Tuesday, May 24th, 2011 at 8:43 am  |  194 responses

Post Up: Living Comfortable

The Mavs jump ahead to a 3-1 lead.

Oklahoma City 112, Dallas 105

Oklahoma City did enough to win, and ultimately, just a little bit more to lose. It’s too easy just to simply point at the 99-84 lead with five minutes to go and the subsequent collapse (28-6… good golly), but the seeds of finality were planted much earlier, in the form of wasting an explosive start by Kevin Durant by starving him of second-quarter touches, and then, by turning the ball over 9 times in the third—both instances where the foot was primed to squeeze the throat only to have it go begging.

Dirk Nowitzki was predictably sensational and unguardable; the League’s best offensive player after his dribble is killed; and a player who wastes little to no energy while Durant, wet behind the ears, learns the nuances of his craft the hard way—by repeatedly returning (and succumbing) to his trusty length with mixed results. Nowitzki got the ball in his spots on the floor, and 40 points resulted; Durant was forced to catch the ball in spots foreign to his strengths, and 9 turnovers tarnished a 29-point, 15-rebound effort. Only time will provide Durant the lesson of creating space to score.

The Thunder’s final five minutes were played not to lose. Dallas played to win. James Harden fouled out with just over four minutes remaining and that seemed to change the dynamic. Predictable possessions followed, ones that developed slowly and were anticipated by Dallas. The Mavs, similarly, were also predictable yet much more poised and calculated: Get the ball to Dirk and please remove yourself from the premises. He delivered as always, his stroke and shot-making dragged them back.

By the time overtime began the Thunder had nothing left to give, momentum long gone, the series slipping, the crowd’s anxiety hardly hidden. Jason Kidd (17 points) settled matters with a long three and by stripping Durant. Losing a game in this fashion is heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and whatever word best articulates having your soul taken from you.

It feels like the series is over, which is a shame. We went from having two more games promised to us to now having the Thunder lining on death row, going back to the road to find life with Dallas ready to finish.

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  • http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29498602?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001 nbk

    And god only knows what an “intricate” offense is to you. Somehow are you under the impression that an NBA shotclock is more then 24 seconds? Do you think “intricate” is a guy running from one baseline to the other and through pick after pick then back again until he gets open? Or are you saying the only intricate offense is the Princeton offense and Triangle offenses? or do you not know what those are? The most complex offense is often the simplest, its the flex offense, do you know what that is? Do you know who utilizes it?

  • T-Money

    If CP3 indicates quite clearly to NO that he’s not going to sign the extension isn’t Russell + 1 big for CP3 an ideal trade for both teams?

  • http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29498602?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001 nbk

    You can’t even read, do you know the difference between a “go-to guy” and a “go-to play?” smh

  • http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29498602?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001 nbk

    T-Money I have been saying that OKC and NOH should examine that trade since the end of the season. I think the proximity between teams would prevent it from happening though.

  • http://thetroyblog.com Teddy-the-Bear

    Ha, what’s good Philo?

  • JTaylor21

    As long as you continue to make suspect and foolish assertions, I will be here to point them out. You may think I don’t know what I’m talking about but the way you walk around here like your sh*t don’t stink, you would think that you’re Hubie Brown’s mentor or Tex Winters. If you knew as much about the game as you think, the lakers would have already hired you to replace PJax instead you spend all day long arguing with regular folks.
    Dr. Jack Ramsay, is that you?

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Dallas runs a middle pick and roll with Dirk with the only purpose being to get Dirk the ball in a post up at the free throw line.
    Dirk, at about 270, is a lot harder to dislodge than Durant, so essentially the make the defense move, then get Dirk the ball.
    The Thunder didn’t even do that. They just isoed Durant on the wing, which makes it much easier to send a double, and makes the pass out of the double more difficult. Remember how Miami destroyed Dallas in 2006 and Detroit once they stopped running wing pick and rolls and went to middle pick and rolls because it makes it easier to see the double and make the correct pass.
    Now, Dallas isn’t that imaginative on offense and that could hurt them against an elite defensive team, which OKC is not. Dallas, however, is an elite defensive team when they lock in and the other team’s offense is predictable.
    Anyway, I say all that to say Durant had some serious issues with establishing and keeping positions. He had problems with passing out of the double team, and that last second shot was putrid. But he also did a lot of good.
    Westbrook still has the same issues with tempo and running a team, but he did a lot good.
    WHAT DID SCOTT BROOKS DO WELL?
    I rest my case.

