novak, JR Smith and even Jason Kidd were joining in the three point splashing party in South Beach.
Together (Novak, Smith and Kidd), made 10 of 25 three point attempts. Their bench massacred Miami's 57-19 and turned a 53-53 tie at the half, into an eye opening snooze. It was a sight to behold seeing numerous three point shots were going up through crisp ball movement, which was nonexistent for most of last season.
Meanwhile, the Heat's vaunted D was turned into Swiss cheese. Lebron's impressive performance of 31 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists were not enough to gloss over the three ball party that New York dropped onto the stunned Defending Champs. Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh were nowhere to give support as they were just totally off their game. It was sad watching Wade miss shots that he would have made, just a few short years ago not fall. Bosh was just neutralized by Chandler and of all people, Rasheed Wallace.
Indeed, it was a thought provoking game, as it showed that the Knicks are a force to be reckoned with going forward. Yet, they don't even have Amare Stoudamire or Iman Shumpert and it will be interesting how integrate those two. They put the Heat and the NBA world on notice.
Now, the question is, Will the Heat respond to the Knicks challenge as they have done so many times last season? If not, perhaps the Heat's 2013 title hopes will revert back into a pumpkin when the clock strikes Midnight.
From then on, the Knicks have become a revelation in that the team's ball movement, unselfishness and commitment to defense, has led the Knicks to a 13-4 start. This from a team that was in complete turmoil and chaos. The 2011-12 season read more like the plot arcs of a steamy soap opera or hit drama on cable. This season, the plot lines moved 3,000 miles away to a certain team in Purple and Gold.
It has been a great feeling for Knick fans but was the first game at MSG, a Cinderella-like dream or a sign of things to come?
Tonight, the Knicks outplayed Miami and shot the air out of the ball. They played their hearts out and without Carmelo Anthony who injured his fingers in a thrilling buzzer beating win in Charlotte. Felton and Kidd got the Knicks into position with their pinpoint passing and penetration, which led to open looks around the three point line.
Felton was unconscious in the third and deciding quarter, which saw the Knicks put 37 points on the Heat. His shooting became contagious as other Knicks players such Steve Novak, JR Smith and even Jason Kidd were joining in the three point splashing party in South Beach.
Together (Novak, Smith and Kidd), made 10 of 25 three point attempts. Their bench massacred Miami's 57-19 and turned a 53-53 tie at the half, into an eye opening snooze. It was a sight to behold seeing numerous three point shots were going up through crisp ball movement, which was nonexistent for most of last season.
Meanwhile, the Heat's vaunted D was turned into Swiss cheese. Lebron's impressive performance of 31 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists were not enough to gloss over the three ball party that New York dropped onto the stunned Defending Champs. Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh were nowhere to give support as they were just totally off their game. It was sad watching Wade miss shots that he would have made, just a few short years ago not fall. Bosh was just neutralized by Chandler and of all people, Rasheed Wallace.
Indeed, it was a thought provoking game, as it showed that the Knicks are a force to be reckoned with going forward. Yet, they don't even have Amare Stoudamire or Iman Shumpert and it will be interesting how integrate those two. They put the Heat and the NBA world on notice.
Now, the question is, Will the Heat respond to the Knicks challenge as they have done so many times last season? If not, perhaps the Heat's 2013 title hopes will revert back into a pumpkin when the clock strikes Midnight.
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