Congratulations to the Blunder on making the playoffs and to Durant, the regular season scoring leader. That is fantastic for the OKC fans. I am surprised they ended up the eighth seed, as I thought they would go higher. The match-up with the Lakers is an interesting one, with a few variables that will likely determine who advances.
Lakers; 57-25 (first in Western Conference) vs. OKC Blunder; 50-32 (eighth in Western Conference.
Team matchups: The youthful Blunder should be energized for their first playoff series, and appear to be less banged up then the Lakers. In my opinion, Kobe Bryant is fast wearing out and beginning to break down from years of endless games. I think this may actually be Bryant's last chance for a title. Being in Los Angeles I am inundated with Lakers on talk radio, local news, etc, and I really believe this signals the decline of Bryant, arguable one of the top talents to ever put on the jersey. He has simply played too many games in his career - and it's the games outside of the NBA that have hurt him and prevented him from ever fully resting and recovering properly. With Bryant and Bynum banged up, I give the health edge to the youth of the Blunder.
Coaching; this isn't even close. Brooks is nice, but has not had to coach one game that mattered in his entire career - and that is not a knock against him at all. This is his first opportunity and unfortunately for him he's going up against a master in Phil Jackson with his ten rings and Zen master attitude. Jackson will own the refs and the games and give the Lakers every strategic advantage possible to win games and the series. Edge: Lakers.
Intangibles. Unfortunately for OKC, they are also going up against the establishment now, and this is still Kobe and LeBron's league. Durant has had a great season, but all the calls going his way will be going to Kobe and the Lakers. That's just the way the NBA is - they desperately need a ratings bonanza at that'll come only via a high profile and/or big market matchup. That will entail at least Kobe and/or Lebron in the finals. Preferably together. Preferably meaning preferable to the NBA's agenda, which is money, of course.
The Blunder should have a strong outside game and will transition well, but will get killed in the paint as Bynum (injured or not) will make it tough in the paint. OKC has no good answer for their inside game. They will get owned there and at the free-throw line and that'll be the major difference in the actual games, in my opinion. Add in coaching expeerience, playoff experience, the NBA's need for a big market and a Kobe to make a deep playoff run...and these all favor the Lakers.
The NBA also needs as many games as possible for the revenue, and will string this series out to six games, balancing the need for game and TV revenue with the necessity to prevent Kobe from burning out completely. They need the dream match-up of Kobe vs LeBron - it's a series that will maximize ratings and revenue for the league.
I predict the Lakers in six games, perhaps in five if the league feels the need to keep Kobe healthy. It'll be one and done for the Blunder, but what a great season they've given the fans in OKC. Now, sadly, the fans get a look at what the NBA is truly all about...hype and marketing and revenue. Durant vs. Kobe is a nice first round marketing match-up - but the bigger picture is Kobe vs Lebron.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
OKC'S Durant Dilemma
OKC faces its first major decision; when to show Durant the money. The smart move would be to sign Durant now to a long-term max deal and lock up the face of the franchise. Signing him now is a no-brainer. According to a couple of articles I've read, he suggests he is happy in OKC, so sign him now while that's still the case. Protracted negotiations could change his mind. That’s when the true colors from both sides will be revealed.
Of course, KD could just be saying all the PC things we expect athletes to say these days. Is it genuine? There's no way for us to know until the fire gets hotter. Is the OKC brass working on a deal or will they wait for the new CBA to be ratified which will likely lower the price teams can offer up?
This is the dilemma OKC now faces; signing Durant long term now at a higher cost and keep him happy, or wait for the new CBA to reduce the limit, and face alienating the face of the franchise. It's a very interesting situation: OKC's first loyalty vs. business decision...and the ramifications will likely determine the fate of the franchise. The longer the situation plays out, the worse it gets for OKC. Durant's value to the franchise is worth overpaying him, even in light of the likely new NBA economics about to be unveiled with the upcoming CBA.
As Durant's agent applies pressure to get a max deal done before the new CBA deal, his influence could sway Durant to start considering other options if OKC stalls. His handlers can start the process of disengaging Durant from OKC, justified by claiming KD's being slighted or 'disprespected' as is the popular term among players, proven by OKC's refusal to move quickly. If Durant is indeed happy in OKC and can be locked up before he reaches his prime or a better offer emerges, OKC needs to step up now and get it done. If not, you leave the door open for KD to to ponder his value on the open market. He can jump ship to a number of other teams. Any suitors can provoke him by questioning why be loyal to OKC? If they 'value him' so much, why aren't they showing him the money? Pretty simple and effective logic. KD's agent will do what KD wants, but will certainly keep him in the loop on all offers. If it drags out, KD may start listening to them.
