Official NBA 2012-2013 Season Thread

[lawdog1]

Look at all that blood boiling in your body

Only you would try to make winning 14 of their last 15 games look like its nothing

The Clippers haven't looked so good recently in games against the other top teams in the West, so tonight should be a good test for both teams. Clippers would seem to have the advantage with the Grizz playing the second of back-to-back games on the road, but we'll see. I expect it to be a close one.

 

[IATT]

[h1]Oklahoma City Thunder: Why Derek Fisher?[/h1]
Posted by Berry Tramel

on March 12, 2013M at 12:30 pm

content with more link

When you ask Scotty Brooks why Derek Fisher is playing, the Thunder coach will give you a lot of abstractions. Leadership, knowledge, experience. All things true.

But here’s the better question. What exactly does Fisher do on the court? What does he tangibly bring to the Thunder hardwood? We all can agree what he brings to the locker room and the bench. Everyone loves having Fish around. But sometimes you have to ask, can the guy still play?

Monday night in San Antonio, Brooks played Fisher 12 minutes, 17 seconds. That’s basically a full quarter, which in truth was the first half of the second quarter and the first half of the fourth quarter. During that time, the Spurs outscored the Thunder 35-14. That is not a misprint. Fisher’s futility was not the worst raw plus/minus in the box score. Kevin Martin was -22, in 20:28. Nick Collison was -24, in 16:44. But per-minute, Fisher was the worst and was about as worse as you can get. The Thunder was outscored 1.7 points per minute with Fisher on the court. Collison 1.4. Martin 1.1.

Plus, we know Collison can play. Things usually get better when he’s on the court. Martin, we know is a valuable scorer. He’s no James Harden, but he’s handy to have around.

Fisher, exactly what does he do? He’s not really a point guard anymore. Wasn’t last season for the Thunder. Isn’t this season for the Thunder. Offensively, he’s a standstill shooter, and he’s not bad. Six of 15 on 3-pointers with the Thunder so far. But it’s a legitimate question of whether he can guard anyone anymore.

Fisher was on the court for 7:50 of the second quarter. During that time, the Spurs made nine of 10 shots and all three of their foul shots. The Spurs were 6-of-6 against Kevin Durant and the B Team — Fisher, Collison, Reggie Jackson and Martin. Then Collison and Jackson came out, and the Spurs made three of their next four. With Fisher on the court, the Thunder’s 32-22 lead became a 46-44 deficit.

Fisher was on the court for 4:27 of the fourth quarter, during which the Spurs made four of seven shots and both of their foul shots. An 83-74 San Antonio lead became a 94-76 San Antonio lead.

So with Fisher on the court, the Spurs made 13 of 17 shots, all five of their foul shots, committed four turnovers and scored 35 points in 12:17. With Fisher on the bench, the Spurs made 30 of 65 shots and scored 70 points in 35:43.

Now, it’s silly to blame all this on Fisher. The Thunder played like junk. Russell Westbrook and Durant did not play well, and that’s a recipe for a Thunder loss every time. Brooks’ attempts to play small — which always are lauded — did not work, because Durant was abused inside, mostly by Tiago Splitter.

But it’s about time we asked again. Why exactly does Fisher do? On a second unit that already has a defensive liability in Martin, why compound the problem with another defensive liability?

Why not try Ronnie Brewer? Why not play an athletic, defensive whiz with a unit that otherwise is pedestrian on the wings? I mean, teams with any kind of bench at all has to be thrilled at the chance to play significant minutes against a unit that uses Kevin Martin and Derek Fisher as its perimeter defenders.

Brewer played 24 minutes a game last season for the Chicago Bulls, which had the NBA’s best record. He fell out of the rotation this season with the Knickerbockers, and he hasn’t worked himself into the rotation with the Thunder. In 18 days since the trade, Brewer has played just four games and 28 minutes.

But the Thunder likes to bill itself as a defensive-minded team. Let me tell you who’s a defensive-minded team. The Bulls. Do you want to make decisions like the Bulls or the Knicks?