  • http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29498602?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001 nbk

    Point one of them out then. You literally have never pointed out anything “foolish” that i’ve ever said. You make stuff up like the go to scorer comment. Or come to your own conclusion that has no foundation anywhere but your own imagination like your awkward WNBA comment. Actually when your asked questions you just completely aviod them and move onto insults, like just a minute ago, and before that, and before that, and yesterday when I pointed it out. And the Friday before that. and so on

  • JTaylor21

    “The hardest tumble a man can make is to fall over his own bluff”

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    Somebody suggested to me Westbrook plus Collison for CP3.
    I said the Hornets have to get more than just Collison as a throw in, I just don’t know what. Maybe Cook too?

  • http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29498602?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001 nbk

    and I am open to being wrong/corrected, it happened in this comment section. You admitting your wrong? haha i’ve never seen that happen but I do see you insult someone at the end of almost all your comments directed at a person you don’t agree with, which is fun i guess

  • JTaylor21

    “I don’t mind lying, but I hate inaccuracy”

  • http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29498602?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001 nbk

    Allen – I think Westbrook + Collison + Maynor would do it. Westbrook is 4 years younger then Chris Paul, just got all nba 2nd team ahead of Paul, and has never had a major injury, like Paul.

  • http://eye-on-basketball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/22748484/29498602?ttag=gen10_on_all_fb_na_txt_0001 nbk

    Its actually OKC who I think you would have trouble pulling the trigger. Especially with how much Sam Presti adores RW

  • JTaylor21

    “If I’m not stupid, I have no business being ignorant.”

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    If you were the Hornets would you prefer Maynor or Cook?
    Maynor is the more complete player, but Cook has a skill the hornets need. They already have Jarrett Jack as the back up point.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    hahahaha good one

  • JTaylor21

    “Honesty pays, but it don’t seem to pay enough to suit some people”

  • JTaylor21

    Good one, NBK. I know your style. Keep on using my name if it makes you feel like a real man.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    I’d still take Maynor. Jarret Jack is tradeable, and if your getting rid of Chris Paul then David West is likely on his way out too isn’t he?

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Uhm what?

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    Quick non-SLAM non-basketball related question:
    If you could get free, 100% paid tuition in another state to get your college degree, but had to leave your wife and kids for about two years to do it, would you?

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Nope

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    College completely paid for. Any public university of your choice?

  • JTaylor21

    Rigo, does it come with the same “helper” DRose got?

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    just tuition, not room and board.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Why just 2 years? And why can’t you take them with you? — I wouldn’t be able to do it, but it sounds like a great opportunity and if you know whatever you choose to focus on will improve your future and your comfortable with it along with your wife then i think you should make your own decision.

  • JTaylor21

    Words of advice, “lying to others might be wrong, but lying to yourself is just a tragedy”

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    Just tuition.
    Room and board, as well as textbooks aren’t paid for.

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    Basically, the state of Illinois has a veterans grant that will pay my tuition. On top of that, I can also get the Montgomery GI Bill and pocket that.
    It’s about $1,300 a month.
    So basically, I’d be getting paid to go to school.
    I did that for two years and then moved up here.
    But chances to advance without a degree are slim, so I want to go back for my last two years and get my Bachelors.