Don’t go cheap with the face of the franchise who is already getting less than his market value. Durant is young and impressionable. With a happy Durant in OKC, the team can stay relevant and competitive. Without him, they'll fade into oblivion.
It'll be interesting to see how OKC plays their first big decision.
Of course, KD could just be saying all the PC things we expect athletes to say these days. Is it genuine? There's no way for us to know until the fire gets hotter. Is the OKC brass working on a deal or will they wait for the new CBA to be ratified which will likely lower the price teams can offer up?
This is the dilemma OKC now faces; signing Durant long term now at a higher cost and keep him happy, or wait for the new CBA to reduce the limit, and face alienating the face of the franchise. It's a very interesting situation: OKC's first loyalty vs. business decision...and the ramifications will likely determine the fate of the franchise. The longer the situation plays out, the worse it gets for OKC. Durant's value to the franchise is worth overpaying him, even in light of the likely new NBA economics about to be unveiled with the upcoming CBA.
As Durant's agent applies pressure to get a max deal done before the new CBA deal, his influence could sway Durant to start considering other options if OKC stalls. His handlers can start the process of disengaging Durant from OKC, justified by claiming KD's being slighted or 'disprespected' as is the popular term among players, proven by OKC's refusal to move quickly. If Durant is indeed happy in OKC and can be locked up before he reaches his prime or a better offer emerges, OKC needs to step up now and get it done. If not, you leave the door open for KD to to ponder his value on the open market. He can jump ship to a number of other teams. Any suitors can provoke him by questioning why be loyal to OKC? If they 'value him' so much, why aren't they showing him the money? Pretty simple and effective logic. KD's agent will do what KD wants, but will certainly keep him in the loop on all offers. If it drags out, KD may start listening to them.
Don’t go cheap with the face of the franchise who is already getting less than his market value. Durant is young and impressionable. With a happy Durant in OKC, the team can stay relevant and competitive. Without him, they'll fade into oblivion.
It'll be interesting to see how OKC plays their first big decision.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Blunder Mid Season Report Card
Well, it's that time of year folks! Step right up and get your Blunder grades!
What a difference a year makes, huh? After Bennett's poaching and first year disaster, Durant and Co have quietly managed a very respectable and competitive season in the dustbowl.
Coaching; B. Scotty Brooks has the team playing well. Is it his coaching, or is it a matter of letting them loose and seeing what happens? SO far that has worked. However, the Zombie Sonics have not yet played any games under pressure. As the season winds down and post-season spots hinge on his coaching and team execution, we will see what Brooks and the Blunder are truly made of. Too early to tell.
Team: 30-21. Upside: One of the surprises of the season, for sure. All Star (and future ex-Blunder) Kevin Durant (29.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg) is playing lights out and carrying this team. Westbrook (16.5 ppg, 7.5 apg) and Green (14.5 ppg are contributing solidly as well. The supporting cast is a mixed bag with no real standouts. Durant gets an A.
Downside: Durant leads the team in rebounding - that is not necessarily a good sign. He is not a big guy and cannot be forced into a physical game...it will eventually hurt his real value – scoring. Come playoff time his supporting cast needs to step it up and be able to rebound and play disciplined half-court sets. Wide open play is great to watch but fundamental play and veteran leadership usually wins out in the playoffs. The Blunder do not have a legit veteran presence to guide them. Riding Durant will win games in the short term, but in the longer run they need an inside presence and a skilled vet to guide the team in crunch time.
Green needs to get more involved in assists. He averages less than two a game and has more turnovers (85) than assists (83) for the season. He's learning and will improve. Westbrook 16.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 7.5 apg is having a solid year and will only get better.
Overall team: B
Outlook: The second half of the season will get very interesting for the Blunder. They have thrived while playing pressure-free basketball and flying under the radar. They get practically no national exposure, a blessing for a young team. However, teams will not take them lightly and will be better prepared for them in the second half - no more sneaking up on teams. This is where their true colors (coaching, etc) will be revealed. The on-court trio of Durant/Westbrook/Green are solid. After that it's a big drop off in production.
