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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  • JTaylor21

    The media and fans time after time again seem to give free passes to the so-called humble guys after they have a bad game. They somehow find a way to blame the loss on someone else (ala Westbrook) even after KD throws up yet another 7-22 game with 9 TOs and fails to perform in the clutch. The days of fair and unbiased reporting have gone out of the window and all we are left it is a one-sided and biased media.

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    What was the play in that situation?
    He caught the ball five feet beyond the three point line.
    Scott Brooks ran an inbounds play where Westbrook was the only option to receive the ball!
    Come on. Durant has room to improve, but not when his coach is running the early version of the Spoelstra Offense with inferior players.

  • http://www.fiba.com Darksaber

    *sigh*
    It’s hard out here for a pim…, i mean Dirk.
    (and by “here” i mean TPU, but oh if he plays a subpar game, the hate shall flow. Sad)

  • JTaylor21

    I’m sorry but that last second play falls strictly on KD’s shoulders. The guy had more than enough time to get a better shot but he panicked and chucked up a bad 35 foot shot that had no shot of going in. He’s done this numerous times before in the clutch, so at this point it’s becoming a disturbing pattern.

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

    I think the Rockets wanted Asik for Lee but Chicago wouldn’t give him up. Imagine if the Bulls had Courtney Lee… Glad he’s still on the Rockets though.

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

    Dirk Nowitzki is a f*cking baller. Double pump fadeaways FTW.

  • HAMMER

    How bout Gerald Wallace for Deng? In my opinion, its a win-win for both teams. I don’t know, it might b my biasness for both teams talking. But it seems intriguing

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    My initial comment was aimed at Westbrook, mostly out of sarcasm and the fact that I’m not a fan. But all things considered, OKC was up 15 points in the game and they let Dallas come back and they lost in OT. Yet the focus is on Kevin Durant’s play at the end of the game. That’s not what lost the game, I’m sure.
    I didn’t watch, but I saw that play. Yes, there was plenty of time for him to do something with it and that shot was indeed ill-advised, but to place the blame squarely on his shoulders for the loss is just unreasonable.

  • HAMMER

    As I was watching this game, I couldn’t help but having flashbacks of 2000 Blazers. Blazers of course had a 15 point lead heading n2 the fourth and lost it while the Thunder had their 15 point lead tooken from them n 5 mins. Stakes were higher for the Lakers back then cuz it was a game 7, not game 4. So as much as I hate 2 admit, Lakers comeback still is the greatest ever n the playoffs

  • http://slamonline.com Allenp

    They lost because they had three players on the court who weren’t offensive threats, one who is a loose cannon and the other who can still be bullied.
    And because Dirk is unstoppable and apparently Scott Brooks FORGOT that doubling Dirk in Game Two made a HUGE difference.
    Again, Scott Brooks people. He was an improvement over P.J., but I think he’s gone as far as he can go.

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    Also, it looked like Westbrook was supposed to screen Marion at the top, opening up a GW shot for KD. If that’s the case, then Westbrook is at fault because Marion met no resistance on the screen and was able to recover nicely on Durant.
    Now, that doesn’t excuse KD for not taking an extra dribble (or two) for a better shot had Westbrook actually set a decent screen, but if that was in fact the play call, then Westbrook effed it up.
    I could be wrong, but that’s what it looked like to me.

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

    Harden fouling out really hurt the Thunder. A lot of times, Harden is their best spot-up shooter and their best playmaker as well. Sefolosha did a good job knocking down shots last night but you can’t rely on his offense. Also, OKC has to trust Ibaka more offensively–he can stick the 17 footer if you need him too and has a really good feel for everything. They have to reward their big men.

  • JTaylor21

    You didn’t watch the game yet you felt the need to place blame on Westbrook and refuse to place any blame on the supposed best player/team leader because you saw the “highlights” on Sports Center?
    Does that make any sense? I guess it does since you never place any blame on Mr. Humble Pie when his team loses. It’s eerily similar to the way the media covers certain players.
    (Birds of the same feather flock together)

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    Actually, I didn’t see any highlights either, JTaylor. I just dropped in and left a comment. But we all know you’re a Westbrook “Stan” so I understand you defending him like this. In your eyes, he never does anything wrong and all of the blame should go to KD. Two-way street, see how that works?

  • http://www.twitter.com/nflem41 Nicolas Fleming

    I think the Mavs are just prolonging their season until Caron Butler is ready to come back.