Twice in 10 days, the Thunder has been pulverized by the opponents’ bench. March 1 in Denver, then Monday night in San Antonio. The Thunder B Team seemed hapless in both games. James Harden is gone. It’s pretty clear that the Thunder bench is not going to be an explosive unit. Why not try to stop somebody? Why not play Ronnie Brewer?

http://blog.newsok.com/berrytramel/2013/03/12/oklahoma-city-thunder-why-derek-fisher/

 

[proshares]

You guys best win in the last 15 games was against the Nets though.

Has your team won 14 of 15 recently?

 

[flyerthandelta]

*Shots Fired*

 

[uncharteddrake]

Most stacked team in the NBA while playing on easy conference

They still beat every team in the NBA including the top teams in the west, destroyed the Thunder twice...


They also gave two loses to your lak---Nevermind man you get the point.

I agree the Heat are stacked tho.

 

[flyerthandelta]

Most stacked team in the NBA while playing on easy conference

They still beat every team in the NBA including the top teams in the west, destroyed the Thunder twice...


They also gave two loses to your lak---Nevermind man you get the point.

I agree the Heat are stacked tho.

Healthy Spurs??

 

[ripc]

[h1]Oklahoma City Thunder: Why Derek Fisher?[/h1]


http://blog.newsok.com/berrytramel/2013/03/12/oklahoma-city-thunder-why-derek-fisher/

He has that 'championship savvy' and 'locker room leadership' doe

 

[proshares]

*Shots Fired*

No shots. I know Ches and BHZ go back and forth about this.

My point is that is difficult to win 14 of 15. When a winning streak gets to that point, it's impressive regardless of the opposition. You think I'd care if the Knicks won 14 of 15 but only beat two winning teams?

But it's a thread where KD can't lead a team to a chip, jealous lovers still ream LeBron now for choosing a team in the East and the Spurs are gonna tank to avoid LA in the first round.

 

[jumpmanfromdabay]

I'm rooting for Heat to break that Winning streak record. I wasn't alive when it was set but this streak is impressive

 

[uncharteddrake]

Healthy Spurs??

I can see the heat out pacing them and beating them. It wont be easy tho.

 

[david bowman]

Dennis rodman is at the Vatican lol.

Who's the biggest character we have in the nba besides Ron Artest? Who will be our next diplomat in 10 years?

 

[Deleted member 38182]

Dennis rodman is at the Vatican lol.

Who's the biggest character we have in the nba besides Ron Artest? Who will be our next diplomat in 10 years?

Pierre Mcgee?

 

[grandtheftbike]

Dennis rodman is at the Vatican lol.


Who's the biggest character we have in the nba besides Ron Artest? Who will be our next diplomat in 10 years?

Pierre Mcgee?

dmc

 

[rook]

You guys best win in the last 15 games was against the Nets though.

Has your team won 14 of 15 recently?

Actually nah. My squad is Philly. No shame.

 

[larrydavid]

My blood isn't boiling - Memphis just sucks.

 

And it begins... 

 

[Deleted member 38182]

Dennis rodman is at the Vatican lol.


Who's the biggest character we have in the nba besides Ron Artest? Who will be our next diplomat in 10 years?

Pierre Mcgee?

dmc

Nah I think David Bowman meant like off the court crazy. DMC is fine off the court, even McGee is pushing it

 

[lawdog1]

 
And it begins... 

@ "begins." I'm pretty sure Chester's been going after the Grizzlies (and BHZ) since they were still in Vancouver.

 

[solarius49]

Paul George's shot selection is turrible

and he's slow as hell

 

[solarius49]

George Hill just cooked Rubio's ankles



then turned the ball over

 

[JD617]

Paul Pierce needs 10 points to pass Barkley and KG needs 4 points to pass Jerry West on the all-time scoring list.

 

[lawdog1]

Randomly came across this when checking my Twitter - Gortat's profile pic.

Got to give the Euro players some credit. Even when they're just average to below average players, they still take good advantage of being in the NBA. This girl is no Adriana Lima, but she's not bad.

 

[dat dude chris]

:x Nick Young makes more 3s off balance than perfectly set up smh lol

 

[dat dude chris]

The Heat get away with all fouls

 

[Deleted member 38182]

I never really thought of Gortat as average or below average :\ always thought he was a pretty decent big

 

[lawdog1]

I never really thought of Gortat as average or below average :\ always thought he was a pretty decent big

I guess you're right, but again, that tells you something about the state of bigs in the NBA these days.