Playoff scenario: They are well positioned for a playoff run. The biggest challenge this team will face now is pressure. Can they handle it after nearly three seasons of zero expectations? The media attention will pick up in the second half. I expect this team to play around .500 the rest of the way (48 wins is my expectation) and that could get them into the playoffs. They could be a dangerous team, or they could fold under the pressure. It remains to be seen. They cannot afford to get a first round match-up with the Lakers, so positioning will be everything. They could spell trouble for some teams, but not the Lakers. The grind and physicality of the playoffs could also force an early exit and be an eye opener for the young Blunder.
Presti: A. Good job keeping the ship afloat. He's a good executive who had the rare privilege of blowing up a team to build a new one. It's too bad it came at Seattle's expense, but that is not his fault. It's Bennett's.
Ownership: F. Bennett sucks.
Overall grade: B
More Corndogs! More Losses! More Blunder!
What a difference a year makes, huh? After Bennett's poaching and first year disaster, Durant and Co have quietly managed a very respectable and competitive season in the dustbowl.
Coaching; B. Scotty Brooks has the team playing well. Is it his coaching, or is it a matter of letting them loose and seeing what happens? SO far that has worked. However, the Zombie Sonics have not yet played any games under pressure. As the season winds down and post-season spots hinge on his coaching and team execution, we will see what Brooks and the Blunder are truly made of. Too early to tell.
Team: 30-21. Upside: One of the surprises of the season, for sure. All Star (and future ex-Blunder) Kevin Durant (29.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg) is playing lights out and carrying this team. Westbrook (16.5 ppg, 7.5 apg) and Green (14.5 ppg are contributing solidly as well. The supporting cast is a mixed bag with no real standouts. Durant gets an A.
Downside: Durant leads the team in rebounding - that is not necessarily a good sign. He is not a big guy and cannot be forced into a physical game...it will eventually hurt his real value – scoring. Come playoff time his supporting cast needs to step it up and be able to rebound and play disciplined half-court sets. Wide open play is great to watch but fundamental play and veteran leadership usually wins out in the playoffs. The Blunder do not have a legit veteran presence to guide them. Riding Durant will win games in the short term, but in the longer run they need an inside presence and a skilled vet to guide the team in crunch time.
Green needs to get more involved in assists. He averages less than two a game and has more turnovers (85) than assists (83) for the season. He's learning and will improve. Westbrook 16.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 7.5 apg is having a solid year and will only get better.
Overall team: B
Outlook: The second half of the season will get very interesting for the Blunder. They have thrived while playing pressure-free basketball and flying under the radar. They get practically no national exposure, a blessing for a young team. However, teams will not take them lightly and will be better prepared for them in the second half - no more sneaking up on teams. This is where their true colors (coaching, etc) will be revealed. The on-court trio of Durant/Westbrook/Green are solid. After that it's a big drop off in production.
Playoff scenario: They are well positioned for a playoff run. The biggest challenge this team will face now is pressure. Can they handle it after nearly three seasons of zero expectations? The media attention will pick up in the second half. I expect this team to play around .500 the rest of the way (48 wins is my expectation) and that could get them into the playoffs. They could be a dangerous team, or they could fold under the pressure. It remains to be seen. They cannot afford to get a first round match-up with the Lakers, so positioning will be everything. They could spell trouble for some teams, but not the Lakers. The grind and physicality of the playoffs could also force an early exit and be an eye opener for the young Blunder.
Presti: A. Good job keeping the ship afloat. He's a good executive who had the rare privilege of blowing up a team to build a new one. It's too bad it came at Seattle's expense, but that is not his fault. It's Bennett's.
Ownership: F. Bennett sucks.
Overall grade: B
More Corndogs! More Losses! More Blunder!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Will Proposed Change Doom the NCAA Tournament?
Yup, leave it to the NCAA to ruin the greatest college sporting event. According to the SBJ, the NCAA is considering opting out of it's 11-year, $6 billion contract with CBS after this year's Final Four ur in April. The deal has three years and $2.131 billion remaining. And that's not even the most obnoxious part.
They are considering expanding the current 65 team format to...get this...as many as 96 teams. That is not a misprint. 96 teams playing in the tournament. The NCAA has its sights set on expanding to either 68 or 96 teams if it opts out of the CBS contract, according to the 12-page RFP. A 68-team field would add three “play-in” games to the current 65-team format, and a 96-team field would expand the tournament’s inventory by 31 games. Seriously?