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    I’ve gotten great advice on this elsewhere, but thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask here as well.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    If you can pay for everything and both you and your wife are comfortable with the decision. And you know you’ll be able to benefit from the schooling then you should do it. But only if your family is 100% (or as close to it as you feel is necessary) comfortable with the decision

  • HAMMER

    Consult ur wife Rigo. Personally, 4 me, it would b hard 2 up and leave them. But if its 4 the better for la familia and having a secure future for your family, and ur family agrees w/ur decision 2 leave, then yes, do it. Opportinitys 2 better u and ur family don’t come often. But, n the end, its ur decision man. Best of luck

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    The hard part is leaving the kids, of course. And my wife.
    I’m trying to convince my wife we should go as a family.

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    Anyways, thanks y’all.

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    Looks like the COY curse will continue…
    Avery Johnson, won in 05-06, fired in 07
    Sam Mitchell, won in 06-07, fired in 08
    Byron Scott, won in 07-08, fired in 09
    Mike Brown, won in 08-09, fired in 10
    Scotty Brooks, won in 09-10, fired in 11?
    Look out Thibs.

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    And if I were you Rigo, I’d do everything to convince the family but if she says no, it’s not worth it. But I’m just a college kid so what do I know?

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    Thanks, Caboose.
    I’m trying to get (back) to college kid status too!
    Also, look out Brooks yes, but I don’t see Thibs getting fired. No way.
    This Bulls team wasn’t expected to have the number one overall seed and 62 wins this season.
    They’re way ahead of schedule.
    Now, if they tinker with the roster, add some more pieces, win as much again in the regular season next year, and then fail to make it back to the ECF.
    Or if the players start to tune him and his message out.
    Then yeah, I could see him getting the axe.

  • http://Slamonline.com Caboose

    Best of luck Rigo. And I hope Tom stays, he seems like a nice guy, but I feel like people said the exact same things about Scotty last year…

  • T-Money

    Rigo: I’d do it. It’s nothing, man, and you’re actually doing it for your famility too. Maybe because I’m used to my parents’ careers (university profs) having them move from time to time when I was younger to take a visiting prof job for a year and whatnot. You’ll talk to them every day, see them for 2-3 months in the summer, be there for Thanksgiving, Xmas and Easter and BAM! you’re already back home.

  • http://www.bulls.com Rigo Gonzalez

    T-Money – thanks, man. That’s definitely the flip side of it.
    The bigger picture is this would also benefit my family and not just me in the long wrong.
    We’ve talked about the kids coming down in the summer for about 2-3 months, and me coming up for Christmas, and it’d just be six months or so in between visits so that isn’t too bad.
    Plus with things like Skype and video chat nowadays, it’s the next best thing to actually being there.
    I’m really attached to my kids so just the thought of not being with them for so long sucks.
    But the time would fly and we’d all be better off for it in the end.
    I’m going to sit down with my wife and really discuss this. If she’s open to looking for a job and a place down there and sticking with me while I earn my degree, that would be the best scenario.
    But if she chooses not to leave because her career and family are here, I’ll have to truly weigh my options – continue here at a standstill or give myself a chance to provide a better life for them, in a field I’d be much more happy in.

  • Ronald

    Eh. Westbrook played pretty well. He had more assists than the stats showed. And, he only had one or two bad descisions this game. Which is like 10th of his usual mistakes. Durant wasn’t left out of the offense. If you actually watched the game then you would’ve known that Dallas doubled KD, and doubled hard. (That last show however was stupid and he did choke). But can we finally call Dirk clutch?

  • Ronald

    Oh, @NBK, you do have to cut JTaylor21 some slack. Dude has never played basketball in his life. Watching the NBA makes him an expert in the intricacies of X’s and O’s. I do disagree however that OKC doesn’t have go-to-plays. They do, but they don’t execute them half as well. Ibaka isn’t very good at off-ball screens and OKC likes to initiate plays using non-play makers i.e Sefalosha and Ibaka.

  • giogolo

    reading some of allenps xchange..
    for hornets to agree to sign and trade to OKc..i would have to be 3 players..atleast plus 2 draft picks 1st round. that is the least they could do for a guy like CP3.

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