  • JTaylor21

    Oh, come on son. When did I become a westbrook fan? Don’t get me wrong I enjoy watching dude play but it doesn’t mean that I’m a fan of his style of play. I’ve never been a fan of shoot-first PGs.
    The reason why I’m always on here defending the guy is because it seems like every single loss is blamed on him and the other star seems to be immune from criticism. People can sit there and pile on russ when OKC’s best player has many off-games like the one last night. KD still hasn’t shown the ability to consistently lift his teammates level of play or the ability to come up big in crunch time.
    Yes, westbrook deserves some of the blame but KD deserves a majority of the blame because of the high standard set by the media and fans.

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    When you have a guy playing with an elite scorer in the NBA like Kevin Durant, he’s going to take the bulk of the criticism because he has the ball in his hands 90 percent of the time as the primary ballhandler. That only makes sense.
    His decision making is extremely questionable and has been all year long, and as Allen described him, he can be a loose cannon.
    Kevin Durant does have bad games, but saying he doesn’t lift his teammates level of play is crazy. Aren’t they in the WCF? Or did he not contribute to that and Westbrook is the main reason they’re here?
    Also, KD plays off the ball, so Westbrook has a responsibility to feed him. RW averaged 8apg in the regular season, in the Playoffs? 6apg. RW shot 44 percent from the field in the regular season, in the Playoffs? 39 percent. RW averaged 17fga during the regular season, in the Playoffs? 20fga. KD has taken 315 shots in the Playoffs, RW has taken 315, as the PG playing alongside a legitimate scoring threat! This isn’t that hard.
    People aren’t just piling on him for no reason, son. These are legitimate gripes.

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    *KD has taken 325 shots in the Playoffs.

  • JTaylor21

    Okay, fair points but ummm what happened in the 4th qtr and OT when KD had the ball in his hands numerous times yet failed to get a good look vs a 38yr old JKidd and a past his prime Matrix.
    What’s the excuse for that or is it also Westbrook’s fault?

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Sorry went away for lunch so this will be obviously late but, BC – JJ Reddick is a career .394% 3pt shooter. Good for 48th all time, by no means is that “not hitting shots since he left duke” – This season he shot .397%. Him next to Korver with Rose and Rose could have put up 32 a game just off of spacing.

  • T-Money

    No matter what happened before he caught the ball. KD caught it with 3 seconds on the shot clock and decided that the best option was to rise up for a contested 35-footer. That’s a grade-A choke job, borderline inexcusable. I don’t want to defend Russ because he played terrible too but KD gotta catch heat too! / Also, if the discussion is really that Russ must not forget KD in crunch time. What kind of leader is he? Leaders demand the ball, they don’t give a choice, there’s no alternative. Kobe and Bron will run up with their arms extended to their pg if that’s what it takes for them to give up the rock. KD is content with waving for it on the other side of the court. What is that?

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    The Russell Westbrook issue is not new, I don’t understand the need to have the same conversation day in and day out. The Thunder offense is better without RW and that is a fact, it’s indisputable. Now Kevin Durant should get more blame for last nights game then Westbrook, BUT the most blame should be laid onto Scott Brooks for being un-imaginative with his offense (they literally don’t run a creative play at all, they have no creative ways to get Durant looks, its pick and rolls, isolations, and occasional down screens. No multiple pick sets, no mis-direction, no multiple option sets where Durant is trusted to make the right decision to get open. Its just a ridiculous offense, Allen brought this to my attention during the Memphis series, and I have been paying heavy attention to it since, and it really doesn’t look much more sophisticated then the crap-shoot offense that was run in Cleveland from 06-09.

  • T-Money

    Also, I vividly remember that a lot of commenters were not willing to absolve Bron of any criticism for his team failing in Cleveland because leaders had to take the props and the heat. Does that not apply to KD? HIS team gave up a 15-point lead with 5 minutes to go. If we want to put him in that Kobe/Bron tier, the standard should be: “well, do something about it”. No ifs or buts.

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    @nbk: I take that back. I actually looked at Redick’s stats after I made that comment and his numbers are good. It’s just that every time I see him play, he never makes anything. But still, is he a starter in the NBA? I say no.
    @JTaylor: I admit that KD still has some improvements to make, and like I said, I didn’t see the game so I can’t comment on these plays you’re speaking of without having the proper context. But I can say that as a perimeter player like KD, who is really primarily a shooter, it’s all about rhythm. If KD isn’t in a good rhythm, then he’s not going to perform well. It’s up to the PG to get him into that groove.
    If you’re standing around watching your PG attack, attack, attack, it’s going to throw you off your game. Just because RW can take Kidd off the dribble every single time, doesn’t mean he has to do it every single time.

  • T-Money

    BC: it’s never up to anyone to get guys like Melo, Kobe, Wade, Bron going. They just go, they create their own rythmn. Again, if KD truly need someone to set him up, then he’s not in that tier.