Obviously this is an attempt to eliminate the NIT. I just gotta conclude this is a staggering act of stupidity and greed. Expanding the tournament will doom it to fan apathy. Too many games, too many teams without any chance of winning and over saturating the marketplace.
Sound familiar? It's called the NBA. And we all see how that's doing these days.
JUST SAY NO! Preserve the tournament!
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/64712
They are considering expanding the current 65 team format to...get this...as many as 96 teams. That is not a misprint. 96 teams playing in the tournament. The NCAA has its sights set on expanding to either 68 or 96 teams if it opts out of the CBS contract, according to the 12-page RFP. A 68-team field would add three “play-in” games to the current 65-team format, and a 96-team field would expand the tournament’s inventory by 31 games. Seriously?
Obviously this is an attempt to eliminate the NIT. I just gotta conclude this is a staggering act of stupidity and greed. Expanding the tournament will doom it to fan apathy. Too many games, too many teams without any chance of winning and over saturating the marketplace.
Sound familiar? It's called the NBA. And we all see how that's doing these days.
JUST SAY NO! Preserve the tournament!
http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/64712
Friday, January 29, 2010
Potential Tebow Fall-Out?
You have to wonder what the fallout from the Tebow situation may be. Will recruits with legit NFL dreams re-consider the athletic education they receive in college? Will quarterbacks seek out colleges where they are schooled correctly, as opposed to football factories like Florida where mega stats are racked up at the expense of learning the proper NFL skill set?
It’s one thing to win games and achieve stellar statistics, and it is a great achievement. However, we now know it’s not enough at the next level. NFL scouts distance themselves from stat-happy talent (aka RISKY) and lean toward well-skilled (less risky) talent. So, will this lead to a trend that pressures college coaches to TRAIN the athlete properly? How much emphasis will players and parents put into that...the idea of literally getting an education.
Sure, everyone wants to lay at the big high profile schools...there’s no question about that and they will always get huge recruits. Outside of the QB position, it probably doesn’t matter. But it seems like Florida/Tebow is the perfect example of the problem – high profile - many wins – huge stats – lots of trophies – zero NFL career. Who’s the last stat happy Gator QB to play in the NFL? Hell, WSU has put more QB’s in the NFL – Super Bowl winning ones. If you’re a high school QB with dreams of playing in the NFL – will the Tebow situation influence their decision to go to schools like Florida where you win on Saturday but leave behind any chance of playing on Sunday?
It’s one thing to win games and achieve stellar statistics, and it is a great achievement. However, we now know it’s not enough at the next level. NFL scouts distance themselves from stat-happy talent (aka RISKY) and lean toward well-skilled (less risky) talent. So, will this lead to a trend that pressures college coaches to TRAIN the athlete properly? How much emphasis will players and parents put into that...the idea of literally getting an education.
Sure, everyone wants to lay at the big high profile schools...there’s no question about that and they will always get huge recruits. Outside of the QB position, it probably doesn’t matter. But it seems like Florida/Tebow is the perfect example of the problem – high profile - many wins – huge stats – lots of trophies – zero NFL career. Who’s the last stat happy Gator QB to play in the NFL? Hell, WSU has put more QB’s in the NFL – Super Bowl winning ones. If you’re a high school QB with dreams of playing in the NFL – will the Tebow situation influence their decision to go to schools like Florida where you win on Saturday but leave behind any chance of playing on Sunday?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Blunder Bulled Over, Drop Third Straight
Ok, here's the familiar Blunder we know and love - on another losing streak! Chicago reached the .500 mark for the first time this season as they crushed the Blunder in OKC on Wednesday night, 96-86. It was the fourth straight win for the Bulls and the third loss in a row for the Zombie Sonics.
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant, led OKC with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Durant and Westbrook combined for 52 points. The rest of the Zombie Sonics combined for a paltry 34 points. Brutal. Five Bulls scored in double figures.
Jeff Green, who finished with 24 points and nine rebounds commented about the Blunder's current losing streak, "It's only a three-game losing streak," Green said. "It ain't like we've lost 11 in a row."
No, but they did lose 14 in a row last season. In celebration of that landmark lowlight, the Blunder opened the 4th quarter with 14 straight missed shots. Yay!
Lowlights: Durant and Westbrook both had four turnovers, Nick "Get Me Outta Here" Collison had two rebounds and zero points in 21 minutes.
There was an announced crowd of 17,562...another non sellout for the team supposedly on the brink of the playoffs. Looks like OKC isn't really into the NBA.
Blunder: 21-24 (losses come first!)
Next loss: Thursday vs Denver.
Hilarious "celeb' sighting: Mark Clayton of the Ravens and Tommie Harris of the Bears, former teammates at Oklahoma, sat courtside and each threw an autographed corndog, er, football into the crowd.
More Corndogs! More Losses! More Blunder!
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant, led OKC with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Durant and Westbrook combined for 52 points. The rest of the Zombie Sonics combined for a paltry 34 points. Brutal. Five Bulls scored in double figures.
Jeff Green, who finished with 24 points and nine rebounds commented about the Blunder's current losing streak, "It's only a three-game losing streak," Green said. "It ain't like we've lost 11 in a row."
No, but they did lose 14 in a row last season. In celebration of that landmark lowlight, the Blunder opened the 4th quarter with 14 straight missed shots. Yay!
Lowlights: Durant and Westbrook both had four turnovers, Nick "Get Me Outta Here" Collison had two rebounds and zero points in 21 minutes.
There was an announced crowd of 17,562...another non sellout for the team supposedly on the brink of the playoffs. Looks like OKC isn't really into the NBA.
Blunder: 21-24 (losses come first!)
Next loss: Thursday vs Denver.
Hilarious "celeb' sighting: Mark Clayton of the Ravens and Tommie Harris of the Bears, former teammates at Oklahoma, sat courtside and each threw an autographed corndog, er, football into the crowd.
More Corndogs! More Losses! More Blunder!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Losing Streak Grows as Cavs Dump Blunder
It's getting ugly out there on the road for the Blunder - Two losses in three nights, 88-86 against Memphis and 100-99 to the Cavaliers, who were forced to start Daniel Gibson for the first time since 2007 due to injuries to to Mo Williams and Delonte West. Not to worry, because Lebron ran the Cavs' offense most of the night, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter and sealing the win with a monster block on Durant with .9 seconds remaining.
It was the 20th loss for the Blunder...21st if you throw in the $1.6 million that shady owner/worldclass douchebag Clay Bennett lost when he 'settled' a lawsuit for ripping off the Seattle fans.
Lebron James was one rebound away from a triple-double as he went off for 37 points nine rebounds and 12 assists. I rarely pimp movies on here, however I highly recommend seeing MORE THAN A GAME, the LeBron James story about his High School basketball team in Ohio. It's awesome - do not miss this movie.
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant, as always, led the Zombie Sonics with 34 points and 10 rebounds, his 18th straight game with at least 25 points. The kid can play. It'll be devestating for the franchise when he leaves, as expected.
Lowlights: Nick Collison had 5 fouls in 19 minutes and a paltry 2 points on 1-2 shooting. I think Nick hates it in OKC and I doubt he is back next season. Ibaka had 3 turnovers in 19 minutes. As a team the Blunder shot only 38% from the field, and defensively they were caught cheating (Bennett's influence, no doubt) in the paint and were penalized for a three-second violation.
More Corndogs! More Losses! More Blunder!
Blunder: 20-24 (20 losses...losses always come first in OKC!)
Next Loss: Wednesday vs. Chicago.
To Do List: See MORE THAN A GAME.
It was the 20th loss for the Blunder...21st if you throw in the $1.6 million that shady owner/worldclass douchebag Clay Bennett lost when he 'settled' a lawsuit for ripping off the Seattle fans.
Lebron James was one rebound away from a triple-double as he went off for 37 points nine rebounds and 12 assists. I rarely pimp movies on here, however I highly recommend seeing MORE THAN A GAME, the LeBron James story about his High School basketball team in Ohio. It's awesome - do not miss this movie.
Future ex-Blunder Kevin Durant, as always, led the Zombie Sonics with 34 points and 10 rebounds, his 18th straight game with at least 25 points. The kid can play. It'll be devestating for the franchise when he leaves, as expected.
Lowlights: Nick Collison had 5 fouls in 19 minutes and a paltry 2 points on 1-2 shooting. I think Nick hates it in OKC and I doubt he is back next season. Ibaka had 3 turnovers in 19 minutes. As a team the Blunder shot only 38% from the field, and defensively they were caught cheating (Bennett's influence, no doubt) in the paint and were penalized for a three-second violation.
More Corndogs! More Losses! More Blunder!
Blunder: 20-24 (20 losses...losses always come first in OKC!)
Next Loss: Wednesday vs. Chicago.
To Do List: See MORE THAN A GAME.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