  • http://slamonline.com nbk

    Ehh lol your probably right, for the money they would have been paying him it would have only made sense to start him, and Thibs would have imploded if JJ Reddick was part of his starting lineup. Well the defensive portion of Thibs would have imploded, which I believe is about 97% of his body.

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    T-Money, KD may be the best player on his team, but nobody has said he’s the best player in the game. It’s really not the same. Do I understand the criticism and does KD deserve blame? Absolutely. But placing it all on his shoulders and absolving RW of any blame when he’s the real problem here (along with Brooks, of course), I don’t agree with that.

  • JTaylor21

    B, good points but like T-Money just stated, KD needs to walk up to Westbrook and snatch the rock from him instead of standing at the 3pt line, waving like he’s in a parade or something.
    The guy is the best player and leader on the team, so it’s only fair that he receives the majority of blame when the team loses just like he always receives the majority of the praise and adulation when they win.

  • T-Money

    Oh, I want to make clear that I’m not absolving Russ or ANY criticism – he’s not a true pg and he forces a lot of stuff.

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    Melo, Kobe, Wade or Bron never played with a ball-dominant PG that called their own numbers, taking shots away from them. Also, those guys had the ball in their hands a lot, KD doesn’t. That makes a difference.

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

    There was a Thunder Veteran or Ex-Thunder Veteran who said Russell Westbrook thinks he’s a better player then Kevin Durant. – I heard a quote where Durant said Westbrook was the leader of the Thunder because he is not “afraid of anybody or anything”. I also heard Sam Presti (the GM) feels similarly about the Thunder being more Westbrook’s team then Durant’s. (you can click my name to a link to how Westbrook supposedly feels) – If those things are true, it explains why Westbrook seems so much more confident in himself then he is in Durant. It doesn’t explain why Brooks doesn’t teach Westbrook how to properly run the offense (the offense that they do have), or why he just doesn’t let James Harden do it, but it is telling.

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

    off-topic, nbk you really think the Cavs should pick Kanter at number one?

  • JTaylor21

    KD had 0 freaking points in the last 5mins of the 4th and the OT period. That’s inexcusable and shameful for a guy that was praised as the best player/MVP in the off-season. He has been out-played by a 33-yr old Dirk who’s been guarded by Collison and Ibaka while the 6-10 KD’s struggling to get off his shot against a 6-4, 38 yr old PG and a past his prime 6-7 SF.
    There’s no excuse in the world for a guy with KD’s talent and skill-set to not show up in the biggest game of his career.

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

    I don’t definitely think that, but I’m leaning that way. He seems to have the most potential, and I don’t see Irving or Williams being the best player on any kind of good team. But I more or less feel like if Cleveland wants to hit a homerun with the first pick they have to take a chance. But as you said on the other page, they will have a strong shot at him at #4. — I just think potential wise (and if he played college this year) Kanter is the best player in the draft. We have Irving and Williams as locks for 1 and 2 because of what? The NCAA is the least competitive and deep its been in decades, and those guys didn’t even dominate it like a normal lock for #1 & #2 would. (IMO ofcourse)

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

    JTaylor do you not understand the concept of running an offense? Because neither does Scott Brooks and I bet he’s asking himself the same thing about Kevin Durant and the last 5 minutes… When you have a player who doesn’t score at his usual rate in isolation situations then you shouldn’t run isolations play after play, it’s insane. (But Isolations are the only plays that make it to the point of being run to Brooks’ credit, because Westbrook lacks the patience to let a play develop, he panics and runs head first into the lane. This also led to Durant setting up the offense from the inbounds on a few possessions, which has little to no chance of working on a consistent basis, against anybody)

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    0 points? How many shots did KD take in the last 5 minutes and OT? When did he take those shots? From the videos I’ve watched today, his body language reeked of being defeated, and that’s the ultimate no-no for a superstar. Then again, if you’re up 15 points and a team comes back and beats you, that’ll happen. He’ll learn.
    And as far as being outplayed by Dirk, or having difficulty against Kidd or Marion, using age as a factor isn’t fair. How many times have you hooped against older guys and they’ve outplayed you? KD is only 22. Age/experience counts for something.

  • T-Money

    BC: It’s kind of a circular argument but my point is that they would never tolerate getting iced at the end of games by a lesser player (albeit very good!). You just do whatever you have to do to get the rock. Can’t stand there waving.

  • http://Philosophervision@blogspot.com The Philosopher

    Agree with everything Teddy-the-Bear has said today.
    Shout out @Darksaber.
    OKC had it. They beat themselves. The series is pretty much a wrap, and we cannot say enough about Dirk “Larry Bird Jr.” Nowitzki. An Historic stretch for the sure-fire 1st ballot Hall Of Famer.

  • JTaylor21

    I don’t understand the concept of running an offense huh? Well if that’s the case, neither does Rick Carlisle because I didn’t see Dal running any intricate sets. They ran the exact same basic plays OKC was running on the other end, PnR with the Guards (westbrook/kidd/terry) and SF/PF (KD/Dirk) the only difference being that Dirk made big plays down the stretch while KD chucked up brick after brick. Both teams run practically the same PnR sets all game long, the only difference being that Dirk’s one of the greatest clutch players of this era while KD’s well KD.

  • http://slamonline.com Bryan Crawford

    T-Money, I agree… KD has to be more assertive, especially with a player who is clearly going for his.
    And to be honest, for RW’s perspective, I get it. He knows he’s unstoppable off the dribble and he can get by anybody that’s in front of him, but it seems that last season he was making an attempt to be a facilitator and distributor, then on Team USA Coach K turned him loose as a scorer and he carried that with him into this season.
    Now it’s out of control.

  • ChristianBulleN

    You guys are underrating Keith Bogans. He isn’t that bad for this Chicago team, good defender, knockdown shooter from the corner.. I think Mayo commands the ball too much to fit well with Rose.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Angel of Stern

    @ChristianBulleN , I disagree, Rose is not a selfish player, he needs to take that many shots and have the ball in his hands all the time because he is the only person that can create his own shot. I think Derrick would welcome mayo with open arms.

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

    You need me to explain Dallas’ offense to you? (it doesn’t have to be intricate dude, Dirk scores one on one on everyone, and it is intricate for everyone else) Its a 1-1-3 offensive set. PG on the top, PF at the top of the key, SG and SF at either baseline, and the Center somewhere in the vicinity of the basket. The PG gets atleast 1 pick from Dirk, then reads the play, he can either pass the ball to dirk (1st option) go back to Dirk for another pick, hit a cutter from the wing if there is too much help defense, or take the ball himself. If Jason Terry is in the game they extend his position in the corner up a few fee so he is playing a psuedo wing/corner. He can essentially trade places with the PG and take over his responsibilities with the PG cutting off the pass either via a cut or from a back-screen. This offense is intricate because it takes a big away from the basket (dirk’s man) takes defense away from the screen-ee (Dirk’s man can’t help on the PG or Jason Terry’s man). That is Dallas’ primary play, I can explain a few of their other sets if you need me too. The THunder offense has no similar “go-to play” that can give them a bucket when they are out of rhythm, they resort to either Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook in an isolation situation.

  • http://www.slamonline.com Angel of Stern

    Also with Derrick playing off the ball a little bit, he would be able to get a lot more easy looks instead of having to beat what seems like every defender on the floor just to get a decent shot.

  • Bruno

    so now KD is well KD and Dirk is one of the greatest clutch players?? how old is Kevin Durant and do you remember Dirk’s play at 22 years old?
    I’m not saying Durant hasnt any fault in yesterday OKC loss but it seems people are overeacting and this was the guy everybody was putting as the best player for this year after his play with USA

  • http://www.slamonline.com Angel of Stern

    Also, with Mayo, Rose would be able to play off the Ball a little bit. This way he wouldn’t have to beat what seems like every defender on the floor just to get a descent shot. (if this posts twice, its cause my first one wouldn’t show)

  • JTaylor21

    If you think that’s “intricate” then you’re watching the wrong league. You do know that the WNBA season starts soon, right?

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

    Funny taylor, I thought maybe for once you’d be able to have an actual conversation. But once you said Dallas and OKC basically run the same thing I knew this would go down hill fast. You literally come on here day after day, pick a fight, then prove that you know almost nothing about the subject your arguing over. Your defending Russell Westbrook after it has been proven that he is the issue with OKC’s offense again? And you haven’t said a single thing to support your stance or back-up how you feel. Your hear to blame things on Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose, its what you do. You also act like you know what your talking about when really you have no idea. And no i have no idea about the WNBA but i’m happy your all caught up.

  • JTaylor21

    Ok, so now OKC doesn’t have a go-to guy that can get them buckets! really? So, ummm having the 2-time scoring leader doesn’t count.
    Drunken master is that you?

  • T-Money

    Yeah.. I think that the root of the problem is that Russ is not convinced that KD is a better option than him at the end of games… and KD is not assertive enough to tell him otherwise. They’re not veterans like Bron and Wade who have had their fair share of “being the man” moment so I don’t see this ending well.

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